A24-01 - The Department of Transport require commercial helicopter operators to ensure pilots possess the skills necessary to recover from inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
Transport Canada’s response to Aviation Safety Recommendation A24-01
Transport Canada (TC) agrees in principle with the Transportation Safety Board (TSB)’s recommendation. We recognize the importance of equipping pilots with the proficiency required to handle and effectively recover from inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC), increasing the odds of survival in such conditions.
TC will take the time to study the regulatory requirements that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented for initial and recurrent demonstration of skills to recover from IIMC encounters and the comprehensive approach that Helicopter Association International (HAI) developed to IIMC that includes training on avoidance and recovery. Following this review, TC will explore the viability of enhancing instrument training prerequisites for Commercial Helicopter licenses, as well as integrating training requirements into Part VII operations, which encompass fixed-wing aircraft operations as well. TC will be in a better position in the next update to the TSB to provide details on a course of action.
In the meantime, in 2023, TC published Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) 2023-005- Minimum Visual Meteorological Conditions for VFR flight in Controlled and Uncontrolled Airspace - Parts I, IV, VI, VII of the CARs and Associated StandardsFootnote 1 for consultation on the Canada Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC). The purpose of this NPA is to amend Sections 602.114 and 602.115, along with other areas in Parts I, IV, VI, VII of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and associated Standards to facilitate the introduction of Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) and to increase the requirements to obtain a Night VFR rating and maintain its currency. These enhancements encompass augmented criteria for instructor and pilot training and qualification within Part IV, specifically pertaining to night VFR operations, and both Part VI and VII have been identified as regulations to be reinforced with heightened training and currency prerequisites. For example:
- CAR 702.17 – Increased equipment requirements and qualifications for VFR flight in Minimum Flight Visibility - Uncontrolled Airspace to be equipped with the equipment required for night VFR flight under section 605.16 of the CARs.
Due to a reorganization of priorities driving TC’s Forward Regulatory PlanFootnote 2, the amendment is yet to be scheduled for publication in Canada Gazette Part I. Once the new regulations come into force, TC intends to assist flight schools, general aviation, and commercial operators in adapting to these changes. It is anticipated that these proposed modifications will yield a discernible enhancement in aviation safety, leading to a significant mitigation of accident risks.