Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Operations Manager Commuter Subpart 704 of the CARs Written Examination Aeroplane

INTRODUCTION

This Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circular (CBAAC) is to inform Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) 704 Commuter Operators and Civil Aviation inspectors of the new National Operations Manager Commuter CAR 704 Examination (OMCOM) effective April 1, 2003.

APPLICABILITY

The written National OMCOM Examination along with an oral interview shall be required in order to approve Commuter Operations Manager applicants.

Air Operators will nominate Operations Manager applicants to their Principle Operations Inspector (POI) who will verify the applicants' qualifications in accordance with Subparagraph 724.07(2)(a)(i) of the Commercial Air Services Standards (CASS) or its exemption. The POI shall issue the Operations Manager applicant a Letter of Recommendation to attempt the examination. Upon completion of the National OMCOM Examination, a copy of the applicant's examination feedback letter shall be sent to the POI.

To undertake the National OMCOM Examination, a Operations Manager applicant shall meet the following prerequisites:

1. hold or have held the appropriate licence and ratings for which a pilot-in-command (PIC) is required to hold for one of the aeroplanes operated; or have acquired not less than three years related supervisory experience with an operator of a Commercial Air Service whose flight operations are similar in size and scope;
2. have another identification document;
3. present a Letter of Recommendation from the POI for the air operator; and

The National OMCOM Examination may be written at any of the Transport Canada Regional Offices or Transport Canada Centres (Civil Aviation) where exams are presently being written. Under special circumstances or because of geographical location, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) may invigilate the examination. Air Operators who wish to use the services of the RCMP are to contact the appropriate Commercial & Business Regional Office to coordinate their request.

The successful completion of the written National OMCOM Examination will form part of the prerequisite Operations Manager qualifications for Subpart 704 of the CARs Operations Manager appointment. The Operations Manager oral interview with the POI will remain a vital component in the applicant's ability to demonstrate knowledge to the Minister. The POI will ask the applicant to answer questions based upon the type and geographical location of air carrier operation. The successful completion of the oral exam and interview will complete the demonstration of knowledge as required by Clause 724.07(2)(a)(i)(B) of the CARs.

Operation Managers who were approved prior to April 1, 2003, need not write the new National OMCOM Examination. Any Operations Manager applicant who has not been a Operations Manager within the previous two years will be required to complete the new National OMCOM Examination. The validity period for the examination is two years. Once successfully passed, the applicant will have two years calculated from the first of the next month from when the examination was written to become a Operations Manager.

Applicants who are unsuccessful at writing the National OMCOM Examination may re-write after a 14 day waiting period.

Successful completion of the National OMCOM Examination constitutes successful completion of (OMTAX) Examination for Operations Managers operating under multiple Subparts 703/704 of the CARs.

REFERENCE

Paragraph 724.07(2)(b) of the Commercial Air Service Standards (CASS).

Operations Manager Commuter – CAR 704 Study and Reference Guide TP 14028

BACKGROUND

Commercial Business Aviation inspectors screen and approve Operations Manager applicants. Until now there has not been a national examination for inspectors to administer. Applicants were required to complete a regional examination followed by an oral interview with the POI.

It was brought to the attention of Headquarters that standards varied significantly from region to region. As a result, the National OMCOM Examination was developed to establish minimum knowledge for Subpart 704 of the CARs Operations Managers.

ACTION

Effective April 1, 2003, all Subpart 704 of the CARs Operations Manager applicants will be required to successfully complete the National OMCOM Examination.

FUTURE DISPOSITION

The Operations Manager Commuter CAR 704 Examination National OMCOM will remain in effect until further notice.

Michel Gaudreau
Director
Commercial & Business Aviation