Release #13.02
January 8, 2013

FAA Fatigue Rules Must Cover All Airline Pilots
Safe Skies Act Would Advance One Level of Safety on All-Cargo and Passenger Flights

WASHINGTON – Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement regarding the introduction of the Safe Skies Act of 2013 in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) and Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.):

“Current science leaves no doubt that airline pilots don’t experience fatigue differently based on whether they fly passengers or cargo in their aircraft. All airline pilots deserve a standard level of safety. If passed, the Safe Skies Act of 2013 will ensure that both passenger and all-cargo pilots are equally protected from this serious safety threat to all who depend on air transportation.

“ALPA was fully engaged in the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee regarding pilot fatigue, and has long maintained that the new flight- and duty-time limits and minimum rest requirements must cover all airline pilots. If passed, this act would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to apply the FAA’s fatigue rules to all-cargo operations, just as the regulations currently apply to passenger flights.

“We commend Rep. Bishop and Rep. Grimm for introducing the bill because it would result in a safer U.S. air transportation system and help ensure that this nation continues to set the world standard for aviation safety.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing nearly 51,000 pilots at 35 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org.

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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703/481-4440 or media@alpa.org