Transport Canada update re: personnel licence booklet

By the Personnel Licensing Division, General Aviation, Civil Aviation, Transport Canada.

A Canadian Border Services (CBS) study on document security risk analysis of 50 federal documents, determined that current Canadian aviation documents (licences and medical certificates) fall into a high-risk category. The CBS made recommendations to address the security-related risks.

Based on these recommendations, Transport Canada Civil Aviation approved the design and implementation of a new format for aircrew and air traffic controller licences. The licence booklet will be similar to the present-day Canadian passport.

The licence booklet will be issued to all current licence holders and will conform to international standards. Transport Canada plans a “phased-in” approach for the initial booklet issue, which is expected to be completed by spring 2008.

Transport Canada will begin issuing licence booklets to airline transport pilots and air traffic controllers, followed by other licence holders. In consulting with our industry partners, we have determined that there will be no cost to licence holders.

The new licence booklet will consolidate all Canadian aviation personnel licensing documents and will also include the holder’s photograph and signature, licence and medical labels, a language proficiency rating, a competency record and security features for positive authentication.

It will be divided into four sections:

Administrative - This section will provide licence booklet instructions, abbreviations and definitions.

Personal Data - This section will contain the licence holder’s photograph and signature (Pilots and ATC licence holders will be required to provide a photograph. It may either be a current passport photo with a guarantor’s signature or a photo taken at a Transport Canada office).

Personal information currently found on existing licences will also be included: The holder’s name, address, licence number, radio operator certificate number and citizenship.

In accordance with the Canadian Border Services recommendations, the licence booklet will have an expiry date. The new licence will be valid for five years.

Licence Label - The licence will no longer be a stand-alone document, but will be attached to the licence booklet in the form of a licence label.

The licence label will indicate the type of licence and ratings held by the individual and will also include a language proficiency rating.

Medical Label - The medical certificate will no longer be a stand-alone document, but will be integrated within the licence booklet in the form of a medical label.

The medical label will specify the holder’s licence number, medical category and any health-related restrictions or limitations.

This section will also allow space for medical renewals.

In order to validate the new licence format, a valid medical label must be attached to it.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Information on the new personnel licence booklet will be updated on the Transport Canada General Aviation website and in various aviation organization publications.

An instruction handout will also accompany the licence booklet when it is mailed out to holders.