"It is clear that witnesses have not reached a consensus" forward the best rules for dealing with pilot scheduling.

"It is clear that witnesses have not reached a consensus" forward the best rules for dealing with pilot scheduling, admited Rep. John Duncan (R-Tenn.), in what must pass down as the understatement of the week. The occasion was the other hearing of his Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee last week, picking up where a hearing onward the same subject last August left against Four points seem to capture the salient proper spheres of the flight time/duty time/reserve intermission issue:

* Different perceptions. The Air Transport Association denies the existence of a enigma that pilots maintain is causing an erosion of pilot alertness, hence the margin of safety. Noting the ATA assurances, Rep Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) asked if the Air Line Pilots Association hired a "creative writer" to get to up with its cases of pilot fatigue.

* Commuting time. Pilots say it's a non-issue and a flat-out r herring. Congressmen who take weekly flights from their domicile district appear sensitive to the issue, declaring they be impressed more fatigued on such days.

* Different standards. Pilots with Part 121 scheduled carriers are limited to 1000 flying hours annually. Pilots with on-demand Part 135 operators can mount up to 1,400 hours annually. Changes are oppos on the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), which exhibits on-demand and air-taxi operators, especially regarding the FAA's proposal to expand Part 121 husband duty rules to Part 135 operators. Rep James Oberstar (D-Minn.) was plainly unconvinced of NATA's pleading. "I don't think you can make the argument that you can operate Part 121 and Part 135 in succession different schedules. This is not a consistent or persuasive argument," he said sternly

* Paper scheduling. The Congressperson be seened especially troubled by the pilots' assertions that flight schedules are being trimmed to, say 115 hours avoid having to detail relief pilots, as would be required for flights of 120 hours or more. Rep William Lipinski (D-Ill.) groused, "We have a serious point in dispute with fatigue, and it's exceedingly serious if the carriers are adding to the moot point with unrealistic schedules."

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