Approved Check Pilot (ACP) / Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) Evaluator Bulletin No. 01/24

Revision 7 – 5 December 2025

Updates

This bulletin cancels ACP Bulletin 01/24 (Revision 6) and provides revised information on the subject documents. Please see information on the Effective Date at the bottom.

Applicability

ACP AQPE
X X

Subjects

Approved Check Pilot (ACP) Manual, Eleventh Edition, TP 6533 - PUBLISHED
Pilot Proficiency Check (PPC) and Aircraft Type Rating Flight Test Guide (Helicopter), Third Edition, TP 14728 – PUBLISHED
Pilot Proficiency Check (PPC), Line Check and Aircraft Type Rating Flight Test Guide (Aeroplane), Second Edition, TP 14727 – PUBLISHED
Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) Evaluator Manual, First Edition, Revision 1, TP 14672 – NO CHANGES

Purpose

  1. This bulletin provides information on ACP program related documentation.

Background

  1. Earlier revisions of this bulletin provided information on draft changes to the ACP Manual, PPC Flight Test Guides (Helicopter and Aeroplane) and related consultation process. Final updates to the subject documents have been applied resulting from these consultations.
  2. Updates to TCCA’s surveillance program have also prompted references to the four subject documents in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part VII, Commercial Air Service Standards (CASS). These new references are contained within a CASS Omnibus Package.

Policy Transition

  1. Transport Canada recognizes that industry will need time to adapt to some policy changes and is committed to a smooth and gradual implementation. To minimize impact, Transport Canada plans to commence oversight gradually and in phases.
  2. While the updated ACP-related documents are effective 1 January 2026, their reference in the CARs Part VII CASS do not come into force until 10 April 2026. It is suggested that ACPs and air operators should fully transition to the new editions by 10 April 2026.

