Canadian Aviation Regulations (SOR/96-433)

Division VII — Personnel Requirements

Minimum Crew

703.86 No air operator shall operate an aircraft with passengers on board in IFR flight with fewer than two pilots unless the air operator

• (a) is authorized to do so in its air operator certificate; and

• (b) complies with the Commercial Air Service Standards.

Designation of Pilot-in-command and Second-in-command

• 703.87 (1) An air operator shall designate for each flight a pilot-in-command and, where the crew includes two pilots, a pilot-in-command and a second-in-command.

• (2) An air operator shall record on the operational flight plan the name of the pilot-in-command and, if applicable, the second-in-command who were designated under subsection (1) and shall retain the plan for at least 180 days after the day on which the flight is completed.

Flight Crew Member Qualifications

• 703.88 (1) Subject to subsections (6) and (7), no air operator shall permit a person to act and no person shall act as a flight crew member in an aircraft unless the person

  • (a) holds the licence and ratings required by Part IV;

  • (b) within the previous 90 days, has completed at least three take-offs and three landings

    • (i) where a type rating for that aircraft is required, in an aircraft of that type, or in a flight simulator representing that type of aircraft that has been approved by the Minister under Subpart 6 of Part VI for take-off and landing qualifications, or

    • (ii) where a type rating for that aircraft is not required, in an aircraft of that category and class, or in a flight simulator representing that category and class of aircraft that has been approved by the Minister under Subpart 6 of Part VI for take-off and landing qualifications;

  • (c) has successfully completed a pilot proficiency check or competency check for that type of aircraft, the validity period of which has not expired, in accordance with the Commercial Air Service Standards as follows:

    • (i) in the case of the pilot-in-command of a multi-engined aircraft or of a single-engined aeroplane that is operated in accordance with subsection 703.22(2), a pilot proficiency check for that type of aircraft,

    • (ii) in the case of the pilot-in-command of a single-engined helicopter, a pilot proficiency check on one of the types of single-engined helicopters operated by the air operator,

    • (iii) in the case of the second-in-command of a multi-engined aircraft, a pilot proficiency check or a competency check for that type of aircraft, and

    • (iv) in the case of the pilot-in-command of a single-engined aeroplane that is not operated in accordance with subsection 703.22(2), a competency check for that type of aircraft; and

  • (d) has fulfilled the requirements of the air operator’s ground and flight training program.

• (2) An air operator may group similar aeroplanes as a single type for purposes of the pilot proficiency check referred to in paragraph (1)(c) if the air operator

  • (a) is authorized to do so in its air operator certificate; and

  • (b) complies with the Commercial Air Service Standards.

• (3) No person shall act as the pilot-in-command of an aircraft with a person other than a flight crew member on board in night VFR flight unless the person acting as the pilot-in-command holds an instrument rating for that class of aircraft.

• (4) No air operator shall permit a person to act and no person shall act as the pilot-in-command of an aircraft with passengers on board unless the person has acquired, prior to designation as pilot-in-command, the following flight time on that type and basic model of aircraft and in the pilot-in-command position:

  • (a) in the case of a single-engined aeroplane or a helicopter, five hours; or

  • (b) in the case of a multi-engined aeroplane, 15 hours.

• (5) The flight time required by subsection (4) may be reduced by one hour for each take-off and landing completed, up to a maximum of 50 per cent.

• (6) An air operator may permit a person to act and a person may act as a flight crew member in an aircraft if the person does not meet the requirements set out in paragraphs (1)(b) to (d) if the air operator

  • (a) is authorized to do so in its air operator certificate; and

  • (b) complies with the Commercial Air Service Standards.

• (7) Subparagraph (1)(c)(iv) does not apply in the case of a chief pilot who acts as pilot-in-command of a single-engined aeroplane that is not operated in accordance with subsection 703.22(2).

Qualifications of Operational Control Personnel

• 703.89 (1) No air operator shall permit a person to act and no person shall act in an operational control position unless that person has fulfilled the training requirements set out in this Subpart and has demonstrated to the air operator the knowledge and abilities required by the Commercial Air Service Standards.

• (2) A person who has not acted in an operational control position within the previous three months shall, prior to acting in an operational control position, satisfy the air operator that the person still has the knowledge and abilities referred to in subsection (1).

Check Authority

• 703.90 (1) A pilot proficiency check shall be conducted by the Minister.

• (2) Any other check required under this Subpart may be conducted by the Minister.

Validity Period

• 703.91 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the validity period of a pilot proficiency check, a competency check and the annual training referred to in section 703.98 expires on the first day of the thirteenth month following the month in which the pilot proficiency check, competency check or training was completed.

• (2) Where a pilot proficiency check, a competency check or annual training is renewed within the last 90 days of its validity period, its validity period is extended by 12 months.

• (3) The Minister may extend the validity period of a pilot proficiency check, a competency check or annual training by up to 60 days where the Minister is of the opinion that aviation safety is not likely to be affected.

• (4) Where the validity period of a pilot proficiency check, a competency check or annual training has been expired for 24 months or more, the person shall requalify by meeting the training requirements specified in the Commercial Air Service Standards.

[703.92 to 703.97 reserved]

Division VIII — Training

Training Program

• 703.98 (1) Every air operator shall establish and maintain a ground and flight training program that is

  • (a) designed to ensure that each person who receives training acquires the competence to perform the person’s assigned duties; and

  • (b) approved by the Minister in accordance with the Commercial Air Service Standards.

• (2) An air operator’s ground and flight training program shall include

  • (a) company indoctrination training;

  • (b) upgrading training;

  • (c) initial and annual training, including

    • (i) aircraft type training,

    • (ii) aircraft servicing and ground handling training,

    • (iii) emergency procedures training,

    • (iv) training for operational control personnel, and

    • (v) aircraft surface contamination training for pilots and other operations personnel; and

  • (d) any other training required to ensure a safe operation under this Subpart.

• (3) An air operator shall

  • (a) include a detailed syllabus of its ground and flight training program in its company operations manual;

  • (b) ensure that qualified personnel are provided for its ground and flight training program, in accordance with the Commercial Air Service Standards; and

  • (c) establish and maintain a safety awareness program concerning the adverse effects of aircraft surface contamination and provide the program to all flight operations personnel who are not required to receive the training described in subparagraph (2)(c)(v).

• (4) An air operator shall have a fatigue management training program for its flight crew members that contains

  • (a) personal fatigue management strategies relating to

    • (i) sleep hygiene,

    • (ii) lifestyle, exercise and diet, and

    • (iii) the consumption of alcohol and drugs;

  • (b) the impact of fatigue on aviation safety;

  • (c) sleep requirements and the science relating to fatigue;

  • (d) the causes and consequences of fatigue;

  • (e) how to recognize fatigue in themselves and in others;

  • (f) sleep disorders, their impact on aviation safety and treatment options; and

  • (g) human and organizational factors that may cause fatigue, including

    • (i) sleep quality and duration,

    • (ii) the impact of shift work and overtime,

    • (iii) the circadian rhythm, and

    • (iv) the effects of changes of time zones.