Our Union: 11th Hour of FAA Reauthorization
By Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA President
As this issue goes to press, the FAA authorization was just granted a temporary extension through mid-July (as it was days away from expiration); and as you can imagine, Congress and impacted stakeholders continue to scramble to avoid another extension or a shutdown. Your union—a strong combination of pilots and staff—has been working with legislators and other stakeholders alike, reminding them to keep safety front and center in the final bill. The consideration of the FAA’s reauthorization presents us with challenges and opportunities. Challenges because we’re not the only “interested” stakeholders in how this bill plays, and opportunities because this is one of the rare times when we have Congress’s attention focused on our industry.
Both the House and Senate bills have positive aspects and—as expected—room for improvement. ALPA pilot volunteers and staff are working diligently to ensure that our voice is heard and that our safety needs aren’t ignored.
The Senate’s proposal (S. 2658), which passed the Commerce Committee unanimously, is a step forward for aviation safety and has bipartisan support. We’re pleased that the bill doesn’t currently contain any nongermane provisions.
S. 2658 maintains the critical safety regulations currently in place—notably pilot flight experience, training, and FAR Part 117 —that have helped define the safest period in aviation history. Let me be clear, we’re challenged every day by those who are intent on rolling back safety regulations as a means to address industrial issues created by shortsighted business decisions. We won’t relent in protecting the safety of our system as our number one objective in any legislation related to air transportation.
On lithium batteries, the bill acknowledges the imminent need to address the significant risk relating to transporting lithium batteries by air. The bill mandates harmonization with International Civil Aviation Organization standards related to prohibiting lithium-ion batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft and prohibiting lithium batteries shipped as cargo above a 30 percent charge. The bill also establishes a working group to study the manufacture, use, and transport of lithium batteries. While an important step forward, ALPA will continue to pursue all avenues for full regulation of lithium batteries as dangerous goods.
On third-class medical reform, S. 2658 includes ALPA-suggested compromise language that was previously passed by the Senate and supported by ALPA and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. The bill improves the overall medical certification process for all pilots and maintains the safety of our shared airspace.
The bill also includes authorizations for Pacific island emergency airfields, increases the penalties for knowingly shining a laser at an aircraft to $25,000, promotes human trafficking identification training, and increases funding for the Essential Air Service program.
On secondary cockpit barriers, ALPA supports the language adopted during the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s consideration of H.R. 4441, which mandates a requirement that secondary cockpit barriers be installed on new passenger airliners. While S. 2658 doesn’t contain this requirement, the Senate version does include language that would direct a study and subsequent rulemaking if the Transportation Security Administration and the FAA determine that secondary cockpits barriers are an effective means of aviation security.
H.R. 4441 also includes the automatic acceptance of ASAP reports, a longtime ALPA priority to immediately capture the safety data that can help facilitate the continued safety of our skies.
We will also remain vigilant for other industrial items that could creep into either bill that won’t allow airlines to grow in profitability, such as unnecessary taxes and fees that would needlessly dilute our members’ ability to share in company profitability.
Congress has the responsibility to provide the FAA the means to safely operate the U.S. air transportation system and establish reforms that will increase safety and efficiency. Let Members of Congress know by participating in ALPA’s Calls to Action that as an operator within our national airspace, and as a member of the Air Line Pilots Association, International, you hold them accountable.
As ALPA’s motto “Schedule with Safety” indicates, we’re focused on maintaining the critical safety regulations currently in place. We’re resolved to maintain our nation’s standing as one of the safest air transport systems in the world, and this standing is a deliberate result of ALPA’s work as the conscience of the industry.
