In a previous
post, we discussed regulations proposed by Transport Canada in
May 2016, setting out changes to provisions in the Canadian
Aviation Regulations ("CARs") that govern commercial
seaplane operations. The proposed changes arose from
recommendations made by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada
following a seaplane accident that occurred in November 2009, near
Saturna Island, British Columbia.
The draft regulations incorporated a requirement that all
passengers of commercial seaplanes be instructed to wear a personal
flotation device (which may be "worn" in a pouch that is
attached to the person's waist). Pilots would also be required
to undergo specific training (and recurrent training every three
years) to facilitate underwater egress after an accident occurs,
and to further mitigate the risks associated with exiting a
seaplane following an accident into water.
