More on the TC new licence format

Since the publication of the COPA Flight June 2006 cover story about Transport Canada’s (TC) new licence format, COPA has received comments from about half a dozen members on this subject.

All comments are from COPA members who don’t like the physical size of the new licence and who want COPA to put a stop to this TC program.

To put this in perspective, this number of complaints represents about 0.03 per cent of COPA members.

As a result of their input, here is a bit more background on COPA’s involvement in this TC project and the reasons why we have not opposed it.

The new licence format was presented as an information briefing as part of the project to create the upcoming TC language rating. COPA did not object to the new licence solution that TC chose, which was to go to a "passport format booklet", for the following reasons:

1. The TC objectives of having a pilot licence which includes a photo, was a secure document (hard to forge), includes the medical certificate (including the ability to have future stamps and signatures inserted), ratings, PPC signatures, etc., all in one document were hard to argue against. Many of our members have asked for one secure document that includes a photo for a long time.

2. TC was not required to "consult" with anyone on this issue as it does not require a change to the CARs. Instead we were "informed" as they worked their way through the risk analysis and cost-benefit analysis of their options. As of June 2006, it was a "done deal" and has passed all levels of TC scrutiny, funding and approval.

3. Any new licence had to use proven technology and the chosen format is used not only in the passport, but has been used successfully and with acceptance by TC Marine Licencing for the past few years for all holders of ships licences.

4. Any opposition to the new format would have had to have had some very good arguments to counter the risk and costs-benefit advantages TC has identified with this new format - mere complaining would not succeed.

5. Any reasonable opposition to this would have to propose a better solution than that found. Given the goal to combine the licence, medical, ratings, PPCs, etc., all into one document and get rid of all the little pieces of paper we currently carry, obviously a credit card-type document (like the AME licence) just would not work - it would have to be a  multi-page document.

Any other format would have cost considerably more and COPA was insistent that our members not be stuck with the bill for this TC project. As a result, COPA was able to convince TC that they would have to re-issue the licence for free to existing holders. The actual cost of the new booklet to TC is under $5.

At least one COPA member suggested that anyone who opposes this new format should refuse to get their photo taken (or submit a photo to TC) and thus prevent TC from sending them a new licence.

TC has indicated that if any current licence holder does not get a photo taken or submit a photo to TC, then they will be able to continue to use their existing licences until the language proficiency rating requirement becomes law on March 8, 2008.

After that date a licence without a language proficiency rating on it (French, English or both) will be invalid for use in Canada and the pilot will be grounded. The language rating will not be added to old format licences, only the new one.

COPA tries to spend our limited staff resources on issues that are important and that we can actually influence. In this case, COPA could find no good arguments to oppose this issue on.

COPA members will get a new licence for the cost of submitting a photo or the inconvenience of dropping by a TC office and having a photo taken. The new licence will be secure and combine all your aviation documents into one. Best of all, it will be issued at no cost to pilots.