OTTAWA, June 27 /CNW Telbec/ - Transport Canada is taking action to help
reduce the risk of mid-air collisions by requiring aircraft in Canada to
install collision avoidance equipment. The equipment is designed as a safety
backup to existing ground-based air traffic control systems. The announcement
was made today by the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities.
The equipment, known as an airborne collision avoidance system, alerts
flight crews when their aircraft is on course to collide with another
aircraft. It includes aural and visual alerts.
There are two major classes of collision avoidance equipment:- The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems I allows flight crews
to know the approximate bearing and relative altitude of all aircraft
within a selected range, and indicates which aircraft in the area pose
a potential threat. The pilot must then visually identify the other
aircraft posing a threat and manoeuvre accordingly.
- The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems II is more
comprehensive and advises the pilot to execute a vertical escape
manoeuvre to avoid other aircraft. The system can also communicate with
similar on-board systems from other aircraft to coordinate escape
manoeuvres.The amendment to the Canadian Aviation Regulations requires the immediate
installation of at least one class of collision avoidance equipment on all
recently manufactured aircraft. Operators of large commercial aircraft
currently in operation have two years to comply with the new requirement.
The amendment was published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on June 27,
2007 and the requirements will come into force on July 1, 2007.
For further information: Natalie Sarafian, Press Secretary, Office of
the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa, (613)
991-0700; Lucie Vignola, Communications, Transport Canada, Ottawa, (613)
993-0055; Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news
releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the
latest from Transport Canada.; This news release may be made available in
alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
