FAA starts 'expedited review' of pilot rest rules
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FAA starts 'expedited review' of pilot rest rules
FAA starts 'expedited review' of pilot rest rules, plans 'rapidly' to develop new rule
Thursday June 25, 2009
US FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said yesterday that the agency is initiating "an expedited review of flight and rest rules" and "will work rapidly to develop and implement a new flight time and rest rule."
Babbitt said that "pilot fatigue [is now] a high priority" for FAA and called for US airlines and pilot unions "to respond [to FAA] by July 31 with specific commitments to strengthen safety at regional and major airlines." He said carriers must "obtain all available FAA pilot records, among other actions."
In a statement, he said he will establish an Aviation Rulemaking Committee on pilot fatigue by July 15 comprising FAA, labor and industry representatives "that will be charged with developing recommendations for an FAA rule by September 1." Also by July 15, FAA inspectors "will complete a focused review of airline procedures for identifying and tracking pilots who fail evaluations or demonstrate a repetitive need for additional training." Inspectors additionally will review airlines' pilot training and qualification programs to ensure they meet FAA standards.
"Safety remains the airlines' top priority," Air Transport Assn. President and CEO James May said yesterday, adding that Babbitt's statement "reflects our shared commitment to adopt meaningful safety initiatives on an aggressive timeline."
Congress and FAA have become intensely interested in pilot training and rest procedures, particularly at US regional airlines, in the aftermath of February's fatal crash of a Colgan Air Q400 outside Buffalo. Babbitt, formerly president of the Air Line Pilots Assn. and an Eastern Airlines pilot for more than 25 years, signaled last week that the agency this summer would tackle aggressively issues surrounding pilot training and fatigue and rest rules (ATWOnline, July 17).
Babbitt said he told airlines in a letter sent yesterday that they should "immediately adopt a policy to ensure that their pilot applicants release any records held by the FAA to the hiring air carrier while the agency works with Congress to update the current Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996." He added that FAA "expects airlines that have contractual relationships with regional feeder companies to develop specific programs to share safety data and ensure that their partner airlines mirror their most effective safety practices."
by Aaron Karp
ATW Daily News
Thursday June 25, 2009
US FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said yesterday that the agency is initiating "an expedited review of flight and rest rules" and "will work rapidly to develop and implement a new flight time and rest rule."
Babbitt said that "pilot fatigue [is now] a high priority" for FAA and called for US airlines and pilot unions "to respond [to FAA] by July 31 with specific commitments to strengthen safety at regional and major airlines." He said carriers must "obtain all available FAA pilot records, among other actions."
In a statement, he said he will establish an Aviation Rulemaking Committee on pilot fatigue by July 15 comprising FAA, labor and industry representatives "that will be charged with developing recommendations for an FAA rule by September 1." Also by July 15, FAA inspectors "will complete a focused review of airline procedures for identifying and tracking pilots who fail evaluations or demonstrate a repetitive need for additional training." Inspectors additionally will review airlines' pilot training and qualification programs to ensure they meet FAA standards.
"Safety remains the airlines' top priority," Air Transport Assn. President and CEO James May said yesterday, adding that Babbitt's statement "reflects our shared commitment to adopt meaningful safety initiatives on an aggressive timeline."
Congress and FAA have become intensely interested in pilot training and rest procedures, particularly at US regional airlines, in the aftermath of February's fatal crash of a Colgan Air Q400 outside Buffalo. Babbitt, formerly president of the Air Line Pilots Assn. and an Eastern Airlines pilot for more than 25 years, signaled last week that the agency this summer would tackle aggressively issues surrounding pilot training and fatigue and rest rules (ATWOnline, July 17).
Babbitt said he told airlines in a letter sent yesterday that they should "immediately adopt a policy to ensure that their pilot applicants release any records held by the FAA to the hiring air carrier while the agency works with Congress to update the current Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996." He added that FAA "expects airlines that have contractual relationships with regional feeder companies to develop specific programs to share safety data and ensure that their partner airlines mirror their most effective safety practices."
by Aaron Karp
ATW Daily News
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Hope they don't get caught up in crew duty time and forget to take trainees to the pusher in the sym, at night, in IFR with ice.
Crew rest include commuting across country before you flight.
Crew rest include commuting across country before you flight.
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I seem to remember the ""powers that be" suggesting that down-route layovers should be scheduled to avoid the 18 to 30 hrs off duty rest period.
Every east coast stateside trip (and many others) had the off duty right in the middle of this "avoid" period.
