WASHINGTON— Yesterday, as the United States paid respects to those who perished on 9/11, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) kicked off its annual Air Safety Forum and reiterated its commitment to ensuring the highest level of aviation safety through the presence of two highly trained pilots on every flight. Opening keynote speaker Michael Whitaker, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator, also expressed his unequivocal support for requiring two pilots on the flight deck, which is a critical endorsement as a foreign aircraft manufacturer works to remove the most important safety feature on any flight—the pilots—from the flight deck.
“Airline pilots know better than anyone that things can—and do—go wrong on any flight, and at any time. We are trained and ready to address any issue in flight from an engine fire to an automation failure. It’s at least two pilots on the flight deck at all times that make the difference to ensure the safety of those onboard,” said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA president. “There are a million ways having fewer pilots on the flight deck could go wrong, and each one of them could cause an airline tragedy the likes of which the United States has been spared for over a decade and a half.”
Ambrosi went on to point out that line operational safety audit data shows that aircraft malfunction on 20 percent of flights, yet because airline pilots are on the flight deck—ready to save the day—there is a safe outcome 99.9994 percent of the time.
During a discussion between Ambrosi and Administrator Whitaker, the FAA leader reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to ensuring two pilots on the flight deck.
“I couldn’t agree more—two well-trained, well-rested pilots in the flight deck is a key pillar of safety. It is the law of the land, and I intend for it to stay the law. We have been engaging more with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and will be engaging on a quarterly basis so this issue will remain front and center,” said Whitaker.
In addition to honoring outstanding contributions by pilots in aviation safety, security, pilot assistance, and jumpseating, ALPA’s forum also featured panels of subject-matter experts who led thoughtful and engaging discussions regarding long-standing and emerging issues in key areas related to safety.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 78,000 pilots at 41 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.
