Subject

ISSUE OF RECREATIONAL PILOT PERMITS TO PILOTS HOLDING VALID PILOT LICENCES - AEROPLANE

Reference

Personnel Licensing Policy Letter No. 566.

Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part I, General Provisions, Subpart 4 Charges, Subsections 104.01(1) and (2), Schedule II.

Background

Since the inception of the Recreational Pilot Permit (RPP), for various reasons, a number of pilots already in possession of a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) or higher type licence have been requesting that Transport Canada issue them with an RPP. This practice of issuing an RPP to holders of a PPL or higher type licence is costly, as there is presently no licensing fee for the issue of an RPP. As well, the frivolous issue of an RPP provides no additional privileges to the licence holders.

To remain fiscally responsible to the Canadian taxpayer, the frivolous issue of the RPP document is discouraged in accordance with the following guidelines.

Action

A pilot currently holding a valid PPL or CPL - Aeroplane Category, can perform all the activities of a Recreational Pilot as a privilege of the higher licences. Therefore, Transport Canada should not issue an RPP to an individual in possession of a valid PPL or higher type licence - Aeroplane Category.

A pilot wishing to retain only RPP privileges will be issued a Category 4 Medical Certificate (providing the requirements for the certificate are met), and an RPP will be issued upon expiry of the medical validation of the higher licence. This issue will require a record of the pilot’s request on file, (the actual issue date may precede the medical expiry by up to two months to prevent a loss of privileges due to mailing or administration delays). There is no need to recall the senior licence as it will not be validated by the Category 4 Medical Certificate.

Additionally, if the pilot subsequently decides to upgrade, all that is required is the issue of a Category 3 Medical Certificate.

This policy in no way compromises the potential of the RPP to encourage industry growth. There is no benefit to the training industry through the issue of Recreational Pilot Permits to pilots holding valid pilot licences - aeroplane category.

Expiry

This Policy Letter will expire with the implementation of a licensing fee for the issue of the Recreational Pilot Permit.

Manzur Huq
Director
General Aviation