So you have your heart set on a really hot
airplane – something turbine powered and pressurized?
There are some extra considerations there beyond the obvious requirement for a
specific type rating (since it is probably high performance).
The most important factor to consider is that all Canadian pressurized and
turbine aircraft, not in commercial or flight training use, that are used to
carry passengers, are required to operate under CAR 604 Private Operator
Passenger Transportation.
This means that you will need a Private Operating Certificate (POC) and
everything that goes with it.
As of Jan. 1, 2003 this program has been administered by the Canadian Business
Aviation Association (CBAA) on behalf of Transport Canada. This program requires
you to write and follow a Safety Management System for the operation of the
aircraft, belong to CBAA ($1500 per year membership fee), and meet minimum
training and insurance benchmarks plus several other requirements.
This requirement applies to all categories of turbine and pressurized aircraft
that are used to carry passengers – certified aircraft, amateur-built aircraft,
ex-military warbirds and other aircraft flown in the limited category.
We are not advising members against buying a turbine pressurized aircraft, just
be aware that there are some extra requirements and costs involved.
Please note that to fall under the requirements of CAR 604 the aircraft must be
both turbine powered (jet or turboprop) and pressurized. Aircraft that are
pressurized and piston powered (stock Lancair IV-P or Cessna P210 for instance)
are not captured by this rule, nor are turbine, non-pressurized aircraft (Cessna
208 Caravan, Bell 206 Jet Ranger or Rotorway Jet Exec helicopter).
This rule also requires a CAR 604 POC for any aircraft over 12,500 lbs,
regardless of the type of power or pressurization.
It is also worth noting that you can modify a pressurized aircraft into
requiring an operating certificate under CAR 604 by converting the engine to
turbine power. For example if you own a piston powered Lancair IV-P or Cessna
P210 and you convert it to a turboprop, then you suddenly will need a POC under
CAR 604 before you carry any passengers in the aircraft.
COPA was extensively involved in the negotiations with TC and CBAA over the last
few years on this issue and sought to have turbine and pressurized aircraft
flown for personal, non-corporate use exempted from the CAR 604 requirements,
especially smaller single-engine aircraft.
Currently Piper PA-46-500TP Meridians (and only this type) are exempt from
complying with the POC rule, but only until Dec. 31, 2004. After that date all
owners of Meridians will have to comply with the POC requirements.
In turning down COPA’s request on this issue, TC stated that they felt that a
greater level of control and oversight was justified on all turbine and
pressurized aircraft and that the CBAA POC program was the appropriate place for
that oversight and control.
It is not anticipated that there will be any reduction to the types of aircraft
included under this POC requirement in the future.
If you are planning on owning any type of turbine and pressurized aircraft then
plan to be part of the CBAA POC program. See
www.cbaa.ca for more information.