FAA Panel Mandated By Congress Last Year
The FAAs Pilot Records Database Aviation Rule Making Committee
(ARC) which held its first meeting on Tuesday includes members of
the APA Teamsters Local 1224. As a result the "Airline Safety and
FAA Extension Act of 2010", Congress mandated the FAA to create
numerous Aviation Rulemaking Committees (ARCs) to adequately
address and review many aspects of this important aviation
legislation.
One of the many changes outlined in this legislation is a
mandate for more transparency and disclosure of flight crewmember
records. The changes mandated by the Airline Safety and FAA
Extension Act of 2010 will require the FAA to maintain an
electronic database containing (1) FAA records of airman
certificates, ratings, and medical certificates and closed legal
enforcements, (2) air carrier and other records pertaining to
individual pilot performance to include training records,
disciplinary records, and records relating to release from
employment, and (3) National Driver Register (NDR) records.
The primary objective of the Pilot Record Database ARC will be
to establish best practices for the FAA's electronic pilot records
database. The committee is comprised of two dozen
participants from various sectors of the aviation community
including flight crewmember unions and associations, airlines,
regulators and airline associations.
"Over the past few years, Local 1224 along with the Coalition of
Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA) has been intimately involved
with congressional representatives as they sought counsel from
industry experts prior to the implementation of the Airline Safety
and FAA Extension Act of 2010," said APA Teamsters Local 1224
President Joe Muckle. "We have seen first-hand the positive
impact professionals can have when they take the time to share
their valuable experience. We are thrilled that several of
our members were chosen on behalf of the Teamsters Airline Division
and CAPA to participate in these FAA Rule Making Committees.
It is a true testament to our memberships' depth of experience and
to our local's reputation."
CAPA was asked to chair the Pilot Records Database ARC.
Upon recommendation, Russ Leighton, APA Teamsters Local 1224 Safety
Director and International Brotherhood of Teamsters Airline
Division (IBTAD) Safety Coordinator, was selected to chair the ARC
on CAPA's behalf. "Russ has an extensive aviation education and
notable experience with airline safety issues," said Local 1224
President Joe Muckle. "His relationships with so many airlines make
him an ideal candidate to chair any aviation committee."
Leighton, who formerly served as an aircraft accident
investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB),
has worked closely with CAPA to develop a comprehensive safety
strategy for the industry and most recently represented the IBTAD
on the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee, said, "I am
honored to have been selected to chair this committee on behalf of
the IBTAD and CAPA. I look forward to facilitating a discussion
that will allow the ARC to make the recommendations necessary for
the FAA to be able to write the best regulation possible."
APA Teamsters Local 1224 Business Agent John Herron will fill a
seat as a member of the committee appointed to the Teamsters
Airline Division.
As a pilot, Herron has 6,000 flight hours and is a type-rated
B-767 with domestic and international experience. A former pilot
for ABX Air, he has 10 years experience as a pilot in airline
operations. He earned a law degree from Temple University and
currently represents pilots in labor, FAA and TSA matters. "We must
ensure individuals retain the ability to be fully aware of what
records are on file with the FAA and also have the ability to
challenge those records in the event inaccuracies exist," said
Herron. "Carriers need to take responsibility for the training they
provide and the background checks they perform. We need ensure we
cultivate an environment where our check airmen and instructors
remain motivated to be good teachers in addition to check
airmen."
Additionally, Local 1224 member and USA 3000 Airlines Captain
Juliana Haacke will serve as an alternate for Herron. Captain
Haacke has been an active Teamster member since 1999. She was a
pilot for Horizon from 1999 to 2002 then transitioned to fly for
USA 3000 Airlines where she has been since. She was selected for
this role because of her meticulous attention to detail and
willingness to devote herself to advance causes that impact her
fellow crewmembers and the aviation profession.
The APA Teamsters Local 1224 Pilot Records Database ARC
representatives are giving their all to the process and ensuring
the input they provide is accurate and representative of views of
the entire membership. They are developing surveys and proactively
reaching out to every member of the Teamsters Airline Division,
seeking valid feedback and personal experiences.
A few of the issues which the committee is already considering
include: standardization between carriers for obtaining and
disclosing records; procedures which provide a crewmember the
ability obtain records and, potentially, dispute the accuracy of
disclosed information; exceptions for allowing crews to fly before
a carrier receives Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) records;
and ensuring training instructors and check airman maintain a
'training' focus. The Pilot Records Database ARC is currently
scheduled to meet for six weeklong sessions between now and May,
and will provide the FAA with their recommendations concerning the
development of requirements to meet this new law. The committee
will issue a final report to the FAA on or before May 31, 2011. The
report will encompass committee key findings and an outline of
recommendations.