Aviation Safety: Airlines Should Check Pilot Applicants' Safety History
RCED-88-154
Published: Jun 07, 1988. Publicly Released: Jul 08, 1988.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO: (1) identified Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations regarding commercial airline pilot hiring practices; (2) assessed the type and availability of FAA pilot safety background information; and (3) determined whether airlines verified pilot safety background information.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to inform all airlines about how to access the Airman and Aircraft Registry; the Accident/Incident Data System; and the Enforcement Information System. |
Closed – Implemented
Action has been taken to inform air executives of the existence of databases and their availability in making pilot-hiring decisions. A centralized addressee has been established so that a single inquiry is all that is required to access both databases. A letter was sent in January 1989.
|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to encourage airlines to verify each pilot applicant's certificate validity with the Airman and Aircraft Registry and verify the pilot's flying safety history with FAA's Accident/Incident Data System and the Enforcement Information System and use this information in making pilot-hiring decisions. |
Closed – Implemented
Action has been taken to inform air executives of the existence of databases and their availability in making pilot-hiring decisions. A centralized addressee has been established so that a single inquiry is all that is required to access both databases. A letter was sent in January 1989.
|
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Topics
Aircraft accidentsAircraft pilotsAirline personnelCivilian personnel recordsCommercial aviationDatabasesHiring policiesLicensesPolicy evaluationTransportation safety