Dear Mr. xxxxxxxxx:

Thank you for writing me with your concerns about the use of black boxes for pilot monitoring. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you know, Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) introduced the Pilot Professionalism Assurance Act, S. 3048. This bill would allow air carriers to use information from a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) or flight data recorder for any purpose relating to improving the safety and well being of passengers, including the evaluation or discipline of pilots or flight engineers. S. 3048 requires air carriers to keep information from a CVR confidential and only allows disclosure of the information as required for an administrative or judicial proceeding. Additionally, the Pilot Professionalism Assurance Act would prohibit the tampering or disabling of any CVR. S. 3048 has been referred to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, of which I am not a member.

I believe it is of the utmost importance that we protect the traveling public. I know the vast majority of pilots are dedicated to that goal and work hard to abide by existing regulations and to meet the needs of the people they fly. I understand your concerns with the potential harm that company use of CVRs and will keep this in mind during consideration of the FAA reauthorization bill or S. 3048.

Again, thank you for your letter.