Approved Check Pilot (ACP) / Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) Evaluator Bulletin No. 03/20

From: Transport Canada

Revision 10 – 01 February 2023

Updates

Due to the COVID-19 situation, this bulletin has been reactivated and extended to provide some policy-related alleviations and to facilitate ongoing communications with ACP/AQPE stakeholders.

See Effective Date – New date provided.

See Expected Cancellation Date – New date provided.

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Applicability

ACP AQPE

X

X

Subject

COVID-19 response measures, updates and guidance

Table of contents

Purpose

  1. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide program response measures with respect to COVID-19. All measures are considered temporary and do not represent permanent policy changes.
  2. This bulletin will be revised periodically in response to the evolving COVID-19 situation.

Background

  1. The seriousness of COVID-19 is understood.
  2. While self-isolating and quarantine measures continue to be implemented, the necessity of air transport to our domestic and international communities remains.

A - Use of Headsets, Oxygen Masks and Smoke Goggles

  1. All flight training in support of ACP checks and AQP evaluations, and all ACP checks and AQP evaluations (e.g., PPCs, MVs and LOEs) may be conducted without candidates physically donning headsets (synthetic environment only), oxygen masks and smoke goggles at this time.
  2. Normal flight training and check/evaluation profiles that warrant the use of oxygen masks and smoke goggles should continue with all actions completed except the actual physical donning of oxygen masks and smoke goggles. Update as of 1 July 2022 - Additionally, pilot candidates must verbally explain important considerations during or following training/checking/evaluation activities.
  3. Update as of 1 July 2022 - While this alleviation is extended, Transport Canada encourages air operators and flight crew to resume normal training/checking/evaluation practices when considered safe. Where this alleviation is exercised, a record (i.e., comment) must be added to the pilot candidate’s record of training or PPC Flight Test Report (TC form 26-0249/79) as appropriate.

B - Enhanced Personal Hygiene and Cleaning Measures

  1. ACPs and AQPEs must allow for enhanced personal hygiene practices (e.g., washing hands) before and after briefing/debriefing and flight checking/evaluation sessions.
  2. ACPs and AQPEs must allow time for additional cleaning practices that a training provider has implemented. Enhanced cleaning measures may occur between sessions and/or after hours.

C - Observable Check/Evaluation Environments

  1. The ACP Manual, Section 6.15 speaks about creating an ‘observable environment’ in support of pilot performance.
  2. While there is no change to performance requirements, ACPs and AQPEs represent both the Minister and their sponsoring air operators and have an important role to play. ACPs and AQPEs should be open to discussions related to COVID-19 with a view to reducing candidate apprehension where possible.

D - Working Group on Modernization of Training and Checking

  1. Update as of 1 December 2021 – Refer to Advisory Circular (AC) 700-062 for information on the modernization of training and checking (CARs Subparts 604, 702 to 704).

E - Extensions and Alternative ACP Requirements

  1. Update as of 1 December 2021 – See applicable section below.

Element

Temporary Policy Change

ACP Courses - Extensions

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures previously provided in this section are no longer available.

The validly period of ACP courses is normally 36 months in accordance with ACP Manual (10th Ed.), section 3.8(5).

ACP Courses - Distance Learning Option

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures provided in this section are available and expected to continue beyond COVID-19.

The academic portion of the ACP course is normally delivered in a classroom setting where dialogue is most effective. This is specified in the ACP Course Training Standard (CTS).

In response to COVID-19 and subject to coordination with Transport Canada, ACP course providers are authorized to provide the academic portion of the ACP course (both initial and recurrent) at a distance.

ACP Monitor Checks

Update as of 1 December 2021 – See applicable section.

The validity period of ACP (Type A) monitor checks is normally 12 or 24 months. An extension of up to 60-days is normally available in accordance with ACP Manual (10th Ed.), section 4.15(8).

Alternative Extension

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures previously provided in this section are no longer available.

Alternative ‘Onsite’ Monitor Check

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures provided in this section are available.

As documented in AC 700-051, a normal ‘onsite’ ACP (Type A) monitor check consists of five phases. One of these phases is the inflight assessment where physical distancing may be necessary but not possible.

In response to COVID-19, issuing authorities may credit a recurrent ‘onsite’ ACP (Type A) monitor check that is missing the inflight assessment phase subject to all the following conditions:

  1. The inflight assessment phase will be graded as ‘not observed’.
  2. The monitor check will be valid for 12 months maximum.
  3. The monitor check will be documented (with appropriate comments) on the ACP/AQPE Monitor Report (form 26-0844) PDF version only.
  4. All other requirements of the ACP Manual with respect to ACP currency shall be met.

