Modifications and the Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplane Manufacturer

From: Transport Canada

Modifications

One of the conditions for an advanced ultra-light aeroplane to remain registered as an advanced ultra-light aeroplane is that it may not be modified without written approval from the manufacturer. Owners of advanced ultra-light aeroplanes must seek manufacturer approval BEFORE they make any modification to their aeroplane.

When considering the approval of a modification, whether for an aeroplane that they currently manufacturer or for an aeroplane where the modification will result in the production of a new model of advanced ultra-light aeroplane, the manufacturer is reminded of the following responsibilities:

Manufacturer Responsibilities

The manufacturer of an advanced ultra-light aeroplane is responsible for the "after market" support for the continuing "fit for flight" condition of their aeroplanes. They must prepare and provide to all owners of their aeroplanes the following information:

  • schedule and the maintenance procedures to maintain the aeroplane in a "fit for flight" condition; and
  • Mandatory Action information issued by themselves or Transport Canada and corrective procedures for potential unsafe flight conditions.
     
  • The manufacturer of an advanced ultra-light aeroplane must maintain a current record of all Mandatory Actions affecting their aeroplanes.
     
  • The manufacturer of an advanced ultra-light aeroplane must maintain a current record of the owners of their aeroplanes.

THE OWNER OF AN ADVANCED ULTRA-LIGHT AEROPLANE WANTS
TO MAKE A MODIFICATION TO THE AEROPLANE, SO THE OWNER
COMES TO YOU TO OBTAIN WRITTEN APPROVAL.

You can approve the modification, based on one of two things:

1.  the aeroplane still conforms to your type definition for that aeroplane model. Therefore, once the owner receives your written approval, they may proceed with making the modification. There would be no need for the owner to submit any information to Transport Canada, as the Certificate of Registration would not require an amendment. Unless the specified maintenance program changed, there would also be no need for you to submit any information to Transport Canada, as the original Declaration of Compliance (DOC) would still apply; or

NOTE:  While you are under no legal obligation to provide a new Statement of Conformity (SOC) after the modification has been completed, the owner may wish to obtain one for their records. Be sure to discuss this issue with the owner, prior to the owner beginning work on the aircraft.

2.  the aeroplane no longer conforms to your type definition for that aeroplane model. You determine, however, that after the modification is complete, the aeroplane will conform to the type definition of a different model of advanced ultra-light aeroplane that you manufacture (the aeroplane model will, of course, still be in compliance with the standards of DS 10141), then:

a.  If the aeroplane model is not already on the Listing of Approved Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes, you must submit a Declaration of Compliance (DOC) and a copy of the Specified Maintenance Program to Transport Canada. The new model of aeroplane may then be added to the Listing of Approved Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes.

b.  Once the modification is complete, you would provide the owner with a new Statement of Conformity stating that the aeroplane conforms to your type definition as stated in the DOC for that new aeroplane model.

c.  You would provide an additional aeroplane identification plate to the aeroplane owner, on which the following information is permanently etched, engraved or stamped:

  1. your name;
  2. the new model designation;
  3. the aeroplane serial number (same as original I.D. plate); and
  4. where applicable, a modification reference number

d.  The owner must contact Transport Canada to obtain a new Certificate of Registration to reflect the new aeroplane model.

If you cannot approve the modification, and the owner chooses not to make the modification, then:

  • the aeroplane would retain its current registration status.

If you cannot approve the modification, and the owner chooses to make the modification anyway, then one of two things will happen:

1.  the aeroplane can no longer comply with the conditions for registration as an advanced ultra-light. If the aeroplane meets the basic ultra-light requirements, the owner must contact Transport Canada to re-register the aeroplane as a basic ultra-light; or

2.  the aeroplane can no longer comply with the conditions for registration as an advanced ultra-light. If the aeroplane does not meet the basic ultra-light requirements, the owner must contact Transport Canada to have the aeroplane taken off the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register and withdraw the aeroplane from service.

THE OWNER OF A BASIC ULTRA-LIGHT AEROPLANE OR
AN AMATEUR BUILT AEROPLANE WANTS TO CONVERT THE
AEROPLANE TO AN ADVANCED ULTRA-LIGHT AEROPLANE, SO
THE OWNER COMES TO YOU.

