Exemption from paragraph 401.13(1)(d) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations and paragraphs 421.13(4)(a) to (f) of Standard 421 – Flight Crew Permits, Licenses and Ratings

NCR-054-2020

Pursuant to subsection 5.9(2) of the Aeronautics Act, and after having taken into account that this exemption is in the public interest and is not likely to adversely affect aviation safety or security, I hereby exempt all candidates attempting to write the Transport Canada written examinations from the requirements of paragraphs 401.13(1)(d) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and paragraphs 421.13(4)(a) to (f) of Standard 421 – Flight crew permits, licenses and ratings, subject to the conditions set out below.

The above mentioned provisions are reproduced in Appendix A.

Purpose

The purpose of this exemption is to adopt temporary measures in the public interest to reduce the potential of person to person transmission in Canada following the declaration of a pandemic outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11th, 2020.

The purpose of this exemption is to allow candidates for the Pilot Permit – Gyroplane, Pilot Permit – Recreational - Aeroplane and the Private Pilot Licence to attempt the written examinations with at least 5 hours of total flight experience as well as allowing all other candidates to attempt the written examinations with only 25% of the total flight experience for the issuance of a permit, licence or rating for a period of 6 months, as a temporary measure.

Application

This exemption applies to all candidates for the Pilot Permit – Gyroplane, Pilot Permit – Recreational - Aeroplane and the Private Pilot Licence attempting the written examinations and all other candidates attempting the written examinations for the issuance of a pilot permit, licence or rating.

This exemption ceases to apply to any candidate that does not respect a condition of this exemption.

Conditions

This exemption is subject to the following conditions:

  1. Persons attempting to write the Transport Canada written examinations for the Pilot Permit – Gyroplane, Recreational Pilot Permit or the Private Pilot Licence shall have at least 5 hours, equivalent to 50 per cent, of the flight experience required for writing the relevant written examination;
  2. All other persons attempting to write the Transport Canada written examinations for a permit, licence or rating shall have at least 25% of the total flight experience required for the issuance of a permit, licence or rating; and
  3. Persons attempting to write the Transport Canada written examinations subject to the terms and conditions of this exemption shall comply with the CARs in all respects other than with paragraphs 421.13(4)(a) to (f) of standard 421 – Flight crew permits, licenses and ratings as specified in this exemption.

Validity

This exemption is in effect until the earliest of the following:

  • (a) November 13, 2020 at 23:59 (EDT); or
  • (b) The date on which the exemption is cancelled in writing by the Minister where he is of the opinion that it is no longer in the public interest or is likely to adversely affect aviation safety or security.

Dated at Ottawa, Ontario, this 1st day of May, 2020, on behalf of the Minister of Transport.

“Original signed by”

Nicholas Robinson
Director General, Civil Aviation
Transport Canada

Appendix A

Pertinent provision of the Canadian Aviation Regulations

Examination Prerequisites

  • 401.13 (1) Prior to taking a written examination, an applicant for a flight crew permit, licence or rating shall meet the prerequisites for the examination set out in the personnel licensing standards with respect to
    • (a) medical fitness;
    • (b) identification;
    • (c) a recommendation from the flight instructor who is responsible for the training of the applicant; and
    • (d) experience.
  • […]

Pertinent provision of Standard 421 – Flight crew permits, licenses and ratings

421.13 Examination Prerequisites

  • […]
  • (4) To be eligible to write the examination required for the issue of a permit, licence or rating, the candidate shall provide proof that the experience and training requirements set out below have been met:
    • (a) an applicant for a Pilot Permit - Gyroplane, Pilot Permit - Recreational-Aeroplane, or a Private Pilot Licence shall have completed 10 hours flight time in the same category of aircraft, or hold a valid Pilot Permit - Ultra-light Aeroplane;
    • (b) an applicant for a Class 4 Instructor Rating shall have completed fifty percent (50%) of the flight training requirement, and all ground school requirements;
    • (c) an applicant for a higher class of Instructor Rating shall have completed fifty percent (50%) of the flight instructor experience requirement;
    • (d) an applicant for an instrument rating shall have completed a minimum of 20 hours of instrument flight or ground time;
    • (e) an applicant for an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) shall, when enrolled in an approved integrated ATP(A) course, have completed the ground school requirements and the Group 1 instrument rating flight test; and
    • (f) all other applicants shall have a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the total flight experience for the issue of the permit, licence, or rating.
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