I
105TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 3406
To clarify the regulation of Alaskan Guide Pilots conducting air flights in
the State of Alaska, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 5, 1998
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
A BILL
To clarify the regulation of Alaskan Guide Pilots conducting
air flights in the State of Alaska, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Alaska Air Guide Reg-
ulations Act of 1998’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Alaska covers 586,000 square miles, which
is 1⁄5 of the area of the continental United States.
There are very few existing roads and the sheer size
of the State demands the use of airplanes to reach
most of the hunting and fishing sites.
(2) Since 1963, the Federal Aviation Adminis-
tration regulated Alaska guide pilots under the Fed-
eral Aviation Administration’s General Operating
and Flight Rules.
(3) The Federal Aviation Administration has
attempted to unilaterally rescind the 34-year prac-
tice and policy concerning the regulation of Alaska
guide pilots under the General Operating and Flight
Rules. The Administration is seeking to impose dis-
tinct and significantly greater, and unnecessary, ob-
ligations and duties on Alaska guide pilots.
(4) The Federal Aviation Administration’s sub-
stantial change in practice and policy imposes un-
necessary regulatory burdens on guide pilots and
does not improve safety. The new approach threat-
ens the livelihood of guide pilots and will diminish
the availability of fishing and hunting guide services
in Alaska.
(5) Alaska guide pilots have recognized that
some additional requirements will improve safety
and support imposition of additional reasonable re-
quirements related to pilot training, pilot experience,
and aircraft inspection.
SEC. 3. ALASKA PILOT DEFINED.
In this Act, the term ‘‘Alaska guide pilot’’ means a
pilot who—
(1) conducts aircraft operations over or within
the State of Alaska;
(2) operates single engine, fixed wing aircraft
on floats, wheels, or skis, providing commercial
hunting or fishing services and related accommoda-
tions, in the form of camps or lodges; and
(3) transports clients by such aircraft incidental
to the provision of hunting or fishing services.
SEC. 4. ALASKA GUIDE PILOT REGULATIONS.
(a) REGULATION UNDER GENERAL OPERATING AND
FLIGHT RULES.—Beginning on the date of the enactment
of this Act, Alaska guide pilots shall be regulated under
the Federal Aviation Administration’s General Operating
and Flight Rules.
(b) AUTHORITY OF FAA.—The Federal Aviation Ad-
ministration may amend the General Operating and Flight
Rules to require Alaska guide pilots—
(1) to be inspected no less often than after 125
hours of flight time;
(2) to participate in an annual flight review as
described in the Federal Aviation Administration’s
Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors; Subpart
A—General; Flight Review;
(3) to have a total of at least 500 hours of
flight time as a pilot; and
(4) to have a commercial rating as described in
Federal Aviation Administration’s Certification: Pi-
lots and Instructors; Subpart F—Commercial Pilots.
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