Outline FAA – Minimum 1500 –Flight Hours –for Commercial airline Pilots – Whether CASA of Australia attempt to increase the flight hours as that of FAAs is justiable. Higher flight hours -to be prescribed in Australia – as done by FAA in USA- there will negative impact among regional and small airline operators in Australia Is it justiable to increase flight hours for pilots in Australia? Introduction If a candidate wants to become a commercial airline pilot in USA, he should be at least twenty-three years of age and should possess a flying experience of a minimum of 1,500 hours as per ANPRM (Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) by FAA. This 1,500 hours of flying experience would include instrument, cross county and night flying.They should also pass the both the flight and written examinations conducted by FAA ( Federal Aviation Authority). Depending upon the needs of a specific job, they should also have one or more advanced ratings. In USA, the commercial airline pilots should have an additional qualification. An air transport pilot’s license should be possessed by Captains. (U.S Bureau of Labour Statistics2010: 789). It is to be noted that new provision of minimum 1500 hours was notified in the aftermath of a grave air crash that occurred on 12 Feb 2009 , an accident involving a Colgan Air Bombardier Q400 while it approached to Buffalo Niagara international Airport at New York. Due to the accident, not only the airplane was destroyed, but also all forty-nine air passengers were killed. (Werfelman 2011:2). As per FAA, the first officer of Colgan aircraft which met with an accident had less than 1500 flight hours’ experience. However, at the time of the accident, the first officer had acquired 2233 hours of flight hours and Colgan crash at New York made a spotlight on whether a commercially ranked co-pilot in Part 121 operations receive enough training or not. (Werfelman 2011:2). Majority of airline companies in USA turns down candidates who fail the needed aptitude and psychological tests as these pilots have to make accurate judgments and quick decisions under pressure. New airline pilots must commence their career as first engineers and as first officers depending upon the type of aircraft, which being used. For instance, pilots who have about 4000 hours of flight experience are being employed as the pilots by major airlines. (U.S Bureau of Labour Statistics 2010: 789). This research essay will make an earnest attempt about “the USA’s Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, which demands a minimum of one thousand five hundred flight hours before a pilot is able to operate on regular public transport services. With a similar mandatory requirement applied in Australia, what will be the impact on the Australian aviation industry?” Analysis One of the research studies made by NTSB on the deadly air crashes that happened from 1997 to 2008 by employing Flight Risk Assessment Tool of FAA’s and acknowledged 3 or more risk elements in sixty-three of the air cargo accidents and 4 or more risk elements, in forty-one air accidents. According to data released by FAA’s, there are about thirty­-eight risk elements especially in the province of pilot’s experience and qualifications, equipment and operating atmosphere. These risk elements were given an