THE US FEDERAL Aviation Administration has tightened its rules on air-transport pilot pairing to prevent low-time pilots being rostered together.
The rule changes, which take effect in four months for major airlines and at the end of the year for regional carriers, result from several accident investigations in which the combined experience level of the flight deck crew was found to be a contributing factor in the accidents.
Within 120 days of completing training on a particular aircraft, pilots must log 100h of flight time. They must complete four operating cycles in a hands-on crew-duty position. Each cycle covers a complete flight segment from takeoff to landing.
Under the new rule, pilots will no longer receive operating-experience credit for observing another pilot. Instead, the pilot must actually perform the duties. Similar rules apply to co-pilots.
The rule also requires that the pilot-in-command make all takeoffs and landings during certain weather conditions and at particular airports if the co-pilot, or second-in-command, has less than 100h of flight time in the aircraft being flown.
The FAA estimates that the rules will cost the industry about $3 million over the next decade. The estimate represents the increased cost in scheduling flight deck crews.
Source: Flight International