Alas it was only a recommendation.
Every east coast stateside trip (and many others) had the off duty right in the middle of this "avoid" period.
Alas it was only a recommendation.
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Maybe they'll finally dust off the NPRM on rest rules that has been sitting on their shelf for 10+ years. IIRC, that one had ALPA's support (probably why it's on the shelf -- not endorsed by ATA)...
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I predict there'll be huge resistance to any moves to include commuting before start of duty. Anyone with two brain cells in his head would surely include it in FTLs, but the same people who always chime in saying they prefer minimum rest periods at layover ports so they can have more time at home will be vocally against the idea.
I've got no problem with people who want to commute home after a long FDP, but those who demand the right to do so immediately before a long FDP totally destroy the credibility of the majority who say that long FDPs, particularly those crossing multiple time zones, are fatiguing.
Standing by for the inevitable "incoming"...
I've got no problem with people who want to commute home after a long FDP, but those who demand the right to do so immediately before a long FDP totally destroy the credibility of the majority who say that long FDPs, particularly those crossing multiple time zones, are fatiguing.
Standing by for the inevitable "incoming"...
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The situation surrounding the Colgan crew and their extended time positioning across the country BEFORE operating their duty is mostly (though not totally) unique to the US. I feel it would be unfair for me to comment as each pilot has the right to live where he/she wants and here in the UK, commutes are by geographical nature much shorter. However, I do feel that it is every pilots duty to look seriously at their actions, including pre flight and ask themselves if what they are doing is sensible. Are they adequately rested etc etc?
My problem is the inadequacy of the present rule set regarding FTL's. Most reasonable states have a clause stating that 18-30 rest periods should be avoided. However most operators use this as a target. And just how the addition of an extra crew member on the flight deck enables an operator to not factorise a LH sector beggars belief (this only applies for those carriers without onboard rest facilities) The system is a sham built up over the years at the behest of companies willing to push crews further and take the risk. Our regulators need to be more independent and grow a set of teeth.
Here in the UK, the whole 18-30 and heavy crew issue was supposed to be investigated by the CAA. But guess what, the companies brought commercial pressures to bear and it has been shelved yet again. It is only a matter of time before something serious happens that is related to these areas.
My problem is the inadequacy of the present rule set regarding FTL's. Most reasonable states have a clause stating that 18-30 rest periods should be avoided. However most operators use this as a target. And just how the addition of an extra crew member on the flight deck enables an operator to not factorise a LH sector beggars belief (this only applies for those carriers without onboard rest facilities) The system is a sham built up over the years at the behest of companies willing to push crews further and take the risk. Our regulators need to be more independent and grow a set of teeth.
Here in the UK, the whole 18-30 and heavy crew issue was supposed to be investigated by the CAA. But guess what, the companies brought commercial pressures to bear and it has been shelved yet again. It is only a matter of time before something serious happens that is related to these areas.
Fly
Sadly you are right - the CAA have back peddled far too often at the operators behest. You only have to look at each CHIRP document to see that time after time they are apologists for problems they have the power but not the will to sort out.
I have three early starts coming up - alarm clock three in the morning followed immediately by longhaul - legal but hardly condicive to a sharp mind !
Sadly you are right - the CAA have back peddled far too often at the operators behest. You only have to look at each CHIRP document to see that time after time they are apologists for problems they have the power but not the will to sort out.
I have three early starts coming up - alarm clock three in the morning followed immediately by longhaul - legal but hardly condicive to a sharp mind !
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Perhaps when they've sorted that out they can get on with the implementation of the second phase of 'Openskies'?
Or is it just a one way street again?
Oh, forgot it's America, land of the free and the restrictive business practices.
Or is it just a one way street again?
Oh, forgot it's America, land of the free and the restrictive business practices.
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Fly
Don't entirely agree with your post. UK carriers have to add a 3rd Pilot to avoid the factorisation issue. In Europe 2 crew just get on with it legally.
The CAA are looking at the 2 man crew issue (bearing in mind what sub part Q offers and the fact Pilots suggest having 3 tired crew is the same as 2 tired crew). A couple of airlines are undertaking 3 man v 2 man fatigue studies to answer your concerns.
The 18-30 hours rest is one where i agree Commercial pressure comes into it. There is however a case for it to be better with night / day transitions perhaps
Don't entirely agree with your post. UK carriers have to add a 3rd Pilot to avoid the factorisation issue. In Europe 2 crew just get on with it legally.
