Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Exemption from Requirement for Third Attitude Indicator on Selected Transport Category Aircraft

INTRODUCTION

This Air Carrier Advisory Circular (ACAC) is intended to provide information to air operators on the exemption which Transport Canada has issued concerning Canadian Aviation Regulation (CAR) 605.41. This exemption permits certain transport category aircraft to operate without a third attitude indicator.

REFERENCE

Canadian Aviation Regulation, Part VI, General Operating and Flight Rules, Subpart 5 (CAR 605).

BACKGROUND

CAR 605.41 currently reads as follows:

1. "No person shall conduct a take-off in a turbo-jet-powered aeroplane operated under Part VII unless that aeroplane is equipped with a standby attitude indicator that meets the Aircraft Equipment and Maintenance Standards.

After July 31, 1997, no person shall conduct a take-off in a transport category aircraft unless that aircraft is equipped with a standby attitude indicator that meets the Aircraft Equipment and Maintenance Standards."

The CAR is considerably broader in scope than the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) concerning third attitude indicators. Subsection (2) of CAR 605.41 would require older reciprocating powered aircraft, private aircraft and turbo-prop aircraft with less than 30 seats to comply. In order to more closely harmonize our requirements with the FARs, an exemption has been written which allows these transport category aircraft to be operated without the third attitude indicator.

DETAILS

The exemption to CAR 605.41 may be used by operators of transport category aircraft seeking relief from the requirement for a third attitude indicator. The exemption is subject to the following conditions:

• the aircraft is an aeroplane powered by reciprocating engines;
• the aircraft is operated privately; or
• the aircraft is a turbo-propeller powered aeroplane having a passenger-seat configuration of 30 seats or fewer, excluding each crew member seat, and a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or less that is manufactured prior to March 20, 1997.

This exemption is in effect until the earliest of:

• the date on which it is superseded by an amendment to section 605.41 of the CARs;
• for aeroplanes to which paragraph (c) above applies, until December 20, 2010; or
• the date on which this exemption is canceled in writing by the Minister where he is of the opinion that it is no longer in the public interest or that it is likely to have an adverse effect on aviation safety.

CONCLUSION

CAR 605.41 contains a requirement for all transport category aircraft to be equipped with a third attitude indicator by July 31, 1997. In order to more closely harmonize with the FARs an exemption has been written which allows relief from the requirement for the third attitude indicator for certain operators. Authorization for this exemption may be obtained by contacting the Commercial and Business Aviation Branch at your Regional Office.

A.J. LaFlamme
Director
Commercial and Business Aviation