ACP Manual, Eleventh Edition, TP 6533 – PUBLISHED

  1. The ACP Manual, Eleventh Edition, TP 6533 is now published.
  2. The following descriptions of changes are provided:
    1. Definitions and acronyms - Sections 2.5(1) and (2) - New and/or modified definitions and abbreviations have been provided that include Competency Based Training (CBT), Evidence Based Training (EBT), Manually Flown, Seat Substitute, AOC (Air Operator Certificate), DA (Decision Altitude), DH (Decision Height), EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System), INS (Inertial Navigation System), IRS (Inertial Reference System) and NSEP (National Simulator Evaluation Program).
    2. PPCs conducted for other reasons - Section 3.1(9) - A new policy on PPCs conducted for other reasons acceptable to the Minster has been added. This new policy is similar, for example, to policies on a PPC conducted for the sole purpose of an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) or Instrument Rating.
    3. One-time authorizations - Section 3.1(13)(b)(i) - A modification to the policy on one-time authorizations and the use of a risk assessment has been added.
    4. Contract ACPs - Section 3.7(1) - New information is provided on Contract ACPs. A newly developed form (26-0884) is referenced that is now in circulation. To use the services of Contract ACPs, air operators are required to submit this form to their Principal Operations Inspector (POI).
    5. Requested language of service - Sections 3.8(4)(b), 6.28(4) Note, 6.29(1) Note, and 6.43(2) Note - Updates are provided that specify where a requested language of service, where different from the language used in operations is required. This new requirement pertains to flight check briefings and de-briefings only.
    6. ACP Pilot-In-Command (PIC) experience and aircraft exposure(s) - Section 4.1(1)(f) Note - Slight adjustments to required PIC experience per approved aircraft type and required aircraft exposure(s) have been provided for increased flexibility.
    7. ACP Monitors regarding PPC/IFR and PPC/VFR authorities - Sections 4.11(4) Note and 4.16(1) Note - A clarification to ACP Monitor requirements has been added where ACPs maintain both PPC/IFR and PPC/VFR authorities. This mostly affects ACP Monitor (Recurrent) events and provides increased flexibility.
    8. Expanded information on Undesired Aircraft State (UAS) - Sections 5.14(2) and (3) - In response to several Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada (TATC) reviews, information on situations that may lead to a UAS has been added from the 2006 University of Texas paper titled Defensive Flying for Pilots: An Introduction to Threat and Error Management.
    9. 4-Point Marking Scale (Grading Matrix) - Sections 5.16(1) and 5.17(1) - Minor updates have been provided that include a new note specifying that the definitions of Errors and Deviations are provided within the grading matrix itself. A clarification that automation is assessed indirectly through Knowledge and Technical Skills and Aircraft Handling has also been added. Finally, the illustration of aircraft handling (deviations) assessments has been removed as it is more suitable to training material.
    10. ACP discretion based on Threat and Error Management (TEM) - Sections 5.20(1)(a)(i) and 5.20(1)(b) - Clarifications on ACP discretion with respect to environmental conditions and emergency situations, and simulator fidelity. Additionally, guidance on ACP discretion related to demonstrations of TEM by a candidate has been reinstated from the ACP Manual (Tenth Edition). Information on safe outcomes has also been added from the 2006 University of Texas paper titled Defensive Flying for Pilots: An Introduction to Threat and Error Management.
    11. Automation reference - Section 5.23(2) - The referenced Advisory Circular (AC) has been corrected to AC 600-006.
    12. Air Traffic Control (ATC) role playing - Section 6.7(4)(b) - A link to Nav Canada’s ATC Phraseology Guides has been added.
    13. ACP note taking - Section 6.18(4)(a) – A clarification has been added indicating that ACP notes may be updated and subsequently typed as a result of the TATC appeal determination, TATC File No.: AP-4546-68.
    14. Medicals and PPCs conducted in a simulator - Sections 6.26(3)(a) Note, 7.2(2) Note, 7.3(1) Note, 7.4(1) Note and 7.5(1) Note - Recent information on PPC candidate eligibility requirements and valid medicals, provided in ACP/AQPE Bulletin no. 02/24 has been incorporated. Additionally, administrative instructions have been updated to reflect this policy change.
    15. PPC recommendations - Section 6.26(5)(c) Note - A note has been added indicating that recommendations signed and dated beyond 30 days prior to a PPC may be amended to meet the 30-day requirement.
    16. Oral questions during PPC air assessments - Section 6.28(5)(p) - New information has been provided on ACPs occasionally asking technical questions during an air assessment.
    17. Administrative review of an unsuccessful PPC attempts - Sections 6.47(5)(a) Note and 7.7(2)(a) Note - New information has been provided on a candidate’s ability to seek a formal administrative review within ten days of a flight check that is separate from a TATC review request.
    18. Providing copies of PPC flight test reports - Sections 7.5(2) and 7.6(7) - Instructions have been updated on ACPs providing a copy of PPC Flight Test Reports to candidates and others. This information coincides with updated online PPC Flight Test Report software that will provide a copy to the appropriate operator automatically.
    19. Calculating PPC, Line Check and other valid-to dates - Section 7.8 Note – A new note has been added on the use of this information in determining valid-to dates associated with aircraft familiarizations, ACP Courses and ACP Monitors.
    20. Calculating PPC, Line Check and other valid-to dates - Section 7.8(5) (Table) - A small clarification has been added that specifies that a Flight Check valid to the 1st day of a month is also valid on the 1st day of a month in accordance with the Canadian Interpretation Act (R.S.C. 1985 c. I-21; 27(3).

PPC and Aircraft Type Rating Flight Test Guide (Helicopter), Third Edition, TP 14728 – PUBLISHED

