Subscribe in a reader
Flight safety group oppose the Obama administration’s position on airline safety
Remember, we talked about this group, Families of Continental Flight 3407. The family group that formed after the deadly commuter plane crash in February, that killed 50 people near Buffalo, N.Y., are standing behind their cause. They’re criticizing the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, J. Randolph Babbitt. Babbitt seems to be standing in the way of legistlation that would mandate higher requirements, i.e., more flight-time for commuter pilots.
Apparently, the Obama admnistration supports Babbitt’s conclusion that the number of flight-time hours alone might not improve the flying proficiency of pilots.
We’ll keep you posted on this one.
Washington Post, Sholnn Freeman
The family group that formed after the deadly Continental Airlines commuter plane crash in February is sharply criticizing the Obama administration’s stance on airline safety.
In a statement, Families of Continental Flight 3407 said it “strongly condemned” remarks by J. Randolph Babbitt, head of the Federal Aviation Administration, who spoke Thursday before the Senate aviation subcommittee.
The group said Babbitt is standing in the way of legislation that would mandate higher flight-time requirements for airline pilots. They pointed to comments from Babbitt that the FAA is considering ways to enhance its existing pilot certificate system instead of supporting stronger requirements.
“On one hand, I guess it is good that the lip service is over and everything is finally out in the clear,” said Scott Maurer of Moore, S.C., who lost his daughter Lorin in the crash. “But after listening to the rhetoric from the [Transportation Department] all summer that this administration was going to put the passenger first and that cost would not be allowed to come in the way of safety, how can you not be devastated by this when you think of the price we have all paid?” (READ MORE)
