Schumer Legislation to Enhance Pilot Experience has been Included in FAA Reauthorization Bill on the Floor of the Senate

Press Release

Today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that a version of his legislation, The Enhancing Flight Crewmembers' Training Act, has been included in the manager's amendment of the FAA Reauthorization bill. Schumer's provision will mandate that FAA conduct a rulemaking for co-pilots, which must be completed by 12/31/2011. FAA's rulemaking must include a requirement Co-pilots to have 800 hours of flying experience, which must be met in specific conditions, listed below. If FAA does not complete the rulemaking on time, then co-pilots will have to get an ATP license, which is 1500 hours of flight experience in specifically-prescribed conditions.

"At long last, the Senate will consider this legislation that will vastly improve the training for flight crews across the country and improve safety for all passengers," said Schumer. "The 3407 families have been saint-like in their patience, and unwavering in their advocacy, but finally their wait is coming to an end."

"Every day for the last year we've been fighting to get this legislation enacted into law, and today we're getting very, very close," said Susan Bourque who is the sister of Flight 3407 victim Beverly Eckert. "Senator Schumer has advocated tirelessly for our cause, and we thank him for all of his help in getting these improved flight experience requirements into the FAA Reauthorization bill, which is one step closer to being signed by the President."

Schumer originally introduced S.1744, the Enhancing Flight Crewmembers' Training Act in October as a standalone bill, with the intent to attach it to the bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration, currently being debated on the floor of the U.S. Senate. The legislation has twelve co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle, including Senators Gillibrand, Lieberman, Leahy, Casey, Collins, Snowe, Kerry, Wyden, Brown (MA), Merkley, Burris, and Risch. Schumer today announced that a version of his provision has been included in the base FAA Reauthorization bill, vastly improving the chances of the provision being signed into law.

According to Schumer's provision, pilots will have to have no less than 800 hours of flight time before serving as a flight crew member for a commercial air carrier, and will have to demonstrate the ability to:

· Function effectively in a multi-pilot environment;

· Function effectively in an air carrier operational environment;

· Function effectively in adverse weather conditions, including icing conditions;

· Function effectively during high altitude operations; and

· Adhere to the highest professional standards.

The FAA Administrator will also have to dedicate a portion of the minimum 800 hours to flight training in difficult operational conditions.

Source