This GA Advisory Circular supersedes GAAC 2004-04 dated 2004-08-06.

Subject

Flight testing for pilot licences and ratings - Aeroplanes and helicopters

Purpose

Inform stakeholders of the extended period of consultation regarding the proposed amendments to the flight test guides coming into effect April 1st, 2005.

References

Flight Test Guides

• Recreational Pilot Permit - Aeroplane - TP 12475
• Private Pilot Licence - Aeroplane - TP 13723
• Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane - TP 13462
• Private and Commercial Pilot Licence - Helicopter - TP 3077
• Multi-Engine Class Rating - Aeroplane - TP 219
• Instrument Rating - TP 9939

Background

Where a flight test is required for the issuance of a flight crew permit, licence or rating, the skill requirements that must be met are set out in a flight test guide and the testing procedures are defined in an examiner manual. A process of continuous improvement is used for these references. Results of flight tests are monitored and feedback is obtained from such stakeholders as flight instructors and examiners. Discussion with these stakeholders across the country, in the past two years, has resulted in further improvements to the skill requirements for pilot flight tests. As well, a new marking scale has been developed. The 4-point marking scale will replace the existing 6-point (0-5) scale and proposed to also go into effect April 1, 2005. New flight test report forms have been printed to reflect the changes.

Proposed Flight Test Changes

Highlights of changes to the flight test guides are shown below:

All Flight Tests:

• The failure of any ground flight test item results in a failure of the test requiring a complete re-test.

Commercial Pilot Licence Flight Test

Ex 18 Power-off 180º Accuracy Approach and Landing

• This new flight test item requires the candidate to reduce power to idle on the downwind leg and land the aircraft on a runway, with some accuracy, without further use of power. This item is NOT a forced landing.

Ex 23 A Pre-flight Planning Procedures

• The cross-country route will not be assigned in advance. All pre-flight planning procedures are to be completed within 45 minutes, after the examiner has confirmed eligibility for admission to the flight test. Discretion will be applied in the event of delays obtaining weather and NOTAM information.

Multi-engine Class Rating Flight Test

Ex 8 A Stall - clean configuration and Ex 8 B Approach to Stall - landing configuration are separate flight test items and are now assessed individually.

Ex 9 Steep Turn

• The flight test item ‘Engine Failure during a Steep Turn’ has been removed. The candidate will now execute a steep turn through 180°, with an angle of bank of 45°, then without pause, reverse the turn to roll out on the original heading.

Instrument Rating

Ex 8 Approaches

• The application of cold temperature correction to minimum altitudes will be expected for temperatures 0 degrees Celsius, or colder.

All Non Precision Approaches

• The altitude tolerance on the intermediate and final segments of the final approach course require the candidate to fly the approach in a stabilized manner, without descending below the applicable minimum altitudes depicted on the approach chart, but allow flight above minimums, as required.

4-Point Marking Scale

Marking of flight test items will be as follows:

4 - Above Standard, where performance remains well within the qualification standards and flight management skills are excellent.

3 - Standard, where minor deviations from the qualification standards occur and performance remains within prescribed limits.

2 - Basic Standard, when deviations from the standards, which may include momentary excursions from prescribed limits, occur, but are recognized and corrected in a timely manner.

1 - Below Standard, where the deviations from the qualification standards are unacceptable and excursions beyond prescribed limits are not recognized or corrected in a timely manner.

The ‘General’ sections of the respective guides outline the full marking criteria. Each flight test item has specific performance criteria.

Action

The new guides are available at the following website:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/general/Flttrain/menu.htm

Examiners, flight instructors and other persons providing flight training should review these guides and submit their written comments and recommendations before January 31st, 2005 to the following address:

Chief, Flight Training
Transport Canada
Tower C, 6th Floor, AARRE
330 Sparks Street, Ottawa ON
K1A 0N8

Fax: (613) 990-6215

AARREFlightTraining@tc.gc.ca

Transport Canada continually strives to improve flight safety in Canada. All comments and recommendations received will be considered to further improve the proposed flight test guides.

Effective Date

December 1, 2004

Manzur Huq
Director
General Aviation