RtS Details Announced By Transport Canada Were Not Provided To ALPA Canada Ahead Of Time

Tim Perry, president of ALPA Canada, issued a statement after Transport Canada announced they will be lifting the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) which prohibits the commercial operation of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft in Canadian airspace on January 20, 2021, allowing for the return of the Boeing 737 Max to service in Canada.

“ALPA Canada has been and continues to be engaged in ensuring that revised pilot training requirements meet or exceed our requirements. We will continue to work with Transport Canada and Canadian airlines on all issues related to the Max, its return to service, and its continued operation in Canada.

“While ALPA Canada believes the engineering and system modifications to the flight-critical aircraft systems 737 Max are sound and effective, we will take the time required to examine the balance of the details announced this morning by Transport Canada, which were not provided to ALPA Canada ahead of time.

“ALPA Canada pilots participated in the Joint Operational Evaluation Board's assessment of 737 Max training procedures, which Transport Canada used to finalize the pilot training requirements and have been receiving detailed briefings on the validation and proposed training requirements along the way.

ALPA pilots are involved in the process of reviewing the plan and will continue providing feedback.

“The extensive return-to-service guidelines illustrate the need for airline pilots to be involved in the certification process of any new and derivative aircraft. We will continue advocating for official involvement going forward, for the safety enhancement that our extensive experience brings to the process and 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