Long-Term Bill Maintains Pilot Training Requirements, Advances Passenger And Cargo Safety

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has released a statement supportive of the FAA reauthorization bill that is set for consideration by Congress this week.

“The Air Line Pilots Association, International salutes Congress for reaching agreement on a bipartisan, five-year Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill that will keep flying safe and the piloting profession strong," said ALPA president Capt. Tim Canoll (pictured) in a statement released to the media.

“ALPA applauds the vision, leadership, and commitment to safety that took place on both sides of the political aisle to secure agreement on this landmark bill. The bill maintains life-saving first officer qualification, training, and experience requirements and the presence of two fully qualified pilots in the cockpit of every FAR Part 121 passenger and cargo aircraft, while also taking important steps to inspire the next generation to pursue airline industry careers.

“The bipartisan measure mandates secondary cockpit barriers on new manufactured passenger airliners, a major step forward in aviation security. It improves the safe transport by air of lithium batteries and promotes education regarding undeclared dangerous goods. The language also prescribes the automatic acceptance of voluntary safety reports, includes fume event reporting requirements, promotes oxygen mask usage harmonization, supports the authorization of pilot assistance programs, and enhances the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program. In addition, the reauthorization permits the FAA to regulate unmanned aircraft systems flown by hobbyists, which will enhance the safety of all who operate in the national airspace.

“While ALPA is disappointed that the FAA reauthorization does not include language passed by the U.S. House to ensure that flag-of-convenience airlines are not allowed to threaten the U.S. airline industry, our union is resolute in our commitment to defend fair competition. We will never let up in our effort to level the playing field and protect American jobs against foreign airlines seeking to game the system with flag-of-convenience schemes to avoid labor, tax, and safety laws.

“No one is more committed to a strong pilot pipeline than ALPA, and we welcome the bill’s inclusion of a provision to establish a Women in Aviation Advisory Board to promote organizations and programs that provide education, training, mentorship, outreach, and recruitment of women in the aviation professions. We are also pleased by the provision to increase funding for the Essential Air Service program and the Small Community Air Service Development Program.

“This bipartisan, five-year, stable, long-term FAA reauthorization reached by the Senate and House is the culmination of years of hard work by ALPA to ensure that airline pilots’ safety, security, and pilot assistance priorities would be reflected in this landmark legislation. We also recognize the contributions of the staff on the authorizing committees in both the House and Senate and we appreciate their steadfast commitment to getting this safety-focused bill done.

“We urge Congress to vote swiftly to pass this FAA reauthorization to safeguard passengers, crews, and cargo shippers in this country and affirm the United States’ international position as the global leader in aviation safety.”

(Source: ALPA news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.alpa.org