This Transport Canada approved and monitored course meets the requirements and prepares a pilot to become an Approved Check Pilot (ACP) or Type Rating Evaluator (TRE). It covers all topics required for JAA approval. It consists of 4 days of classroom (or virtual classroom via Zoom Meeting) instruction followed by 2 days of practical instruction in a B737 FTD conducting “practice” Pilot Proficiency Checks (PPC).

The ACP/TRE Initial Course simulator phase is conducted in Montreal owing to simulator requirements. However, if an acceptable simulator (or aircraft) is available at your location, this course can be offered there with TC or other regulatory approval if required.

ACP delegated authorities and administration

TC licensing requirements and forms

Written comment review

Briefing and debriefing techniques

IFR rules and procedures

Assessing pilot performance

CRM skills review

CRM assessment techniques

TC changes and update

TC flight test standards

Threat and error management

Conducting flight tests

Assessment scenarios

Debriefing and assessment videos

Approved Check Pilots or Type Rating Evaluators who require recurrent ACP/TRE training attend the ACP Recurrent Course that consists of the last three days of the academic phase of the ACP Initial Course. This meets all TC and TRE recurrent requirements.

The simulator phase gives students a chance to practice all the above information in a real-time “Pilot Proficiency Check (PPC)” scenario using a Mechtronix B737 FTD in Montreal. Aerosolutions provides the instructor and pilots, and the students plan and conduct the PPC and assess the performance and debrief accordingly.

For those pilots from outside Canada, your Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) may approve you to attend this ACP/TRE course. It covers all topics required for EASA approval of a TRE course but EASA approvals have not been sought.

The chief instructor and President of Aerosolutions, David Holland, has over 25 years of experience teaching this course as well as meeting regularly with TC to discuss various aspects of the ACP program and ACP Manual. He has also written several sections in the ACP Manual and has developed a training program for TC on evaluating CRM and for monitoring ACPs. There is a pre-course assignment as required by TC. Please see the Transport Canada ACP Program for more information.

TC regional and HQ ACP reps

Region	Point of Contact
Headquarters 702-704, 604 705	Timothy Simmons (RW) Roger Gravelle (Program Manager) Matthew Dillon; David Andrews
Pacific Region	Yanick Sarazin
Prairie & Northern Region Edmonton	Kevin (Max) Webber; Joel Brown Troy Bridgman (RW)
Calgary	Renee Sward
Winnipeg	Jeffrey Marusyk; Grant Blair (RW)
Ontario Region	Andy Johnstone; Ken Walsh (RW)
Quebec Region	David Deslauriers Maxime Michaud (RW); Frédéric Bellemare Geneviève Mageau
Atlantic Region	Dwayne Head; Paul Minnaar (RW)
National Operations	Justin Peterson Michel Paré; Chris Florence; Tom Kuilder

TC Initial ACP Requirements

ACP Manual Initial ACP Requirements

4.6 Initial ACP Accreditation

1. There are five basic steps to an initial ACP accreditation:

a) Step 1 – Initial ACP Accreditation Request & Candidate Pre-Assessment;

b) Step 2 – ACP (Initial) Course;

c) Step 3 – Knowledge Assessment;

d) Step 4 – ACP (Initial) Monitor; and

e) Step 5 – Transport Canada Brief.

4.7 Step 1 – Initial ACP Accreditation Request & Candidate Pre-Assessment

1. Prior to enrolling in an ACP (initial) course, candidates seeking an ACP accreditation must first contact Transport Canada. ACP candidates will be asked to complete and forward an initial application.

2. Transport Canada will consider the following with respect to an ACP candidate:

a) need;

b) expectations and requirements;

c) professional suitability; and

d) other factor(s) unique to the ACP candidate.

3. Following this consideration, Transport Canada will respond to the ACP candidate with a decision as to whether an ACP accreditation can be pursued.

4. Transport Canada must be contacted no later than 30 days in advance of any proposed ACP monitoring and/or assessment activities by Transport Canada.

4.8 Step 2 – ACP (Initial) Course

1. ACP candidates must successfully complete a Transport Canada approved ACP (initial) course (both academic and practical phases) prior to proceeding to the knowledge and skills assessment conducted by Transport Canada. The academic phase is provided in a classroom setting whereas the practical phase is conducted in a simulator or aircraft.

2. The curriculum for the ACP (initial) course is detailed in the document entitled Approved Check Pilot Program – Course Training Standard (RDIMS 5154456).

3. Additional Flight Check Exposures

a) To further enhance and develop their ACP competencies, ACP candidates should be scheduled to observe additional flight checks beyond the practical training prescribed in the Approved Check Pilot Program – Course Training Standard (RDIMS 5154456).

b) These additional exposures should be scheduled prior to the knowledge and skill assessment conducted by Transport Canada. They should also be relevant to their intended ACP authorization (i.e., CARs Subpart, IFR versus VFR, and ACPs (Type A) versus ACPs (Type B)).

c) Additional exposures should always be pursued with the consent of the pilot candidate(s) and operator involved.

4. Course Availability

a) Pilots who are sponsored by an operator will often attend an approved ACP (initial) course delivered by the operator itself. This training may also be outsourced.

b) Approved ACP (initial) courses available to ACP candidates not sponsored by an operator (i.e., public courses) are listed on the Transport Canada ACP/AQP website.

