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

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Applicability

Subjects:

Approved Check Pilot (ACP) Manual (10th Edition, Revision One), TP 6533

Pilot Proficiency Check and Aircraft Type Rating – Flight Test Guide (Helicopter), TP 14728

Pilot Proficiency Check and Aircraft Type Rating – Flight Test Guide (Aeroplane), TP 14727

Purpose

1. This bulletin outlines revisions to the ACP Manual which came into effect on May 1st, 2024. It also relays information regarding the proposed changes to the Pilot Proficiency Check (PPC) and Aircraft Type Rating – Flight Test Guides that are pending publication.

   Important Note: Revisions to flight test guides discussed in this bulletin are not in effect at this time.

Background

ACP Manual

1. The ACP Manual (10th Edition) was released in June 2017. Since that time, there have been numerous policy initiatives including the ACP/AQPE (Type M) qualification, adjustments to helicopter ACP authorized types and training requirements, the alternative phased-PPC (subparts 702 to 704 of the CARs) and policy adaptations from COVID-19.
2. ACP Manual revisions are intended to improve the quality and standardization of existing policies, incorporate program changes, and situate the traditional checking program (i.e., standalone PPC) relative to future competency-based training (CBT) and evidence-based training (EBT) evaluation programs, consistent with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Doc 9868 - Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Training.

PPC and Aircraft Type Rating – Flight Test Guide (Helicopter)

3. The Helicopter Flight Test Guide for the conduct of Pilot Proficiency Checks will be revised to more closely align with the applicable Canadian Aviation Regulations and Commercial Air Service Standards (CASS). The revised document will provide more complete guidance and clarity on the conduct of these check rides, as well as assuring a uniform, national standard for measuring pilot competency and program consistency. The primary goal of any PPC is to ensure the safety of flight operations by confirming pilot competence and knowledge, by performance testing of the training received.

   Note: Information in the Helicopter Flight Test Guide that is sourced from the ACP Manual is being finalized to ensure consistency.

PPC and Aircraft Type Rating – Flight Test Guide (Aeroplane)

4. The Aeroplane Flight Test Guide for the conduct of Pilot Proficiency Checks will be revised to ensure consistency with the ACP Manual. The ‘General’ section will be updated, consistent with revisions found in the new ACP Manual. Some minor policy revisions may also be provided regarding aim statements and Pilot Monitoring (PM) Duties assessment criteria.

   Note: Information in the Aeroplane Flight Test Guide that is sourced from the ACP Manual is being finalized to ensure consistency.

Format

1. Significant revisions to the subject documents are provided below. Each content item includes a brief explanation of the revision.

