Pilots decry industry push for solo flying

MONTREAL –

Pilots are talking out in opposition to an aviation trade push towards having a sole crew member within the cockpit.

At a news convention in Montreal, leaders of three of the most important pilot unions representing greater than 150,000 employees say a proposal to Europe’s aviation regulator goals to spice up airline income at the price of security.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency is mulling a pitch by aircraft makers Airbus and Dassault Aviation for some plane to be crewed by only one pilot for a part of the flight — although not throughout takeoff and touchdown — by 2027, relatively than the two-pilot operation now required all through the journey.

Jack Netskar, president of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, which incorporates some 6,200 Canadians, says the proposal would create an unacceptable security threat for passengers.

Union leaders say they purpose to counter a lobbying marketing campaign by the sector concentrating on regulators world wide, in addition to the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Anthony Philbin, a spokesman for the United Nations aviation company that is based mostly in Montreal, says each its governing physique and air navigation fee are slated to weigh the subject additional.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed May 4, 2023.