From the Hill: ALPA Pushes for Early Focus on Safe Integration of Commercial Space Operations
By Kevin Cuddihy, Contributing Writer
“Get started now on a plan for safe integration,” was the overall sentiment of Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, during his June 26 testimony before the Aviation Subcommittee of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee regarding commercial space operations in the U.S. national airspace system (NAS). His testimony was buttressed by the release of ALPA’s latest white paper, “Addressing the Challenges to Aviation from Evolving Space Transportation.”
Canoll pointed out at the congressional hearing titled “Commercial Space Transportation Regulatory Reform: Stakeholder Perspectives” that while the FAA is currently prevented from enacting commercial space transportation regulations until 2023, this doesn’t preclude the agency from planning ahead.
“As the U.S. airline industry works to meet future passenger and shipper demand while spaceflight operations continue to increase,” explained Canoll, “the aerospace industry must work together to create policies, regulations, and procedures to share resources efficiently and, most of all, safely.”
Since airline pilots have the unique advantage of being daily users of the NAS, and safety being paramount, ALPA has an important role in the integration of space transportation operations into commercial aviation infrastructure and operations.
“ALPA’s experience with technology and operations in the national airspace makes it clear that a comprehensive plan is essential to safely and efficiently integrate commercial spaceflight and airline operations,” Canoll said. “Moreover, Congress must provide the FAA with adequate funding to develop and execute this plan.”
While interactions between the two industries are somewhat rare now, that looks to change as the commercial space industry evolves. But even today, the magnitude and complexity of space transportation operations are putting new demands on aviation infrastructure, including the NAS. According to the FAA, a 2014 report evaluating the impact of a space launch in Florida showed that the launch resulted in flight delays of up to 23 minutes, airspace reroutes of up to 84 miles, and thousands of pounds of more fuel burned—as compared to similar days with no launch activity.
“Given the interest in increasing the number and scale of spaceflight launches,” testified Canoll, “it’s easy to extrapolate the tremendous effect that commercial space operations could have on the U.S. airline industry as well as on its passengers, cargo shippers, and workers, if integration isn’t managed correctly.
“In addition,” Canoll continued, “Congress can encourage the FAA to conduct the more complex analysis, licensing operations, safety oversight, and air traffic control services that will be required. Regulators can also act now to develop communication, navigation, and surveillance requirements so that space vehicles are compatible with aviation operations. As is true in aviation, regulations must ensure safety in space vehicle design and flightcrew qualification, training, and certification.”
ALPA’s new white paper provides added depth to Canoll’s testimony, laying out the background and reasoning for his comments. “The future growth and success of U.S. commercial aviation depends upon continued safe, dependable, and efficient access to shared public resources, such as the [NAS], air traffic management, ground infrastructure, and airport services,” the paper notes. “As spaceflight becomes more diffuse and routine, both sectors must cooperate to create policies, regulations, and procedures to manage shared national aerospace resources safely and efficiently.”
The white paper offers “a comparison of the development of each sector, as well as an overview of the challenges and safety concerns that evolving space development poses to commercial aviation. It identifies key stakeholders, investigates areas for potential collaboration, and recommends immediate steps necessary to provide for the continued safe operations of airplanes and spacecraft, with a focus on prioritizing the safety of the flying public and flight crews.”
That collaboration and the emphasis on safety will be key, Canoll testified. “All of this will require the FAA and all stakeholders involved in aviation and commercial space transportation to communicate and coordinate their efforts,” he said. “ALPA pilots, who offer a deep bench of safety expertise, are ready to assist.”
