• Advocacy / Government Affairs

    Every day, the Independent Pilots Association represents the interests of professional cargo pilots before Congress, federal agencies, regulators, and aviation industry leaders. We work to ensure that the experience and perspective of frontline pilots help shape the laws, policies, and decisions affecting aviation safety and the future of the profession.

Our Advocacy Priorities

Advancing safety, protecting pilots, and strengthening the nation’s aviation system.

IPA advocates for practical, pilot-informed solutions to the most important issues facing cargo aviation. Our priorities include addressing hazards such as lithium battery fires, improving the safety and reliability of the national airspace system, preserving a secure two-pilot flight deck, strengthening fatigue protections, and ensuring pilots have the legal, regulatory, and operational protections necessary to perform their duties safely.

Through sustained engagement in Washington, D.C., IPA gives cargo pilots a credible and effective voice in the decisions that affect their workplaces, their profession, and the safety of the global air transportation system.

Make Your Voice Heard

Aviation policy is shaped by those who participate. Join fellow cargo pilots in urging Congress to end the cargo carve-out and support one level of safety for all airline operations.

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Battery Safety

Lithium battery fires present one of the fastest-growing safety challenges in aviation. IPA supports stronger standards for transporting hazardous materials and improving protections for flight crews.

One Level Of Safety

Cargo pilots operate the same aircraft, in the same airspace, under the same conditions as passenger airlines. Safety standards should reflect that reality by providing equal protections for every professional airline pilot.

Understanding the FAR Part 117 Cargo Carve-Out

This video from CAPA explains how all-cargo pilots were excluded from the modern flight-time, duty, rest, and fatigue protections established under FAR Part 117. It also highlights why extending these protections to cargo pilots is essential to achieving one consistent level of safety across the airline industry.

Senate Commerce Hearing on Airline Safety Regarding 737 MAX: NTSB Chairman Sumwalt Does Not Agree with Fatigue Rule Cargo Carve-Out

The following link is from Senate Commerce Hearing on Airline Safety regarding the 737 MAX. During this hearing, Senator Amy Klobuchar asks NTSB Chairman Sumwalt about the cargo carve-out. Calling for one level of safety, Chairman Sumwalt replies, “The NTSB does not agree there should be a different standard for passenger carrying airlines and cargo airlines with respect to the fatigue rules… We disagree with that disconnect.”

IPA Applauds Successful Challenge to Single Pilot Cockpit

A unified effort by the nation’s major pilot unions, including IPA, has resulted in the removal of a provision of the FAA Reauthorization Bill that poses a threat to aviation safety. The provision, which would have authorized a new FAA research and development program in support of single-pilot all-cargo operations, was removed from the final FAA Reauthorization Act passed by the House.

“I am pleased that the collective voices of the IPA, CAPA and our fellow pilot unions were heard on this critical safety issue,” said IPA President Bob Travis. “However, this issue is far from over. Be assured, the IPA team will remain on the frontlines of this battle.”

After the introduction of FAA Reauthorization Section 744, the IPA, CAPA and the nation’s major pilot groups joined together to voice their opposition to the provision. The IPA is also represented on a pilot task force challenging the single pilot cockpit.