In light of the CARAC VI Technical Committee meeting on June 26, 2001, I would like to update my letter of June 15 concerning the Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) 2001-172: CAR 601.20 Orders Prohibiting or Restricting Aircraft Operation and NPA 2001-169 to cancel CAR 601.18 Orders Prohibiting or Restricting Aircraft Operation.
In my letter, I suggested that existing CAR 601.18 should be retained as it provides the authority for the Minister to control noise at aerodromes. Discussions at the Technical Committee meeting fully explained the purpose of this regulation and I agree that it is not appropriate for this issue. However, I stand by the remaining points of the letter. I believe that there are adequate provisions in the regulations and the Aeronautics Act for the Minister to take action when necessary to control noise at aerodromes.
I understand that the issue is going back to the Civil Aviation Regulatory Committee for their consideration. I could encourage our members to write to the CARC with their support for COPA’s position, but if the responses received prior to the meeting are any indication, the CARC will be inundated with letters. Instead, I would like to encourage the CARC to consider what was received as not simply letters from individuals. In our case, my letter should be considered as coming from 17,000 people. Several other aviation organization representatives submitted letters, on behalf of thousands more. I believe it is clear that the proposed regulation will not defuse difficult situations; it will simply invite more of them. We want to encourage people to meet and discuss the issues at each site where there is a problem, not run to their local authorities and creating a political issue. We want noise management to remain within the CARAC environment, not shifted to the political arena. We want Transport Canada to continue to be a facilitator and to help us educate the public on the need for aerodromes as well as open discussion of the perceptions that some of the public has about aviation.
A new regulation is not needed.
Kevin Psutka, President and CEO
Canadian Owners and Pilots Association