Content – ACP Manual

1. Authorized Blanket Aeroplane Types - While one approved aeroplane type may continue to represent several blanket aeroplane types, the type designator per appropriate class rating will be listed on an ACP’s accreditation. This will be implemented in conjunction with normal issuances & re-issuances of the Letter of ACP Accreditation.
2. Aircraft Familiarization Training - ACP aircraft familiarization training requirements (in lieu of a PPC) will be provided for aeroplanes, similar to those previously introduced to helicopter authorizations. Requirements will differ from helicopters due to aircraft type classifications, CARs subpart applicability, and prominence of domestic versus foreign operations. New ACP requirements will be based on experience above or below 500 flight-time hours, and will contain both a ground and flight training components.
3. Minimum Flight Experience - The 100-hour pilot-in-command (PIC) flight-time hours requirement on all authorized individual type rated aeroplanes and multi-engine helicopters will be reintroduced based on the content originally found in the 8th edition of the ACP Manual. Transport Canada Issuing Authorities will be able to waive this requirement where an ACP’s current employment and experience would reasonably compensate.
4. Course Validity Period / ACP Candidates Only - ACP course validity (prior to completing the accreditation process) will be 12 months, versus 36 months previously accepted. This is to ensure that candidates complete all required training and receive an ACP Monitor within one year. Upon accreditation, this validity period will revert to the normal 36 months from the initial course date.
5. Letter of ACP Accreditation / Sponsored ACPs Only - Where an ACP is sponsored by an air operator, a Letter of ACP Accreditation may or may not specify a valid-to date. Where no valid-to date is specified, the letter will normally stipulate the valid-to date is dependent upon the completion date of the most recent and applicable ACP course.
6. 4-Point Marking Scale - The ACP 4-Point Marking Scale is evolving to accommodate future competency-based training (CBT) and evidence-based training (EBT) programs. Information will be added that links to Crew Resource Management (CRM) information found in Advisory Circular (AC) 700-042. Present technical and non-technical elements will begin to align towards competencies found in ICAO Doc 9868 - Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Training.
7. 4-Point Marking Scale / Errors - The definition of Error has been adjusted based on the Threat and Error Management (TEM) definition of Undesired Aircraft State (UAS). The definition of a Slight Error (i.e., grade of four (4)) will be introduced.
8. 4-Point Marking Scale / Deviation - The definition of Deviation has also been adjusted for a more consistent application of defined tolerances found in the Flight Test Guides. Additionally, Deviations will combine an accuracy and quality component to an assessment. The definition of a Slight Deviation (i.e., grade of four (4)) will be introduced.
9. ACP Grading Discretion - Additional grading discretion will be provided allowing ACPs to increase an assessment grade from one (1) to two (2), two (2) to three (3) or three (3) to four (4). This will be based on satisfactory demonstrations of TEM by a candidate.
10. ACP Training Involvement - ACP training involvement with a candidate prior to a PPC will be increased to 50% under certain conditions.
11. PPC Candidate Medical Restrictions - PPC Candidate eligibility requirements regarding valid medicals will be relaxed in the case of ACPs (Sim Only) and Training Pilots (Sim Only), consistent with CARs Part IV and VII requirements.
12. Unsuccessful Line Check Criteria - New guidance on the Line Check unsuccessful criteria pertaining to the maximum number of permissible two (2) grades will be provided based on a ratio of the PIC/SIC PPC criteria vs. approximate number of flight test exercises.
13. Unsuccessful PIC PPC / Successful SIC PPC Option - A policy introduced in ACP Bulletin no. 02/18 (applicable to helicopter PPCs) will be extended to include aeroplane PPCs. The objective is to provide flexibility in circumstances where a pilot, who is unsuccessful as a PIC PPC candidate, might be considered successful under SIC PPC criteria.
14. Additional Updates – In preparation for the release of a new version of the ACP Manual, several editorial corrections and some minor adjustments to policy were applied in response to stakeholder feedback. These include:
    1. The word ‘training’ has been removed from information on ACP aeroplane and helicopter familiarization requirements. Instead, references to flight time while occupying a seat that has flight controls have been added.
    2. The validity period extension regarding an ACP accreditation has been corrected to a maximum of 60 days. This is now consistent with ACP course extensions.
    3. The order of non-technical proficiency element information found in the 4-Point Marking Scale has been rearranged for consistency with the order provided in the grading matrix itself.
    4. Within the 4-Point Marking Scale (Grading Matrix), the word ‘or’ has replaced ‘and’ in three sentences. For example: “Following of SOPs, rules or regulations was acceptable”.
    5. Within the 4-Point Marking Scale (Grading Matrix), information has been added to the non-technical proficiency element Workload Management indicating that this element is also found (and assessed) under Leadership and Managerial Skills.
    6. Guidance on candidate (oral) response assessments (i.e., 70% correct) is removed and will be found in the flight test guides.
    7. A previous restriction on ACP discretion regarding UAS/critical errors has been removed. This is to facilitate rare instances where it may be acceptable (e.g., unstable approach and a decision to go-around).
    8. Missing information on the related non-technical competency element Workload Management has been added.
    9. A correction to additional requirements for a type rating candidate not associated with an operator, only requires the proposed PPC script or plan of action be available to (not approved by) the applicable Transport Canada Issuing Authority.
    10. A reference to exemption NCR-040-2015, which is no longer valid, has been removed.
    11. Information on training subsequent to an unsuccessful PPC attempt has been re-instated.

