With new N.L. chief pilot in place, ‘We’ve got that issue resolved,’ says minister

Group of pilots had warned water bombers could be grounded by June 29 if role vacant

Newfoundland and Labrador has filled the vacant role of chief pilot, a post that’s seen frequent turnover in recent years, in a move that Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Barry Petten says solves the problem.

In an email to CBC News last week, department spokesperson Janelle Simms said a new chief pilot had been hired and was in place, “providing leadership and oversight for flight operations.”

Speaking at an affordable housing announcement Thursday, Petten said someone had been hired to fill the role on a permanent basis.

The role is described as a significant one in the context of management of air operations and flight safety.

“We do have a new chief pilot in place right now and as of this past week,” he told reporters.

“They're hired and started, so we’ve got that issue resolved.”

Petten did not specify the exact date the role of chief pilot was filled.

It comes after a letter, attributed collectively to Newfoundland and Labrador Water Bomber and Air Ambulance Pilots, sent to the provincial government in late May warning about the vacant role and what could happen if it wasn’t filled in the coming weeks.

If a chief pilot wasn’t found by June 29, the body of pilots wrote, Transport Canada could issue a suspension of Air Operator Certificate pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Aeronautics Act — which could ground water bombers without a solution.

They also stated the province has seen a high turnover, with six pilots in the role in over just three and a half years. They called the vacancy an "unacceptable risk to flight crews, aircraft, patients and public safety."

At the time, Petten said the province had been advertising for a replacement chief pilot and he hoped to have one "in place soon, but in the interim, Transport Canada has been notified and we’re working with the appropriate officials. We will be ready for this coming season.”

Petten has also previously spoken about challenges in filling the position of chief pilot.

"We have qualified individuals within our crews to do this job. For some reason, they're not taking the offer. And that's why I want to find out what's the issue. What have we got, how do we resolve this,” he said.

With chief pilot vacancy in N.L., water bomber, air ambulance pilots warn of risk to service

‘Qualified’ candidates on hand but not taking N.L. chief pilot role that oversees water bombers, says minister

In a previous interview, Jerry Earle, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees, said low pay and poor morale are impacting water bomber pilots across the province.

NAPE represents water bomber pilots in Newfoundland and Labrador, but the position of chief pilot falls outside of bargaining due to it being a management position.

Earle said pilots have highlighted problems for years, including turnover in the chief's role, which he said "should have raised red flags."

When asked by CBC News Thursday to address Earle’s comment regarding low pay and morale, Petten focused his reply on how the chief pilot role isn’t unionized position.

“So Mr. Earle is probably speaking out of turn,” said Petten, adding he planned to meet with the NAPE-represented water bomber pilots.

CBC News reached out to the group of pilots through a shared email but did not hear back.

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Elizabeth Whitten is a journalist with CBC News, based in St. John's.