1. 1 Allentown FSDO DPE Meeting Airman Certification and/or Rating Application (ACRA) Training January 24, 2001

2. 2 ACRA TRAINING INSTRUCTOR: John Wensel Manager Certification Branch, AFS-840 Washington, DC (202) 267-7771

3. 3 TRAINING MATERIALS Training Packet –ACRA User’s Manual –ACRA Training Course Material –Lab Materials

4. 4 AGENDA Introduction and Course Overview ACRA Fundamentals Setup the ACRA environment Create certificate applications Electronically transmit application Processing an ACRA Certification File Review of ACRA Training Course Wrap-up

5. 5 What is ACRA? Airman Certification and/or Rating Application Microcomputer program that processes applications for airman certification and ratings Checks to ensure regulatory and policy requirements are met by the applicants Automatically generates PTRS records Produces certification documents such as the Temporary Airman Certificate (FAA Form 8060- 4), Notice of Disapproval of Application, Letter of Discontinuance, 8710-1, 8610, etc.

6. 6 Who are ACRA Users? Principal Inspectors (POI, PMI, PAI) Aircrew Program Managers (APM) Training Center Program Managers (TCPM) Designated Examiners (DPE, DME, TCE, APD) Aviation Safety Technicians (AST) Airman Certification Representatives (ACR)

7. 7 What Certificates/Ratings Are Issued? Airline Transport Pilot Commercial Pilot Private Pilot Recreational Pilot Certified Flight Instructor Student Pilot Instrument Rating Certificate Reissue Type Ratings Ground Instructor Flight Engineer Aircraft Dispatcher Flight Navigator Medical Flight Test Emergency Field Issuance Change of Address Operations

8. 8 What Certificates are Issued? Airworthiness Mechanic Inspection Authorization Parachute Rigger Repairman

9. 9 Minimum System Requirements Microsoft Windows 98 or NT 4.0 32 MB of RAM Windows Explorer 4.0 20 MB hard drive space Modem or FAA LAN/WAN Connectivity Pentium Processor 166 Mhz or higher CDROM Drive Color Monitor with 800x600 Resolution Ink Jet or Laser Printer

10. 10 Course Objectives Create a certificate application Electronically transmit a completed application (overview only) What to send to the Registry?

11. 11 ACRA Overview ACRA is designed to improve the certification process through the use of validation checks and automatic generation of certification documents and PTRS records.

12. 12 ACRA TRAINING Latest approved version (ver 2.02) Developing and Testing Developed by: –Flight Standards Service (AFS) –Office of Information Technology (AIT) –Office of Information Services (AMI) –Various FSDOs, Flight Schools

13. 13 Course Materials Overview ACRA User’s Manual – Available on ACRA Web Site CDROM

14. 14 Course Materials Overview ACRA Training Course Material – Training Agenda – Sample Forms Laser 8710-1 Temporary Certificate Transmittal Log – Registration Form

15. 15 What can ACRA do for you? Reduces work load –Checks regulatory/policy requirements –Generates certification documents –Automatically generates PTRS records –Stores and retrieves certification applications

16. 16 What can ACRA do for you? Other benefits –Electronic Signature –Electronic data transmission to DLS –Reduces number of rejected applications –Reduces review process and turnaround time –Allows Designated Examiners to send applications directly to the Registry

17. 17 Lesson 1 Questions?

18. 18 Lesson 2 ACRA Fundamentals Purpose To introduce ACRA features and functions Objectives At the end of this lesson the student will be able to navigate through ACRA menus

19. 19 ACRA Fundamentals Main Menu The ACRA Main Menu consists of menus and toolbars Choose commands by: –Clicking a toolbar button with the mouse –Choosing a command from the menu –Using a keyboard shortcut key

20. 20 ACRA Fundamentals Radio Buttons Radio Buttons are flat circular buttons used on screens where there are two or more mutually exclusive choices.

21. 21 ACRA Fundamentals Group Box A group box is a combination of Radio Buttons and Check Boxes. Only one radio button can be selected in addition to the check box.

22. 22 ACRA Fundamentals Calendar Control The Calendar Control is a feature used throughout ACRA to enter dates. Click on the down arrow at the far right side of the input field to view the calendar.

23. 23 ACRA Fundamentals Drop-Down List Boxes A Drop-Down list box will have an arrow at the far end of the input field. A list of available choices appear when arrow is selected. Drop-Down box closed Drop-Down box opened

24. 24 ACRA Fundamentals Lookup Table List Boxes A Lookup Table List Box will be displayed when there is more than one option to be selected. Multiple selections are allowed by clicking on each item.

25. 25 ACRA Fundamentals Alert Boxes Alert Boxes are used to warn the user of a potential problem.

26. 26 Lesson 2 Demonstration

27. 27 Lesson 2 Questions?

