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Concerns Over Pilot Fatigue Due To Dangerous Flying Hours

The 38,000 airline pilots in the European Union are demanding that the recommendations from a scientific team investigating pilot fatigue should be adopted as soon as possible.

'This new independent scientific study published today by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) shows that pilot fatigue laws in Europe need to be reviewed,' said Jim McAuslan , General Secretary of the British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) which, with 10,000 members is the largest flight crew union in Europe

Pic of aircrewThe Scientific and Medical Evaluation of Flight Time Limitations - detailing when pilots can fly and when they should rest through different time zones - has identified a number of legal provisions that need to be improved to ensure adequate levels of flight safety.

'It will be up to European institutions to revise flight time limitations laws without delay in order to avoid the risk of fatigue contributing to accidents and incidents,' Jim McAuslan added.

'I am writing to the Secretary of State for Transport, Geoff Hoon, to ask the British Government to get behind the recommendations and see that they are adopted.'

In the UK, flight time limitations have traditionally been fixed by the Civil Aviation Authority and has given Britain world-leading safety standards.

But when the EU decided to seek common flight time limitations across Europe it settled on a package of measures which could dilute those standards. However after a campaign by BALPA it was agreed that the UK could stay with the traditional CAA regulations (CAP 371) as a means of compliance to EU OPS Sub Part Q.

It was also agreed, after further pressure from BALPA and all the other pilot unions in Europe who work together as the European Cockpit Association (ECA), that the new EU package should be put to an independent team of medical and scientific experts for evaluation.

It is this report which has been released and acting on its recommendations (rather than burying them) is vital.

Source: BALPA

Youc anemail Geoff Hoon, Transport Secretary with your concerns over airline pilot safety here



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