Tired? Contact your Senator!

[flexpilot]

Over the course of the next several days, the Senate will consider HR636, which includes Amendment 3747. The measure, sponsored by Sen. James Inhofe, calls for the creation of an FAA Advisory Rulemaking Committee tasked with updating pilot duty and rest rules for those crewmembers who fly on behalf of FAR Part 135 operators.

Call or email your Senator, ask them to support Amendment 3747 to HR636.

Suggested script.

"I am writing today to encourage you to support the Inhofe #3747 Amendment to HR 636, which is currently being considered on the Senate floor. This commonsense amendment addresses outdated, arbitrary flight duty and rest rules within the business and fractional aviation communities that have not been updated in more than 60 years. More specifically, the amendment will create an FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee comprised of industry representatives, business aviation pilots, and fatigue experts who will help determine proper pilot flight duty and rest rules using a science-based approach.

Pilots, like me, who fly in the service of charter and fractional aviation need your support for this pragmatic amendment. The need to examine 60-year-old rules is indisputable as they impact the safety of our aircraft, passengers, fellow crewmembers and the entire National Airspace System. Please support the Inhofe #3747 Amendment."

 

[ksu_aviator]

Suggested script is always bad. It gives the powers that be a chance to dismiss the e-mails as robotic. Write something from your own personal experience. Explain a time when you flew tired and why you did it. Show them that blanket statements from the FAA that prohibit flying fatigued aren't adequate. There needs to some other safeguard to help prevent fatigued flight.

 

[flexpilot]

You're right. It is better if pilots form their own statements. The script is only to give you an idea of what to say.

Make sure ask them to support Amendment 3747 to HR636.