Recreational Aircraft

The Recreational Aircraft Division (AARPG) of the Aircraft Maintenance & Manufacturing Branch is the focal point for airworthiness issues affecting recreational aircraft including certified and non-certified aircraft, and amateur-built aircraft.

Some of the airworthiness issues include: construction and maintenance of amateur-built aircraft; maintenance requirements for small certified aircraft; flight authorities and maintenance schedules; importation and operation of  non-type certified and ex-military aircraft; owner maintenance; IFR flight for amateur-built aircraft; aerobatics by amateur-built aircraft; external delegation of ministerial authority with respect to amateur-built aircraft inspection; validation of foreign flight authorities; liaison with recreational aviation associations and foreign civil aviation authorities.

General Information

• STD 549 - Amateur-Built Aircraft
• Airworthiness Manual Advisories (AMAs)
• Eligible Amateur-Built Kits
• Ultra-light Aeroplanes and the Ultra-light Aeroplane Transition Strategy
• Recreational Aviation and Special Flight Operations
• Links to Recreational Aircraft Web Sites

Special Flight Authorization (FAA) / Standardized Validation (TC)

• FAA - Special Flight Authorization (SFA) for Canadian Registered Amateur-Built Aircraft and Basic and Advanced Ultralight Aeroplanes Operating in the United States (Revised)
• Standardized Validation of a Special Air Worthiness Certificate - Experimental for the Purpose of Operating a United States Registered Amateur-Built Aircraft in Canadian Airspace
• Standardised Validation of a Special Airworthiness Certificate – Light-Sport or a Special Airworthiness Certificate – Experimental – Light-Sport, for the Purpose of Operating a United States-Registered Light-Sport Aircraft in Canadian Airspace

Exemptions

• Exemption - Standard 549.01 (signed 2009-04-02)

The purpose of this exemption is to permit persons who apply for a special certificate of airworthiness in the amateur-built classification:

• to contract for professional assistance in the construction or assembly of parts of the aircraft, provided the work is subject to the builder's overall control;
• to import, register and operate in Canada foreign-built amateur-aircraft, subject to a Transport Canada inspection of the aircraft; and
• to not have to comply with the maximum permissible take-off mass (weight) and the maximum number of passenger seats requirements.

• Exemption - Standard 507.03 Appendix F (signed 2004-07-02)

The purpose of this exemption is to allow persons who apply for a special certificate of airworthiness in the limited classification to import and operate in Canada non-type certified and ex-military aircraft, subject to Transport Canada evaluation of the aircraft, and maintenance and operating conditions attached to the flight authority.

Owner Maintenance Classification

For information on recreational aircraft, please contact:

Maurice A. Simoneau
Recreational Aircraft Division (AARPG)
Tower C, Place de Ville
330, Sparks Street, 2nd Floor
Ottawa, ON, Canada
K1A 0N8

Telephone: (613) 990-9490
Facsimile: (613) 952-3298

E-mail: simonem@tc.gc.ca