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I am writing to express my concern over recent comments by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, suggesting a shift from the FAA’s compliance-based safety philosophy to a punitive enforcement model. This approach undermines aviation safety by discouraging transparency and self-reporting, key components of risk mitigation and safety improvements. The FAA’s compliance model fosters an open safety culture, enabling pilots, air traffic controllers, and regulators to collaborate on safety enhancements. Secretary Duffy’s claim that pilots should face certificate revocation for failing to follow ATC instructions—referencing a recent near-collision at Chicago Midway—demonstrates a misunderstanding of real-world aviation complexity. Aviation safety relies on cooperative problem-solving, root-cause analysis, and systemic improvements rather than harsh penalties. A more effective approach to improving safety is strengthening pilot training and certification oversight. The NTSB should evaluate whether Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) and Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) maintain rigorous standards, ensuring pilots receive high-quality training. Addressing training deficiencies proactively would mitigate risks before they materialize rather than punishing pilots after an error occurs. Additionally, the FAA’s current collaborative approach allows for critical safety data collection, preventing future incidents. Weakening this system in favor of punitive measures would create a culture of fear, discouraging reporting and increasing risk. A shift to punitive enforcement could lead to reduced information-sharing, lower situational awareness, and higher accident rates. Congress must act to preserve the FAA’s compliance-based approach, which has made U.S. aviation the safest in the world. I urge you to oppose Secretary Duffy’s proposal and support evidence-based reforms that enhance training oversight and proactive risk mitigation. Prioritizing learning and continuous improvement over punitive measures is essential for maintaining aviation safety.