How the Airline Safety and FAA Act of 2010 will Affect Flight Training

On August 1^st, 2010, President Obama signed PL 111-216 (Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2010) into law.  The law is in response to the crash of a Colgan Air DHC-8 outside Buffalo, NY on February 12^th, 2009. 

What does this public law include?  It outlines Airport and Airway Extensions, as well as Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement. 

The first title, Airport and Airway Extensions includes: 

• Extending taxes that fund the Airport and Airway Trust Fund
• Programs to help improve airports, navigation facilities and equipment
• Better maintain FAA operations
• Research, engineering and development 

The second title, Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement focuses on:  

• Safety
• Pilot training
• Pilot fatigue
• Background screening and certification  

The full text can be found here, and goes into effect on August 1^st, 2013. 

I want to focus on Sections 216 and 217, as I believe that these will impact my career as well as the future of flight training. 

Section 216 focuses on flight crewmember screening and qualifications.  The requirements state that all flight crewmembers hold an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) certificate while operating on a Part 121 air carrier.  It also states that flight crewmembers have the appropriate multi-engine aircraft flight experience which is 50 hours.  What does this mean?  Currently, all Part 121 air carrier Captains are required to hold an ATP certificate, which requires at least 1,500 hours total flight time.  While First Officers are required to hold a commercial certificate, which only requires 250 hours total flight time.  That is a significant difference, and will most impact those seeking a First Officer position.    

Section 217 focuses on ATP certification.  The minimum requirements include:  

• Sufficient flight hours
• Function effectively in a multi-pilot environment
• Function effectively in adverse weather conditions and high altitude operations 
• Adhere to the highest professional standards
• Function effectively in an air carrier operational environment 

The flight hours are a minimum of 1,500 and shall include operation in difficult conditions that require the pilot to operate safely.  The Administrator may allow credit towards total flight time, such as specific academic training.  According to AOPA, the FAA has proposed allowing students enrolled in four-year degree programs to qualify for an ATP certificate with 1,000 hours.  I believe that this will help flight schools at universities across the country, while potentially hurting local FBOs.  Currently, EMU does not offer any ATP training; I believe that this will change in the near future.  

I strongly believe that safety always comes first.  To me, flight training is all about quality, not quantity.  No doubt, there are many experiences to be learned over time and training.  But I feel that these new changes are going to lower the interest level for those seeking to be an airline pilot.  What about all the associated costs?  The so-called pilot shortage?  Only time will tell.