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Contact: Amy Inaba


Congressman Young Reintroduces Alaska Guide Pilot Legislation

Washington, D.C., Feb 24 -

The bill would clarify the regulation of Alaska Guide Pilots

Alaska Congressman Don Young has re-introduced legislation, H.R. 812, reversing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notice of enforcement that could potentially force small guide operations out of business. Congressman Young is the ranking Majority Member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “Guide pilots are not commercial operators nor are they hired for transportation. They are in the business of guiding people to hunting and fishing locations. These are dollars that go into Alaskan businesses and into the Alaskan economy,” said Rep. Young. The FAA has given notice to Alaskan guide pilots that enforcement under Part 91 (General Operating and Flight Rules), will change to enforcement under Part 135 (Air Taxi Operators and Commercial Operators). For 35 years Alaskan guide pilots have operated under regulations that fit the flying practices of Alaska guides pilots, and the FAA simply changed the rules without regard to the Administrative Procedures Act. “The FAA’s regulations will run Alaskan guide pilots out of business, and threaten their livelihood. My legislation increases safety while using common sense in regulating flying practices throughout Alaska. Federal regulations have devastated our resource industries. Now the feds want to attack the growing tourism industry of fishing and hunting guide services in Alaska,” said Alaska Congressman Don Young. Alaskan guide pilots recognize the benefit of increased safety and have been more than willing to assist the FAA in doing so. Enhancing Part 91 by following the recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is what H.R. 812 seeks to accomplish. H.R. 812 would require Alaska guide pilots: To operate aircraft inspected no less often than after 125 hours of flight time; To participate in an annual flight review To have at least 500 hours of flight time as a pilot To have a commercial rating To hold at least a second-class medical certificate To hold a letter of authorization issued by the Administrator of the FAA BACKGROUND From July 1991 to August 1993, The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a two-year safety study of guide operations in Alaska and made several recommendations as to how operating safety can be improved. They recommended that Part 91 be enhanced or upgraded. H.R. 812, would attempt to enact that recommendation. It is consistent with the general recommendations of the NTSB to improve safety, while keeping small guide operations from going out of business. The legislation was introduced on February 23, 1999.