Maintenance and Manufacturing Staff Instructions (MSI) No. 18: Appendix A

From: Transport Canada

Appendix A - General Assessment Process, Training, Experience & Skill

1. Supporting Documentation

1.1 All documentation submitted in support of an AME Licence Application Supplement or AME Licence Application shall be originals or certified true copies of the originals and where necessary translated into English or French.

1.2 Submission of translated documentation should include:

  1. Original copies of the translation documents with official stamps and seals identified.
  2. The name of the notary or translation bureau/individual must be clearly identified and include company name, address and telephone number.

Certified true copies of the above documents must clearly identify the placement of official stamps or seals (e.g. circle where found on certified true copy). Should the authenticity of the documentation be in question TC may contact the translating organization to verify the validity of the documentation, translation and content.

1.3 Documents may be certified true copies by one of the following individuals:

  1. A notary public or commissioner for oaths;
  2. A TC Civil Aviation Safety Inspector/Officer or Administrative (Operational) Support personnel; or
  3. The holder of a valid Canadian AME Licence.

1.4 Individuals certifying the documentation are required to indicate their name, region or AME Licence number (as applicable) and the date of certification.

1.5 The office/individual reviewing the application must ensure that all documentation and/or certification statements to verify that the requirements of CAR 403 have been fulfilled, and copies are retained on the applicant's 5802 examinations, fees, etc.

2. Citizenship

2.1 In addition to the requirement for proof of age as specified in STD 566.03(4)(a), CAR 403 requires proof of the applicant's citizenship in the case of an application for initial licence issue. A certified copy of any of the following documents shall be acceptable and documented on the applicant's 5802 file:

  1. A birth or baptismal certificate issued in Canada or by a state whose citizens do not require a passport to enter Canada
  2. A valid passport from any state;
  3. A citizenship certificate of any state;
  4. A Canadian Immigration Record and Visa (form #IMM 1000); or
  5. A valid aviation personnel licence showing the citizenship of the holder and issued by the state of which he/she is a citizen

3. Application submissions

3.1 AME applicants may be considered to fall into one of two general types, according to the kind of basic training received:

  1. Applicants who have successfully completed basic training given by an ATO approved in accordance with STD 566, Division II (12/99); or
  2. Applicants who obtained their basic training through systems other than a TC approved basic training ATO, but whose training has been accepted as meeting the requirements of STD 566, Division II (12/99).

3.2 The type of basic training received (i.e. approved or non approved) will determine if the applicant has demonstrated compliance with the technical knowledge requirements of paragraph 566.03(4)(c) of STD 566, as follows:

  1. Proof of successfully completing basic training from a TC ATO approved in accordance with the current STD 566, Division II (12/99) is also accepted as proof of meeting the technical knowledge requirements.
  2. Applicant's who obtained their basic training from an unapproved source must successfully complete the applicable TC technical examinations.

3.3 The AME application process will therefore consist of either one or two steps, depending on the applicant's basic training as follows:

  1. Applicants who have received basic training approved in accordance with STD 566, Division II (12/99), should apply to attempt the Regulatory Requirements examination using the AME Application form 24-0083. This application may be accepted once the applicant has completed all but six months of the required total experience.
  2. Applicants who obtained their basic training from an unapproved source must apply to attempt the TC Technical Examinations using the AME Licence Application Supplement form 26-0638. Upon receipt of the application, the reviewing officer should assess all documentation supporting the basic training and determine the acceptability of the training.
    1. If the training is found acceptable, the applicant may be authorized to attempt the TC Technical Examinations applicable to the rating(s) sought.
       
    2. Upon successful completion of the TC technical examinations, applicants who have completed all but six months of the required total experience may then apply to attempt the Regulatory Requirements examination using the AME Application form 24-0083.

4. Basic Training

An approved course is one that has received formal continuous TC recognition through the approval of a Training Policy Manual (TPM) that complies with STD 566, division II. Courses that provide credit are issued with a TC approval number; courses that do not provide credit but remain in a state of continuous approval are not issued with a TC approval number.

An acceptable course is one that has not received continuous TC recognition but is deemed acceptable for a specific period of time or one-time course offering. These types of programs do not provide credit and therefore are not issued with a TC approval number.