28. 28 Lesson 3 Introduction Purpose To introduce the user environment and parameters required before ACRA can be used

29. 29 Lesson 3 Objectives At the end of this lesson the student will be able to: Select mode of operating (Training or Production) Auto-fill school information Setup Communications parameters Setup Certifying Officers Setup Recommending Instructors

30. 30 Lesson 3 Demonstration

31. 31 Lesson 3 STUDENT LAB # 1

32. 32 Lesson 3 Questions?

33. 33 Lesson 4 Introduction Purpose To learn how to complete an Airman Certification Application using ACRA Objectives At the end of this lesson the student will understand features of ACRA that are designed to improve the certification process

34. 34 Lesson 4 Demonstration Airline Transport Pilot Certificate

35. 35 Lesson 4 STUDENT LAB # 2

36. 36 Lesson 4 Demonstration Airline Transport Pilot Type Rating

37. 37 Lesson 4 STUDENT LAB # 3

38. 38 Lesson 4 Questions?

39. 39 Lesson 5 Introduction Purpose To learn how to transmit an ACRA application to the Data Library Server (DLS) Objectives At the end of this lesson the student will be able to access the ACRA Communications screen and transmit an ACRA application via modem or LAN.

40. 40 Lesson 5 Demonstration

41. 41 Lesson 5 Questions?

42. 42 Lesson 6 Introduction Purpose To cover processing Airman Certification Files.

43. 43 Lesson 6 Objectives At the end of this lesson the student will have reviewed: –What documents are in the certification file. –Reviewing the certification file. –Where to send the certification file. –When to send the certification file. –Creating Back-up certification files.

44. 44 Airman Certification File Inspector/Examiners Attachments Q superceded pilot certificate Rtemporary airman certificate Q written test results Final Results Documents RACRA FAA Form 8710-1 Radditional address information RACRA FAA Form 8060-4 FAA Form 8710-1 Qoriginal signatures for applicant/RI

45. 45 Reviewing Certification File Review File for correct Forms/Attachments Review ACRA Forms for completeness Add any missing text to ACRA Forms Do Not delete information from ACRA Forms.

46. 46 Where to send Certification File ACRA certification files can be sent directly to AFS-760 with approval of POI. Certification Files must be uploaded to DLS to automatically send PTRS record. FAA Policy requiring files to be mailed within 5 working days is still applicable. It also applies to uploading ACRA file to DLS.

47. 47 AFS-760 Airman Records Mailing Address: –Federal Aviation Administration –Airman Certification Branch –AFS-760 –PO Box 25082 –Oklahoma City, OK 73159

48. 48 Back up Certification Files To ensure that computerized records are maintained, back up files should be created. Using the Archive Tool save files to a backup directory. Always backup prior to installing new version or reinstalling current program.

49. 49 Lesson 7 Introduction Purpose To cover / review important points in learning how to use the ACRA program

50. 50 Lesson 7 Objectives At the end of this lesson the student will have reviewed: –How to report an error –Printing problems with the laser report feature –On-line help –How to use the function keys –Manipulate Applications –How to get extra ACRA User’s manuals & software –How to access Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) –Registration Form

51. 51 Report an Error The problem must be replicable to be considered a problem Call Support Hotline - (202) 267-7724 cc:mail to: 9-AWA-AFS-OPSPROB Internet Mail: 9-AWA-AFS-OPSSPROB@faa.gov Look in the ACRA dialog box for information Look on page 1-3 of the Introduction Section of the ACRA User’s Manual

52. 52 Report an Error (Information Required) Description of the problem Actual error message displayed by ACRA The path taken during the application: –Certificate type sought (ATP, commercial, etc.) –Rating(s) sought –Type of Application (Restricted/Unrestricted) –Basis of Application (Course/Test Completion) –Type of Issuance (Original/Additional) –Current certificate information held (NOTE: This information is contained in ACRA User’s Manual under “How to Report an Error”, page 1-3 of Introduction)

53. 53 Laser Report Printing Problems Report problems to the ACRA Support Hotline Forms currently available on Laser Reports are Temporary Airman Certificate and FAA Form 8710-1.

54. 54 On-line Help Most screens contain a Help Button –Pulls up Help for the current screen –Reiterates information found in the User’s Manual Access Help from the Main Menu by clicking on CONTENTS to start on-line help

55. 55 ACRA Web Site URL is: –http://www.mmac.jccbi.gov/acra Contains –History of ACRA –ACRA User’s Manual –Digital Signature Process –Contact Information –FAQs –Release Notes

56. 56 Function Keys Keyboard Function Keys used to make lengthier tasks shorter and easier Function key F5 displays list of keys Only available when doing an ACRA application

57. 57 Lesson 7 Demonstration

58. 58 Manipulate Applications Retrieve an Application Delete an Application Archive/Export Applications Unarchive/Import Applications

59. 59 Lesson 7 Demonstration

60. 60 Frequently Asked Questions Collection of past inquiries Located under Help Screen Selection on Menu (also available through the ACRA web site) Contact ACRA Support Hotline with new questions

61. 61 Lesson 7 Demonstration

62. 62 ACRA Registration Form Complete the form in the ACRA Training Course Materials and return to instructor.

63. 63 ACRA Training Congratulations!!!