Dealing with New Risks to Air Safety

Guest Commentary
by the Honourable Marc Garneau,
Canadian Minister of Transport

Canada has one of the safest air systems in the world, but we constantly perform risk analysis in order to detect and deal with emergencies. My department, Transport Canada, does not hesitate to take swift action to address any potential threats to aviation safety.

The well-being of pilots is a crucial part of aviation safety and one that Transport Canada takes very seriously. This is why we have organized a workshop in June to bring together operators, pilot unions, aviation personnel, and health professionals to consider further steps necessary to enhance aviation safety.

We need to be vigilant when it comes to pilots whose judgment and performance are impaired. Transport Canada has proposed amendments to its fit-for-duty regulations to prohibit flightcrew members from working within 12 hours of drinking alcohol—an increase from the current limit of eight hours. After a recent, highly publicized incident, I asked all airlines operating in Canada to confirm that their safety protocols for alcohol and drug testing are up to date.

Pilot fatigue is another threat to aviation safety, which is why we set limits to the amount of time a crewmember can be on the job. The current limitations are being updated to reflect the latest scientific findings and align them with international standards. That is something my department will be working on this year.

Advances in technology have also played a tremendous part in improving safety in aviation. But technology can sometimes bring new dangers. Two new technologies that pose threats to aviation are lasers and drones.

Last year, about 450 laser strikes on aircraft were reported to Transport Canada. A laser strike on an aircraft can temporarily blind a pilot. If it happens during takeoff or landing, the result could be disastrous. In Canada, pointing a laser at an aircraft is a crime that comes with a fine of up to $100,000, up to five years in prison, or both. Transport Canada is working closely with law enforcement and the aviation industry to address this serious issue.

Another very worrying trend is drones being flown too close to airports and aircraft. Drone use is soaring in Canada, but so, too, is the number of safety incidents. Last year, 148 drone incidents were reported—more than triple the number in 2014.

To address the growing number of drone incidents and to ensure the safety of Canadians, I announced a new interim safety measure this past March. The measure prohibits anyone from operating a recreational drone within nine kilometres of any airport, heliport, seaplane base, or airstrip where aircraft take off or land. Recreational drone operators must also stay clear of controlled or restricted airspace. Anyone who breaks these rules could be fined up to $3,000.

This measure is supported by the Air Line Pilots Association, the Canadian Airport Council, the Air Canada Pilots Association, the National Airline Council of Canada, and police services across the country.

Aviation has come a long way since the first powered flight took place in Canada in 1909. Today, aircraft are far less vulnerable than they were 108 years ago. But safety is still the number one priority for pilots. And as minister of Transport, safety is my priority as well.

We owe the safety of our air system to the collective efforts, over the years, of aerospace designers, engineers, mechanics, security personnel, and pilots—and, of course, to the officials of Transport Canada who develop and enforce safety and security regulations.

We want Canadians to be safe and feel safe when they travel by air. As minister, I am taking the steps I see as necessary to make that happen, and I count on all the players in the aviation industry—including the Air Line Pilots Association—to work with me toward this common goal.

This article was originally published in the May 2017 issue of Air Line Pilot.

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