A new law requiring pilots in U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) Part 121 operations to have at least 1,500 flight hours might not have the safety-enhancing effects that its supporters had hoped for, some aviation safety specialists say.
Backers of the new law, however, say it will result in significant improvements in aviation safety.
Provisions of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Extension Act of 2010, signed into law by President Barack Obama on Aug. 1, will require Part 121 pilots to hold an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate — which is issued only to those who have accumulated at least 1,500 flight hours and meet other specific criteria. The provision will take effect in August 2013.
However, the act also says that the FAA may allow “specific academic training courses … to be credited toward the total flight hours,” if the FAA administrator has determined that these courses “will enhance safety more than requiring the pilot to …
