Canoll Says Rush To Adopt Technology Should Not Prevent Detailed Safety Analysis

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) issued a statement Tuesday from ALPA president Capt. Tim Canoll after submitting official comments for the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security hearing on key considerations regarding unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

“ALPA recognizes the societal and economic benefits of employing this technology to perform a wide variety of tasks more efficiently, in a more environmentally responsible manner, and potentially more safely than the same task performed with conventional aircraft," the statement said. "However, it is vitally important that the pressure to capitalize on the technology not lead to an incomplete safety analysis of the aircraft and operations.
 
“The uniqueness of UAS operations has revealed many safety and technological challenges to be addressed before integration in order to maintain the current level of safety for the national airspace system, its users, and the traveling public. Congress should work and coordinate with industry stakeholders to insure that UAS aircraft and operations are integrated safely.
 
“Until the FAA transmits comprehensive solutions, our overarching position is that unmanned or remotely piloted aircraft should not be allowed unrestricted access to conduct flight operations unless they meet all of the high standards currently required for every other airspace user.”

FMI: www.alpa.org