Former FAA Employees

FAR 91.1050 Former FAA Employees

FAR 91.1050 restricts fractional owners and program managers from employing certain former FAA Flight Standards inspectors as agents before the FAA.

In Plain English

FAR 91.1050 is a "revolving door" rule that limits which former FAA employees a fractional owner or fractional ownership program manager can hire to represent them before the FAA.

The restriction applies if, in the preceding 2 years, the individual:

  • Served as (or directly oversaw) a Flight Standards Service aviation safety inspector, and
  • Had direct responsibility to inspect, or oversee the inspection of, that specific fractional owner's or program manager's operations.

If both conditions are met, the program may not knowingly employ or contract with that person to act as an agent or representative in any matter before the FAA. "Acting as an agent" includes making any written or oral communication to the FAA on the program's behalf — even if the person didn't personally work on that issue while at the FAA.

Why it matters operationally: This rule prevents conflicts of interest and undue influence when ex-inspectors transition to industry. Note the grandfather clause: individuals already employed by the program before October 21, 2011 are exempt.

Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1050
§ 91.1050 Employment of former FAA employees. (a) Except as specified in paragraph (c) of this section, no fractional owner or fractional ownership program manager may knowingly employ or make a contractual arrangement which permits an individual to act as an agent or representative of the fractional owner or fractional ownership program manager in any matter before the Federal Aviation Administration if the individual, in the preceding 2 years— (1) Served as, or was directly responsible for the oversight of, a Flight Standards Service aviation safety inspector; and (2) Had direct responsibility to inspect, or oversee the inspection of, the operations of the fractional owner or fractional ownership program manager. (b) For the purpose of this section, an individual shall be considered to be acting as an agent or representative of a fractional owner or fractional ownership program manager in a matter before the agency if the individual makes any written or oral communication on behalf of the fractional owner or fractional ownership program manager to the agency (or any of its officers or employees) in connection with a particular matter, whether or not involving a specific party and without regard to whether the individual has participated in, or had responsibility for, the particular matter while serving as a Flight Standards Service aviation safety inspector. (c) The provisions of this section do not prohibit a fractional owner or fractional ownership program manager from knowingly employing or making a contractual arrangement which permits an individual to act as an agent or representative of the fractional owner or fractional ownership program manager in any matter before the Federal Aviation Administration if the individual was employed by the fractional owner or fractional ownership program manager before October 21, 2011. [Docket FAA-2008-1154, 76 FR 52235, Aug. 22, 2011]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What does FAR 91.1050 restrict regarding hiring former FAA employees in a fractional ownership program?
Per FAR 91.1050, a fractional owner or program manager may not knowingly employ or contract with someone to act as their agent before the FAA if, within the preceding 2 years, that person served as (or oversaw) a Flight Standards aviation safety inspector responsible for inspecting that program's operations.
Q2Under FAR 91.1050, what counts as 'acting as an agent or representative' before the FAA?
FAR 91.1050(b) defines it as making any written or oral communication to the FAA on behalf of the fractional owner or program manager regarding a particular matter, regardless of whether the individual personally handled that matter while at the FAA.
Q3Are there any exceptions to the employment restrictions in FAR 91.1050?
Yes. FAR 91.1050(c) provides a grandfather exception: the restriction does not apply if the individual was already employed by the fractional owner or program manager before October 21, 2011.
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FAR 91.1050 — Hiring Former FAA Employees (Fractional)