4.1 TC Approved ATO

a. All TC approved basic training programs have undergone a National Recertification audit to demonstrate compliance with STD 566, Division II (12/99). Each applicable ATO has been issued with a new TC approval number and certificate. The purpose of the new approval number is to identify that the program has demonstrated compliance with the training and knowledge requirements of STD 566 and as a result both experience and technical examination credit are granted.

i. Granting of Credit to successful graduates:

Ensure that the applicant's graduation certificate, diploma and/or a credential record is annotated with the appropriate TC approval number. The TC approval number must be reviewed against the Approved Basic Training listing provided on the TC website to determine;

The appropriate amount of credit to be applied towards total experience requirement;

If the applicant is eligible for technical knowledge credit; and

A graduation document with a pre-2001 approval number (e.g. #999-89-01) indicates that the applicant must write the TC technical exams.

A graduation document with post-2001 approval number (e.g. #2001-01-7999) indicates that the applicant has graduated from a program that has been approved in accordance with STD 566, Division II, Dec/99) and is eligible for technical knowledge credit.

Diplomas/training certificates that do not identify the required TC approval number are not acceptable for experience or technical knowledge credit purposes.

ii. Acceptance of Training completed by non-credited graduates:

In instances where the applicant has completed an approved program, but has not met the program requirements for credit, the ATO will issue a course certificate or diploma without the required TC approval number. Issue of this certificate/diploma will indicate that the applicant has successfully completed the total TC approved program in accordance with the minimum requirements of the College for grading and attendance.

Applicants must submit a copy of their certificate/diploma and a training transcript issued by the ATO for the applicable training program. Although these certificates or diplomas will not contain an approval number they are acceptable as meeting the basic structured training requirement for the rating sought.

No experience or technical knowledge credit is granted under these circumstances.

iii. No certificate or diploma

If the applicant has completed a TC approved program but has not been issued a certificate or diploma, they have not met either the TC, provincial or ATO requirements of the course; therefore the training is not acceptable.

4.2. TC Recognized Acceptable Training Programs

Basic training programs that have been formally recognized by TC as acceptable are identified on the TC website and/or AN C002. These programs are recognized as meeting the basic structured training requirements appropriate to the applicable licence rating.

Applicants must submit a certificate or diploma for this type of training and a transcript may be requested if course content is to be verified. These certificates or diplomas will not contain a TC approval number.

No experience or technical knowledge credit is granted for these courses.

4.3 Other Acceptable Training

  1. Applicants who have completed basic training programs that have not been approved or previously recognized as being acceptable must provide a copy of the course diploma/certificate and a transcript of the topics studies, hours associated and the marks obtained.
  2. This documentation is to be reviewed against the training standards of STD 566, Division II (12/99), for the rating(s) requested. When performing a basic training evaluation, the Acceptable Basic Training Assessment Guide should be used. The guide can be downloaded from the TC local intranet or website or, as an alternative, the applicable training curriculum contained in STD 566 may be used.
  3. In order to meet the hourly and curriculum requirements of STD 566 for acceptable basic training - the content and hours provided by the theoretical and practical training components of the course may be combined. For example, a course 2 years in duration that provided 800 hours theory and 800 practical training may be reviewed to determine if the combination of those two components meet STD 566 curriculum requirements for basic structured training (theoretical knowledge).
  4. If it is determined that the course meets the basic "structured" training requirement, this statement is to be annotated in the applicant's file. Applicants who do not have sufficient training in one or more disciplines, are to be advised of the shortfall (e.g. additional training required in piston engines, avionics or propellers). To be recognized as meeting the basic "structured" training requirement, the applicant will then be required to provide documented proof of having successfully completed training in the additional disciplines. Documentation to substantiate this training may take the form of a diploma/certificate or letter and a transcript of the topics studied, hours associated, and marks received.
  5. The combination of the previous training and the additional training topics should be reviewed to determine if, together, they fulfill the basic training requirement. If the combined training meets the 1000 or 550 hour theory requirement and is deemed acceptable, a statement to this effect is to be annotated in the applicant's file.
  6. In the case of applicants who are seeking to obtain an E or S rated licence; additional training on general aircraft maintenance topics may be obtained by successful completion of the applicable portions of a TC recognized acceptable M basic training program. For information refer to the AME Licensing/Training internal website (TC Approved/Acceptable Basic Training Organizations) for addition information.
  7. Applicants are not required to obtain structured training on the CARs. No experience or technical knowledge credit is granted for these types of courses.

4.4 Aircraft type training courses, in full or part, cannot be used to fulfill the basic (structured) training requirement.

