Government & Regulatory Affairs

Welcome to CBAA's Government & Regulatory Affairs Update.
This new monthly update will feature our ongoing and completed advocacy initiatives in support of the Association and its members. You'll find summaries of these activities with relevant background information via links.

Members may also seek additional information on request through membersupport@cbaa.ca. This is also an opportunity for members to connect with the Association and raise points of interest or concerns in the Government & Regulatory Affairs area. 

Monthly Issues
April 2024 Issue

Welcome to the April 2024 issue of CBAA Government & Regulatory Affairs Update summarizing all regulatory and operational updates completed in March 2024 as well as a summary of advocacy activities conducted in support of our membership.

Included with this update is a Transport Canada Post ICAO Audit Update message (here) outlining their post-audit corrective action plan. The Association is closely monitoring activities to ensure that actions or proposals adequately reflect the needs of our members.  As such, we are sharing the message with members for their information and future participation in Transport Canada's review of proposals as they arise.

Transport Canada Regulatory Information and Updates

The following contains documents shared during March that may be important to members. Of specific importance to those members who may also have CAR 703 or CAR 704 Air Operator Certificate is a consultation request about Flight Duty Time and Fatigue Management

  • TC Consultation Request - Flight Duty Time and Fatigue Management - Preliminary Issue and Consultation Assessment (PICA) -  Here is TC’s Preliminary Issue and Consultation Assessment (PICA) paper for consultation. TC has prepared this paper in recognition of the concerns raised by this Association and all segments of the aviation industry since the flight and duty time regulations have come into force. Through this PICA, Transport Canada is advising that it wishes to work with industry to address concerns. Please read the full article here. Although the Association is actively reviewing the PICA, we encourage members that also have CAR 703 or 704 AOCs to review and provide their views.
  • Advisory Circular - Flight Crew Fatigue Management – Prescriptive Regulations - Here is Issue 4 of AC 700-047 Flight Crew Fatigue Management – Prescriptive Regulations. This issue, effective 21 March 24, reflects consultations and feedback received to date about the Flight Crew Fatigue Management – Prescriptive Regulations to explain the intent of the associated regulatory requirements. Although the AC has been published, should stakeholders have additional feedback or concerns, you may do so in writing to TC.CARConsultations-RACConsultations.TC@tc.gc.ca no later than May 20, 2024.
  • Advisory Circular - Carriage of Medical Oxygen Cylinders or Portable Oxygen Concentrators for Passenger Use on Board Aircraft - Here is issue 4 of Advisory Circular AC 700-002 titled Carriage of Medical Oxygen Cylinders or Portable Oxygen Concentrators for Passenger Use on Board Aircraft. This AC is important for CBAA members who may also have a CAR 703 or 704 commercial air operator certificate pursuant.
  • Advisory Circular - Potential for High Energy Fires due to Lithium-Ion Batteries - Here is the published version of AC 700-065 Issue 01 dated 2024-02-26. The purpose of this AC is to advise operators of the potential for high energy fires on board aircraft caused by the failure of lithium-ion batteries contained in portable electronic devices.
  • Advisory Circular - Dangerous Goods Specific Approval - Here is AC 700-001 Issue 06 - Dangerous Goods Specific Approval dated 2024-03-27. This document provides guidance to air operators on how to obtain the Dangerous Goods Specific Approval (SA) on their Air Operator Certificate (AOC).  The Dangerous Goods SA is required for members who also hold a CAR 703 or 704 Operating Certificate.
  • Revision to ACP Manual - Transport Canada has published ACP/AQPE Bulletin # 01/24 Revision 1 dated March 22, 2024. The bulletin is shared with members who are also Approved Check Pilots (ACP).  The bulletin can be viewed here. The update includes information on revisions to the Flight Test Guide documents as they are associated with the ACP Manual.
  • Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) - On 16 May 2023, Transport Canada published a Preliminary Issue and Consultation Assessment (PICA) on the implementation of the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS) in Canada and sought feedback from the aviation industry stakeholders. The CBAA along with other associations provided comments which have now been published in a What we Heard report which provides a thematic summary of the comments received as part of this consultation. TC has advised that it will continue to engage with industry stakeholders as the department moves towards implementing GADSS.

