FAA PROPOSED RULE MAKING FOR FIRST OFFICERS

F AA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued on Feb. 29, 2012, which would require that first officers hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and a minimum of 1,500 hours flight time to obtain the certificate. Existing FAA regulations do not require a first officer to hold an ATP certificate; only the pilot in command must meet this certificate requirement.

Industry experts discussing the proposed rule, tend to emphasize on being cautious in creating an unnecessary pilot shortage and barriers to crew recruitment. Also the debate is on whether the new requirements would help in raising the bar as far as safety is concerned.

One notable comments to FAA proposed rulemaking comes from Airlines for America(A4A),who have urged FAA to significantly revise its proposed requirements for pilot certification and provide a system that builds on the industry’s strong safety record, is recommended by safety experts and that recognizes the quality of a pilot’s training and experience, rather than relying solely on a specific quantity of flight hours.

“Hard-hour minimum requirements are not a substitute for the quality of a pilot’s training and experience,” A4A said in its comments filed with the FAA, noting that the change as proposed by the FAA would have unintended consequences.

As part of its recommended revisions to the proposal, A4A recommends that the FAA establish a restricted ATP certificate for Second in Command pilots, which takes experience and training into account. A4A also recommends that the FAA form an Aviation Rulemaking Committee to provide recommendations on the adoption of a Multicrew Pilot Licensing Program, which are used throughout the world by other safety regulators and take into account the realities of current operations and training.(A4A)

I tend to agree strongly with A4A stand which calls for quality training and experience as a yardstick over just the mere numbers requirement.

What is your take on the proposed rule making?? Do you think the requirement would actually help enhance safety?? Would the industry face barriers to recruitment as a result of this rule???

Write in to let us know your view point