4.5 NACIS Recording of Acceptable or Unacceptable Basic Training courses:

  1. Basic training courses that have been previously reviewed by TC are entered into the NACIS program. When a TCC has or has not accepted a course for basic (structured) training they are required to forward copies of the following to HQ:
    • a copy of the course certificate
       
    • a copy of the course transcript or curriculum (that the approval was based on)
       
    • a copy of the TCC's assessment/course acceptance
       
  2. HQ will assign a file number for the training course and enter this information into NACIS. Data will only be entered for established, complete courses (not ad-hoc, partial or a combination of courses). For instructions on this process refer to RDIMS documents #562306.v1 (NACIS instructions) and 595897.v1 (Email).

5. Experience

5.1 When assessing an applicant's experience using paragraph 566.03(4)(d) and Appendix A of STD 566, the following logic is to be applied:

  1. Experience claimed must be sufficient to fulfill the "Total," "Specialty" and "Civil" experience requirements for the rating sought as specified in Appendix A. The specialty experience should be reasonably diverse, as indicated by the range of tasks completed, but it need not include the complete range of products covered by the licence rating; e.g. it need not include both fixed and rotary wing experience, all avionics systems or all types of structural maintenance.
  2. Where an applicant has been simultaneously employed in a number of different rating areas (e.g. has gained experience working on aircraft in both M1 and M2 groups), the time claimed will be apportioned between the applicable ratings. At the applicant's request, this apportionment may be done so as to favour one rating over another. However, except as specified in 5.6, once a particular time period has been accepted toward the specialty experience for a particular rating, it may not be subsequently re-claimed toward another rating. Applicants who have acquired simultaneous experience in several rating areas should be advised of this.
  3. When applying for an additional rating to an existing licence, the only type of experience required to be submitted is the applicable specialty experience as required by STD 566.03(4)(d) and STD 566 Appendix A. For example:
    • An M1 applying for an M2 rating - must obtain/have 12 months M2 specialty experience.
    • An M2 applying for an S rating - must obtain/have 24 months S specialty experience.

5.2 Manufacturing Experience

  1. Only applicants employed in the Pre-flight, Test Flight or Delivery stages of manufacture in an Approved Aircraft Manufacturing Organization are eligible to claim manufacturing experience time in support of their AME licence application. Under each of these stages the aircraft will be subject to a maintenance release in accordance with the CARs;
    1. Pre-flight aircraft - a pre-flight work package is performed such as engine run testing, compass swings, etc in preparation for the first flight of the aircraft.
    2. Test Flight - snag rectifications and daily Inspections are performed in support of the test flights, prior to the next schedule test flight.
    3. Delivery - the aircraft has received a C of A.
       
  2. Applicants with this type of manufacturing experience shall document their experience in accordance with STD 566.03(4)(d). Verification of the applicant's position(s) within the company should be substantiated by an "Authorized Company Representative" in the applicant's logbook or with a separate letter to substantiate the exact duration of time served in each position using a start and end date.

5.3 Ultra-light, Advanced Ultra-light, Amateur-built, Owner Maintained Aircraft

  1. Maintenance on ultra-light, advance ultra-light, amateur-built and owner maintained aircraft does not qualify for experience towards the requirements of STD 566.03(4)(d).

5.4 Experience Obtained While Attending School

  1. Experience obtained in a part-time capacity during the period which the applicant was attending a full time accredited training course may not be counted towards the experience requirements for licence issue, unless this experience was obtained during the school semester hiatus (i.e. spring/summer break period). Experience obtained during the school break must be documented in accordance with requirements of STD 566 and this MSI.

5.5 Component/Shop Experience

  1. STD 566, Appendix A allows a limited amount of component/shop experience to be applied towards the total experience requirements. Experience obtained in an AMO component or shop environment may be acceptable, dependent upon the nature of the work performed, to a maximum of six months experience for each area of experience obtained. For example:
  2. 30 months experience cleaning fuel nozzles = 6 months (total applicable experience)
  3. 10 months experience in each area - repairing ELT's, repairing NAV/COM, repairing autopilot systems = 6 months in each area (18 months total applicable experience)
  4. This type of experience credit may be applied towards the total experience requirement only - it may not be applied toward the specialty experience requirement.

5.6 SFAR 41C Aircraft Experience

  1. Experience obtained on aircraft designated as SFAR 41C is acceptable towards both the M1 and M2 ratings. Refer to AN C004 for SFAR 41C aircraft types.

6. Skill (Maintenance Tasks) - Initial Issue or Additional Rating

6.1 The type of maintenance tasks completed must be sufficient to fulfill the "skill" requirement for the rating sought; however it is not mandatory that the tasks be comprised of both fixed and rotary wing tasks, all avionics related tasks, or all types of structural maintenance repairs.

