The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

October 16, 2009

Congress votes: Regional airline safety

REGIONAL AIRLINE SAFETY: Voting 409 for and 11 against, the House on Oct. 14 passed a bill (HR 3371) setting higher training and skill standards for pilots of the regional airlines that link smaller cities to hubs. The bill is a response to the 50-fatality crash last February of Continental Connection Flight 3407 near Buffalo in which investigators are focusing on pilot inexperience and fatigue.



The bill requires pilots to have at least 1,500 hours of flight time to fully qualify for airline jobs, up from today's 250-hour minimum. But a loophole allows hours spent in certain high-caliber flight-school training to be counted toward the threshold. The bill also raises federal standards for training in the operation of de-icing and emergency equipment, addresses pilot fatigue and requires applicants to disclose failed flight tests to prospective employers. The bill, which awaits Senate action, also sets new safety and training rules for pilots of the largest airlines.



Jerry Costello, D-Ill., said regional airlines "have been involved in the last six fatal U.S. airline accidents....It is time to strengthen pilot-training requirements and qualifications."



No member spoke against the bill.



A yes vote was to pass the bill.





MINNESOTA Voting yes: Walz, Kline ,

Paulsen, McCollum, Ellison, Bachmann, Peterson,

Oberstar





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