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T&I Republican Leaders Call for Close Review of International Pilot Training in Light of Today’s Highly-Automated AircraftCommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) and Subcommittee on Aviation Ranking Member Garret Graves (R-LA) wrote to the Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to urge the agency and other nations’ aviation regulatory bodies to carefully consider changes to airline pilot training requirements in the age of highly-automated aircraft systems. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations body consisting of representatives from 191 member states, is hosting meetings of global aviation regulators, including the FAA, this week in Montreal to review international pilot licensing requirements. Today’s letter from the Ranking Members follows a March 29th bipartisan request for a Department of Transportation Inspector General investigation of international pilot training standards and training for commercial pilots operating outside of the United States, including training relating to the Boeing 737 MAX. The Ranking Members noted that every possible factor in the recent Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines accidents should be thoroughly examined to prevent future tragedies. According to today’s letter, “Aircraft accidents are rarely the result of just one factor…. Therefore, we write to encourage that those participating in the ICAO pilot licensing review meetings this week on behalf of the United States advocate to place particular emphasis on changes to airline pilot training requirements in the age of highly-automated aircraft systems. A well-trained pilot will always be an aircraft’s most essential safety feature. We believe that global regulators must focus on what training and experience pilots need to be able to recognize when a highly-automated aircraft is not operating as expected, how to respond in such situations, and how to operate the aircraft when automated systems fail. Emphasis should be on competency-based training rather than simply amassing unrelated flight hours.” The full text of the letter follows: Dear Acting Administrator Elwell: We write regarding the meetings this week at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal to review international pilot licensing requirements. We are pleased that ICAO and global aviation regulators are engaging on this issue, and we support efforts to address pilot licensing and training standards on an international level. In the aftermath of the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines accidents, there are a number of reviews and investigations underway. These efforts are appropriate, and Congress can and should address any issues uncovered. Aircraft accidents are rarely the result of just one factor. We feel strongly that through the various 737 MAX reviews and investigations, all possible contributing factors, including aircraft design, aircraft certification processes, airline operations processes, airline maintenance procedures, and pilot training and experience should be explored. Therefore, we write to encourage that those participating in the ICAO pilot licensing review meetings this week on behalf of the United States advocate to place particular emphasis on changes to airline pilot training requirements in the age of highly-automated aircraft systems. A well-trained pilot will always be an aircraft’s most essential safety feature. We believe that global regulators must focus on what training and experience pilots need to be able to recognize when a highly-automated aircraft is not operating as expected, how to respond in such situations, and how to operate the aircraft when automated systems fail. Emphasis should be on competency-based training rather than simply amassing unrelated flight hours. We are very interested in FAA efforts at ICAO related to international pilot licensing and training requirements and request that the FAA provide our staff with a briefing on the events and discussions of this week, as well as future planned efforts at ICAO on these issues. We appreciate your attention to this request. Sincerely, Sam Graves Garret Graves Click here for a pdf of the letter, and click here to read the previous letter from March 29th. |