1 A.C. R. A. Airman Certification and/or Rating Application Update January 29, 2003

2 ACRA TRAINING Provided By: Dave Fosdick, FAA Program Manager Washington, DC

3 What is ACRA? n Airman Certification and/or Rating Application n Computer software written specifically to process applications for airman certificates. n Program provides integrity checks to ensure regulatory and policy requirements are met before generating certification documents. n Prints error-free certification documents: Temporary Airman Certificate (FAA Form ), Notice of Disapproval of Application, Letter of Discontinuance, , 8610, etc.

4 Whose Using ACRA? n Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) n Aircrew Program Managers (APM) n Training Center Program Managers (TCPM) n Aviation Safety Technicians (AST) n Designated Examiners (DPE, DME, Etc.) n Airman Certification Representatives (ACR)

5 What Certificates Can ACRA Issue? n Airline Transport Pilot n Commercial Pilot n Private Pilot n Recreational Pilot n Certified Flight Instructor n Student Pilot n Instrument Rating n Certificate Reissue n Type Ratings n Ground Instructor n Flight Engineer n Aircraft Dispatcher n Flight Navigator n Medical Flight Test* n Emergency Field Issuance n Change of Address Operations

6 What Certificates Can ACRA Issue? Airworthiness n Mechanic n Inspection Authorization* n Parachute Rigger n Repairman*

7 Hardware Requirements n MS Windows 98, NT 4.0 (svc pack 6), or XP n 32 MB of RAM n Internet Explorer 4.0 n 20 MB hard drive space n Modem & Internet Connectivity n Pentium Processor 166 Mhz or higher n CD ROM Drive n Color Monitor with 800x600 Resolution n Ink Jet or Laser Printer n MDAC (Version 2.6 or higher)

8 How Do I Get Started? n Obtain The ACRA Program On CD ROM. n Obtain & Complete Registration Form. n Register With ACRA Help Desk. n Obtain User Access Combination. n Complete Certifying Officer Info Under. SETUP in ACRA. n Select Training Mode Under SETUP. n PRACTICE Making & Printing Some Certification Files Until Comfortable.

9 ACRA Overview n ACRA is designed to improve the airman certification process through the use of software validation checks resulting in automatic generation of the appropriate documents and associated Program Tracking/Reporting System (PTRS) records.

10 ACRA SOFTWARE Latest approved version (v2.04) No longer supports modem uploads to OKC. Development and Testing Team: –Flight Standards Service –Office of Information Technology –Office of Information Services –Various FSDOs, & Flight Schools

11 What can ACRA do for you? n Checks regulatory/policy requirements. n Prints all required certification documents. n Prints PTRS records. n Stores duplicate certification records. n Reduces number of rejected applications. n Reduces review process and turnaround time. n Allows Designated Examiners to send applications directly to the Registry.

12 ACRA in the future? n Digital signature n Paperless process - Internet Access –Planned Implementation - Sepetember 2003

13 Where to send Certification File? n PTRS Records must be mailed to FSDO. n Certification documents mailed to OKC. –Exception: Initial CFI documents must be sent to FSDO. n Completed files must be mailed to OKC within 5 working days of completion of examination.

14 Back up Certification Files n To ensure that computerized records are maintained, always backup your files - weekly. n Use the Archive Tool under UTILITY on the ACRA tool bar to save files to an alternate storage medium. n Always backup your records prior to installing a new version, update, patch, or reinstalling the program.

15 Will I Have Problems? n ACRA software is good but it’s not yet fully perfected. n The more examiners who use it and report errors the quicker it will become extremely reliable. n What should I do when I have a problem?

16 Investigating an Error n Call Support Hotline - (800) , Extensions or n Internet n Check the Help Menu. n Check ACRA website for a patch or upgrade. –Patches/bug fixes should be released over ACRA web site beginning February The Problem Must Be Duplicated To Reach A Solution! Solution!

17 Report an Error (Information Required) n Description of the problem. n Actual error message displayed by ACRA. n 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

18 ACRA Printing n Water-marked paper is available for laser/ink-jet printers. –Available from FSDO or ACRA Help Desk. n Most printers are recognized by ACRA. – MDAC – Windows 98 (MS Printer Utility included on ACRA Disk) may solve some printer problems. Report Problems To The ACRA Support Hotline.

19 ACRA Help n Most screens contain a Help Button –Pulls up Help for the current screen n Access Help on the ACRA tool bar then select CONTENTS.

20 ACRA Web Site n Internet Address: – n Contains: –History of ACRA –ACRA User’s Manual –Contact Information –FAQs –Release Notes –Patches / Bug Fixes - February 2003

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

22 Frequently Asked Questions n Collection of past inquiries. n ACRA Program - located under Help, Search For Help On, type FAQ. n Available on the ACRA web site. n Contact ACRA Support Hotline with new questions.

23 The End