![]() In some cases, the airline will be notified. Transport Canada says it takes action and can suspend or revoke a pilot's licence. The department says it deals with a "tremendous array of potential medical issues" but does not know how many cases there are, or if the conditions are physical or mental. You can't just come out and say to a pilot, "Are you mentally ill?" - Jean Trepanier, civil aviation medical examiner Transport Canada confirmed to CBC News it is a "fairly regular occurrence" that the department receives doctor reports flagging pilots' health conditions. (Ashley Burke/CBC ) Flunked medical exams 'fairly regular occurrence' John McKenna is the president & CEO of the Air Transport Association of Canada, representing 80 airlines and flight training organizations. "We don't think there's a big problem in Canada. This is the first time McKenna has spoken publicly because he says there hasn't yet been an accident in Canada linked to a pilot with a mental health problem. "The system relies on the pilot voluntarily informing his or her employer of the situation," said McKenna, who worries that in rare cases a pilot could continue to fly without telling a carrier. "If it is a question of mental stability, they may not do it." We do it (contact the employer) on a case-by-case basis - Aaron McCrorie, Transport Canada's director general of civil aviation ![]() Under the Aeronautics Act, it is mandatory for Canadian doctors to report to Transport Canada any pilots or other aircrew they feel may be a hazard to aviation safety.ĭue to doctor-patient confidentiality, airlines are not automatically notified every single time a doctor flags concerns or a pilot flunks a medical exam, McKenna told CBC News. "We've spoken about our concerns, about the lack of communication, to the highest levels of the department, from the minister down to the deputy minister to the directors, and constantly said there's an issue here that needs to be addressed." 'Communication problem' Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz diagnosed with 'possible psychosis' 2 weeks before crash."Flawed in that there's a crack in the armour," said John McKenna, president of the Air Transport Association of Canada. CBC News has learned Transport Canada will not be changing how it screens pilots' mental health, following a review sparked by a co-pilot deliberately downing a Germanwings jet into the French Alps, killing 150 people.Īn association representing dozens of Canadian airlines told CBC News that after the European crash, it raised concerns privately to Transport Canada that Canada's system is "flawed."
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |