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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)---in the face of a lawsuit lodged by U.S. airlines---recently withdrew a proposal that would have required extra rest for pilots flying ultra long distance international routes.
The move disclosed in letters sent to U.S. air carriers and pilot groups on March 12 represents an about-face for the U.S. aviation agency, which only a month ago asked a federal judge to throw out the industry challenge to the enhanced crew rest rules.
The FAA elected to back down on the issue after hearing from industry. "The FAA is withdrawing our proposed amendment to operations specifications on ultra long range flights. The agency's decision is based on the comments we received from the airlines in recent months," stated an agency spokeswoman.
"The FAA will be working with airlines over the next year to gather data that will help us determine the safety requirements for these flights," she stated.
While saying that more information is needed on pilot fatigue, the FAA insists that new research already supports a need for new rest rules regarding the longest nonstop passenger flights. "The FAA believes that it is in the best interest of passenger and crew safety for airlines to use an FAA-approved fatigue mitigation program based on the latest science to reduce the risk of fatigue to flight crews," the spokeswoman added.
The FAA move allows U.S. air carriers to dodge, at least for now, an updating of rest requirements that pilots, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and air safety...