Many provisions included in the landmark safety legislation raised the bar for U.S. aviation and moves the system forward by addressing runway and airport near-misses, maintaining rigorous pilot-training standards, providing a pathway for secondary barriers on existing aircraft, and ensuring that the United States remains the global leader in aviation safety. Pilots will also provide an invaluable education on the threat of reduced-crew operations.

“Together, we successfully defended safety and pilot labor in the FAA reauthorization. Now, as manufacturers propose to remove pilots from the flight deck and put profits over safety, we will not let up as the final arbiters of aviation safety and the profession,” said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA president. “No one understands better than a pilot that when an issue arises in flight, it is the pilots who create a safe outcome. Our contributions and ability to work together as a team on the flight deck is irreplaceable. Pilots are irreplaceable.”

During the Legislative Summit, ALPA also recognized U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI) with its Pilot Partisan of the Year award for his steadfast commitment to aviation safety and advocating for the aviation workforce. His staunch advocacy during the FAA reauthorization process was critical in fighting back attempts to weaken first officer training and qualifications and attempts to increase the pilot retirement age.

“ALPA is advancing a pilot-partisan agenda. Our issues aren’t Republican or Democratic; they’re pilot partisan,” said Ambrosi. “Our industry is strong and ALPA pilots have never been more committed to ensuring airlines provide safe and reliable air transportation. This means maintaining the gold standard of aviation safety that makes the United States the global leader in air transportation.”