Schumer Introduces Legislation To Boost Pilot Training And Experience Level; Bill Would Require Pilots To Log 1,500 Hours In Three Years Before Obtaining Flying License

Press Release

Investigations Following Fatal Crash of Flight 3407 Revealed Limited Flying Experience by Pilots

Schumer Introduces Legislation to Increase Flight Time Experience, Ensure More Comprehensive Screening Of All Pilot Applicants

Schumer Has Worked Diligently With Flight 3407 Families to Develop Legislation to Help Prevent Another Tragedy

In the wake of a string of fatal regional airline crashes blamed on pilot error, including the crash of Flight 3407 outside Buffalo last February, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that he has introduced legislation in the Senate, S. 1744, that will enhance airline safety by setting new training and service standards for commercial pilots. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) in the House, would require all flight crewmembers to obtain a minimum of 1,500 flight hours within three years before being hired. The tougher flight time requirements will ensure that pilot applicants have appropriate multi-engine experience before being hired by commercial airlines.

"Investigations into Flight 3407 have shown that the pilots in the cockpit had limited flying experience," said Schumer. "While it is impossible to prove that this was the sole factor contributing to the tragedy, no one can dispute that adequate flight time experience can help to vastly reduce the risk. My legislation would boost the flight time requirement of all pilots and mandate higher training standards to enhance the experience level of all pilots and reduce the risk of another tragic accident."

"Thanks again to Senator Schumer, what a great feeling it is knowing we have a part in making changes happen and letting our voices be heard,' stated Justine Krasuski of Cheektowaga, New York, who lost her husband, Jerome, in the tragedy. 'Every passenger deserves experienced and well-trained pilots in the cockpit, and the higher standards that this bill calls for will help to make sure that this happens.'

Investigations into the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 determined that the two pilots flying the plane had limited flying experience. Transcripts from the cockpit voice recorder reveal that one of the pilots was hired with only 625 hours of flight time and the First Officer had never flown in icy conditions.

The families of Flight 3407 have been actively lobbying congress to enact tougher flight time requirements and more stringent training requirements. Due in part to their efforts, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009 in late July. Today, Senator Schumer announced that he has introduced the bill in the Senate.

The legislation will mandate that flight crewmembers obtain a an Airline Transport License (ATL), which is a minimum of 1,500 flight hours, an increase from the current 250. Of those hours, 500 hours have to be cross country, and 400 hours have to be at night time.

Senator Schumer has sponsored other legislation aimed at improving passenger safety on commercial flights. After the January splash landing of a US Airways flight in the Hudson River, Senator Schumer introduced legislation making the reporting of bird strikes mandatory. He also urged the FAA to reject a proposal to transfer expert aviation meteorologists out of the New York City area, a move that would have worsened flight delays and compromised safety at New York's airports. Earlier this year, Senator Schumer introduced legislation forcing the Federal Aviation Administration to include a member from the Aviation Safety Sector on the FAA's Management Advisory Council and in June, he introduced new legislation requiring online travel websites to notify customers, on the first page after they enter in a search for airline tickets, as to what carriers will be running their flight.

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