Says New Rules Mark Progress, But More Safety Action Is Needed For Winter Operations

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) is welcoming new FAA rules to expand types of winter conditions in which airliners must be certified to fly safely, but the union says there is still work to be done on the issue.

“As North America heads into the winter season, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) commends the Federal Aviation Administration’s new rules to ensure airliners are certified to fly safely in a range of winter weather conditions," the union said in a statement released to the media.

“For more than two decades and in the wake of two fatal airline accidents that occurred in freezing rain and drizzle, ALPA has called for tougher regulations to make certain airliners can fly safely in winter conditions. We strongly support the FAA’s action to add freezing rain and freezing drizzle to the types of weather environments that require certification.

“ALPA has long highlighted the need for more research and action to ensure the safety of winter flight operations. The union took part in the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Committee that led to the FAA’s proposed rule on icing certification in 2010.

“While the new FAA rule is a major step forward, ALPA continues its call for increased funding to research icing, better methods to help flight crews identify the type of icing environment in which they are operating, and technical systems that would automatically detect hazardous ice and alert the flight crews.”

FMI: www.alpa.org