  1. The PPC and Aircraft Type Rating Flight Test Guide (Helicopter), Third Edition, TP 14728 is now published.
  2. The following descriptions of changes are provided:
    1. Duplicate information removed - entire document - Some information from the ACP Manual that is pertinent to PPCs (candidates and ACPs) has been removed from the flight test guide, and the preamble was rewritten to reflect helicopter operations more clearly.
    2. Updated definition - Definitions, Manually Flown - This definition is now consistent with that provided in the ACP Manual, with additional clarity added for helicopters.
    3. Updated information on mandatory v. optional exercises - General - Guidance on mandatory versus optional exercises consistent with the CARs Part VII, CASS, PPC Schedules has been updated for clarity within each flight test exercise.
    4. New tolerance - General, Flight Test Tolerances - To align with the Flight Test Guide - Private and Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter, TP 3077, the item titled Range variation during and Autorotation has been added specifying longitudinal and lateral tolerances. ACP discretion has also been added to the performance criteria, as per the ACP Manual.
    5. Minor adjustments to the 4-Point Marking Scale (Grading Matrix) - General, 4-Point Marking Scale (Grading Matrix) - Minor updates have been provided to the grading matrix consistent with the ACP Manual.
    6. Oral exam during IFR PPCs - 1. Technical Knowledge, Description - It is now specified that more questions during an oral exam may be appropriate during IFR PPCs.
    7. Source of questions during IFR PPCs - 2. Flight Planning (FLP), Description, Note - it is now specified that questions drawn from the Instrument Rating Group 4 Helicopter, TP 15099 may be required during a PPC/IFR for the purpose of a new or revised instrument rating.
    8. Pre-flight visual inspections - 3. Pre-Flight (PRF), Description, Note - Information has been added regarding a visual pre-flight check and also regarding some performance criteria related to flight test exercise 1. Technical Knowledge.
    9. Applicability of take-offs - 6. Take-Off (TOF) - Relief for two-crew PPCs during this mandatory flight test exercise has been removed.
    10. Applicability of rejected take-offs - 7. Rejected Take-Off (RTO) - Additional information related to relief for an IFR PPC (simulator only) and a VFR PPC, has been removed.
    11. Steep turns during upgrade PPCs - 11. Steep Turns - Additional information related to upgrade PPCs has been added as mandatory to this flight test exercise.
    12. Steep turns and external references - 11. Steep Turns, Description, VFR PPC - Alternative procedure and VFR - New information has been added regarding steep turns with reference to external references.
    13. VFR descents - 13. Descent (DST), Description - A new statement has been added regarding speeds versus altitudes during VFR descents to facilitate an autorotation in case of an engine failure.
    14. COM requirements - 15. Approach (APR), Description - New information has been provided regarding CAT A departure requirements during a PPC when required in a Company Operations Manual (COM).
    15. Manually flown missed approaches - 16. Go-Around (GOA), Description - Information has been added regarding the manually flown missed approach requirement, unless completed to the standard during training.
    16. Confined area landings during IFR PPCs - 17. Confined Area - Additional information has been added related to the mandatory nature of this flight test exercise and IFR PPCs.
    17. Sloping ground landings and take-offs - 18. Sloping Ground - Additional information has been added related to the mandatory nature of this flight test exercise during all PPCs on aircraft and simulators capable of this flight test exercise.
    18. Single candidate pilot monitoring assessments - Flight Test Exercises, 22. Pilot Monitoring (PM) Duties, Single Pilot Candidates in a Multi-Crew Environment - PM assessments now have a minimum set of sequences specified.
    19. Autorotations and additional performance criteria - 14. Autorotations, Performance Criteria, c) and j) to m) - Additional information has been added regarding performance criteria.

PPC, Line Check and Aircraft Type Rating Flight Test Guide (Aeroplane), Second Edition, TP 14727 – PUBLISHED

