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Approved Training Organization (ATO) - Frequently Asked Questions

  1. The International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) documentation identifies the need for only nationally certified Approved Training Organizations to conduct Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL) training. Is this the sole reason for creating new regulations governing such an institution?

    Actually it is only one of the many identified reasons why a new regulatory framework dealing with ATOs has been developed. The need for regulating an organization that provides training services, which satisfies type rating requirements for transport category aeroplanes certificated to be operated by two or more pilots, was identified by Transport Canada long before the MPL came into being. It’s also worth pointing out that, the United States and European authorities recognized a similar need and invoked their regulations years ago. Canada’s current initiative, it turns out, dovetails nicely with the recent decisions made by ICAO with respect to the creation of a MPL.

  2. It’s been announced that Transport Canada’s new regulations dealing with ATOs are going to be more performance-based. What does this mean?

    At the risk of over-simplification, there are essentially two ways for a regulator to establish rules and codes of conduct. One way is by stating the requirements in a prescriptive manner, which usually mandates achieving quantitative targets and details the methods that must be adopted to achieve those stated requirements. The other way is by creating more performance-based rules that are focused on the attainment of desired outcomes and are not necessarily attempting to dictate how those requirements are achieved. This approach leads to the development of enduring regulations that are more resilient to change. Transport Canada’s intention to develop a more performance-based approach to rulemaking is consistent with the government’s stated objective to adopt regulations that recognize and encourage efficiencies and innovation.

  3. Will all pilot training institutions be required to become ATOs?

    Flight Training Units (FTUs), as we know them now, will continue to be the most prevalent pilot training institution in Canada. Simply stated, only organizations that deal with either MPL, turbo-jet, or transport category aeroplane type training will be required to hold an ATO certificate. However, nothing will prevent a FTU from becoming an ATO certificate holder. Once certificated, all the authorizations that the FTU previously held will simply be transferred onto the new ATO certificate.

  4. It has been stated that ATOs will be required to have a quality system. What does this mean?

    The requirements for a quality system address the need for ATOs to possess effective organizational policies and procedures designed to consistently achieve product and/or service excellence. This also entails having a robust data driven structure that enables the organization to readily detect areas requiring improvement and then validating the effectiveness of efforts to achieve better results. As a consequence, the determination that an applicant’s organization possesses these attributes will require a different pre-certification approach than the one traditionally used by Transport Canada. It will be one more focused on assessing both processes and outcomes, rather than zeroing in on just the “compliance” issue.

  5. It has been stated that ATOs may be granted approval for conducting training in a different manner than what is prescribed through regulation. How does this work?

    The provision enabling an ATO to seek approval for an “alternative means of compliance” is consistent with the standards and recommended practices promulgated in Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. It recognizes that prescribed requirements are often inherently resistant to change, particularly in addressing advancements made; in simulation technology; to the pilot’s working environment; and, to system-designed training methodologies. ATOs seeking such approval can be expected to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Minister, that their suggestion improves upon existing outcomes, does not increase exposure to risk, and meets the original intent of the regulation through a comprehensive proof-of-concept trial.
Date modified:
2010-05-03