Allied Pilots Association Asks Federal Aviation Administration to Interpret and Update Regulations Governing ''Realistic Scheduling''
Union Cites Link Between Duty Time and Pilot Fatigue
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FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Allied Pilots Association (APA), collective bargaining agent for the 12,000 pilots of American Airlines has called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to interpret a multitude of existing federal aviation regulations as they apply to realistic scheduling. APA is also asking the FAA to establish “new, realistic scheduling and crew augmentation regulations to combat fatigue and maintain safety-based flight operations.”
In its cover letter to the FAA that accompanied a packet of related material late last week, APA cited the National Transportation Safety Board’s inclusion of pilot fatigue as an item on its “Most Wanted” list.
“Despite the NTSB’s finding of pilot fatigue as a contributing factor in various fatal accidents, pilots continue to be subjected to unrealistic scheduling by air carriers,” said APA President Captain Lloyd Hill. “It is imperative that the FAA take steps to reduce fatigue in the cockpit and provide a greater margin of safety for the traveling public.”
According to Hill, there is “considerable confusion” over how carriers apply duty-time regulations.
“The FAA needs to clarify existing regulations governing realistic scheduling, and it must also begin the process of crafting new regulations to reflect our greater understanding of the link between duty time and pilot fatigue,” Hill said. “For the past 50 years, duty-time regulations have prompted considerable confusion. It’s time to eliminate this confusion for the good of all concerned.”
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