If you approve the conversion, it means that:

1.  you have determined that after the conversion is complete, the aeroplane model will then conform to the type definition of one of the models of advanced ultra-light aeroplane that you manufacture (the aeroplane model will, of course, be in compliance with the standards of DS 10141), then:

a.  If the aeroplane model is not already on the Listing of Approved Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes, you must submit a Declaration of Compliance (DOC) and a copy of the Specified Maintenance Program to Transport Canada. The new model of aeroplane may then be added to the Listing of Approved Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes.

b.  Once the conversion is complete, you would provide the aeroplane owner with a Statement of Conformity (SOC) stating that the aeroplane conforms to your type definition as stated in the DOC for that aeroplane.

c.  You will provide an additional aeroplane identification plate to the owner, on which the following information is permanently etched, engraved or stamped:

  1. your name;
  2. the new model designation;
  3. the aeroplane serial number (same as original I.D. plate); and
  4. where applicable, a conversion reference number

d.  The owner must contact Transport Canada to re-register the aeroplane as an advanced ultra-light aeroplane.

If you cannot approve the conversion, the aircraft would not be considered an advanced ultra-light aeroplane, and:

  • the aeroplane would retain its current registration status.

THE OWNER OF AN ADVANCED ULTRA-LIGHT AEROPLANE WANTS
TO MAKE A MODIFICATION TO THE AEROPLANE, BUT THE
ORIGINAL AEROPLANE MANUFACTURER HAS CEASED TO EXIST,
SO THE OWNER COMES TO YOU.

You can approve the modification, based on one of two things:

1.  you determine that the aeroplane still conforms to your type definition for an advanced ultra-light aeroplane model that you manufacture (your type definition would have to be the same for that aeroplane model as the original manufacturer's type definition), then:

a.  If you have not already done so, you must submit a Declaration of Compliance (DOC) and a copy of the Specified Maintenance Program to Transport Canada, so that the Listing of Approved Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes may be amended to show your name as the new manufacturer of that aeroplane model.

b.  Once the modification is complete, you would provide the owner with a new Statement of Conformity stating that the aeroplane conforms to your type definition as stated in the DOC for that aeroplane.

c.  You would provide an additional aeroplane identification plate to the owner, on which the following information is permanently etched, engraved or stamped:

  1. your name;
  2. the model designation (same as original I.D. plate);
  3. the aeroplane serial number (same as original I.D. plate); and
  4. where applicable, a modification reference number

d.  The owner must contact Transport Canada to obtain a new Certificate of Registration to reflect the new manufacturer's name; or

2.  you determine that after the modification is complete, the aeroplane will no longer conform to the original manufacturer's type definition for that aeroplane model. However, the aeroplane will conform to the type definition of one the models of advanced ultra-light aeroplanes that you manufacture (the aeroplane model will, of course, still be in compliance with the standards of DS 10141), then:

a.  If the aeroplane model is not already on the Listing of Approved Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes, you must submit a Declaration of Compliance (DOC) and a copy of the Specified Maintenance Program to Transport Canada. The new model of aeroplane may then be added to the Listing of Approved Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes.

b.  Once the modification is complete, you would provide the owner with a new Statement of Conformity stating that the aeroplane conforms to your type definition as stated in the DOC for that aeroplane model.

c.  You would provide an additional aeroplane identification plate to the owner, on which the following information is permanently etched, engraved or stamped:

  1. your name;
  2. the new model designation;
  3. the aeroplane serial number (same as original I.D. plate); and
  4. where applicable, a modification reference number

d.  The owner must contact Transport Canada to obtain a new Certificate of Registration to reflect the new manufacturer's name and the new aeroplane model.

If you cannot approve the modification, and the owner chooses not to make the modification, then:

  • the aeroplane would retain its current registration status.

If you cannot approve the modification, and the owner chooses to make the modification anyway, one of two things will happen:

1.  the aeroplane can no longer comply with the conditions for registration as an advanced ultra-light. If the aeroplane meets the basic ultra-light requirements, the owner must contact Transport Canada to re-register the aeroplane as a basic ultra-light; or

2.  the aeroplane can no longer comply with the conditions for registration as an advanced ultra-light. If the aeroplane does not meet the basic ultra-light requirements, the owner must contact Transport Canada to have the aeroplane taken off the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register and withdraw the aeroplane from service.

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