Content – PPC and Aircraft Type Rating – Flight Test Guide (Helicopter) – 3rd Edition

1. Important Information from the ACP Manual - Some important information from the ACP Manual that is pertinent to PPCs (candidates and ACPs) has been restored to the Flight Test Guide, and the preamble was rewritten to reflect helicopter operations more clearly.
2. Seats Normally Occupied - In most cases, pilots must occupy their normal seats for PPCs, appropriate to their position, as per the CASS.
3. Engine Starts - There was an error in ACP Bulletin 01/24 (Revision 1) which is now corrected. There is no change regarding Engine Starts from the current PPC and Aircraft Type Rating Flight Test Guide (Helicopter) - 2nd Edition.
4. Sloping Ground Landings and Take Offs - The requirement for sloping ground landings and take offs for all helicopters has been included. There are dynamic rollovers every year; training and testing this area may reduce the number of incidents by reinforcing the understanding and mitigation of causal factors of this phenomenon.
5. Steep turns - Steep turns will be mandatory for initial and upgrade PPCs, but optional for recurrent PPCs provided they were conducted during training.
6. Autorotations - The requirement to conduct an Autorotation during a PPC is mandatory for single-engine helicopters, and may be conducted at the ACP's discretion for multi-engine helicopters. This Standard notwithstanding, autorotations in multi-engine helicopter simulators may be requested by the ACP, and should be considered for inclusion in the scripted PPC where appropriate for the aircraft type. Pilot skills not practiced or tested are perishable.
7. Overall Objectives - It is intended that PPCs will meet all CASS requirements, reflect the operator’s specific operations where possible, and that the scripted PPCs incorporate elements of those specific operations. TC inspectors and their operators must coordinate scripted PPC, or plan of action, content to ensure relevance to the operations.

Content – PPC and Aircraft Type Rating – Flight Test Guide (Aeroplane) - Edition 2

1. Important Information from the ACP Manual - Some information from the ACP Manual pertinent to PPCs has been updated in the Flight Test Guide. The forward has also been rewritten to reflect aeroplane operations more clearly.
2. Line Check Applicability - Originally, applicability of the flight test guidance to Line Checks was provided in the ACP Manual (8th Edition). Information on this applicability to Line Checks has been reinstated in the Flight Test Guide, consistent with CARs Part VII, Subpart 705 and the ACP Manual (10th Edition / Revision One).
3. Mandatory vs. Optional Exercises - Guidance on mandatory versus optional exercises consistent with the CARs Part VII CASS Schedules has been updated and consolidated for clarity within each flight test exercise.
4. Flight Test Exercise Tolerances - Flight test tolerances have been consolidated into a single table for ease of reference.
5. Take-offs - While the CARs Part VII CASS Schedules provide take-off assessment requirements in the normal flight phase, guidance on an engine failure after take-off and/or an engine failure 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.
6. Approaches - A note has been added recommending that one approach be manually flown, provided an operator’s training program sufficiently addresses this skill-set. Approach items 15 and 16 have also been renumbered to items 15a, 15b, 15c, etc., for consistency with the online PPC Flight Test Report.
7. PM Duties / Single Candidate Assessments - In a multi-crew environment where a single candidate is undergoing a PPC, a note has been added requiring a minimum PM duties assessment profile.

Important Note: Until the revised Flight Test Guide (Aeroplane) is released, some material provided in present flight test guide (i.e., First Edition, Revision 1) must be referenced from its source which is the ACP Manual (10th Edition / Revision One). This includes all the material in the Flight Test Guide (Aeroplane) from ‘Aim of a PPC’ (page 2) to ‘PPC Results’ (page 14).

Effective Dates

1. This bulletin is effective immediately. However, policy revisions discussed in the Flight Test Guides are not in effect at this time.
2. The ACP Manual was made available 1 March 2024 with an effective date of 1 May 2024.
3. Both PPC & Aircraft Type Rating – Flight Test Guides will be available as soon as the approval requirements for the proposed new versions are complete. The proposed new versions will be published prior to coming into effect, to allow time for script or plan of action development.

Approval

Yvan Chabot
A/Chief
Commercial Flight Standards (AARTF)
AARTFInfo-InfoAARTF@tc.gc.ca