Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) final rule on flight crew member duty and rest requirements. I appreciate hearing your input on this issue and welcome the opportunity to respond.
I recognize your concern that the final rule applies only to commercial and regional air carriers, and that cargo airline operators were not included, although all-cargo carriers may fly under the new rule if they choose. As you mention in your letter, on December 21, 2011, FAA issued a final rule updating pilot flight time, duty period, and rest regulations to address growing safety concerns about pilot fatigue following the crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 outside Buffalo, New York, in 2009.
When FAA first proposed the new rules, the agency considered including all-cargo carriers but ultimately determined that the compliance costs would significantly exceed the quantified societal benefits. It is important to note that prior to this rule, no federal restrictions on the length of flight duty periods existed. The new regulations utilized the latest fatigue research to set limits on flight duty periods based on the time of day the flight begins, the time zones crossed, and the number of landings the crew will perform during a given flight. The new rule also increased the minimum rest time for pilots from eight to 10 hours, and pilots are now required to receive a minimum of 30 consecutive hours free from duty each week – a 25% increase over previous requirements.
While the airline industry's overall performance remains the safest compared to other modes of transportation, accidents such as the one involving Asiana Airlines Flight 214 at San Francisco International Airport in California remind us that there is still a need to improve and strengthen safety regulations. I support meaningful safety reforms that guarantee members of the public that flight crews are well-rested, well-trained, and ready to safely perform their duties.
Please be assured that I have noted your concerns and will keep them in mind should relevant legislation come before me for consideration in the Senate.
Once again, I appreciate hearing from you. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C., officeSenator
2) 224-3841 or visit my website at
http://feinstein.senate.gov. Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
