Official Statement Issued By Embry-Riddle On Congressional Bill HR 3371

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University tells ANN that it "supports the U.S. Congress in its efforts to improve airline safety. At Embry-Riddle, safety is our number one priority, and we ensure that our flight operations adhere to the highest professional standards. We further recognize that scrutiny of airline operations by Congress to ensure safety for all airline travelers is the right thing to do."

In an official statement released over the weekend, ERAU adds that, "The result of those efforts is Congressional Bill H.R. 3371 -- The Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009. The University agrees in principle with the provisions of H.R. 3371 and believes that most elements of the Bill will continue to ensure that airlines operate in a safe manner. The University has stated publicly our concern over a single provision in H.R. 3371, namely the requirement for all pilots to have an ATP certificate prior to their being eligible for hire at an airline. Our concern is with the requirements for the ATP, which are outdated and do not address the safety issues identified in H.R. 3371. We believe this specific provision of the Bill will not address safety and could have a negative impact on our flight training program and similar programs at other high-quality, fully-accredited colleges and universities.

While Embry-Riddle is concerned with the ATP provision in H.R. 3371, we are also committed to working with members of Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration to reach a compromise on this issue. Our goal as the largest University pilot training program in the United States and the goals of H.R. 3371 are consistent. We agree with Congress that providing well-trained pilots to airlines will help ensure safe flight operations for the American public."

FMI: www.house.gov, www.embryriddle.edu