The CAA are looking at the 2 man crew issue (bearing in mind what sub part Q offers and the fact Pilots suggest having 3 tired crew is the same as 2 tired crew). A couple of airlines are undertaking 3 man v 2 man fatigue studies to answer your concerns.
The 18-30 hours rest is one where i agree Commercial pressure comes into it. There is however a case for it to be better with night / day transitions perhaps
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Mr A
sorry if I wasn't entirely clear. I understand why the third crew member is added in the UK and absolutely agree that all it results in is 3 tired pilots rather than 2. What winds me up, is the principle of adding a 3rd pilot in some way means that we are able as a crew to operate for a longer period of time legally.
Tha CAA have no teeth and refuse to confront many issues surrounding the health and wellbeing of crew, be they FTL or security. You need only look at CHIRP. All in all it is a shambles.
sorry if I wasn't entirely clear. I understand why the third crew member is added in the UK and absolutely agree that all it results in is 3 tired pilots rather than 2. What winds me up, is the principle of adding a 3rd pilot in some way means that we are able as a crew to operate for a longer period of time legally.
Tha CAA have no teeth and refuse to confront many issues surrounding the health and wellbeing of crew, be they FTL or security. You need only look at CHIRP. All in all it is a shambles.
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Have they woken up?
Isn't it amazing how politics drives. The NTSB have had this flagged as an overlooked issue on their website for years - but what do they know?
Now a public crash & change of political tone & suddenly it's important to try & protect people. Great, I'm glad, but why are safety issues controlled by politics (IE Corporate power) alone?
Now a public crash & change of political tone & suddenly it's important to try & protect people. Great, I'm glad, but why are safety issues controlled by politics (IE Corporate power) alone?
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Croc of ****e. Nothing will happen. Not a thing. The issue will die down when the next news item hits. That'll be something along the lines of ECONOMY TANKING, MAN THE LIFEBOATS. Hey, I'm not joking. This is exactly what'll happen. It's happened before, and will happen again. Nothing new under the sun.
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With a heavy heart, I have to agree with 4PW. Nothing will happen, the next bit of news will break and the regulators will heave a sigh of relief and crawl back under their stone. The companies will be happy. Fait Accompli. Nothing has changed with regards to security and the ridiculous uneven standards applied at different airports and nothing WILL change with regard to FTL requirement. Upset the applecart, not likely.
It will once again rely on the professional pilot community to exercise some sense regarding rest etc. Whilst we all want our respective companies to be successful, how anyone can expect someone to remain sharp on a 14-15 hour day, I do not know. But the crash on the motorway after the individual has left work has nothing to do with FTL's, does it?????
CHIRP makes for interesting reading, but is about as useful as a chocolate fireguard in reality. But never mind, Simon Calder and his cronies in the media keep telling us all that pilots only work 25 hours a week and have half a year off. I must remember to tell myself that.
It will once again rely on the professional pilot community to exercise some sense regarding rest etc. Whilst we all want our respective companies to be successful, how anyone can expect someone to remain sharp on a 14-15 hour day, I do not know. But the crash on the motorway after the individual has left work has nothing to do with FTL's, does it?????
CHIRP makes for interesting reading, but is about as useful as a chocolate fireguard in reality. But never mind, Simon Calder and his cronies in the media keep telling us all that pilots only work 25 hours a week and have half a year off. I must remember to tell myself that.
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I predict there'll be huge resistance to any moves to include commuting before start of duty
American pilots traditionally have had very wide latitude on commuting and ready access to the jumpseat on other carriers. As far as I know, the feds have never formally put any limits on this 'transportation not local in character' since it is not required by the airline. However, the Colgan BUF CVR transcript has put long commutes without much rest in the public spotlight. Captain Sully is a coast to coast commuter, he'll probably be called back to Capitol Hill to testify on this subject.
I believe FedEx already has some crew duty time system to track people who ride on their jumpseats to operate longhaul, anyone know for sure?
Be careful what you wish for when you demand that the feds scrutinize pilot fatigue issues...
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The FAA is run by worthless, do-nothing idiots owned by the airline executives.
You can expect NOTHING to be done. This crap has been going on for years and they KNOW the problems but have done NOTHING except when ordered by court. Pilots in the cockpit are what keep the aviation industry as safe as it is, in spite of the FAA.
You can expect NOTHING to be done. This crap has been going on for years and they KNOW the problems but have done NOTHING except when ordered by court. Pilots in the cockpit are what keep the aviation industry as safe as it is, in spite of the FAA.