Chapter 2 - Flight Training Units Operating a Glider, Balloon, Gyroplane or an Ultra-Light Aeroplane

• General Information
• Personnel
• Aircraft
• Flight Training Operations

Flight Training Units Operating a Glider, Balloon, Gyroplane or an Ultra-Light Aeroplane

General Information

A Flight Training Unit operating a glider, balloon, gyroplane or ultralight aeroplane does not require a certificate issued by Transport Canada, but is instead required to provide certain information to Transport Canada prior to commencing operations.  It may also be necessary to obtain approval of certain elements of your operation from Transport Canada before you begin.
You will require personnel and aircraft to conduct the training operations. For personnel licensing purposes:

When all of the above items have been taken care of, you may then commence your flight training operations.
You are also reminded that there may be local municipal or provincial government requirements that must be met prior to conducting business.

Personnel

One of the flight instructors is to be appointed by the Flight Training Unit as the Chief Flight Instructor. This is a significant position since it is on this persons shoulders that rests the responsibility of operational control of the Flight Training Unit. The Flight Training Unit must also appoint persons to be ground instructors, who must subsequently be approved by the Chief Flight Instructor.
Prior to operations, instructor records are to be in place and maintained in accordance with CAR section 406.25. They are to include written confirmation of:

1. the appointment of a flight instructor who will be the Chief Flight Instructor (CAR section 406.2 1);
2. the acceptance of the position of Chief Flight Instructor(CAR section 406.22); and
3. the appointment and approval of ground instructors.(CAR section 406.24)

A person may be appointed as an Authorized Person to handle some of the administrative procedures involved with issuance of a Student Pilot Permit and other temporary pilot privileges. The Personnel Licensing section of your local Transport Canada office will be able to provide more information on how someone at your Flight Training Unit may be appointed.

Aircraft

Aircraft Requirements

The Flight Training Unit must have sufficient aircraft to conduct the proposed flight training operations. The aircraft may be owned by the Flight Training Unit or leased to the Flight Training Unit. The requirements for training aircraft are outlined in CAR section 405.23 with regard to equipment requirements, CAR section 406.31 with regard to registration, and CAR section 406.32 with regard to flight authority.
Your aircraft must meet the general equipment rules in Subpart 5 of Part VI and when used for dual flight instruction, must also have engine power controls and flight controls that are easily reached and that operate in a normal manner form both pilot stations.

Aircraft Registration

The Flight Training Unit must have its training aircraft registered as private aircraft. Requirements for registration are contained in CARs Part II ‑ Identification, Registration and Leasing of Aircraft ‑ Subpart 2 ‑ Marking and Registration of Aircraft. Whether you already own the aircraft, or are obtaining the aircraft by means of purchasing or leasing, your local Transport Canada office will provide guidance in the registration process.

Flight Authority

For all aircraft, other than an ultra‑light aeroplane, a flight authority is required. This authority may by be a Certificate of Airworthiness, a Special Certificate of Airworthiness or a Flight Permit, pursuant to CAR Subpart 507.
Amateur built aircraft may be used at a Flight Training Unit where the operation in not being regulated under the authority of a Flight Training Unit operator certificate.

Aircraft Liability Insurance

For your aircraft you will require liability insurance which must be effective no later than the date on which you begin your flight training operations. The details of the requirements can be found in CAR section 606.02. It is suggested that you contact an Aviation Insurance Broker at your earliest opportunity to arrange for suitable coverage

Aircraft Maintenance

The normal regulations that apply to the maintenance of a glider, balloon, gyroplane or an ultra‑light aeroplane are also the same regulations that apply when those aircraft are operated at a Flight Training Unit. Those rules are specified in CARs Part V ‑Airworthiness and Subpart 5 of Part VI.‑ General Operating and Flight Rules.
It is suggested that you contact your local Transport Canada office for further information and coordination with an inspector from the Maintenance section.

Flight Training Operations

For a Flight Training Unit operating an ultra‑light aeroplane, a syllabus should be developed for ground and flight training for the Pilot Permit ‑ Ultra‑light Aeroplane and the Flight Instructor Rating ‑ Ultra‑light Aeroplane.

For a Flight Training Unit operating a glider, a daily flight record, for the purpose of operational control, is to be established and maintained for the Flight Training Unit, pursuant to CAR section 406.56. The record may be a paper record or an electronic record that may be readily printed on paper upon request. (CAR section 103.05).

The requirement to keep a journey log is stated in CAR section 605.92, and the details of the entries are specified in CAR section 605.94 and Schedule 1. Since a Flight Training Unit operating a glider will be maintaining a daily flight record, the unit may, pursuant to CAR subsection 605.94(2), elect to "make a single entry in a journey log in respect of a series of flights". In such cases, the Flight Training Unit will need to ensure that the appropriate entries are being completed as required, and to that end CAR section 406.57 requires that a Flight Training Unit will need to "designate a person to make journey log entries in accordance with section 605.94".

Aerodrome

The aerodrome for your operations must be suitable for your aircraft to be operated safely within the operating limitations and operational performance data specified in the aircraft flight manual (CAR section 405.24). The Canada Flight Supplement may be used to locate reference information for certified and registered aerodromes at which you plan to locate your Flight Training Unit.

Radio Station Licence

Many Flight Training Units use a radio at their base of operations for purposes of operational control. If you plan to do so as well, then we suggest that you contact Industry Canada to obtain information on their requirements for licensing such a radio.

Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate

Persons operating an aeronautical radio in an aircraft or a base radio at a Flight Training Unit require certification of proficiency from Industry Canada. Your dispatchers, flight instructors and trainees, and any other persons operating your radios will require a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate. It is suggested that you contact Industry Canada for further information.

Inspection

All Flight Training Units are subject to inspection at any time by Transport Canada Inspectors who have the authority to determine that your aircraft, personnel, facilities, and records meet the requirements outlined in the Canadian Aviation Regulations.

We wish you success in conducting a safe flight training operation.