Graves introduces House bill aimed at strengthening pilots’ rights in FAA investigations

Additional protections would be established for pilots under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration under legislation introduced recently by U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO).

Graves joined U.S. Reps. Todd Rokita (R-IN), Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) in introducing the House companion bill to the Fairness for Pilots Act, which would expand on the Pilot’s Bill of Rights.

“As a pilot and co-chairman of the General Aviation Caucus, I have always felt the responsibility to be a voice for (general aviation) in the Capitol,” Graves said. “Unnecessary regulations and bureaucratic barriers cost the industry jobs and prevent pilots from flying. I’m proud today to introduce a bill that improves upon the protections established under the original Pilots Bill of Rights, ensuring we can continue safely taking to the skies and operating as a valuable and vibrant component of the U.S. economy.”

The Fairness to Pilots Act would enable pilots under FAA investigation to access flight record data collected and archived by contract towers, flight service stations and controller training programs to help enhance due process.

The Pilot’s Bill of Rights, which was signed into law in 2012, ensures that cases appearing before the National Transportation Safety Board that amend, modify or revoke airman certificates must be held in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Evidence. Prior to that, federal rules stated that the board should consider federal rules “as instructive, rather than controlling” in cases involving airman certificates.