Parliamentarians Call For Fatigue Regulations With Safety As A Primary Concern, Based On Scientific Evidence

The Air Canada Pilots Association, representing more than 3,500 pilots, expressed gratitude to the Hon. Judy Sgro, Chair, and the members of Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities for their recommendations to improve aviation safety.

"The Committee's comprehensive report has just been released, and we are pleased to see a number of important recommendations that cut to the heart of important safety improvements for Canada's aviation industry," said Milt Isaacs, CEO of ACPA. "We agree with the Committee on many of their recommendations including the importance of: science-based fatigue regulations that consider safety first; alignment with international standards for runway end safety areas; urgent implementation of Transportation Safety Board of Canada safety recommendations; and adopting best practices in flight training."

The Parliamentary Committee's report recommends that updates to Canada's flight crew fatigue regulations be based on scientific evidence and with safety as a primary concern. ACPA strongly agrees, given that science has clearly established fatigue as a form of impairment. ACPA pilots support science-based measures that will improve the margin of safety for flight crews and their passengers.

The report recommends Canada adopt the International Civil Aviation Organization's standard of a 300-meter (approx. 1,000 foot) runway end safety area (RESA) at the end of major airport runways. A RESA offers vital protection to planes and passengers in the event of an overrun or underrun. The Transportation Safety Board has investigated 16 runway overruns in Canada since 2010.

ACPA strongly supports this recommendation as Canada currently only has a handful of major airport runways that meet this international standard. For instance, Canada's busiest airport -- Toronto's Pearson International Airport, which is a hub for North American traffic -- does not have a single runway surface that complies with ICAO's recommended practice of a 300 M RESA or an alternative safety measure, despite a longstanding TSB recommendation for RESA that dates from its 2007 report on an Air France overrun incident.

ACPA fully supports the recommendation that Transport Canada expedite its response to the TSB's air safety-related recommendations, including addressing the current backlog. A timelier response to the TSB's urgent recommendations will serve to significantly improve aviation safety in Canada.

Finally, ACPA supports the recommendation that Transport Canada review best practices for flight training, and would be pleased to participate alongside other pilot associations in consultations on this important issue. One of the best safety measures available is a well-trained flight crew; it is critical that pilot training be regularly assessed to ensure it reflects the most modern safety standards.

(Source: Air Canada Pilots Association news release)

FMI: acpa.ca, www.saferskies.ca