This week, the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Transportation (OIG) released a report affirming the importance of pilot training. Throughout our more than eight decade history, ALPA has maintained that a well-trained flightcrew is the single most important safety asset on any flight. We are pleased that this recent report affirms the importance of this issue to the airline industry.

The OIG report discussed the increase in the use of automation on the flight deck. Automation, as well as other technologies, are important tools that allow airline pilots to enhance safety and increase the efficiency of flight operations. Through the significant advancements that have been made in the design, training, and operational use of aviation systems in recent years, our industry has been able to advance the safety record of air travel.

ALPA works with regulators and airlines across the industry to help develop and maintain dynamic and responsive training programs that reflect emerging technology, while at the same time ensuring pilots maintain the strongest possible manual flying skills. 

Throughout their careers, airline pilots’ skills are continuously monitored through line operations safety audits, line oriented flight training, proficiency checkrides, and checkrides administered during line flying. ALPA supports the Federal Aviation Administration’s proven effectiveness in its oversight of pilot training, and we will continue to work with the administration and airline industry stakeholders to make certain that air transportation in North America continues to achieve extraordinary levels of safety.