WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Key aviation safety legislation that will change pilot and co-pilot flight requirements developed in response to a fatal commuter airline crash in western New York last year was approved by the House Thursday night and passed by the Senate Friday morning, reports WGRZ.com in New York.
The bill now has two days for it to be signed by President Obama before the FAA runs out of money. The deadline is Monday, August 2nd.
The bill is an attempt to force airlines to hire more experienced pilots, investigate their previous employment more thoroughly and train them better. It also would require the Federal Aviation Administration to overhaul regulations governing pilot work schedules.
The bill's impetus was the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 near Buffalo, New York, on Feb. 12, 2009. All 49 people aboard and one man in a house were killed, including Rebecca Shaw, a pilot from Maple Valley, Wash.
During the NTSB's investigation, federal investigators described the 24-year-old as an overtired, underpaid pilot. Also, the captain of the flight had flunked five flight tests in his career and had only 209 hours of flight in the commuter-style aircraft.
The new law overhauls the rules for pilot work schedules to prevent fatigue and also requires airlines to hire more experienced pilots, provide better training and investigate a pilot's background.
Pilots will be required to clock in more flight hours before flying passengers - we're talking six times more hours.
"It's different then just getting on a automobile. There's more people in the vehicle then my two kids on a plane. They've got a lot more people on their hands," said Tami Jewett, passenger.
To add a comment, please register or login.