Controversial Amendment Was Not Included In The Bill Which
Passed Last Month
When the US Senate passed its
version of the FAA Reauthorization Bill by a 93 to 0 vote March
22nd, Senator Jim DeMint's (R-SC) S.3048 "Pilot's Professionalism
Assurance Act" ... which would have allowed the use of Cockpit
Voice Recorder data to be used for punitive action against pilots
... was not included as an amendment. CAPA is publicly
expressing thanks to its members who contacted members of the
Senate to express displeasure with what it says was Senator
DeMint's attempt to legislate pilot professionalism.
CAPA reports that over 3,000 concerned pilots responded, sending
over 6,000 email letters to Senate offices voicing their opposition
to Senator DeMint's legislation. The organization says this is an
example of why US commercial pilots need to have a presence and a
voice in Washington, DC. Grass roots efforts such as this are
powerful tools that allow the voice of the constituents to be heard
by their representatives in Congress.
The House Rules Committee melded the text of the pilot training
bill HR 3371 with the House-passed FAA Reauthorization Bill which
will be conferenced with the Senate bill sometime after Congress
returns from Easter recess. The House bill contains language which
will make the FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license a minimum
requirement for hire as a part 121 pilot. The Senate version has
set a minimum of 800 hours as a requirement for hire in part 121
operations, however CAPA is working with Senate and House staffs to
keep the ATP with its 1500 hour total as the final result.
CAPA would prefer that part 135 operations are also required to
hire pilots with an ATP. In addition, CAPA objects to language that
would expand access to pilots "other records pertaining to the
individual's performance as a pilot that are maintained by the air
carrier" which could hinder a pilot's ability to be hired at
another air carrier.
CAPA says it will continue to work with
Congressional members and staff prior to the conference event so as
to mold the FAA Reauthorization as it pertains to the pilot
profession in order to achieve the best outcome for all US
commercial pilots in part 121 and 135 operations. CAPA will keep
you all informed in case another "grass roots" effort is needed to
properly inform Congress about the pilot profession and commercial
aviation issues.
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