Topic 2 : PL 111-216

Topic 2 : Individual and Industry Ramifications of Flight/Duty Regulations

In 2010 August 1, President Barrack Obama signed Public Law  111-216 in response to the 2009 Colgan part 121 Accident . The accident gained a lot of attention in 2009 by congress, which raised the question of whether the training for part 121 pilots was sufficient enough to provide a safe flying environment.

 PL 111-216, The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Act of 2010 contain two titles within it. Title one – Airport and Airway Extension contains section 101- 105 which extends grants and programs to smaller hubs and larger hubs for runway improvements training facilities and airport improvements (Oberstar 2010) Title two –Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement contains sections 202-  217 of the Law . These sections contain several areas that require changes in pilot certificates and data base entries of pilot records into a national database also additional training and certificate requirements under part 121, which will help with the improving SMS (Safety management systems).

Since section 215 of the law requires part 121 carriers to implement SMS in their operations and report them to the FAA. These systems are complex and new to the Industry; SMS has four functional components Safety Policy, Safety Assurance Safety Risk management and Safety Promotion (FAA 2009). When these components come together it promotes a safe environment that acknowledges risk and helps prevent accidents. Eastern MI undergraduates in the program of Aviation Management have been subjected to these components as well as SMS through their curriculum at EMU they will be ready and responsive for the field when it comes to dealing with these systems in the work environment.

There are a few changes in this law that effect the future flight training of Eastern MI flight students. Section 216 requires pilots to go through a comprehensive pre-employment screening that will check to see if they have a new appropriate multi engine training/experience.  Section 217 changes these requirements, which will allow modify the hours that are required for a pilot to receive an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot Certificate). As a result an NPRM (Notice of proposed rule making) was release in response to this law that will make the following changes if passed:

Pilots must be at least 21 years of age hold a commercial certificate with instrument rating, successfully complete the new ATP Certification Training Program and if you’re a military pilot hold 750 total hours or a pilot from an aviation degree program hold 1000 hours total as a pilot.

Current regulation only requires a SIC (second in command) to only hold a commercial certificate.  These changes will affect the EMU flight-training program since it changed from to part 141 operation it will allow students to obtain the certificate at 1000 hours from 1500 in total flight time. This makes Eastern MI more marketable for those prospective students who are looking for a career as a professional pilot in the aviation industry.

Federal Aviation Administration. (2012, February 29). Pilot certification and qualification requirements for air carrier operations. Retrieved January 30, 2013, from http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-29/pdf/2012-4627.pdf

Federal Aviation Administration (2009, November 12)  The Four SMS Functional Components,  Retrieved January 30, 2013, from

http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/sms/explained/components/

Oberstar, J. House of Representatives,(2010, July 28) Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension act of 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2013

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/111/hr5900#summary/libraryofcongress

http://www.3407memorial.com/index.php/component/content/article/133-pl-111-216-has-been-signed-into-law

U.S. Congress. (2010, August 1). Airline safety and federal aviation administration expansion act of 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2013, from http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ216/pdf/PLAW-111publ216.pdf