FAA Funding Tied to Pilot Experience Requirement

Long-term funding for the FAA remains in limbo, but a short-term funding extension passed by both houses of Congress includes provisions for expanding the training requirements for airline pilots. Under the new legislation, introduced on July 28, require even first officers to have an airline transport pilot (ATP) rating. The short-term funding agreement lasts through the end of September. The focus on pilot training — as well as issues of pilot fatigue — stem in large part from the Feb. 12, 2009 crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407. The measure mandates that the FAA come up with new pilot flight- and duty-time regulations within a year of completing a review of research into pilot fatigue.