Congressman Nick Langworthy is calling on the next Federal Aviation Administration administrator to preserve the 1,500-hour pilot training requirement, citing its critical role in preventing fatal airline crashes.
Langworthy, who chairs the Aviation Safety Caucus, praised the Trump administration’s aviation modernization plans but warned that safety reforms must remain intact. He said the new FAA leader will be “pivotal” in carrying out airspace upgrades and maintaining pilot standards.
“I believe Mr. Bedford has the potential to be a strong steward of the President’s vision,” Langworthy said. “However, to truly ensure safety in our skies, he must commit to upholding the lifesaving 1,500-hour in-flight pilot training requirement.”
The regulation was adopted after the deadly crash of Flight 3407, which revealed gaps in pilot preparation at regional carriers. Langworthy credited victims’ families for successfully advocating stronger rules and pointed to the absence of fatal crashes from pilot error since the requirement’s enactment.
“That’s not coincidence – that’s policy working as it was intended,” he said.
Langworthy also reminded that the rule was upheld in last year’s FAA reauthorization and urged the nominee to enforce it “as written.” He pledged continued oversight, stating, “We must ensure that our progress never comes at the cost of passenger safety, and I will fight every day to make sure we do.”
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].