Alternative Administrative Monitor

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures provided in this section are available.

Administrative ACP monitoring (conducted annually) by Transport Canada issuing authorities will continue in accordance with Staff Instruction (SI) 700-002, section 8.4.

In response to COVID-19 and provided all other means of obtaining a recurrent onsite ACP (Type A) monitor check have been pursued, issuing authorities may credit an administrative monitor in place of a recurrent onsite monitor subject to all of the following conditions:

  1. The administrative monitor shall include a review that meets the requirements of SI-700-002, Issue 02, section 6.6.
  2. The ACP shall be briefed on any recent changes to the ACP program, which at a minimum will include ACP/AQPE Bulletin 03/20 as well as any other areas that the Issuing Authority deems necessary.
  3. If the administrative review produces any concerns or problems with the ACP’s performance, an in-person ACP monitor shall be conducted prior to renewal of the ACP authority.
  4. This administrative monitor will be credited as an onsite monitor and shall be valid for 12 months.
  5. The monitor check will be documented (with appropriate comments) on the ACP/AQPE Monitor Report (form 26-0844) PDF version only.
  6. All other requirements of the ACP Manual with respect to ACP currency shall be met.

ACP Accreditations

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures previously provided in this section are no longer available.

The validity period of ACP accreditations is tied to the ACP course in accordance with ACP Manual (10th Ed.), section 4.17.

ACP (Type M) Accreditations

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures provided in this section are available.

The validity of ACP (Type M) accreditations is largely dependent on the ACP (Type A) authority.

Alternative Recent Experience Requirements

ACP (Type M) recent experience requirements are found in AC 700-051, section 4.7(1)(b).

In response to COVID-19, Transport Canada issuing authorities may establish temporary means of maintaining or revalidating flight check/evaluation & monitor recency requirements.

F - Extensions and Alternative AQP Evaluator Requirements

  1. Update as of 1 December 2021 – Many measures previously provided are no longer available.

Element

Temporary Policy Change

AQP Evaluator Course – Extensions

Recurrent Academic Training Course (Including IRR and RRR Training) Only

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures previously provided in this section are no longer available.

The validly period of AQP Evaluator Recurrent Academic Training Courses is normally 12 months in accordance with the AQP Evaluator Manual (TP 14672).

AQP Evaluator Course – Distance Learning Option

Recurrent Academic Training Course Only

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures provided in this section are available.

The academic portion of the AQP Evaluator Recurrent Academic Training Course is normally delivered in a classroom setting where dialogue is most effective.

In response to COVID-19 and subject to coordination with the Transport Canada/National Operations issuing authority, AQP Evaluator course providers are authorized to provide distance training.

AQP Evaluator Monitor Checks

Update as of 1 December 2021 – See applicable section.

The validity period of AQP Evaluator (Type E, V and O) monitor checks is normally 12 or 24 months. An extension of up to 60-days is normally available in accordance with AQP Evaluator Manual (TP 14672).

Available Extension

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures previously provided in this section are no longer available.

Alternative ‘Onsite’ Monitor Check

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures provided in this section are available.

As documented in AC 700-051, a normal ‘onsite’ AQPE monitor check consists of five phases. One of these phases is the inflight assessment where physical distancing may be necessary but not possible.

In response to COVID-19, issuing authorities may credit a recurrent ‘onsite’ AQPE monitor check that is missing the inflight assessment phase subject to all of the following conditions:

  1. The inflight assessment phase will be graded as ‘not observed’.
  2. The monitor check will be valid for 12 months maximum.
  3. The monitor check will be documented (with appropriate comments) on the ACP/AQPE Monitor Report (form 26-0844) PDF version only.
  4. All other requirements of the AQP Evaluator Manual with respect to currency shall be met.

Alternative Administrative Monitor

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures provided in this section are available.

Administrative AQP Evaluator monitoring (conducted annually) by Transport Canada/National Operations issuing authorities will continue in accordance with Staff Instruction (SI) 700-002, section 8.4.

