FAA Declines to Renew COVID-19 SFAR

February 4, 2021 – The FAA has declined to renew its Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for relief from certain regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first SFAR went into effect as most parts of the United States went into lockdown in March 2020. It provided for extensions of certain time-limited items such medical certificates, written test expiration dates, some flight reviews, and some flight currency checks. In successive extensions the FAA began removing some of those currency items from relief and began reducing the duration of extensions. The last iteration of the SFAR expired at the end of January.

In denying the industry's request for further relief, the FAA stated its position that sufficient personnel are now available nationwide for normal training and checking activities. EAA, AOPA, and other members of the GA coalition continue to work this issue and are evaluating the next steps they will take. At this point, however, EAA advises members not to assume that any further relief from deadlines is forthcoming.