NAV Canada information and Updates

  • Transitioning to True North - ICAO is currently considering a work plan item that would see aviation globally transition to True North from Magnetic North. To better prepare for these discussions, the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) is seeking information from the CBAA and international member associations to determine a common opinion on the transition from magnetic north to true north designators. Read the full article here. Please send your comments and ideas to membersupport@cbaa.ca.
  • Aeronautical Studies were initiated to assess the surveillance requirements for the identified vicinities of:
    • north-western Quebec (Lac Brisay, Chibougamau, Chisasibi and Kuujjuaq) and northern Ontario (Hearst and Big Trout Lake) (linked here).
    • Northern Prairie provinces (Thompson, La Ronge, Stony Rapids, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie) and Northern British Columbia (Prince George, Sandspit, Port Hardy/Holberg) (linked here).

Emerging / Evolving Issue - GPS Spoofing: Should Operators Be Concerned?

In the March issue of Government & Regulatory Affairs, we published an article titled Emerging / Evolving Issue - Beware of Spoofing which shared the events of an Israeli flight from Thailand (here). In its March/April 2024 issue of Insider, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) presented an article titled GPS Spoofing: Should Operators Be Concerned (linked here).

Given that the spate of reported incidents of GPS spoofing in certain airspace regions last year unnerved many international business aircraft operators, we believe it is important to share all relevant information in this matter. The article provides information on how concerned industry should be about this issue and how operators can tell when they’re being spoofed (e.g. recognizing the signs).

Airworthiness Directives (AD)

Here are Airworthiness Directives (AD) for the BD 500 and CL 600 series aircraft that members operating those types may need to know

Transport Canada Exemptions

Here is Transport Canada global exemption NCR-013-2024. The purpose of the exemption is to allow licensing applicants who have applied for a two-crew type rating after January 1st, 2023, but no later than July 31, 2024, and who have successfully completed the knowledge requirement in or after October 2021, to extend their exam validity.

 ICYMI - MMEL amendments

  • Here is MMEL revision 11 dated 25 May 2023 and TC MMEL Supplement revision 3 dated 7 March 2024 for the GV, GV-SP and GIV-X.
  • The TC MMEL Addendum Amendment for the CL-600-RJ dated 23 February 2024 (STC SA23-99) is available here.

Bilateral / Technical Agreement Update - Civil Aviation Safety Alert (CASA) 2024-02

Transport Canada has published CASA 2024-02 issue # 01 titled Approvals under the FAA-TCCA IPA that can be viewed here. The purpose of this CASA is to inform aircraft owners, operators, maintainers, and distributors of the documentation requirements for parts intended to be installed in accordance with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) design approval grandfathered under the Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness (IPA) between the FAA and Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA).

Ongoing activities & Future Update

Transport Canada Regulatory Initiatives – To ensure that the membership is aware of key regulatory initiatives at TC, their impacts, and how the Association is advocating on their behalf, is the CBAA has developed a Summary and Preliminary Analysis of these initiatives (2023 edition here).

TC has recently released its Forward Regulatory Plan containing revised priorities for 2024 and the next several years. The Association is now reviewing these and is amending its Summary and Preliminary Analysis document which will be shared with the May Government & Regulatory Affairs Update. 

Are you seeking information on a government and regulatory affairs matter? Please forward your query to membersupport@cbaa.ca.

March 2024 Issue

Welcome to the March 2024 issue of CBAA Government & Regulatory Affairs Update. In this issue you will find various regulatory and operational updates as well as a summary of advocacy activities conducted in support of our membership that occurred in February 2024. In this issue we also introduce the sharing of Airworthiness Directives (AD) information that are seen of importance to members.

Transport Canada Safety Collaboration Forum

Earlier this year, Transport Canada announced that they would host four virtual Safety Collaboration Forum briefings. The first two briefings were held this February with the next sessions planned for March.  Information on the first two briefings is shared below:

  • The first session was a briefing on Transport Canada’s SMS modernization initiative. The briefing was a summary of the Notice of Proposed Amendment information received earlier and shared in the February update here. For your reference, we have enclosed the meeting notes here.
  • The second session was a briefing on Transport Canada’s Aircraft Ground Icing-related Activities. Meeting notes and associated presentations are shared here.

