HOUSE INTRODUCES AVIATION SAFETY BILL
August 10, 2009
What’s At Issue
The U.S. House of Representatives introduced H.R. 3371, the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009, largely in response to a congressional hearing regarding the crash of Flight 3407 in Buffalo, New York.
Why It’s Important
The Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act contains provisions that could have a dramatic impact on Part 135 pilot training programs and record keeping requirements for all businesses that employ pilots.
Major Provisions
The primary programs in the bill impacting NATA members are:
- FAA Records Database:
- A pilot records database would be established and maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- Records must contain current airman certificates, including airman medical certificates, associated type ratings, and information on any limitations to those certificates and ratings.
- Records must be kept for any failed attempts to pass a practical test to obtain a certificate or type rating as well as a record of any legal enforcement actions.
- Pilot records must be evaluated against the database before becoming a pilot for an air carrier.
- An air carrier or other persons must maintain records on pilot performance, including training, qualifications, professional competence, evaluations made by a check airman, including any termination or disqualification from previous employment.
- Records in the database must be updated frequently and air carriers are required to report the information to FAA promptly.
- Written request by individuals pertaining to inaccuracies should be sent to the FAA for review.
The provisions in this part of the bill substantially change the current Pilot Records Improvement Act (PRIA) requirements. Under today’s law, prospective employers must request records from all prior employers at the time a new pilot is being hired. The provisions of this bill will make all pilot employers (even non-air carriers such as corporate flight departments and flight schools) responsible for “frequently” updating the applicable pilot records in the FAA database.
- FAA Rulemaking on Training Programs:
- The FAA would be required to issue a final rule on training programs for flight crew members and aircraft dispatchers no later than 14 months after the bill is enacted.
- An expert panel would be established to review Part 135 and Part 121 training hours.
- The panel is to assess and recommend the best methods and time needed for flight crewmembers of Part 135 air carriers and Part 121 air carriers and flight crewmembers to master aircraft systems, procedures, takeoffs and landings and crew coordination.
- Flight Schools, Flight Education, and Pilot Academic Training:
- The Government Accountability Office would be required to study flight schools, flight education, and academic training requirements for certification of an individual as a pilot. The study shall consist of:
- An assessment of the FAA’s oversight of flight schools.
- Academic training requirements of two- and four-year universities.
- A comparison of academic training requirements for pilots in the United States to the academic training requirements for pilots in other countries.
- A determination of improvements for academic training requirements for pilots.
- An assessment of financial aid and loan options available to individuals interested in enrolling at a flight school for academic and flight hour training.
- An assessment of the FAA’s oversight of general aviation flight schools that offer training programs.
NATA Position
NATA is very concerned with the dramatic changes to the PRIA requirements. Requiring all pilot employers to update this database continually and actively, even for those pilots not currently employed by, nor seeking employment with, an air carrier, is a considerable burden. The impact on small businesses for ensuring regular updates occur is likely significant, and it is unclear to the association what benefit is derived from a “real time” updated system rather than a records check at the time of application for employment with an air carrier.
NATA believes that the flight training system for pilots, while leaving room for improvement, is fundamentally sound. However, the Part 135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee did make numerous recommendations to improve training and NATA believes these recommendations should be strongly considered if Congress adopts this legislation.
Status
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation included language similar to that in H.R. 3371 in its version of the FAA Reauthorization Bill. The number of legislative days left this year is narrowing, and it is unclear whether FAA Reauthorization, let alone H.R. 3371, will pass either chamber. However, if FAA Reauthorization is finalized most of the provisions in H.R. 3371 will become law.
Staff Contact: Kristen Moore
Director, Legislative Affairs
kmoore@nata.aero