Transport Canada Updates Crew Duty/Rest Proposal

Transport Canada has published the latest version of its proposed flight crewmember duty and rest requirements for airlines, air cargo, and air taxi operators. Comments can be submitted through September 30. The current proposal is based on comments submitted to an earlier notice of proposed amendment (NPA) issued on Sept. 15, 2014, and subsequent meetings with stakeholders.

During that consultation period, Transport Canada received 94 submissions on the NPA from individuals and organizations, including the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA). Of the comments, 34 percent supported the proposed changes; 37 percent partially supported the proposed changes and made suggestions on areas of improvement; and 17 percent opposed the proposed changes.

The CBAA had numerous concerns over the proposal, even though the duty time and rest requirements for air taxi operators are less stringent than those for the airlines. One key area of concern was the “unrealistically short” time frame proposed for the regulation to go into effect for on-demand charter operators. Consequently, the proposal was modified to set the deadline for implementation of the new standards for air taxi operators to four years after publication of the final rule.