  1. Tasks may have been obtained on a single aircraft type/group (e.g. small piston aircraft, fixed wing only) or systems type (e.g. navigation systems only). The tasks must be representative of the eligible maintenance tasks listed in STD 566, Appendix B, applicable to the aircraft, systems or structures on which the experience (to include total, specialty and civil) was obtained.
  2. However, if an applicant has obtained a broader range of skills by working on a combination of aircraft types (e.g. M1, fixed and rotary) or systems (e.g. E - navigation, electrical and auto pilot); the combination of tasks may be reviewed for acceptability towards meeting the maintenance tasks requirements for the rating sought.
  3. Tasks from one rating group (i.e. M1) may not be used to fulfill the task requirement for another rating group (i.e. M2) - with the exception of aircraft identified in item 6.4.

6.2 Certification of maintenance tasks

6.2.1 By appending their signature and AME licence or AMO number to a task performed by another, the signatory is certifying that they have personally observed the work to the extent necessary to ensure that it is performed in accordance with the requirements of any applicable standards of airworthiness and that the individual that completed the work was competent to meet the requirements of STD 566.03(4)(e).

6.2.2 If the signatory was not suitably licensed, or deemed to be an equivalent person (i.e. having the same level of knowledge and experience as that of an AME) at the time the task was performed, they are not qualified to sign for the task(s).  Such tasks are not acceptable for licensing purposes.

6.2.3 Documents presented by AME applicants that include inaccurate statements may be subject to Enforcement. Certifications made by individuals who were not appropriately qualified or eligible to sign for the task at the time of its completion are considered to be false entries and may be subject to Enforcement.

6.3 Maintenance Tasks Completed in a Manufacturing Environment

a. Only applicants employed in the Pre-flight, Test Flight or Delivery stages of manufacture in an Approved Aircraft Manufacturing Organization are eligible to claim tasks in support of their AME licence application. Under each of these stages the aircraft will be subject to a maintenance release in accordance with the CARs;

iv. Pre-flight aircraft - a pre-flight work package is performed such as engine run testing, compass swings, etc in preparation for the first flight of the aircraft.

v. Test Flight - snag rectifications and daily Inspections are performed in support of the test flights, prior to the next schedule test flight.

vi. Delivery - the aircraft has received a C of A.

b. When recording the completion of a specific task in the manufacturing environment, the aircraft serial number on which the work was performed is to be recorded and the person certifying the task must hold appropriate authorization to certify the work performed, as defined in the company manual.

6.4 Maintenance Tasks Completed on SFAR 41C Aircraft or Turbine Powered Helicopters

Tasks performed on SFAR 41C aircraft or turbine powered rotorcraft can be reviewed in combination with tasks on aircraft specific to the rating applied for in order to satisfy the skill requirement. For example:

  • SFAR 41C aircraft - an M1 applicant has completed most of the required tasks on FAR 23 type certificated aircraft, but has some of the necessary tasks on SFAR 41C aircraft; the combination of tasks would be acceptable.
  • Turbine powered rotorcraft - tasks that are common to both M1& M2 helicopters can be used in combination to satisfy the skill requirement (i.e. changing a battery, jacking and weighing of helicopter, vibration analysis, replacing a rotating beacon, etc), as such tasks involve the same steps and procedures for helicopters in either rating.

6.5 Maintenance Tasks Completed While Attending School

Tasks performed by a student enrolled in a full time training program may be counted towards the skill requirement provided the tasks were not performed as part of, or during, the training program. Such tasks must be documented in accordance with requirements of STD 566 and this MSI.

6.6 Applicants should record tasks as they are completed. Persons signing for the completion of maintenance tasks in accordance with STD 566.03(4)(e) should append their signatures at the time the task is completed.

6.7 STD 566.03(4)(e)(ii) allows for maintenance task certification by an AME appropriately rated AME or foreign licence holder, ACA holder or SCA holder, who has supervised the task for which a civil maintenance certification has been made.

6.8 Where the applicant's range of maintenance tasks is insufficient, note the deficiency on the application form or in a letter format. A statement such as: "documented proof of additional maintenance tasks in ATA's 05, 08, 31." should be annotated on the application form or in the letter and in the applicants 5802 file. The person assessing the tasks is required to initial, date and apply their TC inspection/approval stamp to this entry.

6.9 Where the applicant's range of maintenance tasks is sufficient; a statement such as: "maintenance tasks reviewed and found to meet the requirements for a . rating" should be annotated on the application form and in the applicants 5802 file. The person assessing the tasks is required to initial, date and apply their TC inspection/approval stamp to this entry.

