Regulations and Government
House duty/fatigue bill passes by wide margin
The U.S.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed sweeping legislation last month that could profoundly affect how regional airlines do business. H.R. 3371, the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009, passed the House by a vote of 409 to 11. It would require first officers hired by any Part 121 airline to carry an air transport pilot (ATP) certificate and for the first time since 1969 directs the FAA to review and redefine what training an ATP should mandate.

The requirement for an ATP in effect means that new hires must have accumulated at least 1,500 hours of flight time. However, it does contain a caveat that allows the FAA to consider certain academic training hours “that may increase the level of safety above the minimum requirements” as practical flying hours toward an ATP license.