HCM2005 Summary

• Urges U.S. Congress to allow the Department of Transportation to provide waivers from the 1,500 flight-hour requirement for second-in-command commercial pilots in Essential Air Service (EAS) communities.

• Argues the current 1,500-hour requirement, implemented after the 2009 Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash, emphasizes quantity over quality of flight hours and was ineffective since those pilots already exceeded the minimum hours.

• States EAS communities, particularly small rural areas like Prescott, rely on regional airlines with smaller aircraft that struggle to attract and retain pilots due to high training costs and low initial salaries.

• Notes the rule incentivizes pilots to leave EAS communities for larger airlines once they meet the 1,500-hour minimum, reducing aviation connectivity in rural areas.

• Directs the Arizona Secretary of State to transmit copies of the memorial to the President of the U.S. Senate, Speaker of the House, and all Arizona members of Congress.