Exemption from section 403.04 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations

NCR-029-2020

Pursuant to subsection 5.9(2) of the Aeronautics Act, and after having taken into account that the exemption is in the public interest and is not likely to adversely affect aviation safety or security, I hereby exempt persons exercising the privileges of an aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licence from the requirements of section 403.04 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) when the licence is no longer valid solely because the period of validity specified on the licence has been passed, subject to the conditions set out below.

Section 403.04 of the CARs and those provisions cited in the conditions below, are reproduced in Appendix A.

Purpose

The purpose of this exemption is to adopt temporary measures, in the public interest, to reduce the administrative burden on holders of an AME licence having to renew their licence following the declaration of a pandemic outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization on March 11th, 2020.

The purpose of this exemption is to allow the holder of an AME licence, with an expiry date on their license falling from the date range of March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 to continue to use their licence even if it is not valid.

Application

This exemption applies only to the holders of AME licences when the expiry date on their licence falls within the date range of March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020.

This exemption allows the holder of an AME licence, with an expiry date stated above, to continue to use their privileges, as their licence will be considered valid until August 31, 2020.

This exemption ceases to apply to the holder of an AME licence who renews their licence or breaches a condition of this exemption.

Conditions

This exemption is subject to the following conditions:

1. The AME licence has not been suspended or cancelled.
2. Persons exercising the privileges of an AME licence shall comply with the CARs in all respects except as allowed by this exemption, and the CARs shall continue to apply in all respects other than the specific exemption set out herein.
3. Persons exercising the privileges of an AME licence shall comply with the requirements of section 403.05 of the CARs.

Validity

This exemption is in effect until the earliest of the following:

• a) August 31st, 2020, at 23:59 (EST); or
• b) The date on which this exemption is cancelled in writing by the Minister where he is of the opinion that it is no longer in the public interest or that it is likely to adversely affect aviation safety or security.

Dated at Ottawa, Ontario, Canada this 27th day of March 2020, on behalf of the Minister of Transport.

“Original signed by”

Nicholas Robinson
Director General
Civil Aviation
Transport Canada

Appendix A

Pertinent provisions of the Canadian Aviation Regulations

Validity Period of AME Licence

403.04 Subject to section 403.05, an aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licence is valid for the period specified in the licence.

Recency Requirements

• 403.05 (1) No holder of an aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licence shall exercise the privileges of the licence unless

  • (a) the licence was issued within the preceding 24 months; or
  • (b) the holder of the licence has, for at least six months within the preceding 24 months,
    • (i) performed aircraft maintenance,
    • (ii) supervised the performance of aircraft maintenance,
    • (iii) supervised in an executive capacity the performance of aircraft maintenance, or
    • (iv) served as an aviation maintenance instructor or supervised another aviation maintenance instructor in an aircraft maintenance training course provided by an approved training organization.
• (2) The holder of an AME licence who is not in compliance with subsection (1) shall regain currency in accordance with the standards set out in Chapter 566 of the Airworthiness Manual prior to exercising the privileges of the licence.