Canadian Approvals Are Likely To Be Well Behind US RtS Approvals

Transport Canada has announced the completion of its validation work for the FAA’s return to service plan before returning the Boeing 737 MAX to Canadian skies. The Air Line Pilots Association Canada (ALPA Canada) has been heavily engaged in ensuring that revised pilot training requirements are adequate and reiterated that several items still require attention before the aircraft can return to service in Canadian airspace.

“ALPA believes the engineering and system modifications to the flight-critical aircraft systems are sound and an effective component in the safe return to service of the 737 MAX. However, revised pilot training requirements are still in development at Transport Canada, and ALPA Canada has unique qualifications for assisting Transport Canada in that process,” commented Tim Perry, ALPA Canada president.

“No one knows better than airline pilots what is needed to be adequately prepared and trained to manage the handling qualities and emergencies that may occur.”

ALPA Canada pilots participated in the Joint Operational Evaluation Board’s assessment of training procedures, which Transport Canada is using to finalize the pilot training requirements.

ALPA Canada also recently received a detailed briefing on Transport Canada’s validation and proposed training requirements. ALPA pilots are still in the process of reviewing the plan and will provide feedback once the review is complete.

“The extensive return-to-service exercise illustrates the need to have airline pilots involved in the certification process of new and derivative aircraft certifications,” added Perry. “We are advocating for official involvement going forward, for the safety enhancement that our extensive experience brings to the process.”

ALPA will continue to work closely with regulators and stakeholders in the United States and Canada to ensure that, as an industry, we strengthen our aviation system.

FMI: www.alpa.org