In response to demands from the U.S. Congress, the FAA issued new rules on pilot fatigue in September. The airlines argued that the new rules on rest and duty would cost them $19.6 billion, well exceeding the FAA estimate of $1.25 billion. Pilots’ unions said that the rules would allow crews to work longer days in the cockpit and are therefore counterproductive.

However, according to CQ Weekly, the Air Line Pilots Association is for the most part in support of the proposed rules which apply to Part 121 air carriers and mandate that pilots have a minimum of nine hours of rest between shifts — one hour more than the current minimum. Under the new rules, pilots would also be guaranteed 30 consecutive hours off each week, new monthly and weekly flight time limits would be established, and the rules would also set rest requirements that look at factors including how many flights a pilot makes in one day and at what time a flight takes place — flying at night is more tiring.

HAI filed comments with the FAA on the proposed rule. To read HAI’s official comments, click here.

According to statute, the FAA has until August 1, 2011 to issue a final rule.