This week in Congress: Aviation accidents under scrutiny

Seems we have had to many lately.

Thank you my friend MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy for making us aware that the U.S. House Armed Services Committee officials will hold a hearing this week to probe into the recent spike of military aviation accidents, a problem that defense officials have acknowledged but downplayed as “not a crisis.”

"WASHINGTON — House Armed Services Committee officials will hold a hearing this week to probe into the recent spike of military aviation accidents, a problem that defense officials have acknowledged but downplayed as “not a crisis.”
The Wednesday morning hearing will feature safety officials from each of the services and comes after a Military Times investigation earlier this year that found fatal military aviation accidents have reached a six-year high, in both the number of accidents and the number of personnel killed.
Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, has said that he believes budget cuts in recent years have played a major role in the readiness issue, but also pledged to delve further into the issue with a public hearing.
The move comes as the Senate conducts floor debate on the annual defense authorization bill. House lawmakers included a new review of the aviation problems in their draft of the legislation, and have promised more oversight on the issue in months to come."

FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SrA Christopher Wright Cpl Gabriel F.

Flight simulators, especially the lastet ones, are a fabulous way to train pilots in identifiable deficiencies found in the operational, maintenance, and safety reviews underway. At some point, however, crews HAVE to get the real-time "stick time" in what is an inherently hazardous occupation.