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.
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