Applauds HR 5900 Implementation, Notes Areas for More Attention, International Concerns
Alexandria, VA, March 20, 2012 — In testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation operations, Safety and Security, FSF President and CEO Bill Voss acknowledged the good work that has been done in the implementation of HR 5900, but called for a revision to the 1500 Hour Rule.
“Unquestionably, Congress and victims’ loved ones had their hearts and minds in the right place when they urged a hard-and-fast 1,500 hour requirement for new commercial pilots, but from the outset the Foundation expressed concern that simplistic hour requirements placed an undue focus on the quantity, not quality, of flight training,” Voss testified.
“If a flight crew needs to have a specific skill set, then steps should be taken to ensure the knowledge is obtained through training or previous experience. Mandating an arbitrary number of hours makes the dangerous assumption that specific knowledge will be obtained simply due to hours in the air. This leaves too much to chance. I am glad to see the FAA and industry adding some real substance to the new rule that goes beyond hours,” Voss continued.
Mr. Voss also raised concerns about the impact these new rules would have on international carriers. “For the first time, the FAA will promulgate a rule that the rest of the world will not able to follow,” he noted in reference to the requirement for an ATP for the second-in-command. “Given the structure of the global airline industry and the demand for aviation professionals, it will be impossible for foreign regulators to the follow the FAA’s lead.
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Flight Safety Foundation (flightsafetstg.wpenginepowered.com) is an independent, non-profit, international organization engaged in research, education, advocacy and publishing to improve aviation safety. The Foundation’s mission is to be the leading voice of safety for the global aerospace community.
Contact: Emily McGee, Director of Communications, 1-703-739-6700, ext. 126; mcgee@webdeva.flightsafety.org
