The FAA’s supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking addresses requirements listed in the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 and feedback from the January 2009 proposal.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wholeheartedly endorses the new proposal. “The United States has the world’s safest aviation system, but we are continually seeking ways to make it even safer,” he said in a statement. “This proposal will make U.S. pilots and other crewmembers even better equipped to handle any emergency they may encounter.”

Instead of simply learning flight skills, airline crews would have to showcase their knowledge by partaking in “real-world” training demonstrations. Air traffic controllers would also be required to undergo advanced training and would have to demonstrate their skills in a challenging environment.

Randy Babbitt

What’s more, the proposal explains how air carriers can alter training programs for planes with comparable flight handling features. It also modifies training and evaluation regulations for air traffic controls and crewmembers.

“The FAA is proposing the most significant changes to air carrier training in 20 years,” FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said in a statement. “This is a major effort to strengthen the performance of pilots, flight attendants and dispatchers through better training.”

Click here to view the proposal.