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CONTACT: Captain Dennis Tajer, 847-902-8481; Gregg Overman, 817-302-2250/817-312-3901

Allied Pilots Association “Adamantly Opposes” FAA Reauthorization Language on Single-Piloted Aircraft

FORT WORTH, Texas (April 20, 2018) – The Allied Pilots Association (APA) voiced its opposition to the language in Section 744 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which would establish a research and development program in support of single-piloted cargo aircraft augmented by remote and computer piloting.

“Cargo and passenger carriers operate the same high-performance jet aircraft, share the same congested airspace, and fly over the same densely populated areas. There’s no logical reason to apply different standards to each,” said Capt. Dan Carey, president of the Allied Pilots Association. “Given the threat posed by computer hacking and the accident rates for autonomous vehicles and military and civilian drones, it’s astonishing that policymakers would even consider this notion.

“APA is adamantly opposed to the language in Section 744, and we urge Congress to remove it to help preserve public safety.”

Founded in 1963, the Allied Pilots Association — the largest independent pilots union in the United States — is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. APA represents the 15,000 pilots of American Airlines, including several hundred pilots on full-time military leave of absence serving in the armed forces. The union’s website is AlliedPilots.org. American Airlines is the world’s largest passenger airline.