CAPA Joins FEDEX PILOTS in Opposition To MD-10/MD-11 Same-Type Rating.

Business, Aviation & Labor Editors

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 2000

The Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA), which represents more than 25,000 pilots across the nation, went on record today as opposing the same pilot type-rating by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the MD-10 and MD-11 aircraft.

"We're very pleased that CAPA is supporting our position that the FAA has effectively frozen pilots out of the certification process for the MD-10," said Michael Weiland, president of the FEDEX PILOTS ASSOCIATION (FPA). "There are serious safety issues at stake here, for both pilots and the public, and we plan to do everything in our power to get this decision overturned."

"At every stage of this certification process, the FAA has failed to follow its own procedures," Weiland said. "The end result is that the pilots' association has not had the opportunity to have meaningful input into this decision."

The FAA last week granted preliminary approval for same-type rating of the MD-10 and MD-11. If it stands, the decision will allow FedEx Corp. - and ultimately pilots for any cargo or passenger airline - to certify pilots to fly both the MD-10 and MD-11 without receiving appropriate training and regular proficiency checks.

FedEx is the first company to participate in a Boeing program in which old DC-10s are converted into more technologically advanced MD-10s. By having the same pilots certified to fly both the MD-10 and MD-11, FedEx will save millions of dollars despite what the FPA calls "unanswered and overriding safety concerns."

"The FAA is buying the argument from FedEx and Boeing that these two aircraft are similar enough to warrant a same-type rating," Weiland said. "But in reality, these are two very different aircraft. They have numerous differences, including different flap settings, different landing techniques, different braking capabilities and different levels of automation.

"The CAPA board is particularly concerned about the issue of pilot fatigue, and this FAA action exacerbates the problem," Weiland said. "Tired pilots make mistakes, and an MD10/MD11 same-type rating will significantly increase that likelihood."

The CAPA executive committee, which concluded two days of meetings here Thursday, also called on the FAA to reform its certification process.

"Important announcements pertaining to the certification process should be published in the Federal Register. Pilots and other interested parties should be given adequate information and notice in order to provide informed comment," a CAPA news release stated. "Specifically, the FAA must follow the procedures for notice including Advisory Circular 120-53 (which) calls for public meetings and allows for comment by pilots and other interested parties. The FAA has scheduled no such public meetings, and pilots' opportunities for comment have been restricted repeatedly during the MD-10 certification process."

Weiland said today the FPA has been given inadequate notice and opportunities to make informed comments about the MD-10 certification.

"We were given virtually no notice of a meeting to determine the MD-10's minimum equipment list. We were not given appropriate notice to participate in the development of the criteria to be used in making this decision. Finally, we were informed on May 1 that we had one week to make comments on the FAA's preliminary decision contained in a 58-page document," Weiland said.

"The public should be aware of the safety implications of this decision," Weiland said. "In the U.S., cargo aircraft carry about 8 million pounds of hazardous cargo each day, and these aircraft take off and land at airports in high-population areas and in close proximity to passenger airlines."

Weiland said that he and other representatives of the pilot union will be in Washington next week to seek support in Congress to delay the FAA decision on the MD-10/MD-11 same-type rating and to conduct public hearings on the issue.

"CAPA's support on this issue is very important," said Weiland.

In addition to the FEDEX PILOTS ASSOCIATION, members of CAPA include the Allied Pilots Association, the Independent Pilots Association, Southwest Pilots Association and Teamsters Local 1224. These associations represent pilots for FedEx, UPS, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Airborne Express.

The FEDEX PILOTS ASSOCIATION represents approximately 3,700 FedEx pilots based in Memphis, Tenn., Anchorage, Alaska, and Subic Bay, Philippines.