By JC Audet

Last fall, we initiated a discussion on IFR topics, beginning with clarifying the IFR Flight Test Guide (Feb 2017) requirement (Aeroplane (b) on page 2) for an aircraft used for an IFR Flight Test to ‘’be equipped with GNSS receiving equipment … ‘’. COPA met with TCCA Commercial Flight Standards Branch and obtained an exemption to this rule in the case of private pilots doing an IPC on their personal aircraft when that aircraft is not equipped with GNSS. TCCA distributed the information to all the TCCA Regional Offices across the country, via an email dated 14 Nov 2017, for dissemination to all Pilot Examiners. As agreed with TCCA, after a suitable delay to ensure the information had reached all concerned personnel across the country, we distributed this information through our weekly eFlight as well as our COPA Flight magazine. As it sometimes happens, important information, and this particular exemption is important, does not always reach all intended persons in a timely fashion. Consequently, as pilots are trying to do their IPC, some encounter objections from their Pilot Examiner and inquire with us about this issue.

We have again confirmed with TCCA Commercial Flight Standards Branch and obtained a copy of the text of their 14 Nov 2017 email. The salient points of this email are reproduced here.

‘’Following discussion with COPA, we have agreed that holders of private pilot licenses completing an IPC on their own aircraft are not required to demonstrate a GNSS approach if the aircraft is not equipped to do so. If, on the other hand, these pilots rent an aircraft equipped with a GPS or pass the IPC in an FTD, they will have to demonstrate their ability to conduct a GNSS approach. This applies to private pilots passing the IPC on their own aircraft, not to private operators who still have to comply with the requirements of CAR 604.’’

COPA and TCCA understand that this information might not have reached all concerned and we will cooperate in facilitating this communication. Should you encounter any problem with your IPC relating to this exemption, we suggest that you first show this text to your Pilot Examiner. If this does not work, contact this COPA office, by email jcaudet@oldcopa.org or phone 613-236-4901 x 111. All you need to do is to provide us the name of the Pilot Examiner; we will relay the information to TCCA Commercial Flight Standards who will rapidly address the issue.