5. ACP (Initial) Course Validity Period

a. The validity period of the ACP (initial or recurrent) course is 36 months. The valid-to date is calculated as follows:

i. 23:59 local time on the first (1st) day of the thirty-seventh (37th) month following the completion date of the ACP (initial or recurrent) course.

b. An ACP (initial or recurrent) course may be renewed within the last 90 days of its validity period. In this case, the ensuing validity period is extended by 36 months based on the original valid-to date.

6. Course Variations

a) The most common and widely applicable ACP (initial) course is that designed for ACPs (Type A) who will conduct PPC/IFRs in a simulator.

b) Both the academic and practical phases of the ACP (initial) course may differ in order to accommodate:

i. ACPs (Type A, VFR Only);

ii. ACPs (Type B);

iii. ACPs who service CARs Subparts 702 and 703 operators; and

iv. ACPs (Type A) who conduct helicopter PPCs.

c) ACP (Type A, VFR Only) Training

i. Academic Phase

1. ACP (Type A, VFR Only) candidates have the option of attending either an approved ACP (initial) course designed to address PPC/IFRs or a course specifically designed to address PPC/VFRs.

2. The academic phase of an approved ACP (initial) course may be delivered through an approved alternative ACP training program. An approved alternative ACP training program does not require candidates be present in a classroom but does require a self-study assignment (corrected to 100%) to be completed.

ii. Practical Phase

1. ACP (Type A, VFR Only) candidates are only required to be trained and assessed on how to conduct a PPC/VFR.

2. With written permission from Transport Canada, the practical phases of this training may be altered from what is detailed in the Approved Check Pilot Program – Course Training Standard (RDIMS 5154456).

d) ACP (Type B) Training

i. Academic Phase

1. ACPs (Type A) and ACPs (Type B) must possess a number of similar skills and competencies. The academic phase of an ACP (initial) course designed to address PPC/IFRs likely addresses the requirements of an ACP (Type B) candidate. An ACP course providers should be consulted.

ii. Practical Phase

1. ACP (Type B) candidates are only required to be trained and assessed in conducting a line check.

iii. Additional information concerning ACP (Type B) training requirements is found in Advisory Circular (AC) 705-003.

e) Training For ACPs Who Service Subparts 702 and 703 of the CARs Operators

i. Academic Phase

1. The academic phase of an approved ACP (initial) course may be delivered under an approved alternative ACP training program. An approved alternative ACP training program does not require candidates be present in a classroom but does require a self-study assignment (corrected to 100%) to be completed.

ii. Practical Phase

1. With written permission from Transport Canada, the practical phases of this training may be altered from what is detailed in the Approved Check Pilot Program – Course Training Standard (RDIMS 5154456).

f) Training for ACPs (Type A) who conduct helicopter PPCs

i. Academic Phase

1. There are no changes to the policy concerning the academic phase of training.

ii. Practical Phase

ACP Initial Course Fee: $3,600CAD plus 13% HST

Approved Check Pilot (ACP)/ Type Rating Evaluator (TRE) Academic

This TC-approved 4-day course is the academic-only phase of the ACP Initial Course. It prepares pilots who will be VFR-only ACPs or Type B ACPs who will conduct line checks only to understand all aspects of ACP duties. While Transport Canada requires VFR and Type B ACPs to take an ACP Recurrent Course, we highly recommend all VFR and Type B ACP candidates who have never had an ACP Course to take the ACP Academic Course. This course includes the following topics that are not covered in the ACP Recurrent Course: TC administrative requirements; forms and licensing; conducting briefings, safe checking practices and conducting flight tests.

ACP Academic Course Fee: $1,300CAD plus 13% HST

Approved Check Pilot (ACP)/ Type Rating Evaluator (TRE) Recurrent

This TC-approved 3-day course also meets JAA requirements and is designed for experienced check pilots who want to refresh their skills with the latest information and techniques in the flight-testing environment. It is a Transport Canada requirement that recurrent training be taken every 3 years. Emphasis is on group participation and discussion of changes and the grey areas in flight testing.

The ACP/TRE Recurrent Course includes the following modules:

Issues concerning administration and licensing
Recent changes in flight testing
Written comment and forms review
IFR rules and procedures
Debriefing techniques
Threat and error management techniques
CRM skills review
Assessment techniques
CRM assessment techniques
Assessment scenarios
Debriefing and assessment videos

The ACP/TRE Recurrent Course is given during the last three days of the ACP/TRE Initial Course Academic Phase several times a year in Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg or via Zoom Meeting. This course can also be provided at your location upon request.

ACP Recurrent Course Fee: $1,100CAD plus 13% HST ($950CAD plus 13% HST for Zoom Meeting)

Approved Check Pilot (ACP) Rotary Wing VFR (ACPRW)

Aerosolutions provides a 2-day ACP Course designed specifically for rotary wing VFR pilots. The RW VFR ACP is planned once or twice per year in Calgary and Vancouver or via Zoom Meeting.

The focus on this course is RW issues including aircraft safe checking practices, scenario design, evaluations, TC licensing and forms, CRM skills and evaluation techniques and debriefing techniques.

ACP RW Course Fee: $1,100CAD plus 13% HST ($950CAD plus 13% HST for Zoom Meeting)

Professional Aviation Training

Approved Check Pilot (ACP)/Type Rating Evaluator (TRE) Initial

Approved Check Pilot (ACP)/ Type Rating Evaluator (TRE) Academic

Approved Check Pilot (ACP)/ Type Rating Evaluator (TRE) Recurrent

Approved Check Pilot (ACP) Rotary Wing VFR (ACPRW)