In response to COVID-19 and provided all other means of obtaining an onsite AQP Evaluator monitor check have been pursued, Transport Canada/National Operations issuing authorities may credit an administrative monitor in place of an onsite monitor with all of the following conditions:

  1. The administrative monitor shall include a review that meets the requirements of SI-700-002, Issue 02, section 6.6.
  2. The AQP Evaluator shall be briefed on any recent changes to the AQP program, which at a minimum will include ACP/AQPE Bulletin 03/20 as well as any other areas that the Issuing Authority deems necessary.
  3. If the administrative review produces any concerns or problems with the AQP Evaluator’s performance, an in person AQP Evaluator monitor shall be conducted prior to renewal of the AQP Evaluator authority.
  4. This administrative monitor will be credited as an onsite monitor and shall be valid for 12 months.
  5. The monitor check will be documented (with appropriate comments) on the ACP/AQPE Monitor Report (form 26-0844) PDF version only.
  6. All other requirements of the AQP Evaluator Manual with respect to AQP Evaluator currency shall be met.

AQP Evaluator Accreditations

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures previously provided in this section are no longer available.

The validity period of AQP Evaluator accreditations is documented on their Letter of Accreditation in accordance AQP Evaluator Manual (TP 14672).

AQP Evaluator (Type M) Accreditations

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures provided in this section are available.

The validity of AQP Evaluator (Type M) accreditations is largely dependent on the AQP Evaluator (Type E) authority.

Alternative Recent Experience Requirements

AQPE (Type M) recent experience requirements are found in AC 700-051, section 4.7(1)(b).

In response to COVID-19, Transport Canada issuing authorities may establish temporary means of compliance to flight check/evaluation & monitor requirements.

G - Temporary Training to Proficiency

Reference: As of 2 July 2021, Exemption NCR-033-2021 (CARs 702-705)

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures previously provided in this section are no longer available as the above referenced regulatory exemption has expired.

H - Temporary Aircraft Only Flight Training and Checking

References: As of 2 July 2021, Exemptions NCR-035-2021 (CARs 704), NCR-029-2021 (CARs 705) and NCR-034-2021 (CARs 604)

Update as of 1 December 2021 – Measures previously provided in this section are no longer available as the above referenced regulatory exemptions have expired. Additional safe checking practices previously introduced are available and will be incorporated into the next revision of the ACP Manual (10th Ed.).

Safe Checking Practices Guidance

  1. Detailed guidance on safe checking practices in Appendix A of the ACP Manual. See the link below.
    https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/tp-6533-approved-check-pilot-manual#appa
  2. Aircraft with High Speed or Abrupt Stall Characteristics in Non-705 CARs Subparts: See the supplemental guidance below to the following areas of Appendix A of the ACP Manual:

    Appendix A Paragraph

    Title and Supplemental Guidance

    (2)

    Approaches to Stalls – Aeroplanes – Not recommended in aircraft with high speed or abrupt stall characteristics. Consult AC 700-031 (Appendix 4) for more information.

    (9)(c)

    Engine Failure on Take-Off – Multi / 703 and 704 – Aeroplanes – Aircraft with high speed or abrupt stall characteristics should follow guidance provided for Subpart 705.

    Note: Increased safety margins would be provided by not initiating throttle reduction prior to 200 feet above the runway and below V2+20.

    (11)(b) & (c)

    Engine-out Missed Approach – 702 to 704 – Aeroplanes – Ensure that the speed referenced (i.e., final flap selection) is not less than the speed required for a single-engine approach configuration.

    (16)(a)

    Runaway Trip/Jammed Stabilizer – 702 to 704 – Aeroplanes – Aircraft with high speed or abrupt stall characteristics should follow guidance provided for Subpart 705.

    (19)(a)

    Stop and Go – 702 to 704 – Aeroplanes – Aircraft with high speed or abrupt stall characteristics should follow guidance provided for Subpart 705.

    (20)

    Touch and Go – 702 to 704 – Aeroplanes – Not recommended on aircraft with high speed or abrupt stall characteristics unless an air operator has documented procedures and the safety (training) pilot has experience performing this manoeuvre. Not recommended in the absence of AFM or OM guidance.

COVID-19 Information Links

Effective Date

  1. Original – 23 March 2020
  2. Revision 1 – 30 March 2020
  3. Revision 2 – 01 April 2020
  4. Revision 3 – 19 May 2020
  5. Revision 4 – 22 June 2020
  6. Revision 5 – 25 November 2020
  7. Revision 6 – 02 July 2021
  8. Revision 7 – 01 December 2021
  9. Revision 8 – 1 April 2022
  10. Revision 9 – 1 July 2022
  11. Revision 10 – 1 February 2023

Expected Cancellation Date

This bulletin is expected to be cancelled on or before 1 May 2023.

Approval

Deborah Martin
Chief
Commercial Flight Standards (AARTF)
Civil Aviation
Transport Canada

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