Senators press FAA for action on pilot fatigue

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Senators want the Federal Aviation Administration to work faster on new rules aimed at preventing airline pilots from flying when they’re too tired.

Senators questioned FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt at a hearing today about his agency’s slipping schedule for proposing rules on how many hours airlines can ask pilots to fly and how much rest the pilots must have between shifts. He told senators his agency needs more time to do the job right.

Babbitt also said he opposes requiring all airline pilots to have at least 1,500 hours flight experience. Only captains must have that experience now.

Families of the 50 people killed in the crash of Continental Express Flight 3407 near Buffalo, N.Y., last February want both rules changed.

-- Associated Press