Washington, DC, May 26, 2021. Media contact: media@raa.org
Following today’s publication of the Pilot Records Database Final Rule, Regional Airline Association (RAA) President and CEO Faye Malarkey Black offered the following statement:
“RAA applauds the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) for publishing the Pilot Records Database (PRD). This electronic system, designed to share pilot records among air carriers and other operators, will materially enhance aviation safety by providing more complete information in the hiring process. Such a system, managed by the federal government, is long overdue.
The Pilot Records Database will provide immeasurable safety benefits by standardizing and increasing efficiency around pilot records, improving access to important information about training and qualifications history and other safety records and by expanding the type of operations required to provide FAA records. Together, these components will allow hiring carriers to provide a much more complete evaluation of pilot candidates.
RAA has steadfastly urged implementation of the Pilot Records Database as a matter of utmost importance, given its clear and well-substantiated public safety benefit; and has consistently supported the expeditious publication of a comprehensive final rule. The RAA now applauds FAA’s long-awaited action and stands ready to work with the Agency and our pilot community to ensure a smooth transition to this much-needed system.”
A copy of RAA’s earlier comments in support of adopting this final rule may be found here.
About RAA
The Regional Airline Association (RAA) provides a unified voice of advocacy for North American regional airlines aimed at promoting a safe, reliable and strong regional airline industry. RAA serves as an important support network connecting regional airlines and industry business partners. In the United States, regional airlines operate 40% of scheduled passenger flights and provide the only source of scheduled air service to 66% of the nation’s airports. Regional airlines provide 75% or more of the air service in Alabama (76%), Alaska (88%), Arkansas (83%), Idaho (75%), Iowa (76%), Kansas (78%), Maine (77%), Mississippi (77%), Montana (78%), Nebraska (90%), North Dakota (87%), South Dakota (85%), Vermont (77%), West Virginia (92%), and Wyoming (78%). Regional airlines provide half or more of the air service in Indiana (61%), Kentucky (67%), Michigan (57%), New Hampshire (61%), New Mexico (53%), North Carolina (54%), Ohio (58%), Oklahoma (51%), Oregon (50%), Pennsylvania (53%), Rhode Island (54%), South Carolina (54%), Tennessee (47%), Virginia (58%) and Wisconsin (61%).