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More about the Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL)

An International Requirement

At the request of the Air Navigation Commission, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) established a Flight Crew Licensing and Training Panel (FCLTP) to review ICAO's Annex 1 - Personal Licensing. It consisted of sixty-four participants, including members and observers nominated by eighteen contracting states and five international organizations. This panel was to take into consideration the significant advances in technology and the increased complexities of pilot work environments since the previous review was conducted, some twenty years earlier.

Among the recommendations made by the panel was the need for some directional changes with respect to current licensing practices. This involved the expanded use of simulation, the determination of more relevant training standards, and the creation of a new licensing structure. Those changes are now reflected in Annex 1 and also their Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Training (PANS - TRG) document, which came into effect November 23, 2006. Of particular significance is that this publication provides guidance for the implementation of a new internationally recognized pilot licence called the multi-crew pilot licence (MPL).

Introducing the Multi-crew Pilot Licence in Canada

Transport Canada announced the decision that Canada would proceed with rulemaking for the multi-crew pilot licence (MPL) at the Civil Aviation Regulatory Advisory Council (CARAC) plenary meeting in December 2006. Since the MPL is dependant upon the training being conducted by an approved training organization (ATO), the rulemaking endeavours will include developing the components necessary for the Canadian certification of an ATO.

Transport Canada formed a program implementation team set up to introduce the new Canadian pilot licence. Its mandate is to design the regulatory framework for both the MPL and the process by which flight training institutions gain certification as ATOs. In September 2008, the team received positive feedback from the CARAC technical committee review of the proposed regulatory changes . This technical committee was specially convened to review the changes that are brought about by Canada's decision to adopt ICAO's ATO and MPL rulemaking decisions that were promulgated in late November 2006.

Transport Canada recognizes that such an initiative demands a focused and open communication process, with this document representing a portion of that effort. Furthermore, subject matter experts (SME) from various inter-departmental groups and external stakeholders have been consulted on the matter.

Canada’s Approach

The Canadian multi-crew pilot licence (MPL) will signify that the bearer has successfully undergone a Transport Canada (TC) authorized MPL flight-training program and has demonstrated the Skill, Knowledge and Attitudinal (KSA) competencies to perform the duties of a co-pilot of a multi-engine, turbine-powered, pressurized aeroplane, which is certified to be operated by two or more pilots, flown under either Visual Flight Rules (VFR) or Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions. In other words, an air carrier can employ the licence holder as a first-officer, second officer, or a cruise-relief pilot. That carrier will be one that has sponsored the training of the graduate pilot. There are some caveats and overriding principles governing the initial employment of an MPL holder, which are addressed in the Multi-crew Pilot Licence Program Guide.

Since the construct of MPL training programs will involve variances from one training provider to another, TC has decided to apply a universal standard to Canada’s MPL and restrict the privileges of the holder to only the above mentioned. MPL holders wishing to seek additional privileges will be required to acquire one of the traditional Canadian licences, and, when applicable, acquire the desired ratings.

The issuance of a MPL will follow the completion of a rigorous and continuous 4-phased training course designed specifically for the ab-initio (zero flight time) candidate. Prior to commencing the program, the individual will be subjected to a careful selection process to identify the existence of those attributes believed best optimize the chances of success. Then throughout the syllabus the focus will be on the student's ability to consistently achieve benchmarked levels of skill, knowledge, and attitudinal competencies. A critical element in all this is the continuous development of desirable behaviours and management skills through the adaptation of the principles taught in Crew Resource Management and Threat and Error Management training. To accomplish all the desired outcomes will necessitate a robust quality system and an on-going evaluation process designed to immediately detect and effectively deal with student performance deficiencies.

The development of a performance-oriented syllabus will require an Instructional Systems Design  (ISD) approach with emphasis on defining progressive levels of individual knowledge, skill, and attitudinal competencies. This will generate a learning environment focused on the outcomes of each training event and the continuous improvement of student performance. This type of program will need to be backed by an exacting validation process, which will be heavily dependent upon data collection and airline feedback once the trainee enters the workforce.

MPL Advisory Board

In keeping with recommendations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the introduction of multi-crew pilot licence training, Transport Canada (TC) is fullfilling it’s commitment to continue to engage principal stakeholders in the on-going development of the multi-crew pilot licence (MPL) regulatory environment. A part of this engagement takes the form of a Multi-crew Pilot Licence Advisory Board. Interested stakeholders are asked to review details of current MPL activity in Canada and make recommendations to implement improvements to existing TC MPL policies promulgated through guidance material and departmental staff instructions.

With the recent launch of beta-testing of proposed MPL training programs in Canada, the first meeting of the MPL Advisory Board took place in early June. Two days of discussions, which included a site visit to Moncton Flight College, provided the participants with a first-hand look at one effort to incorporate ab-initio (no previous experience) competency-based professional flight training into civil aviation. Stakeholders left with a solid understanding of TC’s new MPL regulatory environment and an appreciation of the different challenges facing the implementation of this new licence: not the least of which is the adoption of new training methodologies underpinned by the approved training organization’s (ATO) ‘quality-system’ governance model.

See http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-ato-menu-2162.htm for more details.

Please contact us for more information regarding the Multi-crew Pilot Licence.

Date modified:
2010-07-02