Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60; Flight Crew Total 1500; Flight Crew Type 700
Other / Unknown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
Human Factors
I was referred a student named Mr. X by my company. I was told that he was an Instrument Rated Private Pilot who had received a letter from the FAA requesting a re-examination of his IR a.k.a. the dreaded 709 ride. Apparently he passed the check ride years ago; and the examiner was recently found guilty of conducting check rides inappropriately. I flew with the student 3 times as an instructor; and once as a safety pilot to help him brush up on instrument skills in preparation for the 709 ride. One of the flights was to help him regain night currency. After those 3 flights; I no longer saw the student. I heard that he decided to wrap things up somewhere else due to a disagreement between him and my company. A few days ago I got a phone call telling me that the owner of my company is involved in a lawsuit; and that the 'Mr. X' situation would be used against him. After some discussion; I found out that at the time the student was seeking flight training; he was not a US citizen; and did not have TSA clearance to undergo any flight training. On top of that; it had been over 24 months since his last biennial flight review (BFR). I was not aware of any of this information at the time. Naturally; I was worried. After some searching; I was unable to locate any information or guidance regarding whether or not any TSA clearance is required to undergo training for a 709 check ride; and as far as I know it is permissible to provide instruction to individuals who do not have a current BFR. I am quite certain he broke several FAR's by acting as PIC on that flight where I was the safety pilot; though I am not sure where that leaves me when acting as a required crew member when he was under the hood. While I am not sure if I violated any regulations; I feel it is on the safe side for me to submit this report and learn from this event. In the future; I should check and verify the records and documentation of any prospective students; instead of fully trusting and taking the word of colleagues/peers/organizations.
Instrument instructor reports being assigned a foreign student for refresher training in preparation for a 709 ride. The student does not complete the training and the instructor is later informed that the student was not a US citizen; did not have a TSA clearance to undergo flight training and did not have a current BFR.