Emerging / Evolving Issue - Beware of Spoofing 

In recent months, the aviation industry has learned that bad actors have attempted to create hazards or dangerous situations by spoofing Air Traffic Control.  Although these issues are in areas of conflict zones, here is an article on the subject for your information.

Canadian Aviation Safety Advisory (CASA) 2024-01

Here isCASA 2024-01 - Incorrectly Installed Outflow Valve (OFV) Coupling. This CASA applies to owners, operators and maintainers of Airbus Canada Limited partnership aeroplanes model

BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11. 

Airworthiness Directives (AD)

  • Here is AD CF-2024-05 - Emergency AD – Engine – Second-Stage Power Turbine (Pt2) Blade Failure
  • Here is AD CF-2024-06 - Flight Controls – incorrect airplane flight manual (AFM) approach speed adder and landing distance factors for slat-flap fail caution CAS message () - This AD applies to Bombardier Inc. model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 aeroplanes.

Transport Canada Exemptions

  • Global Exemption Request – On behalf of affected members, the Association has submitted a Global Exemption Request to allow for specified aircraft to operate without CVR/RIPS under CAR 604. Several aircraft certified under FAR23 / Subpart 523 of the Airworthiness Manual are certified for single pilot operation, which does not require a CVR/RIPS. Although not required, some CAR 604 operators have opted to conduct their corporate operations with two pilots. In so doing, they become required by 605.34(1) to install CVR/RIPS, thereby introducing significant cost to these operators. The outcome is that corporate operators who opted for two pilot operations may revert to single pilot operations, thereby resulting in possible increased operational risks, to mitigate costs.
  • Here is NCR-001-2024. While this exemption is applicable to airport operators, it is being shared with members to advise that airports can initiate installation of signs consistent with internationally accepted standards and that a transition time can be expected.  Further information on schedules as applicable can be obtained from your local airport authority. 
  • Here is NCR-003-2024. While this exemption is applicable to AMOs, this exemption is shared to inform members that AMO certificate holders with rating(s) in the Avionics, Instrument and Component categories have received relief from the requirements of subsection 573.02(11) of Standard 573. They will not be required to have procedures for the evaluation of undocumented parts outlined in Appendix H of Standard 571 approved in their Maintenance Policy Manual. 

Bilateral / Technical Agreement Update

Here is Issue 1 of the Canada/Brazil Technical Arrangement on maintenance. This reciprocal agreement is important for organizations who have work completed in Brazil or for Brazilian organizations doing work in Canada.

Transport Canada Advisory Circular (AC 601-007) - Submitting an Aeronautical Assessment Form (AAF) 

Here is AC 601-007, Issue 01 titled When to Submit an Aeronautical Assessment Form (AAF) dated 2024-02-27.  The purpose of this AC is to provide guidance for when to submit an Aeronautical Assessment Form (AAF) for obstacle notification and assessment to the Minister.  While this AC is primarily applicable to any person who plans to construct or modify a building, structure or object, or launch a tethered object who would be notifying the Minister of their plan, the information presented herein is of use to anyone in the aviation industry in general should they need to advise the Minister of any such structure that may not have previously completed in accordance with the CARs. 

Victim & Family Assistance – Update

 Here is an update on Transport Canada’s consultation paper published on November 9, 2023, to inform the aviation industry of potential new victim and family assistance requirements for air operators and airport operators and to solicit their questions and comments on the new initiative which was also briefed on during the 20th Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC) Plenary.  In response to the consultation request, the Association provided a detailed letter to TC on December 5, 2023, that was a significant part of the 10 responses received by TC. The content of these responses is covered in the What We Heard Report herein.

Ongoing Activities & Future Update

 Transport Canada Regulatory Initiatives – To ensure that the membership is aware of key regulatory initiatives at TC, their impacts, and how the Association is advocating on their behalf, here is the CBAA’s Summary and preliminary Analysis of these initiatives.  This summary is maintained as initiatives proceed. TC has advised that the next update to reflect priorities over the next several years will be made available by Spring 2024. We will keep you informed as priorities evolve.

Are you seeking information on a government and regulatory affairs matter? Please forward your query to membersupport@cbaa.ca

Past Editions

Are you seeking information on a government and regulatory affairs matter? Please forward your query to membersupport@cbaa.ca.