BUFFALO, N.Y. – Statements made by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on pilot training have been met with outrage from legislators in Western New York.

During an interview with the Washington Post Thursday, Chao addressed several problems within the aviation industry including a pilot shortage.

Chao says the industry is struggling to recruit new pilots because of a rule requiring them to train for 1500 hours before they can fly a passenger plane.

"That has actually made it so much harder for so many other experienced veterans in flying to enter this field," Chao said in the interview.

The rule was inspired by the crach of Colgan Air Flight 3407 in Clarence Center in 2009. All 49 people aboard the flight, and one man on the ground, were killed. The crash was blamed on insufficiently trained pilots.