1st class med not req'd for FO's

[Singlecoil]

Faa published their final rule today. ATP required for FO's but you only need a second class medical unless you are flying supplemental or flag with multiple crews.
Page 9-10 here:
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/recently_published/media/2120-AJ67.pdf

 

[densoo]

July 10, 2013
Fellow ALPA members:

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued its much-anticipated final rule on FAR Part 121 minimum pilot qualifications for first officers. Directed by the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010, which called for increased minimum requirements for airline first officers, the new regulations will take effect on August 1, 2013. In the meantime, ALPA is making every effort to ensure that our members understand how the changes may affect them.

ALPA was instrumental in helping to develop these regulations through its participation on the related aviation rulemaking committee, working with the FAA and industry stakeholders, and through comments on the proposed rule.

The rule is long and complex and contains many provisions and example scenarios, but I want to summarize the ones of greatest interest to ALPA members.

As expected, the new rule mandates that a FAR Part 121 first officer hold an air transport pilot certificate (ATP) or the new ?restricted ATP,? which can be obtained by pilots aged 21 with 750 hours flight hours if military-trained and qualified; with 1,000 flight hours if trained in a 4-year college/university-accredited aviation program leading to a bachelor?s degree, or with 1,250 flight hours if trained in a 2-year college aviation program leading to an associate?s degree. In addition, other pilots who are general aviation trained can qualify for the restricted ATP at age 21 with 1,500 hours of flight time.

At ALPA?s urging, the FAA has not changed the type of medical certification that will apply under the new rule. First Officers operating in Part 121 service will still be required to hold a 2nd class medical certificate.

In addition, the new rule requires that first officers be type-rated in the aircraft they fly on the line. To upgrade to captain in a FAR 121 operation, the regulation will require a minimum of 1,000 flight hours in air carrier operations as SIC in Part 121 operations, PIC in operations under either ?135.243(a)(1) or ?91.1053(a)(2)(i), or any combination of these. That flight experience does not have to be obtained at the pilot?s current employer airline. In addition, military PIC time (up to 500 hours) in a multiengine turbine-powered fixed-wing airplane in an operation requiring more than one pilot may also be credited towards the 1,000 hours.

Air Line Pilots Association, International
www.alpa.org

 

[densoo]

I wonder if announcing this now has anything to do with the accident this week, a reassurance to the public that experience levels in general will rise and that there's no more discussion on this issue or the rest reg, both of which the airlines don't like for the cost.

 

[fam62c]

Does a type rating mean a PIC type rating or will an SIC type rating do?

 

[OldManPilot]

Good question FAM

 

[pb4ufly]

the SIC type rating was an ICAO requirement starting some years ago. it's really not a type rating at all because no specific evaluation (from a DPE/APD/FED) is required, just a completion of the training program. think of it as an administrative designation.

so, a full type-rating will be required with the "restricted" caveat if lacking 1500. SIC will not suffice.

 

[ASA_Aviator]

the SIC type rating was an ICAO requirement starting some years ago. it's really not a type rating at all because no specific evaluation (from a DPE/APD/FED) is required, just a completion of the training program. think of it as an administrative designation.

so, a full type-rating will be required with the "restricted" caveat if lacking 1500. SIC will not suffice.

If that's the case, a bunch of FOs are gonna be illegal soon. Including myself. I just have an SIC type on the E190.

 

[reepicheep]

You have until 2016 to get the Type Rating.......the FAA extended the compliance date.

 

[fam62c]

You have until 2016 to get the Type Rating.......the FAA extended the compliance date.

We'll see what this rule looks like in 2016. Just wait until the regional airlines can't find enough qualified pilots and start talking about eliminating service to smaller communities or raising ticket prices to prohibitive levels in these cities. This thing will get watered down pretty fast as soon as some congressman loses a direct flight from Podunk to DCA because the flight can't be staffed.

 

[Andy]

We'll see what this rule looks like in 2016. Just wait until the regional airlines can't find enough qualified pilots and start talking about eliminating service to smaller communities or raising ticket prices to prohibitive levels in these cities. This thing will get watered down pretty fast as soon as some congressman loses a direct flight from Podunk to DCA because the flight can't be staffed.

Don't worry; raising the retirement age will fix that problem.

 

[fam62c]

Don't worry; raising the retirement age will fix that problem.

Unfortunately that's probably going to be the case as soon as the legacy carriers realize that the reliability of their regional partners, on which they depend for a substantial amount of their system lift, could become questionable. The lobbyists will soon be out in force with threats of substantial service reductions and eliminations to smaller cities. Either the mandatory retirement age will get pushed out or eliminated completely or the new flight experience reg will get gutted......maybe both.

The unfortunate truth is that the government will quickly determine that a shortage of qualified pilots at any level of the airline system is not in the best interest of the traveling public, i.e. consumers who vote.