Charter Companies oppose new flight regulations
August 18, 2011, 08:39 am
Recent regulations proposed by the Obama administration designed to prevent charter pilots from flying while over-tired came under criticism recently as commercial shipping and charter airlines decried the rules, according to The Associated Press.
The main sticking point in the proposed regulation changes involves overnight flying. Under the new rules, pilots who fly planes overnight would only be allowed 8 operable hours as opposed to 10 if they fly during the day, according to the AP. Studies show that fatigue is a frequent contributor to airplane mishaps, and pilots flying at night are more susceptible to the effects of exhaustion because the body craves sleep at night.
Opponents of the regulations say that it injures an already struggling industry, as the majority of chartered cargo and military transport flights take place at night. Longer flights would thus require staffing an extended crew of relief pilots and providing pilots with rest facilities. Government officials, however, criticize these complaints, saying that airline companies value profit over safety.
Many pilots themselves welcome the rule changes, and believe the adjustments are long overdue. Lauri Esposito, a pilot for UPS, says rest accommodations on long flights are less than desirable.
"We're not asking for rest in heavenly beds," Esposito told the AP. "We just want some fatigue mitigation."
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