The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) recently submitted comments raising serious concerns with new regulations proposed by Transport Canada regarding the limited commercial and public use of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) following a string of unproductive discussions between Canadian regulators and industry stakeholders.
In a public letter, ALPA outlined a number of issues in Transport Canada’s proposed regulations, including the complex nature of the regulations themselves and that no pilot permit would be required except for complex operations.
“ALPA has been on the frontlines working with the Canadian and U.S. governments to develop regulations that include increased awareness for operators of unmanned aircraft systems as to the dangers associated with irresponsible use,” Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA president, said.
Canoll added that as the primary operators in shared airspace, airline pilots have a rare insight into the looming hazards that can be mitigated through education, registration, technology, and enforcement.
The organization noted that its position encourages that all sUAS pilots who fly for reasons other than recreation must undergo formal training and testing before being issued a certificate.
Capt. Dan Adamus, ALPA Canada president, said that it was crucial that both organizations moved forward with effective regulations. Unfortunately, he said, the proposed regulations [by Transport Canada] did not address the more pressing matter identified by pilots.
“We urge Transport Canada to revise its regulations and be an international leader in setting safe standards for the use of sUAS,” Adamus said.
Transport Canada has yet to formally respond to ALPA’s concerns.