A24-03 - The Department of Transport require operators conducting single-pilot operations under Subpart 604 and Part VII of the Canadian Aviation Regulations to develop standard operating procedures based on corporate knowledge and industry best practices to support pilot decision making.
Transport Canada’s response to Aviation Safety Recommendation A24-03
Transport Canada (TC) agrees with the Transportation Safety Board (TSB)’s recommendation, emphasizing the necessity for operators conducting single-pilot operations under Subpart 604 and Part VII of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) to establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) grounded in corporate knowledge and industry best practices to enhance pilot decision-making processes.
For operations under Subpart 604 of the CARs (precisely 604.04(1)(c), 604.05, 604.37, 604.142(2), and 604.197), private operators are required to develop and maintain comprehensive operations manuals for their aviation activities, which may contain SOPs. These manuals must include essential information such as the names of key personnel, aircraft operating procedures consistent with aircraft flight manuals, performance data, limitations, and identification of the relevant aircraft. Additionally, the chief pilot is tasked with developing SOPs for the operator's aircraft operations.
In alignment with international standards outlined in International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO's) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP), TC is actively developing a corrective action plan to ensure that all operators falling under Part VII will be mandated to adopt SOPs. We are also working on the CARs amendments for Subpart 703 to mandate SOPs. Additionally, we are still assessing the requirements for implementing SOPs in Subpart 702.
Clarification has been provided regarding the inclusion of cabin crew SOPs within the Company Operations Manual (COM) requirements outlined in Subparts 705.135(1) and 705.139(1) of the CARs. Furthermore, updates to the Air Operator Certification Manual (TP 4711) - Volume 2 will incorporate guidance on cabin crew SOP requirements, ensuring alignment with the Flight Attendant Manual Standard.
To further enforce SOP adherence and streamline regulatory clarity, amendments to subsections 703.107(1) and 704.124(1) of the CARs will remove the stipulation regarding operations by two or more pilots, thus encompassing all relevant operations under the SOP mandate. Additionally, comprehensive guidance documents for single-pilot SOPs are being developed, drawing upon existing templates and industry expertise, with a view to enhancing operational safety and efficiency across the board.
TC aims to have the regulatory changes completed and the guidance documents developed in the first half of 2027, with the capacity to provide further timelines and accomplished tasks in a future update to the TSB.