Lord Tyler asked Her Majesty's Government: What steps they have taken to ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are fitted in aircraft to enable the commander to monitor emissions. [HL1941]

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has recently drafted a European Technical Standards Order (ETSO) that provides an up-to-date technical specification for a carbon monoxide detector for aviation use. This draft ETSO has been submitted to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) with a recommendation for adoption as a European standard. At the same time the CAA submitted a proposal for changes to EASA's certification specifications that would mandate the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in future aeroplane designs.

These proposals were made as a direct result of experience of accidents, and they were supported by a preliminary Regulatory Impact Assessment. The proposals, if adopted, would require installation of carbon monoxide detectors only in single-engined aeroplanes with forward mounted engines, since the world-wide experience of accidents and incidents does not support the need for installation of carbon monoxide detectors in other aircraft.

7 November 2005