Mike Collins: “Mr. Chairman, the report accompanying the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act contains language directing…”

“Mr. Chairman, the report accompanying the Department of Transportation Appropriations Act contains language directing the National Transportation Safety Board to review and issue a report on the Federal Aviation Administration's ``age 60 rule'' which requires pilots to retire upon reaching the age of 60. The amendment offered by the gentleman from Minnesota and myself prohibits funding of this study based upon several reasons. First, the NTSB is not the appropriate agency to undertake such a study. The chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board responded to an inquiry from the gentleman from Wisconsin just yesterday. The National Transportation Safety Board letter stated that the basic scientific research required by such a study is currently beyond the mission and capability of the Safety Board. In addition, the letter stated that such a study would require about 1- years of professional staff effort, and could replace or delay other safety studies already scheduled. Mr. Chairman, I strongly believe that taxpayer dollars should be targeted to the mission of the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating accidents and helping to prevent their reoccurrences, and not diverted for projects for which the agency is not suited. Second, the age 60 rule has been studied and restudied for decades by experts in the field.”