Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Exemption to Permit the Use of Other Than Certified Flight Manual Data When Operating from Wet or Contaminated Runways

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) 705.54. This exemption permits air operators to use other than certified data found in the aircraft flight manual when operating to or from wet or contaminated runways.

REFERENCE

Canadian Aviation Regulation, Part VII, Commercial Air Services, Subpart 5 (CAR 705).

BACKGROUND

CARs 705.54 and 705.55 currently read as follows:

"705.54 Exceptions

A person may operate an aircraft without complying with the requirements of this Division if the person:

1. is authorized to do so in an air operator certificate; and

2. complies with the Commercial Air Service Standards.

705.55 General Requirements

Any determination made for the purposes of Sections 705.56 to 705.61 shall be based on approved performance data set out in the aircraft flight manual."

The CARs effectively prohibit the use of manufacturer’s supplementary information addressing performance from wet or contaminated runways. In many cases the use of this information would greatly enhance the safety of these operations.

It is clearly in the interest of safety to permit operators to use the best information available to them. Until the Commercial Air Service Standards are modified to permit the use of this data an exemption remains the sole means of authorization.

DETAILS

The exemption to CAR 705.54 may be used by air operators who wish to use other than certified performance data when operating from wet or contaminated runways. The exemption is subject to the following conditions:

1. The air operator must comply with the conditions set out in Appendix A to the exemption.
2. Pilot and, where applicable, dispatcher ground training must address wet and contaminated runway operations pursuant to the performance data package chosen.

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

1. the date on which an amendment to the appropriate provisions of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, or related standards, comes into effect; or

2. 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 adversely affect aviation safety.

CONCLUSION

CAR 705.55 contains a requirement for all performance determinations to be made in accordance with approved performance data contained in the Flight Manual. CAR 705.54 permits other means to be used where permitted by the Commercial Air Service Standards. Pending the modification to the applicable Standard this global exemption will facilitate the use of non-approved data.

This exemption applies to all air operators conducting turbo-jet operations in accordance with CAR 705. Further information may be obtained by contacting Commercial and Business Aviation, Operational Standards, Headquarters at (613) 990-1221 or by facsimile (613) 954-1602.

M.R. Preuss
Director
Commercial & Business Aviation