Hearing of the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. Napolitano, Hearing on "State of Aviation Safety."
Hearing
Good morning and thank you to today's witnesses for joining the Subcommittee's hearing on the "State of Aviation Safety."
Recent tragic aviation incidents at home and abroad have shed new light on what is required to ensure the traveling public's safety.
In addition, the integration of new entrants, such as drones, into the national airspace presents new safety and security challenges.
Last Congress, this Committee passed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018, bipartisan legislation which set a solid foundation to improve the safety of the nation's airports, pilots, crew and passengers.
Today's hearing is an opportunity to get the public's perspective on current risks and challenges facing our aviation system and necessary safety improvements.
The testimony will also help shape our priorities as we continue our investigation of the Boeing 737 MAX and oversight of the FAA's the implementation of last year's FAA reauthorization bill.
This fall, the Committee will discuss the implementation status of the FAA Reauthorization Act.
Later on during today's hearing, the Subcommittee will hear from witnesses on the second panel, who are on the frontlines of aviation and are critical to ensuring the safety of U.S. aviation. Their testimony will help us prioritize issues for oversight on the legislation.
I look forward to hearing more from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) about the recommendations outlined in the NTSB Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements for 2019--2020, particularly on Part 135 flight operations and ensuring the safe integration of new technologies.
As Congress works to improve the pipeline for the next generation of pilots, debate continues on the strong pilot training rules requiring 1,500 hours of flight time mandated after the Colgan crash.
Congress cannot undermine an airline safety rule simply to respond to the market forces of supply and demand.
If there is a pilot shortage, I am interested in the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)'s thoughts on ways to address it without sacrificing safety.
Flight attendant fatigue is a pressing aviation safety issue. However, the FAA continues to delay the implementation of mandate requiring at least 10 consecutive hours of rest for flight attendants between duty periods.
I would like to hear more from the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) about the immediate and long-term impacts of this inaction.
As evidenced by recent events, the FAA's certification process is critical to aviation safety. Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) can shed more light about the role safety inspectors and engineers in this process and improvements that are necessary to ensure the safety of U.S. aircraft.
Last week, Chair DeFazio, Vice Chair Davids, Congressmen Davis and Ferguson and I introduced the Fair and Open Skies Act, to prevent foreign air carriers from exploiting a "flag of convenience" to avoid the regulations of their home countries, or otherwise undermining labor standards.
I appreciate TWU's, as well as ALPA and APFA's, support of this bill and the Committee will hear more about the importance of maintaining strong labor protections on safety.
The issue of the 737 MAX is not just about stakeholders in the aviation industry.
This Committee is a public body and therefore has a responsibility to hear from those most impacted, which unfortunately includes at times of tragedy.
On today's first panel are Mr. Paul Njoroge and Mr. Michael Stumo, who both lost family in the Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 (ET302) crash, which claimed the lives of 157 people.
Chair DeFazio and I asked Mr. Njoroge to testify today on behalf of the ET302 families and to give a voice to the 157 victims of that tragic accident.
Mr. Njoroge and Mr. Stumo, I cannot begin to imagine the immeasurable grief you and your families are experiencing.
On behalf of the entire Subcommittee, for Members here today and those who cannot join us, I extend our sincerest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time.
We appreciate your willingness to join our discussion on this important issue.
Your testimony is a crucial reminder of the international role the U.S. aviation system operates within.
The crashes occurred on U.S.-made, assembled and regulated airplanes.
The FAA's actions and this Committee's efforts have implications for travel around the world.
A majority of victims of the ET302 and Lion Air JT610 crashes were not Americans, and therefore it is only right to hear from someone who can represent the global community impacted by these tragedies.
Thank you for your advocacy.
As always, this Subcommittee's top priority is safety.
It is our job to provide the resources and oversight necessary to ensure the safety of the U.S. aviation system.
Again, thank you again to today's witnesses and I look forward to your insights.
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