FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said "The rule gives
first officers a stronger foundation of aeronautical
knowledge and experience before they fly for an air
carrier. With this rule and our efforts to address pilot
fatigue both initiatives championed by the families of
Colgan flight 3407 we're making a safe system even
safer."
Other highlights of the rule include:
•
A requirement for a pilot to have a minimum of 1,000
flight hours as a co-pilot in air carrier operations
prior to serving as a captain for a U.S. airline.
•
Enhanced training requirements for an ATP certificate,
including 50 hours of multi-engine flight experience and
completion of a new FAA-approved training program.
•
An allowance for pilots with fewer than 1,500 hours of
flight time or who have not reached the minimum age of
23 to obtain a “restricted privileges” ATP certificate.
A restricted privileges ATP certificate allows a pilot
to serve as a copilot until he or she obtains the
necessary 1,500 hours.
The options are:
--
Military pilots with 750 hours total time as a pilot;
--
Graduates holding a Bachelor’s degree with an aviation
major with 1,000 hours total time as a pilot;
--
Graduates holding an Associate’s degree with an aviation
major with 1,250 hours;
--
Pilots who are at least 21 years old with 1,500 flight
hours.
The rule is consistent with the Airline Safety and
Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010.
The rule addresses recommendations from an Aviation
Rulemaking Committee, the National Transportation Safety
Board, and the FAA’s Call to Action to improve airline
safety.
The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l
(ALPA) hailed today’s announcement by the U.S. Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) that the agency is
increasing the minimum qualification requirements for
first officers (copilots) who fly for U.S. passenger and
cargo airlines. The new regulations, which go into
effect on August 1, reflect ALPA’s efforts on several
fronts and incorporate several ALPA recommendations.
Pilot Qualifications Rule:
Qualifications
|
Prior Rules
|
New Rules
|
Airline Transport Pilot
(ATP) certificate
Multi-engine airplane
|
-
At least 23 years old;
-
Hold commercial pilot certificate with
instrument rating;
-
Pass ATP knowledge and practical tests; and
-
1,500 hours total time as pilot.
|
-
Meet all requirements in prior rules;
-
Have at least 50 hours in a multi-engine
airplane; and
-
Successfully complete new ATP Certification
Training Program prior to taking the ATP
knowledge test (after
July 31, 2014).
|
Airline Transport Pilot
certificate with restricted privileges
(multiengine airplane rating only)
|
None
|
-
At least 21 years old;
-
Hold commercial pilot certificate with
instrument rating;
-
Successfully complete new ATP Certification
Training Program prior to taking the ATP
knowledge test (after
July 31, 2014);
-
Pass ATP knowledge and practical tests; and
-
At least 750 hours total time as (military
pilots); or
-
At least 1,000 hours total time as pilot and
a Bachelor’s degree with an aviation major;
or
-
At least 1,250 hours total time as pilot and
an Associate’s degree with an aviation
major; or
-
1,500 total time as a pilot.
|
Serve as First Officer (Co-
pilot) in Part 121 air carrier operations
|
-
Hold
commercial pilot certificate with instrument
rating; and at least a second class medical
certificate.
|
-
ATP certificate with type rating for
aircraft flown
OR
-
ATP certificate with restricted privileges
and type rating for aircraft flown; and
-
At least a second class medical certificate.
|
Serve as Captain (pilot in
command) in Part 121 air carrier operations
|
-
ATP certificate with type rating for
aircraft flown;
-
At least 1,500 hours total time as pilot;
and
-
First class medical certificate.
|
-
Meet all requirements in prior rules;and
-
At least 1,000 flight hours in air carrier
operations (as co-pilot in Part 121
operations, as Captain in fractional
ownership operations, as Captain in Part 135
turbojet, commuter, or 10 or more passenger
seat operations, or any combination
thereof).
|
|