FAA Is Considering New Commercial Pilot Certificate Standards For Airlines

FAA Administrator Babbitt testified Thursday at a hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee Aviation Subcommittee on oversight of FAA safety initiatives. In his prepared remarks, he reiterated that "we cannot regulate professionalism. No matter how many rules, regulations, advisories, mandatory training sessions, voluntary training sessions, it still comes down to the individual — the individual pilot, mechanic, technician, flight attendant or controller."

Full Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV) said, in his prepared opening remarks "Over the last several months, the issue of pilot training and fatigue has dominated the safety discussion – and rightly so.  They are important issues that need the FAA’s and industry’s immediate attention. I believe that revisions to flight time and duty limitations are long overdue.  There is simply no excuse for past failures in this area.  Frankly, it is embarrassing, and I expect the FAA to make progress on it in the near future."

While Rockefeller said that statistically, the U.S. airline system is the safest in the world, "Numbers alone do not reassure me that our nation’s aviation system is as safe as it could be."

Rockefeller went on to say that addressing the fatigue issue is just one aspect of the safety issue. "We are reminded far too often about the fragility of our aviation system – a system dependent on antiquated technology and human factors we still don’t fully understand. Over the last several years, modernizing our nation’s air traffic control system has been a priority for me and the Members of the Committee. The benefits of modernization are often described in terms of economic efficiency.  There is no question that is true, but the strongest case for modernization is that it will make our system safer."

Senator Rockefeller

In his opening remarks, Babbitt outlined the initiatives undertaken by the FAA to address the issue of pilot fatigue, including safety forums around the country, mentoring programs, training program review, and work to obtain a commitment to "best practices" on the part of air carriers, as well as others. But Babbitt said pilots commuting long distances to their departure points is still an issue that will be difficult to address. "The effect commuting has on fatigue for crew members requires further analysis. I know from last week’s hearing that this is an issue of great interest to this Subcommittee," he said. "But I want to emphasize as we consider options on fatigue, reporting to work fit for duty is far more complex than drawing a circle around a hub and stating that the pilot must live within that area. This is where professionalism — taking responsibility for showing up fit for duty — has to govern."

"Please understand, I recognize the interest in and concern about commuting. But given the complexities and vested interests inherent in this issue, the ARC did not reach a consensus recommendation," Babbitt continued. "Consequently in the interest of not delaying issuing the broader fatigue proposal, we will request additional comments and recommendations to consider whether added restrictions in this area would further enhance safety."

Babbitt said the "Call to Action" items have been a major focus of the agency since he was confirmed as Administrator. "Their (FAA employees) work has resulted in eliminating fuel tank flammability, virtually eliminating commercial icing accidents, and drastically reducing the number of general aviation accidents in the state of Alaska, among many other things. Safety is at the core of FAA’s mission and we will always strive to make a safe system safer."

While answering questions from the panel, Babbitt said the agency is considering a new class of commercial pilot certificate for co-pilots of airliners. The Wall Street Journal reports that while Babbitt would likely not agree to the 1,500 hour minimum Congress has suggested, "Maybe it's a thousand hours of experience needed," he said.

Administrator Babbitt

Babbitt, a former airline captain, said he would consider requiring additional training in high-altitude environments, as well as known icing and multi-engine experience with two pilots. Babbitt said simply upping the required hours logged would not "give me comfort that they have been exposed" to the full range of necessary training. 

Almost as an aside, Chairman Rockefeller gave a hint that long-term FAA reauthorization may finally be on the horizon. "That is why it is even more critical that the Senate move on a FAA Reauthorization bill early next year," he said during his opening statement.

FMI:  http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Home.Home, www.faa.gov