Obtain an Authorisation for a production aircraft ?

Newly Manufactured Aircraft Operated by the Manufacturer Without The Aircraft Being Registered

General

CAR 202.14 permits Canadian aircraft manufacturers to operate aircraft that are not registered, subject to certain conditions set out in the authorisation issued by the Minister. To take advantage of this opportunity, a Canadian manufacturer shall reserve one or more aircraft marks, affix one of these marks on any aircraft being flown and update the Manufacturer's Production Marks System (MPMS) to reflect accurate use of the marks.  Operation of unregistered aircraft in this manner is limited to production test flights, customer acceptance flights and other flights undertaken to complete the manufacturing process or to export the aircraft.

When operating with marks assigned to a manufacturer, aircraft other than ultra-light (as defined in CAR 101.01) aeroplanes, are still required to meet the flight authority requirements (Certificate of Airworthiness, Special Certificate of Airworthiness or Flight Permit) specified in CAR 605.03.

Process

• Manufacturers shall submit to the Regional Manager, General Aviation a written request for an authorisation to operate aircraft that are not registered.
• Regional Manager will issue an authorisation, pursuant to CAR 202.14 to permit Canadian manufacturers to complete production flight test without being registered in Canada.  This is a “blanket” authorisation in that it is not restricted to a single aircraft. 

Privileges of Authorisations

CAR 202.07 outlines the use of marks assigned to a manufacturer.
The aircraft may be operated within Canada only for the purpose of:

• a production test flight,
• a customer acceptance flight, or
• a flight undertaken to complete the manufacturing process or to export the aircraft.

Flight Authority

• If the aircraft is an ultra-light aeroplane, no flight authority is required.
• All other aircraft require a flight authority.  
• Manufacturers shall submit an application for a flight permit to the Regional Manager, Maintenance and Manufacturing for an appropriate flight authority.

Limitations

• The aircraft shall have been manufactured in Canada.
• The aircraft shall be operated by the manufacturer.
• The manufacturer shall be qualified to be the registered owner of a Canadian aircraft.
• Operations shall be conducted entirely within Canada.
• Canadian nationality and registration marks shall have been reserved for the manufacturer.
• The aircraft displays its marks in accordance with CAR 202.01 or CAR 202.07.
• The manufacturer shall ensure that the marks will not be detached or erased while the aircraft is in operation.
• Prior to the operation of the aircraft, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to update the Manufacturer's Production Marks System to inform the Minister that the marks have been affixed to an aircraft.
• Upon completion of the operation of the aircraft, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer to remove the marks and update the Manufacturer's Production Marks System to inform the Minister.

Fees

Fees are applicable and specified in CAR 104

• Reservation of a registration mark - $45.00 for each mark (reservation expires 12 months after the day on which the mark was reserved)
• Issuance of a flight permit:
  1. Specific-purpose - $45.00