Modifications and the Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplane Owner

From: Transport Canada

One of the conditions for an advanced ultra-light 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. Advanced ultra-light aeroplane owners are reminded of the following responsibilities:

Owner Responsibilities

  • The owner of an advanced ultra-light aeroplane must maintain the aeroplane in a "fit for flight" condition by adhering to the Manufacturer Specified Maintenance Program. If the aeroplane is sold, the owner must provide the new owner with a completed "Fit for Flight" form.
     
  • The owner of an advanced ultra-light aeroplane must complete manufacturer's Mandatory Actions in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and time frame.
     
  • The owner of an advanced ultra-light aeroplane must maintain appropriate records for the aeroplane which must include scheduled maintenance, mandatory action, modifications, and accident repairs.
     
  • The owner of an advanced ultra-light aeroplane must meet the registration requirements found in Part II of the Canadian Aviation Regulations.

YOU OWN AN ADVANCED ULTRA-LIGHT AEROPLANE AND YOU WANT
TO MAKE A MODIFICATION TO THE AEROPLANE, SO YOU GO TO THE
MANUFACTURER TO OBTAIN WRITTEN APPROVAL.

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

1.  the aeroplane still conforms to the manufacturer's type definition for that aeroplane model. Therefore, once you have received written approval from the manufacturer, you may proceed with the modification. There would be no need for you 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 the manufacturer to submit any information, as the Declaration of Compliance would still apply; or

NOTE: After the modification is complete, you may wish to obtain a new Statement of Conformity (SOC) from the manufacturer for your records. Since the manufacturer is not under any legal obligation to provide you with a new SOC, be sure to discuss this with the manufacturer before you begin work on the aircraft.

2.  the aeroplane no longer conforms to the manufacturer's type definition for that aeroplane model. The manufacturer determines, 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 they manufacture (the aeroplane model will, of course, still be in compliance with the Design Standards for Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes), then:

a.  If the aeroplane model is not already on the Listing of Approved Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes, the manufacturer must submit a Declaration of Compliance (DOC) and a copy of their 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, the manufacturer would provide you with a new Statement of Conformity stating that the aeroplane conforms to their type definition as stated in the DOC for that new aeroplane model.

c.  The manufacturer would provide an additional aeroplane identification plate for you to attach to the aeroplane, as near as possible to the original plate, on which the following information is permanently etched, engraved or stamped:

  1. the manufacturer's 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.  You must contact Transport Canada to obtain a new Certificate of Registration to reflect the new aeroplane model.

If the manufacturer cannot approve the modification, and you choose not to make the modification, then:

  • the aeroplane would retain its current registration status.

If the manufacturer cannot approve the modification, and you choose 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, you must contact Transport Canada to re-register the aeroplane as a basic ultra-light; or

NOTE: If you had a licence that allowed you to carry passengers in your advanced ultra-light aeroplane, you will no longer be able to carry passengers when the aeroplane reverts to a basic ultra-light aeroplane.

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, you must contact Transport Canada to have the aeroplane taken off the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register and withdraw the aeroplane from service.

YOU OWN A BASIC ULTRA-LIGHT AEROPLANE OR AN AMATEUR BUILT
AEROPLANE AND YOU WANT TO CONVERT THE AEROPLANE TO AN
ADVANCED ULTRA-LIGHT AEROPLANE, SO YOU GO TO AN ADVANCED
ULTRA-LIGHT AEROPLANE MANUFACTURER.

If the manufacturer approves the conversion, it means that:

1.  the manufacturer has determined that after the conversion is complete, the aeroplane will then conform to the type definition of one of the models of advanced ultra-light aeroplanes that they manufacture (the aeroplane model will, of course, be in compliance with the Design Standards for Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes), then:

a.  If the aeroplane model is not already on the Listing of Approved Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes, the manufacturer must submit a Declaration of Compliance (DOC) and a copy of their 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, the manufacturer would provide you with a Statement of Conformity (SOC) stating that the aeroplane conforms to their type definition as stated in the DOC for that aeroplane.

c.  The manufacturer will provide an additional aeroplane identification plate for you to attach to the aeroplane, as near as possible to the original plate, on which the following information is permanently etched, engraved or stamped:

  1. the manufacturer's 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.  You must contact Transport Canada to re-register the aeroplane as an advanced ultra-light aeroplane.

If the manufacturer cannot approve the conversion, and you do not make the conversion, then:

  • the aeroplane would retain its current registration status.

YOU OWN AN ADVANCED ULTRA-LIGHT AEROPLANE AND YOU
WANT TO MAKE A MODIFICATION TO THE AEROPLANE, BUT THE
ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER HAS CEASED TO EXIST, SO YOU LOCATE
A NEW ADVANCED ULTRA-LIGHT AEROPLANE MANUFACTURER.

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

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

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

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

c.  The new manufacturer would provide an additional aeroplane identification plate for you to attach to the aeroplane, as near as possible to the original plate, on which the following information is permanently etched, engraved or stamped:

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

2.  the new manufacturer determines 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 of the models of advanced ultra-light aeroplanes that they manufacture (the aeroplane model will, of course, still be in compliance with the Design Standards for Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes), then:

a.  If the aeroplane model is not already on the Listing of Approved Advanced Ultra-light Aeroplanes, the new manufacturer must submit a Declaration of Compliance (DOC) and a copy of their 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, the new manufacturer would provide you with a new Statement of Conformity stating that the aeroplane conforms to their type definition as stated in the DOC for that aeroplane model.

c.  The new manufacturer would provide an additional aeroplane identification plate for you to attach to the aeroplane, as near as possible to the original plate, on which the following information is permanently etched, engraved or stamped:

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

If the new manufacturer cannot approve the modification, and you choose not to make the modification, then:

  • the aeroplane would retain its current registration status.

If the new manufacturer cannot approve the modification, and you choose 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, you must contact Transport Canada to re-register the aeroplane as a basic ultra-light; or

NOTE: If you had a licence that allowed you to carry passengers in your advanced ultra-light aeroplane, you will no longer be able to carry passengers when the aeroplane reverts to a basic ultra-light aeroplane.

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, you 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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