Air Safety Forum Clarifies FAA’s Stance on Single-Pilot Ops | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.05.25

Airborne-NextGen-05.06.25

AirborneUnlimited-05.07.25

Airborne-Unlimited-05.01.25

AirborneUnlimited-05.02.25

Sun, Sep 15, 2024

Air Safety Forum Clarifies FAA’s Stance on Single-Pilot Ops

FAA and ALPA Leaders Reiterate the Importance of Having Two Pilots on Deck

On September 11, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) kicked off its annual Air Safety Forum with a keynote speaker: FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. In this, Whitaker reinforced the importance of keeping two pilots in the cockpit on every flight.

This discussion comes, as most know, in light of a large pilot deficit. As aircraft automation and autopilot systems become more developed, Airlines have considered reducing the number of pilots in the cockpit to just one. Though this would help significantly with the shortage, regulators have questioned the safety of single pilot operations.

Formal talks of this possibility began in 2022 when the ICAO received requests from over 40 countries. There are many factors to consider, including pilot awareness, fatigue, and incapacitation, before this could become a reality.

In the opening remarks of this year’s ALPA Air Safety Forum, Whitaker made it very clear where the FAA stands. This confirmation is critical as European manufacturers make a move to start extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO) as soon as 2027.

“Two well-trained, well-rested pilots in the flight deck is a key pillar of safety,’ Whitaker explained. “It is the law of the land, and I intend for it to stay the law. We have been engaging more with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and will be engaging on a quarterly basis so this issue will remain front and center.”

Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of ALPA, also reiterated his stance on the matter. He referenced audit data, revealing aircraft malfunctions on nearly 20% of flights. However, having trained pilots in the cockpit ensures that 99.9994% of these instances have safe outcomes.

“Airline pilots know better than anyone that things can—and do—go wrong on any flight, and at any time,” commented Ambrosi. “We are trained and ready to address any issue in flight from an engine fire to an automation failure. It’s at least two pilots on the flight deck at all times that make the difference to ensure the safety of those onboard.”

The remainder of the 2024 Air Safety Forum honored pilots’ contributions to maintaining safety and security whenever possible. Several additional panels, led by industry experts, were held to address existing and emerging safety issues.

FMI: www.alpa.org

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.05.25): Circle To Runway (Runway Number)

Circle To Runway (Runway Number) Used by ATC to inform the pilot that he/she must circle to land because the runway in use is other than the runway aligned with the instrument appr>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.05.25)

Aero Linx: National Aviation Safety Foundation (NASF) The National Aviation Safety Foundation is a support group whose objective is to enhance aviation safety through educational p>[...]

NTSB Prelim: De Havilland DHC-1

At Altitude Of About 250-300 Ft Agl, The Airplane Experienced A Total Loss Of Engine Power On November 6, 2024, at 1600 central standard time, a De Havilland DHC-1, N420TD, was inv>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: The Boeing Dreamliner -- Historic First Flight Coverage

From 2009 (YouTube Edition): Three Hour Flight Was 'Flawless' -- At Least, Until Mother Nature Intervened For anyone who loves the aviation business, this was a VERY good day. Afte>[...]

Airborne-NextGen 05.06.25: AF Uncrewed Fighters, Drones v Planes, Joby Crew Test

Also: AMA Names Tyler Dobbs, More Falcon 9 Ops, Firefly Launch Unsuccessful, Autonomous F-16s The Air Force has begun ground testing a future uncrewed jet design in a milestone tow>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC