Capt. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, released the following statement regarding the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) notice of proposed rulemaking on minimum qualification standards for airline first officers.

“The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) notice of proposed rulemaking regarding minimum qualification standards for airline first officers is the culmination of many months of intensive work by the FAA and industry stakeholders.

“The First Officer Qualifications Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) was established as a result of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, which directed the FAA to modify the flight experience and training necessary for an individual to become an airline first officer. ALPA served on the ARC with the goal of ensuring that air transportation achieves the highest possible level of safety.

“The pilots of ALPA thank Congress for underscoring the importance of rigorous qualifications and training standards for first officers and we commend the FAA for establishing the First Officer Qualification Aviation Rulemaking Committee to solicit recommendations from across the industry. ALPA has advocated that the quality of training is a key component in establishing the quality of the pilot, more than just total flight hours. This proposed rule appears to recognize that in determining qualifications and ability to serve as an airline pilot.”

“ALPA’s pilot and staff experts will evaluate the proposed rule and submit comments as appropriate to further the union’s goal of advancing safety.”