Alaska News

Obama signs Pilot's Bill of Rights into law

President Obama has signed a bill with broad congressional support, including Alaska's delegation, which will change the way pilots interact with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Pilot's Bill of Rights was signed by Obama on Aug. 3 after sailing through the Senate and the the House. The bill, first proposed by Sen. Jim Imhofe, R-Okla., was co-sponsored by Alaska Sens. Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski.

Among other protections, the Pilot's Bill of Rights will:

  • Overhaul the burdensome ‘NOTAM’ process, which requires pilots to comb through an “overwhelming” number of Notices to Airmen before flight.
  • Ensure pilots are notified of any FAA investigation against them.
  • Give pilots full access to evidence and data relevant to the FAA’s investigation.
  • Review the medical certification process in order to allow consistent treatment of applicants.

Imhofe, a flight instructor, crafted the bill after he was investigated by the FAA for landing a plane on a closed runway. He blamed burdensome NOTAM procedures for the incident.

Learn more about the new law here.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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