Rep. Jerry F. Costello, D-Ill. (12th CD), issued the following news release:
Congressman Jerry F. Costello (D-IL), Ranking Member of the House Aviation Subcommittee, praised the final flight time and duty rule announced by Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Michael Huerta this morning. The rule increases to 10 hours the rest needed by pilots and flight time limits of 8-9 hours, the first such safety revisions in 25 years.
As Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee during the 110th and 111th Congresses, Costello made aviation safety his top priority. He authored the requirement to issue the new pilot fatigue rule as part of H.R. 3371, The Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009, which became law as part of H.R. 5900. Previous to and following the crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 near Buffalo in February 2009, Costello conducted a series of hearings examining all aspects of aviation safety, with pilot fatigue as a focus, working closely with the families of Colgan Flight 3407 and the aviation industry. The result of this effort was H.R. 3371, the strongest aviation safety bill introduced in the last 50 years.
"This is a day that will go down in aviation safety history. I commend Secretary LaHood and Administrator Huerta for pushing this rule to completion, and I want to especially mention the efforts of the families of Colgan Flight 3407. Without their determined advocacy for this rule, we would not be here today. This rule will improve safety for all air travelers and emphasizes the critical need to have rested, alert pilots in the cockpit."
As the rule was drafted, Costello urged FAA officials repeatedly to embody the intent of Congress and issue a strong rule. The issue of pilot fatigue has been on the National Transportation Safety Board's "Most Wanted" list for years, and Costello pledged to continue his strong oversight of aviation safety.
"We have to be vigilant about aviation safety every day," said Costello. "This process is not over, as the rule must be implemented, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress, the Colgan families and industry stakeholders to ensure that this process is completed."
Contact: David Gillies, 202/225-5661
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