Hochul, Higgins, & Reed Outraged At Continued Missed Deadlines On Pilot Fatigue Rule

Statement

Representatives Kathy Hochul (NY-26), Brian Higgins (NY-27), and Tom Reed (NY-29) released the following statement upon receiving notice that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not met the November 30th extended deadline for completion of a new pilot fatigue rule:

"A transportation issue that means life or death for millions of airline passengers each and every day should be given priority treatment, yet the clear disregard for the urgency of improved pilot fatigue rules is infuriating.

"We are approaching three years since Flight 3407 met tragedy in our community on February 12, 2009 and we know, with certainty, that pilot fatigue was a contributing factor. Now, over 121 days past the original deadline and with news of another missed deadline, the public is fatigued by a snail paced rulemaking process reaching 16 months and counting.

"No more excuses, no more delays, no more precious lives at risk -- our message is: Just get it done."

Background:

The Western New York Delegation has been relentless in their fight for flight safety reforms and in October got nearly 100 members of the House of Representatives to join them in a letter pushing for the final pilot fatigue rule.

The original deadline for the pilot fatigue rule was August 1, 2011, with the deadline later extended to November 30, 2011. The Delegation has not been given an updated timetable on when the rule will finally be completed.

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