Canadian Union Opposes Oversight Shift

The union representing government aviation inspectors says Canada’s plan to shift regulatory oversight duties to helicopter operators is dangerous, according to the Canwest News Service. "I think the commercial pressures are so intense that ultimately safety will be compromised," the service quoted Capt. Greg Holbrook of the Canadian Federal Pilots Assn as saying. Transport Canada previously has transferred some oversight duties to airline operators and maintenance companies, and it wants to do the same with helicopter operators by 2010. Holbrook's union has about 470 members who are employed by Transport Canada and the Transportation Safety Board as aviation inspectors and flight test personnel. For related news