Manzur Huq, Transport Canada’s Director of
General Aviation, addressed COPA members during a forum at the COPA Convention
2002 in Red Deer, Alta. Huq introduced the other TC representatives attending
the Convention. Then he thanked COPA for its cooperation and outlined the recent
accomplishments in general aviation resulting from the aviation industry working
together with the government.
· COPA and COPA Flights have expanded the Rust Remover Safety Seminars across
Canada. Transport Canada has assisted by supplying seminar presenters and
approving industry presenters so their lectures qualify for pilot recurrency
training.
· Huq declared that Transport Canada will stick to its promise of not making the
new 406 Mhz emergency locator transmitters mandatory equipment in private
aircraft. Huq said that the government will continue to work with the industry
to develop cheaper ELTs.
· The Owner-maintenance Aircraft Category has become law. It is now up to the
users to take advantage of it to keep the older aircraft flying. For more
information, see the COPA Guide to Owner-maintenance Aircraft on the COPA Web
site: www.copanational.org. Click on “Members Only,” then “Aviation Guides.” The
O-M guide is also available in hard copy from COPA headquarters, Tel.:
613-236-4901.
· TC worked with ultralight groups and the Federal Aviation Administration in
the United States to enable Advanced Ultralight Aircraft flown by holders of a
Recreational Pilot Permit (or higher) to fly in American airspace. For more
information, see the Canadian Flight Annual or the COPA Web site:
www.copanational.org. Click on “Flying in Canada,” then “Ultralights.”
· New this year is the capability of student pilots to write TC examinations
online. For more information, see the TC Web site: http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/general/exams/menu.htm.
Huq said he is hoping to deliver the Passenger Carrying Endorsement for
Ultralight Permit holders by this winter.
Upcoming initiatives announced by Huq included a system of safety management for
recreational aviation as well as new standards for fly-ins. Huq explained that
TC will be working with the recreational aviation industry to increase safety.
The new standards for fly-ins will recognize that fly-ins are not the same as
air shows.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
At the end of his talk, Huq fielded questions from the audience:
Q: Why does it take a year to receive approval for IFR GPS installations in
private aircraft.
A: Huq explained that, unlike the other avionics manufacturers, the GPS makers
did not certify the installation of their equipment in individual aircraft
models. This places the onus on the aircraft owners to have their installations
approved by TC. Unfortunately, there is a lack of avionics engineers. Huq said
that a TC Working Group is looking at the problem.
Q: Why is the government not funding smaller airports?
A: “Ask John Manley.”
Q: Why are the flight service stations closing?
A: “The Flight Service Stations are part of Nav Canada now. Transport Canada
requires that Nav Canada maintain a level of service for aviation. If the
company can show TC that it can maintain the level of service by alternate
means, then it may close certain facilities.”