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Aviation Reform
Legislation To Address Cargo Pilots By Shane Nolan |
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April 22, 2012 - U.S. Representatives Chip Cravaack and
Tim Bishop introduced H.R. 4350, the Safe Skies Act of
2012. Importantly, the bill would ensure that pilot rest
requirements apply to all cargo air operations. Following the Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash on February 12, 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) developed a rule to address pilot fatigue for passenger flights using extensive scientific study, hearings, and industry feedback. The rule, which requires eight hours of rest between shifts, was finalized on January 4th, 2012. The rule is scheduled go into effect January 14, 2014, but exempts cargo pilots. |
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?As a former cargo pilot, I understand the importance of
a single standard of safety for pilots who share the
same airspace and runways with passenger aircraft.
I introduced the Safe Skies Act in order to apply
the new, common sense standards for pilot rest to cargo
pilots as well,? said Rep. Cravaack.
?Airline
pilots strongly commend Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN) and Rep. Tim
Bishop (D-NY) for their leadership in introducing this bill. If
passed, the legislation would direct the U.S. Department of
Transportation to apply the Federal Aviation Administration?s
flight- and duty-time regulations and minimum rest requirements
to all-cargo airline operations in the same way that the
science-based regulations currently apply to passenger
operations,? said Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) President
Lee Moak. ?Congressman Cravaack has shown real leadership today by introducing legislation to ensure that the FAA?s recently enacted flight duty and rest requirements for passenger airlines equally apply to all-cargo carriers,? said Independent Pilots Association President, Captain Robert Travis. ?The Cravaack-Bishop Safe Skies Act of 2012 will bring the FAA?s final rule back in line with Congress' original intent, one level of safety for U.S. aviation.?
Specifically, the bill directs the Secretary of Transportation
to apply the rule relating to flight crew member duty and rest
requirements to all-cargo operations in the same manner as they
apply to passenger operations.
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