Page 11 - Feb2018
P. 11
WestWind Aviation Grounded
Transport Canada's grounding of all flights from
Westwind is a rare step according to several
Canadian aviation experts, and the move could
Night at the Museum is being held the first two Mondays indicate a "glaring discrepancy" in the company's
of every month at Hillman Air. Come out anytime safety procedures. The federal airline regulator
between 7:00pm and 9:00pm to get involved. This suspended the air operator certificate of Saskatoon-
includes hands-on museum work and all aviation and based West Wind Aviation.
history talk is welcome. Please email us through our The move came nine days after a West Wind ATR
Contact Us page for more information. turboprop plane crashed about 1.5 kilometres west
of the Fond-du-Lac runway shortly after takeoff.
Loss of certificate a 'rare thing'
Transport Canada's inspection of an airline
following a plane crash is routine. But its suspension
of the company's certificate is not. The regulator
said in its announcement that it grounded the
airline because of "deficiencies in the company's
operational control system."
CAAA Conference & Tradeshow "It's a rare thing" to suspend a certificate, said John
February 22 – 24, 2018 McKenna, president of the Air Transport
Association of Canada in an interview with CBC
The Fairmont Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba News.
The Canadian Aerial Applicators Association is proud to Greg McConnell, a former veteran Transport
announce the 32nd Conference, Annual General Meeting Canada inspector for 25 years, estimated the
& Trade Show.
regulator suspends fewer than 12 certificates a
Registration, sponsorship, and exhibitor registration year, and does not do so lightly.
forms are now available for download!
Jock Williams, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force
Special room rates have been negotiated; you can book pilot and aviation expert, did not see Transport
your room online for the Conference or by calling the Canada's move as necessarily punitive, however.
Fairmont Winnipeg at 1-800-441-1414. Be sure to
"Nothing has been proven," he said, adding that it's
mention you are a Canadian Aerial Applicators
unclear whether the deficiencies were accidental or
Association delegate.
made knowingly.
If you have any questions regarding the AGM or any
Westwind issued a statement through Dennis
other conference information please contact Shauna or
Baranieski, vice president of business development
Tamara at 780-413-0078 or via email at
events@canadianaerialapplicators.com. and corporate services. "We are hearing that legal
proceedings may be initiated. If this does come to
pass, we certainly will respect the legal process and
its due diligence processes," Baranieski said.
The company has 20 days to file a statement of
defence. Further investigation continues.