FAA would have to apply uniform pilot rest rules to all commercial flights

What does this do?

HR 7191 directs the FAA to eliminate an existing gap that lets some Part 121 commercial airline pilots skip the stricter rest and duty-hour limits set by Part 117. The FAA would have 180 days from enactment to update its rules so that no Part 121 pilot operation is exempt from those science-based fatigue protections.

Who does it affect?

The bill directly affects airline pilots and the carriers that employ them, specifically any Part 121 airlines currently operating outside Part 117 rest requirements. Commercial air travelers are also affected, since the change would apply to the pilots operating their flights regardless of airline or operation type.

Why does it matter?

Pilot fatigue has been identified as a contributing factor in fatal plane crashes, which was the basis for creating Part 117 rules in the first place. Extending those rules uniformly would mean no commercial passenger flight operates with a pilot who is exempt from the federal rest standards.

Where does it stand?