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FAA Issues Watchdog Rule for FAA Inspectors

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The FAA has implemented a new rule instituting a two-year "cooling-off" period for its inspectors.
  • This rule prevents FAA personnel from working for airlines or commercial air service providers they previously oversaw for two years after leaving the agency.
  • The measure aims to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure aviation safety, stemming from an incident involving Southwest Airlines where an FAA office had an "overly collaborative relationship" with the airline.
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The FAA last week issued a final rule intended to prevent FAA inspectors from working for the airlines they previously oversaw for two years after they leave the agency. The rule applies to FAA personnel who had oversight responsibility over the airlines (as well as over fractional providers and other firms that offer commercial air service.)

Such rules have been enacted in other sectors, most notably in lobbying and finance.

Isabel Goyer

A commercial pilot, Isabel Goyer has been flying for more than 40 years, with hundreds of different aircraft in her logbook and thousands of hours. An award-winning aviation writer, photographer and editor, Ms. Goyer led teams at Sport Pilot, Air Progress and Flying before coming to Plane & Pilot in 2015.

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