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Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) spoke on the Floor of the House of Representatives calling for action on a pilot fatigue rule now two months overdue.  Earlier today Higgins also announced a letter signed by over 100 members pushing for implementation of these critical aviation safety measures.

Below is the text of Congressman Higgins’ remarks:

Mr. Speaker,

I come before the House to call for the immediate implementation of the pending aviation safety rule on preventing pilot fatigue.

In February of 2009 Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed in my community of Western New York.  

The investigation of the crash brought to light serious deficiencies in federal aviation safety standards, including our rules to prevent pilot fatigue.  In response Congress unanimously passed legislation to reform these rules.
 
Yet despite broad congressional support, implementation of the pilot fatigue rule is more than two months overdue.  Yesterday 102 of my colleagues and I sent a letter to the Administration urging the quick implementation of these reforms.

The old policies still in place do not adequately prevent fatigue or sufficiently protect the traveling public.

We must implement the overdue pilot fatigue rule.  While we delay, the travelling public continues to take to the skies bearing unnecessary risks.