  1. The PPC, Line Check and Aircraft Type Rating Flight Test Guide (Aeroplane), Second Edition, TP 14727 is now published.
  2. The following descriptions of changes are provided:
    1. Duplicate information from the ACP Manual – entire document - Consultation feedback on the proposal to remove duplicate information was considered carefully. As the ACP Manual and this flight test guide will be referenced in the CARs Part VII CASS and stricter document quality measures are necessary, and because information from both these documents is more easily available in electronic formats, most duplicate information has been removed from this flight test guide edition.
    2. Line Check applicability – entire document - Originally, the applicability of flight test guidance to Line Checks was provided in the ACP Manual, 8th Edition, TP 6533. Information on the applicability to Line Checks has been reinstated in the PPC Flight Test Guide (Aeroplane) consistent with CARs Part VII, Subpart 705 and ACP Manual.
    3. CARs Part IV skills test applicability – entire document - Additional information has been added throughout the document where a PPC will also serve as a CARs Part IV skills test in support of a new rating or licence.
    4. Seaplane operations - General, Assessment of Performance, (2) Note - Additional information has been provided on performance criteria related to seaplane operations.
    5. Mandatory vs. optional exercises - General, Mandatory versus Optional Exercises and Items – entire document - Guidance on mandatory versus optional exercises that is consistent with CARs Part VII, CASS PPC Schedules has been updated for clarity within each flight test exercise. Additional and related information has been provided regarding Line Checks.
    6. Consolidation of flight test tolerances - General, Flight Test Tolerances - Flight test tolerances have been consolidated into a single table for ease of reference. Following an examination of other CAA practices, it had been proposed that the heading tolerance for normal operations be adjusted from ±10 to ±5 degrees. Consultation feedback, however, prompted the ±10 degrees tolerance to be maintained. While not introduced as a tolerance, numeric criteria on landing assessments have been introduced.
    7. Use of reference material and option update - 1. Technical Knowledge, Description, Notes 1 and 3 - Clarifications regarding the use of reference material and where an assessment of technical knowledge may be optional regarding type rating skills tests have been provided.
    8. Avionics and communication equipment - 1. Technical Knowledge, Performance Criteria, i - Expanded information and examples have been provided regarding avionics and communication equipment.
    9. Use of reference material and option update - 2. Flight Planning (FLP), Description, Notes 1 and 3 - Clarifications similar to those listed under 1. Technical Knowledge (above) have been provided.
    10. Climb performance and flight planning - 2. Flight Planning (FLP), Performance Criteria, b, iv and d - Clarifications have been provided to climb and flight planning performance criteria.
    11. Avionics and communication equipment - 3. Pre-Flight (PRF), Performance Criteria, h - Expanded information and examples have been provided regarding avionics and communication equipment.
    12. Repositioning of information related to engine failures associated with take-offs - 6. Take-Off (TOF), Note - While the CARs Part VII, CASS PPC Schedules provide take-off assessment requirements during the normal flight phase, guidance on engine failures after take-off and/or engine failures at a speed greater than V1 has been relocated to the Abnormal/Emergency section of the flight test guide. This has been done for consistency with the online PPC Flight Test Report.
    13. New information related to take-offs - 6. Take-Off (TOF), Description, Notes 1 to 4 - Additional information has been provided regarding performance demonstrations relative to flight test exercises 7 and 23. Additional information has also been provided regarding minimum visibility take-offs, VFR operations and required crosswind components.
    14. New information related to take-offs - 7. Rejected Take-Off (RTO), Description, Notes 1 to 5 – Additional information has been provided regarding performance demonstrations relative to flight test exercises 6. and 23. Additional information has also been provided regarding Second-in-Command (SIC) assessments.
    15. Use of automation during initial climbs - 8. Initial Climb (ICL), Description, Note - Information has been added specifying that an initial climb may be flown with or without the use of automation.
    16. Use of automation during enroute climbs - 9. Enroute Climb (ECL), Description, Note 1 - Information has been added specifying that an enroute climb may be flown with or without the use of automation.
    17. Clarification on LOFT scenarios - 11. Steep Turns, Description, Note - Information has been added clarifying the use of LOFT scenarios making steep turns optional.
    18. Clarification on LOFT scenarios - 12. Stalls, Description, Note 3 - Information added clarifying the use of LOFT scenarios making stalls optional.
    19. Hold reports - 13. Holding, Performance Criteria – The requirement to report entering the hold has been removed.
    20. Precision, non-precision and visual approach information - 15. Approach (APR), (throughout this flight test exercise) - In addition to consolidation of instrument and visual approach guidance, information has been added recommending that one approach be flown manually provided an operator’s training program sufficiently addresses this skillset. Approach items 15 and 16 have also been renumbered as items 15a, 15b, 15c, etc., for consistency with the online PPC Flight Test Report.
    21. Reaching Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) - 15. Approach (APR), I - Instrument Approaches (IFR), Description, Descent Profile Management - An adjustment to information concerning MDA and the distance relative to the runway threshold has been provided.
    22. New or revised instrument ratings - 15. Approach (APR), I - Instrument Approaches (IFR), Description, Note 4 - Information has been added regarding PPCs used as a skills test for a new or revised instrument rating.
    23. Missed approaches and rejected landings - 17. Go-Around (GOA), Description, Note 1 - A new note has been provided about combining missed approaches and rejected landings (50 ft) in accordance with the CARs Part VII, CASS, PPC Schedules.
    24. Landing without external/internal glideslope references - 18. Landing (LND), I - Normal and Other Landings, Description, Note 1 - A new note has been provided concerning a normal landing without external or internal glideslope information.
    25. Single candidate pilot monitoring assessments - 21. PM Duties, Description, Note 2 - New information added regarding single candidate assessments (in a multi-crew environment) and a minimum number of sequences.
    26. Additional flight test exercise information - Flight Test Exercises - Additional, Items A to E – New information has been provided to indicate new locations of previous content (e.g., Rejected Landing 50 FT and Power Loss on Initial Climb (ILC)). New information has also been provided on Special Authorizations/Approvals and Special Emphasis or Special Flight Characteristics.

Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) Evaluator Manual, First Edition, Revision 1, TP 14672

  1. This document is being legally incorporated into the CARs Part VII Standards. There are no changes to this document at this time.

Effective Date

  1. This bulletin is effective immediately.

Approval

Yvan Chabot
Special Advisor to the Director
Standards
Transport Canada
AARTFInfo-InfoAARTF@tc.gc.ca

Date modified: