Part 121 Fatigue Regulations Months Away

Revised rules for flight, duty and rest times for Part 121 flight crews are still several months away, according to the FAA. The agency received more than 1,000 comments on a proposal issued in September to modify the regulations governing how long pilots are on and off the job. The FAA identified pilot fatigue as a top priority following the crash of Colgan Air 3407 on approach to Buffalo, N.Y., in February 2009. Last year, Congress passed a bill that directs the FAA to issue a regulation no later than August 1. Once a final rule is in place for Part 121 flight crews, the agency will turn its attention to Part 135 unscheduled charter operations, said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.