6.10 Certified true copies of one of the following is required to be retained on the applicant's 5802 file:

  1. The applicant's logbook information page, employment history and the TC response/acceptance statement of maintenance tasks; or
  2. The list of completed tasks, letter of employment and experience (showing aircraft types worked on) and a copy of the TC response/acceptance statement of maintenance tasks.

Refer to Appendix B (item 1.3) for additional information regarding when submission of maintenance tasks is required.

6.11 If there is a concern regarding the authenticity of the tasks provided TC may request copies of the applicable work orders or job cards in order to verify the completion of tasks claimed for licensing purposes.

7. Licence Renewal/Reissue

7.1 The requirements pertaining to the renewal or reissue of expired AME licenses, set out in STD 566.03 (11) & (12), only apply to licenses issued in accordance with the current STD 566, Division I.

7.2 If an applicant has a licence that expired prior to August 1, 1999, the individual is not considered to hold an AME licence issued in accordance with the current STD 566, Division I, therefore the current renewal requirements do not apply. Applicants, who apply for licence reissue that held an AME licence in the previous model, but allowed it to expire, must meet the conditions of initial issue under the current standard.

7.3 In the case of a licence that expired under the previous licensing model and was not renewed or reissued prior to August 01, 1999 a Notice of Refusal to Issue or Amend a Canadian Aviation Document is not required to be issued. As the individual does not hold an AME licence issued in accordance with the current STD 566, Division I the renewal/reissue requirements of STD 566.03(11) and (12) do not apply. Upon receipt of an application for renewal/reissue the individual is to be advised that they are required to meet the conditions of initial licence issue in accordance with the current licensing standard.

A licence may be valid to a maximum of 6 years. The validity period is calculated 6-years from the birthday preceding (prior to) the date of renewal application. As a result, depending on whether a licence is issued before, or reissued after, the applicant's current birthday, some licenses may have a 6-year validity while others may have a shortened validity period (5 years +).

8. Recency of experience

8.1 Experience to fulfill the recency requirement of CAR 403 and STD 566 must have been obtained on civil registered aircraft.

9. Fee Payments

9.1 In accordance with CAR 104, there are various fees required during the AME Licensing process, the following is provided for guidance on when these fees are to be collected:

I. Basic Training evaluation: No fee associated with review process.

II. AME Licence Application Supplement Technical Examinations (Form 26-0638) 1 : No fee required for submission of application.

III. Technical examination approval: Fee required for each technical exam attempt.

IV. Experience, Skill (Maintenance task) assessment: No fee associated with review process.

V. AME Licence Application (Form 24-0083) 1, 2, & 4: Fee required upon application (CAR 104.05).

VI. Regulatory Requirements examination approval: Fee required per exam attempt.

VII. AME Licence (initial) issue 2 : Licence issue fee required (see item V).

VIII. Licence renewal (valid licence): Renewal fee required.

IX. Licence reissue (expired under/over 1 year) 3 : Licence issue fee required.

X. Interim licenses - (see section 10).

1 These applications are valid for 12 month's from the time of approval. If all examinations are not successfully completed within that time frame the applicant must submit a new application form (reapply) to write the applicable examinations.

2 If a licence is not issued within the 12-month 24-0083 form validity period; the fee payment is not reimbursed. Upon submission of a new 24-0083 form a new licence issue fee payment is required.

3 As the current fee schedule does not distinguish between the issue or reissue of a licence, the reissue of an expired licence constitutes a licence "issue" in accordance with 566.03(12), therefore the licence issue fee is required.

4 In extenuating circumstances the fee may be collected at time of writing the REGS exam.

10. Interim Licence

10.1 Upon successful completion of all licensing requirements for initial issue or additional rating, applicants may be issued an interim hard copy paper licence signed by an appropriately delegated TC representative - no fee is associated with the issue of this document. This type of document can be printed from AMES while the plastic card style licence is being processed by AARPG.

10.2 If the applicant requests an interim licence (for example when renewing a still valid licence) the applicable fee for issuance of a temporary licence is to be charged in accordance with CAR 104.

10.3 If an applicant requires an interim licence due to TC processing delays or problems with issuing the hard copy paper licence, the applicable CAR 104 fee is not charged.

11. Licence Cancellations or Suspension

11.1 Cancellation is required when the licence has been issued in error or has been voluntarily surrendered.

11.2 Suspension is required when the holder no longer meets the conditions for issue of the licence.

11.3 In either situation formal notification to the holder of the action being taken is required.

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