Earlier this year the Civil Aviation Authority announced pilots must take an air law examination by January 31st as a requirement for licensing.

Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. Chester Cooper spoke with ZNS News recently about the new requirement.  He said, “there are ongoing dialogue and discussions with Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas along with the two pilots associations.  There’s been a meeting already with one of them along with CAP.  We expect that later this week there will be another meeting.  Pilots by and large have an appreciation for the need for the exam but of course this is a process of change.”

According to the Minister, the examination is a recommendation of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  “The air law exam will make our pilots even more proficient not withstanding that we have great pilots already with a lot of experience.  The FAA wanted to ensure that that academic piece that they consider to be missing was included as a part of the overall qualifications.”

Pilots have expressed concern about the exam including its relevance.  Cooper says that he wants to ensure that there is harmony and that stakeholders are heard.  He also expressed his confidence that everything will go well.