news FAA revokes Pilots permits to fly...

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The U.S. revoked the licenses today of the Delta Air Lines Inc. pilots who said they became distracted and overflew their destination by 150 miles.

The "emergency" revocations cite violations of federal regulations, including failure to comply with air-traffic control instructions and clearances, and operating "carelessly and recklessly," the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The pilots told investigators that they discussed work schedules and used laptop computers while cruising at 37,000 feet, and didn't monitor instruments, air-traffic control calls or dispatcher messages.

The revocations are effective immediately and the aviators have 10 days to appeal the action to the National Transportation Safety Board, the FAA statement said. The pilots are Captain Timothy Cheney, 53, of Gig Harbor, Washington, and First Officer Richard Cole, 54, of Salem, Oregon, according to public records.

The pilots for Atlanta-based Delta's Northwest unit were out of touch with controllers for 78 minutes on the Oct. 21 flight from San Diego to Minneapolis, the NTSB has said. The Airbus SAS A320 carried 144 passengers and 5 crew members.