Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Helicopter Chief Pilot and Operations Manager Written Examinations for Subpart 703 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations - Air Taxi Operations

INTRODUCTION

This Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circular is to inform Air Taxi Operators and Civil Aviation Inspectors of new National Chief Pilot and Operation Manager Examinations for Subpart 703 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Helicopter Air Operators effective April 1, 2006.

APPLICABILITY

The written examinations along with oral interviews shall be required in order to approve Subpart 703 of the CARs Helicopter Air Taxi, Chief Pilot and Operation Manager applicants.

Subpart 703 of the CARs Helicopter Air Operators will nominate Chief Pilot and/or Operation Manager applicants to their Principal Operations Inspector (POI) who will verify the applicants' qualifications in accordance with Section 723.07 of the Commercial Air Services Standards (CASS) as applicable. The POI shall issue the applicant a “Letter of Recommendation” to attempt the examination. Upon completion of the national examination, a copy of the applicant's examination feedback letter shall be sent to the POI.

To undertake the Chief Pilot examination, an applicant shall meet the following prerequisites:

a. Hold a valid Category 1 medical certificate;
b. Have another identification document;
c. Present a Letter of Recommendation from the POI for the air operator; and
d. Have met 100% of subparagraph 723.07(2)(b)(i) of the CASS qualifications requirements.

To undertake the Operation Manager examination, an applicant shall meet the following prerequisites:

a. Have an identification document;
b. Present a Letter of Recommendation from the POI for the air operator; and
c. Have met 100% of subsection 723.07(2)(a)(i) of the CASS qualifications requirements.

A thorough review of all items included in the applicable study guide is essential for a candidate’s successful completion of either the Chief Pilot or Operation Manager written exams.

The examinations 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 and Business Aviation Regional Office to coordinate their request.

The successful completion of the written examination will form part of the prerequisite Chief Pilot or Operation Manager qualifications for Subpart 703 of the CARs appointments. The 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 Section 723.07 of the CASS.

Those persons employed as Chief Pilots or Operation Managers who were approved prior to April 1, 2006, need not write the new Examination. Any applicant who has not been a Chief Pilot or Operation Manager within the previous two years will be required to complete the new 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 Chief Pilot or Operation Manager as applicable. Applicants who attempt the examinations and are unsuccessful may re-write the examination after a 14-day waiting period.


REFERENCES

BACKGROUND

Commercial and Business Aviation Inspectors screen and approve Chief Pilot and Operation Manager applicants. Until now there has not been national examinations for Inspectors to administer. Applicants were required to complete regional examinations followed by oral interviews with the POI.

It was brought to the attention of Headquarters that standards varied significantly from region to region. As a result, the examinations were developed to establish minimum knowledge for Subpart 703 of the CARs Chief Pilots and Operation Managers.

ACTION

Effective April 1, 2006, all Subpart 703 of the CARs Chief Pilot and Operation Manager applicants will be required to successfully complete the examination.

FUTURE DISPOSITION

The Chief Pilot and Operation Manager Air Taxi Subpart 703 of the CARs Examinations will remain in effect until further notice.



D.B. Sherritt
Director
Commercial and Business Aviation