US aviation regulators have proposed a U$4.8 million fine on Friday (Sept 24) against cargo carrier Evergreen International Airlines for allegedly not training pilots fully on a new cockpit software system. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said privately-held Evergreen allowed pilots on more than 200 flights in 2009 whose training on the upgraded flight management system did not fully meet federal requirements. That system is an on-board computer network that helps the crew with satellite-based navigation and can assist with engine thrust control and fuel monitoring.
Evergreen is currently in full compliance with the training regulation, the FAA said. Evergreen said in a statement the case should never have been brought and represented a "good faith dispute" about appropriate training when the carrier changed from one flight management system to another. The company said it would challenge the proposed fine.