ACPA Welcomes Transportation Committee Report

[Guest]

Air Canada Pilots Association Welcomes Transportation Committee Report

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 21, 2017 /CNW/ - The Air Canada Pilots Association, representing more than 3,500 pilots, expressed gratitude to the Hon. Judy Sgro, Chair, and the members of Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities for their recommendations to improve aviation safety.

"The Committee's comprehensive report has just been released, and we are pleased to see a number of important recommendations that cut to the heart of important safety improvements for Canada's aviation industry," said Milt Isaacs, CEO of ACPA. "We agree with the Committee on many of their recommendations including the importance of: science-based fatigue regulations that consider safety first; alignment with international standards for runway end safety areas; urgent implementation of Transportation Safety Board of Canada safety recommendations; and adopting best practices in flight training."

Modernized Fatigue Regulations

The Parliamentary Committee's report recommends that updates to Canada's flight crew fatigue regulations be based on scientific evidence and with safety as a primary concern. ACPA strongly agrees, given that science has clearly established fatigue as a form of impairment. ACPA pilots support science-based measures that will improve the margin of safety for flight crews and their passengers.

300 Metre Runway End Safety Areas (RESA)

The report recommends Canada adopt the International Civil Aviation Organization's standard of a 300-metre runway end safety area (RESA) at the end of major airport runways. A RESA offers vital protection to planes and passengers in the event of an overrun or underrun. The Transportation Safety Board has investigated 16 runway overruns in Canada since 2010.

ACPA strongly supports this recommendation as Canada currently only has a handful of major airport runways that meet this international standard. For instance, Canada's busiest airport -- Toronto's Pearson International Airport, which is a hub for North American traffic -- does not have a single runway surface that complies with ICAO's recommended practice of a 300 M RESA or an alternative safety measure, despite a longstanding TSB recommendation for RESA that dates from its 2007 report on an Air France overrun incident.  

TSB Air Safety Recommendations

ACPA fully supports the recommendation that Transport Canada expedite its response to the TSB's air safety-related recommendations, including addressing the current backlog. A timelier response to the TSB's urgent recommendations will serve to significantly improve aviation safety in Canada.

Flight Training

Finally, ACPA supports the recommendation that Transport Canada review best practices for flight training, and would be pleased to participate alongside other pilot associations in consultations on this important issue. One of the best safety measures available is a well-trained flight crew; it is critical that pilot training be regularly assessed to ensure it reflects the most modern safety standards.

[Guest]

An update:

Transport Canada proposes new rules on flight crew fatigue and fitness for duty to make air travel safer for Canadians

Proposed regulations reflect today's science and align Canada with international standards

OTTAWA, June 30, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadians travelling by air should be confident that the flight crews are fit for duty and well-rested.

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, today proposed changes to the Canadian Aviation Regulations to improve passenger and flight crew safety and align regulations with today's scientific data, international standards, and best practices.

The proposed changes will introduce:

• New rules to prohibit flight crew members from working within 12 hours of drinking alcohol. This would be an increase from the current limit of eight hours;
• New fit-for-duty rules that will prohibit any flight crew member from working while they are not fit for duty. This will include consumption of alcohol or drugs, mental and physical conditions, and fatigue;
• New rules on flight crew fatigue management that address flight time and hours of work limits;
• Flight duty period limits that take into account the time of day, increased rest periods, and new requirements for time free from duty; and
• A Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) to allow air operators to adapt policies, procedures and practices to manage fatigue risk in an operation. FRMS will allow operators, including those who provide cargo services, more flexibility as long as they can demonstrate an equivalent level of safety.

The draft amendments will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on July 1, 2017. Canadians and members of the industry are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft regulations until September 29, 2017.

Quote

"We cannot take chances when it comes to flight crew members whose judgment and performance could be impaired. The proposed rules will limit the amount of time a crew member can be on the job, and help operators manage fatigue risk in order to better protect Canadians. By aligning our regulations with the latest scientific findings and international standards, Canadian travellers can be confident that flight crews onboard their planes are fit for duty."

The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport

Quick Facts

• Transport Canada has identified human factors, including fatigue, as one of its top four safety risk priorities.
• Since 2009, the International Civil Aviation Organization has required member States to update fatigue regulations based on the latest science. Canada's proposed rules align with today's scientific data, international standards, and best practices.
• Airline operators will have one year to comply with the new requirements once they are published in Canada Gazette, Part II. The rest of the operators (air taxi and commuter operators) will have four years to comply.

Related Products

• Backgrounder: Proposed New Rules on Flight Crew Fatigue Management
• Canada Gazette, Part I

 

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This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons living with visual disabilities.

 

SOURCE Transport Canada
 

For further information: Delphine Denis, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, 613-991-0700, delphine.denis@tc.gc.ca; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055, media@tc.gc.ca