EASA Evaluating Two-Person Cockpit Rule
Joe Cortez February 03, 2016
Nearly one year after Germanwings tragedy, EASA is seeking feedback on two-person cockpit rule.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is asking pilots and cabin crew members to submit their feedback on the two-person cockpit rule in order to determine how it has changed aviation operations over Europe. Air Transport World reports the survey is in accordance with the recommendations outlined by the Germanwings task force in the aftermath of the Germanwings Flight 9525 incident.
Shortly after 4U9525 was deliberately brought down by one of the pilots in charge, the EASA recommended that at least two people be in the cockpit at all time. This move was echoed by airlines around the world as many implemented a similar rule shortly thereafter. Nearly one year later, authorities want to find out how effective the recommendation is.
The European aviation authority is asking commercial aircraft operators, pilots, cabin crew and “other interested parties” to submit their thoughts through an online survey through March 11, 2016. From there, the EASA will evaluate the answers received and publish a summary of the results on the website. From there, the responses will be used in a further recommendation by the EASA on how to implement recommendations made by the incident task force.
Although the survey is extended to stakeholders in the United States, the results will not affect the operations of domestic flights. However, the Federal Aviation Administration has adopted the two-person cockpit rule as a standard operating procedure.
Exactly 150 flyers aboard 4U9525 were killed when the Airbus A320-200 they were flying aboard was brought down by its pilot in the French Alps. In addition to the two-person cockpit rule, many have called for additional pilots’ mental health screenings as well.
[Photo: Getty Images]
