Better Late Than Never...

Thirteen years after the United States made collision avoidance systems mandatory on commercial transport aircraft, it appears likely Transport Canada will follow suit by the end of this year.

The Toronto Star reports the decision comes as three Canadian media entities wrap up an investigation into more than 800 incidents between 2001 and 2005, in which Canadian planes came dangerously close to one another. More than 80,000 passengers were put at risk in those incidents, according to the study conducted by the Star, Hamilton Spectator and The Record of Waterloo Region.

"We're pleased that it has come about and disappointed that it took so long to be implemented in Canada," said Art LaFlamme, senior air safety co-ordinator with the Air Line Pilots Association. "Perhaps the (newspaper) stories helped to bump up the priority."

Transport Canadas spokeswoman Lucie Vignola reports all commercial planes, from air taxis through large passenger jets, will be required to have some form of a traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) by the end of the year. Private aircraft will not be affected.

The Canadian government reports it may cost airlines as much as $39 million to add TCAS to their domestic planes. Most planes flying on international routes already have such systems installed, in order to conform to US and European regulations.

"The costs will be substantial," says Brad Martin, director of operations for Bearskin Airlines. "But if you're forcing everyone to have it, then there's a better chance of making the system work."

Bearskin lost one of its planes in a 1995 midair collision with a Piper Navajo -- just one example, according to the Transport Safety Bureau, of an accident that could have been avoided with TCAS in place.

FMI: www.tsb.gc.ca