Proposed Legislation Would Increase Opportunities to Piloting Profession
Today, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) endorsed the Flight Education Access Act of 2023.Introduced by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Representatives Colin Allred (D-TX), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), and Steve Cohen (D-TN), the bipartisan legislation would expand funds available for federal student loans under Title IV to cover costs associated with flight training for students at two- and four-year aviation colleges and accredited Part 141 flight schools.
“It’s a great time to be an airline pilot and we know that our profession is stronger when the door is open to everyone who has the passion, talent and qualifications. We are grateful to Senators Baldwin and Sullivan and Representatives Allred, Chavez-DeRemer, and Cohen for leading this effort that will help create more opportunities for people of all backgrounds to become airline pilots without weakening the training standards that have built the safest period in U.S. aviation history. By aligning federal funding support for the education and flight training required to become an airline pilot with that of other highly skilled professions, the Flight Education Access Act of 2023 will help make aviation education more accessible to all aspiring pilots,” said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA president.
While the current supply of certificated airline pilots remains strong, ALPA has long been and remains committed to fostering a robust pipeline and maintaining the highest standards for pilot training. In order for the United States to remain the gold standard in aviation, industry stakeholders must break down barriers and open up opportunities to ensure a robust and qualified pipeline of aviators for years to come.
TheFlight Education Access Act of 2023 comes on the heels of several hearings on expanding the pilot pipeline by the Senate Commerce Committee,House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and House Aviation Subcommittee, where Capt. Ambrosi strongly advocated for federal funding to support flight training.
