Washington, D.C. - The leaders of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Aviation today requested a federal investigation of international pilot training standards and training for commercial pilots operating outside of the United States, including training for the Boeing 737 MAX.

The request from Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Subcommittee on Aviation Ranking Member Garret Graves (R-LA), and Subcommittee on Aviation Chairman Rick Larsen (D-WA) was sent to U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General Calvin Scovel. 

The request also asks the Inspector General to focus on how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented recent cockpit automation management requirements to ensure that, in light of technology advancements in automation, pilots are capable of flying aircraft when automation fails or is deactivated.

The 737 MAX 8 aircraft has been grounded worldwide while investigations into two recent foreign air carrier accidents involving that specific aircraft continue.  Boeing is currently working to address a known issue with the aircraft and finalize a software fix to be submitted to the FAA for final certification, but additional questions remain regarding all factors that contributed to both accidents.

The Members requested that the Inspector General, based on their findings, provide recommendations to improve international pilot training standards and training requirements for commercial pilots operating U.S. certificated aircraft outside the United States.