Pilot fatigue rules set to move forward despite safety concerns

Controversial pilot fatigue regulationsthat would set limits on how long pilots can fly in a day will move forward,despite some groups saying they'retoo rushed and could cause new safety concerns.

Transport Minister MarcGarneauspokeat atwo-day safety workshop about mental health and substance abuse in Gatineau, Que., and said the new Transport Canada rules will proceed.

In his opening remarks, hestressed that Canadian travellers have the right to expecttheir pilots to bein good shape on the job, bothphysically and mentally.

• Random alcohol, drug testing for pilots under consideration at summit

"On the physical side, we know that to be alert and fully functioning, pilots need to be well-rested," Garneautold200 members of theaviation industry. "So we set limits to the amount of time a crew member can be on the job."

Transport Canada spent six years draftingthe new regulations to align with standards in the United States and European Union.

Under new regulations,pilots would have to stop work after nine to 13 hours straight.It all depends on the time of daythey start, as well ashow many times they take off and land. Current rules let them fly for up to 14 hours.

New bottle-to-throttle regulations

Garneauannounced he's also taking steps to address mental health and potential substance abuse issues.

He's pursing amendments to fit-for-duty regulationsto changethe bottle-to-throttle rules.

If he is successful, pilots and other flight crew wouldn't be allowed to fly within 12 hours of drinking alcohol, rather than thecurrent limit of eight hours.It comes aftertwo incidents last year where pilots were caught flying under the influence.

"When a pilot is getting in an airplane that is filled with 200 people or more, that person has a critically important responsibility,"Garneautold CBC News after his speech. "I want to ensure that we can make it as safe as possible."

Most major airlines already have the12-hour policy in place, and have for years.

It could take at least another year before the regulations come into force. Airlines would have a year to comply and smaller carrierswould havefour years.

'What's the rush?'

A group of airline operatorssays the new fatigue regulations could create new safety concerns.

The country is already dealing with a pilot shortage, saidJohn McKenna,president of the Air Transport Association of Canada. He estimates the proposed regulations could increase the demand for pilots by up to 30 per cent, meaningless experienced pilots couldbehired to meet the demand.

"There already aren't enough pilots around as it is," he said. "So it's a concern for us ...that it isputting a lot ofpressureontrainingpilotsquicker and getting them in the pilot seats maybe with less hours on their books than they would have had five, six years ago."

Fatigue needs to be managed and he's not saying no to changes, but "what's the rush?" he asked. Existing safety management systems already have a handle on this.

'I really don't see any doom and gloom'

While McKenna urges patience, some airlines are looking for waystohandle any possible changes.

Aaron Speer, vice-presidentof flight operations for First Air, said thatif fatigue rules result in current pilots flying less, there are two possible scenarios: Either airlines will operate fewer flightswhich isn't something operators would want to see happenor they're going to need to hire more pilots.

That means pilots couldmove up the ranks faster.Speer said that shouldn't impact passenger safety.

"I really don't see any doom and gloom scenarios coming of that,"Speersaid.

"The bottom line is there is a phenomenal amount of training that goes into making anybody a pilot. And before we let anyone operate our aircraft we've gone through a rigorous training program."

No matter what, pilots will be skilled, trained and the public isn't at any risk, he said.