Canadian Aviation Regulations

604.25 (1) A private operator shall have an operational control system that is adapted to the complexity of the private operator’s operations and to the private operator’s area of operation, and that meets the requirements of subsections (2) and (3).

(2) The operational control system shall include procedures for ensuring that

• (a) all the operational requirements specified in this Subpart are met;

• (b) each aircraft is operated within the weight and balance limits specified in the aircraft flight manual;

• (c) the names of the persons on board an aircraft are recorded by the private operator before each flight; and

• (d) search and rescue authorities are notified in a timely manner if a flight is overdue or missing.

(3) The operational control system shall include

• (a) pilot self-dispatch procedures that set out the following elements:

  • (i) flight planning requirements,

  • (ii) the timing within which a flight crew member must inform the private operator of an aircraft’s departure and arrival, and

  • (iii) a method of confirming that an aircraft has arrived safely at an unattended aerodrome during a VFR flight or that an IFR flight plan has been cancelled prior to landing; or

• (b) co-authority dispatch procedures that set out the following elements:

  • (i) flight planning requirements,

  • (ii) flight following requirements,

  • (iii) flight watch requirements,

  • (iv) a method of confirming that an aircraft has arrived safely at an unattended aerodrome during a VFR flight or that an IFR flight plan has been cancelled prior to landing,

  • (v) the method by which the operational flight plan is approved and recorded by the pilot-in-command and the flight dispatcher,

  • (vi) if operational flight plans are prepared and accepted for a series of flights, the method by which any changes to those plans are approved and recorded by the pilot-in-command and the flight dispatcher,

  • (vii) if flight planning and flight watch are two separate functions, the method of switching from one to the other, and

  • (viii) a means to ensure that, at each location where a flight originates, the pilot-in-command will

    • (A) receive meteorological information related to the flight,

    • (B) receive a copy of the operational flight plan, and

    • (C) can contact the responsible flight dispatcher prior to take-off.

(4) Documentation related to the operational control of a flight shall be retained by the private operator for at least 180 days after the day on which the flight is completed.