Purpose
The purpose of this staff instruction is to provide Inspectors with the information, procedures and guidelines necessary to approve requests for recurrent training programs under subparagraph 421.05(2)(c) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. The 2nd Edition of this staff instruction is based on an amendment to the standard, which came into effect on December 1, 2005.
This staff instruction has been prepared in line with the functional authority and direction given by the Headquarters Recreational Aviation & Special Flight Operations division. It will ensure a consistent consideration and approval process for recurrent training programs. Please ensure that all personnel, directly or indirectly concerned with recurrent training programs, are informed and apply these procedures as contained in this staff instruction.
Although this document is intended to be an accepted, consistent means to evaluate recurrent training program proposals and for completing the authorizations, it may not capture all recurrent training program issues. Therefore, recommendations for improvements or questions pertaining to the information contained in this staff instruction should be forwarded to the Special Flight Operations division of the General Aviation branch:
AARRD
6th Floor, Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks Street,
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0N8
Reference Material
- Paragraphs 401.05(2)(a) and 421.05(2)(c) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
- Paragraph 401.08(1)(b) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
Background
The Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part IV, Subpart 1, Division 1 states that no holder of a flight crew permit or licence, other than the holder of a flight engineer licence, shall exercise the privileges of the permit or licence in an aircraft unless the holder has successfully completed a recurrent training program in accordance with the personnel licensing standards within the 24 months preceding the flight.
Section 421.05(2)(c) states that the Minister may approve a recurrent training program in order to comply with the requirements of 401.05(2)(a).
Under Schedule C-9, Regional Superintendents, General Aviation and HQ inspectors are delegated the authority and responsibility to approve a recurrent training program if the applicable requirements set out in the personnel licensing standards are met. Approving satisfactory industry-initiated recurrent training programs promotes the principle of sharing with the aviation community, the commitment for aviation safety.
Flight training units, associations, clubs, aviation companies, community groups and individuals representing segments of recreational aviation may request approval of a recurrent training program in order to permit pilots to comply with the requirements of CAR 401.05(2)(a). While it is recognized that pilots are able to meet the requirements of CAR 401.05(2)(a) by following one of the seven options listed in CAR 421.05(2), persons or organizations making application to Transport Canada believe that they can offer a program that not only meets regulatory requirements but provides an improved learning opportunity tailored to address the specific needs of their segment of Canadian aviation, beyond that which could be provided without their direct involvement. The decision to permit industry-initiated recurrent training programs is part of Transport Canada’s philosophy to decrease its involvement in the provision of such services while encouraging the aviation community to take responsibility for its own recency training.
A successful recurrent training program requires adequate pre-planning by the program organizer. Upon initial contact with a program organizer, the Inspector should ensure that the organizer is made aware:
- of the type of information that must be submitted that is not specifically outlined in the standard (i.e. the type of information contained in this staff instruction), and
- that the training program should be submitted well in advance of the proposed training session(s) in order to permit Inspectors adequate time to review the application and issue the authorization.