Facts explored at this week’s NTSB Public Hearing on the
Colgan Air Flight 3407 accident drew attention to many
long-standing safety priorities of the Air Line Pilots Association,
Int’l (ALPA).
“This accident was a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are
with all those who were affected,” said Capt. John Prater
(pictured below), ALPA’s president, at the conclusion of the
hearing. “We must honor them by making our industry even
safer. Given the enormous growth in the express airlines and the
number of passengers they carry, we can’t rest in our pursuit
of one level of safety for all airline operations.”
Pilot fatigue, one of ALPA’s priority issues, was among
the topics on the final day of the hearing. Capt. Rory Kay,
ALPA’s Executive Air Safety Chairman, testified as an expert
witness on the subject. “We must address pilot fatigue in all
types of flying from long-haul international to multi-leg
domestic,” said Kay following his testimony. “While
ALPA recognizes that individual pilots have the responsibility to
report for duty fit to fly, we also recognize that those pilots
must be given the tools to fulfill that responsibility.”
Kay pointed out that regulators must develop science-based rules
covering fatigue and rest; operators must develop schedules
consistent with studies on fatigue; pilots must arrive for work fit
to fly. Pilots must also be trained in how to best prevent fatigue
and combat its effects, he said.
In addition, ALPA has long maintained that pilot training must
encompass all aspects of what it means to be a professional airline
pilot. Adequate training on how to operate the aircraft safely,
particularly in abnormal and potentially hazardous situations, is
vital. However, equally important is command training that teaches
pilots the sound judgment and leadership skills that they might not
have received through previous experience.
“An airline’s corporate
culture must be centered on safety and focused on preventing
accidents,” said Capt. Paul Rice, ALPA’s first
vice-president. “Airline management must foster a safety
environment that looks for trends and implements corrective actions
long before accidents occur.”
Rice underscored that encouraging nonpunitive employee reporting
of safety issues forms the foundation of a ”just
culture” within an airline. “Key to this is building an
unshakable sense of trust that the information reported by pilots
and other employees will be used solely to advance
safety.”
“ALPA is pleased that U.S. Senate Aviation Operations,
Safety, and Security Subcommittee Chairman Byron Dorgan announced
this week that he plans to hold hearings on regional airline
safety,” concluded Prater. “We look forward to working
with Congress and with all airline industry stakeholders in a
relentless pursuit of safety.”