New FAA Rules seek tougher pilot training

May 12, 2011 at 12:10 pm | Posted in Aviation Law Current Event | Leave a comment

by Sara M. Langston with the blog faculty

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Federal aviation regulators on Wednesday proposed wide-ranging rules mandating tougher and more realistic flight simulator training for airline pilots, calling the changes “the most significant overhaul of crew training” in two decades.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s proposal also calls for enhanced remedial training and tracking of pilots who perform poorly on proficiency tests. The proposal comes more than two years after an initial version sparked opposition from airlines complaining the change would raise their costs substantially.

The goal of the rules, according to FAA chief Randy Babbitt, is to require pilots to work together as a team to demonstrate judgment, technical knowledge and basic flying skills in simulated “real-world scenarios.” Through increased reliance on advanced technology, the proposal aims to ensure pilots will more effectively cope with stalls and other emergencies. [Full story]