Acting Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta addressed attendees at the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) 2012 Air Safety Forum Thursday in Washington, D.C.
Prior to his remarks, a series of panel discussions focusing on risk-based security, unmanned aircraft systems, automation technology and pilot fatigue took place.
In the first panel discussion of the day, TSA and Customs and Border Patrol officials outlined how a risk-based security strategy is enabling them to secure planes and cargo arriving and departing the U.S.
A Boeing official said that the tablet is one of the biggest fundamental and technological changes pilots have to deal with in this day and age, during a discussion on aviation technology.
On the topic of pilot fatigue, FAA officials outlined new regulations for airline pilots. The new rules will go into effect in July 2014 and will limit the number of hours pilots can fly overnight.
On Wednesday, Transportation Security Administration Administrator John Pistole spoke at the event. He said that individuals in the U.S. who’ve been radicalized on the web and who’ve acquired the knowledge and skills to build an explosive device are a major security challenge for the intel community.
The forum brings industry experts together to discuss challenges in aviation safety, security, and human performance, and actions needed to achieve the highest possible standards for air transportation in North America.
ALPA is the world’s largest pilots union, representing more than 53,000 pilots at 37 airlines in the United States and Canada.