Following-on a survey of operator-members conducted by the Association, HAC delivered the following message to Transport Canada on the subject of Lightweight Data Recorders (LFDR). Set out below is an excerpt from our submission to Transport Canada.
- Our industry, in recent history has been assaulted by additional costs. A number of members commented on the devastating financial impact that the new F&DT regulations will have on our industry segment in their current form. A number of our members commented, that operators have to survive economically in order to pay for any safety-enhancing equipment or programs;
- A few of our members who use the equipment have indicated that that the cost would be about $USD 10,000 per airframe, to retrofit;
- Members had reservations about the incomplete protection that exists for some of the data generated by the LFDR. Transport Canada must “plug that hole” or they are exposing operators to additional liability;
- There were some concerns raised about the cost of retrofitting current aircraft – particularly smaller aircraft like the R22;
- Operators overall, were opposed to the mandatory requirement for the equipment on newly manufactured, newly-certified, and retrofitted aircraft.
Members with any questions, should contact fred.jones@h-a-c.ca