Sponsor Statement for HJR 27

House Joint Resolution 27 proposes that the Federal Aviation Administration grant specific petitions for exemption from individual operators affected by the "Commuter Rule." An exemption would ensure that safety is not diminished because the aircraft currently utilized, the Twin Otter, has a good safety record based on statistics on aircraft accidents in Alaska.

The Commuter Rule applies to any aircraft capable of carrying ten or more passengers under Part 121 of the FAA rules which applies to major operators such as United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and any other major operators in the nation. Twin Otters currently operate under Part 135 of the FAA rules which apply to small aircraft. The Commuter Rule will come into effect on March 20, 1997.

Rural Alaska relies totally on air transportation for passenger travel and moving goods and services. The aircraft affected by the Commuter Rule is the Twin Otter which carries 10 to 19 passengers and has twin-engine with turbo-props. This aircraft has a larger load capacity than a Cessna 206 or 207 and has a comparable approach speed. The Twin Otter also has a better safety record than those of smaller aircraft. There were a total of 67 accidents in 1995/1996 and 7 of those occurred in 10 plus seat aircraft.

The FAA has been given specific authority by Congress to provide exemptions to small air carriers in Alaska from provisions of the Commuter Rule. This resolution is requesting just that.