Influential US senator proposes adding more requirements to pilot training rule
The US Congress’ tussle over the 1,500h pilot-training rule took an interesting turn on 18 July when a senator proposed requiring that new airline pilots have hundreds of hours in specific aircraft classes and in specific flying conditions. The bill, introduced by Tammy Duckworth, Democratic chair of the Senate aviation subcommittee, comes amid a seemingly escalating battle in Washington over changes floated to US pilot-training requirements. Changes have been proposed as part of Congress’ next Federal Aviation Administration funding bill, which is now working through the US House and Senate. Duckworth’s proposal takes aim at the Regional Airline Association (RAA), which is among parties lobbying for changes to the 1,500h rule. The measure, which has been in effect for over a decaede, requires most new airline pilots to have 1,500h of flight time before applying to work on an airline flight deck. It has staunch support from democrats and pilot unions. Duckworth’s bill would stipulate that the 1,500h include 900h of cross-country flying, 200h of night flying and 75h of instrument flying. It would also require new pilots have 375h of “flight time in the class of airplane for the rating sought”. “Certain organisations, such as the Regional Airline Association, have expressed concern over the quality of flight hours that aspiring pilots accrue,” Duckworth’s office says. The bill “would require FAA to enhance existing regulations governing aeronautical experience standards for airline transport pilot certification”. Indeed, the RAA and other critics, including former FAA administrators, say the 1,500h rule forces pilots to log far too much time in small planes – flying that leaves them ill-prepared to operate large passenger jets. They say the rule has significantly worsened a pilot shortage to the benefit of existing pilots. The RAA thinks solutions include allowing pilots to count structured training at airlines, and more simulator time, toward their 1,500h. How Duckworth’s proposal might work in practice remains unclear. Some sources think it could impose more burdens on new pilots, such as by requiring they log more hours flying aircraft in bad weather. The proposed 375h in “the class of airplane for the rating sought” has raised eyebrows. Details are unclear but that provision would seemingly require new pilots have more time in more-expensive aircraft, like multi-engined types.<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2023-07-20/general/influential-us-senator-proposes-adding-more-requirements-to-pilot-training-rule
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/logo.png
Influential US senator proposes adding more requirements to pilot training rule
The US Congress’ tussle over the 1,500h pilot-training rule took an interesting turn on 18 July when a senator proposed requiring that new airline pilots have hundreds of hours in specific aircraft classes and in specific flying conditions. The bill, introduced by Tammy Duckworth, Democratic chair of the Senate aviation subcommittee, comes amid a seemingly escalating battle in Washington over changes floated to US pilot-training requirements. Changes have been proposed as part of Congress’ next Federal Aviation Administration funding bill, which is now working through the US House and Senate. Duckworth’s proposal takes aim at the Regional Airline Association (RAA), which is among parties lobbying for changes to the 1,500h rule. The measure, which has been in effect for over a decaede, requires most new airline pilots to have 1,500h of flight time before applying to work on an airline flight deck. It has staunch support from democrats and pilot unions. Duckworth’s bill would stipulate that the 1,500h include 900h of cross-country flying, 200h of night flying and 75h of instrument flying. It would also require new pilots have 375h of “flight time in the class of airplane for the rating sought”. “Certain organisations, such as the Regional Airline Association, have expressed concern over the quality of flight hours that aspiring pilots accrue,” Duckworth’s office says. The bill “would require FAA to enhance existing regulations governing aeronautical experience standards for airline transport pilot certification”. Indeed, the RAA and other critics, including former FAA administrators, say the 1,500h rule forces pilots to log far too much time in small planes – flying that leaves them ill-prepared to operate large passenger jets. They say the rule has significantly worsened a pilot shortage to the benefit of existing pilots. The RAA thinks solutions include allowing pilots to count structured training at airlines, and more simulator time, toward their 1,500h. How Duckworth’s proposal might work in practice remains unclear. Some sources think it could impose more burdens on new pilots, such as by requiring they log more hours flying aircraft in bad weather. The proposed 375h in “the class of airplane for the rating sought” has raised eyebrows. Details are unclear but that provision would seemingly require new pilots have more time in more-expensive aircraft, like multi-engined types.<br/>
