Content area
Full Text
ABSTRACT
On August 1, 2010, President Obama signed Public Law 111-216. This new legislation impacts the practices of 14 CFR Part 121 air carriers, as well as dictating the requirement of all airline pilots to hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. This study examines how a flight instructor in a 14 CFR Part 141 pilot school measures up to the aeronautical experience requirements of the ATP. Aeronautical experience of 174 current flight instructors employed by a Part 141 collegiate aviation program was analyzed. The results indicate that this group of flight instructors significantly lacked the required cross-country flight experience required by the ATP certificate. The research also found that the number of flight instructors aspiring to work for air carriers is on the decline.
INTRODUCTION
On August 1, 2010, President Obama signed Public Law 111-216: Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Extension Act of 2010. The primary sponsor of the bill was Rep. James Oberstar of Minnesota, who introduced it to the 111th Congress just four days prior on July 28, 2010. H.R. 5900 (2010) contains two main parts: Title I-Airport and Airway Extension and Title II-Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement. This research focuses on Title II and its potential impact on the nature of flight training.
Title II, Section 216, Flight Crewmember Screening and Qualifications, of the legislation includes various requirements for the hiring process of flight crewmembers. In paragraph B it states:
ALL FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS.-Rules issued under paragraph (1) shall ensure that, after the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, all flight crewmembers-
(i) have obtained an airline transport pilot certificate under part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
(ii) have appropriate multi-engine aircraft flight experience, as determined by the Administrator. (H.R. 5900, 2010, pg. 20)
Additionally, Section 217, Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certification, goes on to state the following, "The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall conduct a rulemaking proceeding to amend part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to modify requirements for the issuance of an airline transport pilot certificate." (H.R. 5900, 2010, pg. 20) Minimum requirements are set forth, and include various training and/or experience in a variety of settings. The bill...