ALPA to DOT: Block SkyWest Request for Charter Certificate

ALPA president Capt. Joe DePete described SkyWest’s proposal as purposefully deceitful. He said it would undermine safety standards because it would allow the airline to avoid critical first officer qualification rules that apply to Part 121 operations, but not Part 135. That means the airline could hire pilots at less than the requirements of the 1,500-hour rule.

Michael Wildes

Wednesday, August 03, 2022 at 03:57 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

• SkyWest Airlines is seeking a Part 135 air charter certificate to re-enter small communities, which would allow them to hire first officers with as little as 500 flight hours, significantly less than the 1,500 hours typically required for Part 121 operations.
• The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) formally opposes SkyWest's request, calling it a "scheme to skirt first officer qualifications" that would undermine crucial air safety standards and regulations.
• ALPA argues that approving SkyWest's petition would compromise safety, potentially allow the airline to implement less stringent requirements, and enable it to benefit from federal funding while degrading safety for small communities.
• SkyWest executives assert that their charter operations would maintain the same high safety standards as their Part 121 flights, utilizing existing robust safety management systems and rigorous internal training that exceed FAA minimums.

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