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Old 03-26-2011, 07:34 PM   #32
sa226
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Back in Calgary!!
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My opinion on the matter has been covered by others already but I will add that that there is an easy answer and a more detailed answer to the question regarding the incident causing immediate "aluminum showers"

Easy answer: No big deal, large aircraft have TCAS and the pilots would be familiar with uncontrolled procedures and there is always alternate airports.

More Detailed: It all depends on traffic, variety of aircraft etc. Yes larger airports like Saskatoon, Regina etc go to Class E airspace after hours, but that is when the traffic is light. Uncontrolled procedures are a heck of a lot easier when there is only a few arrivals and departures. If it is busy with multiple aircraft with different SOP speeds coming from all directions, your standard uncontrolled procedures go out the window.

As for the shift work thing. The aviation industry in North America is archaic as far as duty and rest periods go. I think that goes for Pilots and ATC. Its easy to say "Suck it up" but selling Toquitos at 7-11 requires a bit less focus than directing traffic in the air. No offense to anyone who may do that. There may be underlying and systematic issues that need to be solved.

A few of the more recent aviation accidents in the US have shed some light on the ridiculous duty limitations that pilots operate by.

For me, it is legal to work a 15 hour day, then get 8 hours of rest and then work another 15 hours (There are a bunch of restrictions weekly, monthly etc on that)....Not bad when the hours are in your normal circadian rythm, but when you are called at 3 AM for a 15 hour duty day after having 3 days off on a normal rythm, it is ruthless.

I think there is far more to it than what the media will have you believe.
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