If a charter pilot gets fired for repeatedly pointing out safety issues to the director of operations, does the pilot have any legal remedy? In the United States, the answer under state law depends on the state and is probably a definite “maybe.” However, there is federal law aimed precisely at the issue.
The law applies to “air carriers” so it is not aimed at 14 C.F.R. Part 91. The law prohibits “discrimination” by an air carrier against an employee with respect to compensation, terms, conditions or privileges of employment because the employee:
(1) provided, caused to be provided, or is about to provide (with any knowledge of the employer) or cause to be provided to the employer or federal government information relating to any violation or alleged violation of any order, regulation, or standard of the Federal Aviation Administration or any other provision of federal law relating to aviation safety under this subtitle or any other law of the U.S.;
(2) has filed, caused to be filed, or is about to file (with any knowledge of the employer) or cause to be filed a proceeding relating to any violation or alleged violation of any order, regulation, or standard of the Federal Aviation Administration or any other provision of federal law relating to aviation safety under this subtitle or any other law of the U.S.;
(3) testified or is about to testify in such a proceeding; or
(4) assisted or participated or is about to assist or participate in such a proceeding.
49 U.S.C.S. §...
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