"We Urge You To Consider An Ongoing Role For Line Pilots And Pilot Associations..."

Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA) Canada President Tim Perry has testified before the House of Commons Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Committee, as part of the committee's study of the aircraft certification process in Canada.

After offering his deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who perished in the Boeing 737 MAX accidents that led to its grounding last year, Perry offered recommendations for the MAX's return to service and for future evaluations of new aircraft designs or modifications to existing designs.

Perry remarked, “ALPA is the largest nongovernmental air safety organization in the world. Our pilots offer a valuable perspective that can only come from those who are currently involved in the daily operation of airliners. Thanks to ALPA's unique qualifications to be a primary source of expertise to assist Transport Canada in its evaluations, we strongly believe in the need to involve line pilots more formally in its work. 

“While Transport Canada's certification pilots have a key role to play, given their background and training in flight testing, to ensure all steps in the certification process are addressed, line pilots must be adequately prepared and trained to manage the handling qualities and emergencies that may occur. Therefore, systems and procedures should be evaluated by line pilots to ensure that the training is adequate. This is where ALPA can play a key role.

“In the committee's development of recommendations to the government for the aircraft certification process, we urge you to consider an ongoing role for line pilots and pilot associations in evaluating procedures and training requirements, as well as handling qualities of any new or modified aircraft.”

FMI: www.alpa.org