The ACP Course academic phase includes:

• ACP delegated authorities and administration
• TC licensing requirements and forms
• Debriefing techniques
• IFR rules and procedures
• Assessing pilot performance
• CRM assessment techniques
• TC flight test standards
• Threat and error management
• Conducting flight tests
• Assessment scenarios

Approved Check Pilots who require refresher ACP training attend the ACP Refresher Course that consists of the last two days of the academic phase of the ACP Initial Course.  This meets all TC 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 Cessna Citation (C550) Level D Simulator.  Aerosolutions provides the instructor and pilots, and the students conduct the PPC and assess the performance and debrief accordingly. 

The instructor has over 10 years experience teaching this course as well as meeting regularly with TC to discuss various aspects of the ACP program and ACP Manual.  The instructor has also recently written several sections in the ACP Manual and is developing a training program for TC on evaluating CRM and for TC monitors of ACPs. There is a pre-course assignment as required by TC.

Transport Canada ACP Program

APPROVED CHECK PILOT (ACP) REFRESHER COURSE

This TC-approved 2-day course is designed for experienced check pilots who want to "brush-up" on their skills with the latest techniques in the flight-testing environment.  It is a Transport Canada requirement that refresher training be taken every three years.  Emphasis is on group participation and discussion of the "grey areas" in flight testing.

The ACP Refresher Course includes the following segments:

• Issues concerning administration and licensing
• Recent changes in flight testing
• Debriefing techniques
• Threat and error management techniques
• Assessment techniques
• CRM assessment techniques
• Assessment scenarios

The ACP Refresher Course is given during the last two days of the ACP Initial Course several times a year in Ottawa, but can be provided at other locations on request. 

APPROVED CHECK PILOT MONITORING (ACPM) COURSE

This course is designed to provide a quality control standard for organizations that must monitor the performance of approved check pilots to ensure a uniform standard.  It is a 1-day course with the following emphasis:

• Goals of monitoring
• ACP standards
• Monitoring guidelines
• Briefing and debriefing requirements
• Common errors and weak performance
• Assessment standards
• Form completion
• Assessment scenarios

This course prepares TC Inspectors and supervisory staff to fairly monitor the performance of instructors and check pilots and provides practical examples of many issues that arise during monitoring. The ICPM course will normally be delivered at your location and be "tailored" to meet your specific training requirements. It can be expanded to cover instructor monitoring.

IFR RULES AND PROCEDURES REFRESHER COURSE

A 2-day course designed for the professional IFR pilot that covers all the "grey areas" of IFR flying and ensures a sound knowledge of the Instrument Procedures Manual and AIM chapters dealing with IFR flying.  Recommended procedures for the most efficient and safe IFR flying for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing are covered during this course.  All IFR rules and procedures are covered in a phase of flight format from pre-flight to go-around.  As well, differences between flying IFR in Canada and the US are included.  Practical examples are used extensively to encourage participation and retention.  Group mini-workshops and case studies are employed to answer IFR questions. 

The IFR Rules and Procedures Refresher Course is also suitable for IFR students prior to writing the Transport Canada INRAT exam or prior to taking the Instrument Flight Test as advanced academic training.  However, it is recommended that IFR students take an IFR training seminar designed to help pass the INRAT exam prior to attending this course. The IFR Refresher is offered in Ottawa but may be given at other locations on request.  The IFR Rules and Procedures Course is taught by the Principal Consultant for Aerosolutions who wrote the last two editions of the TC Instrument Procedures Manual (TP2076). This course is also available in French. [Ce cours est également disponible en français.]

INTERNATIONAL PROCEDURES (IP) COURSE

This 3-day course provides the professional pilot with all the necessary information to fly safely and efficiently to international destinations outside the US and Canada. The IP course can be developed on request and will be specifically designed to meet your training needs. The IP course will likely contain the following information:

• Airspace rules and procedures
• Flight planning considerations
• Using charts and maps
• Available documentation
• Radio procedures and Automatic Dependant Surveillance (ADS)
• Emergency procedures
• Required navigation systems
• Using aircraft navigation systems 
• Using the master flight plan
• Atlantic procedures
• Pacific procedures
• RVSM procedures
• Country differences  
• EROPS procedures
• Equal fuel point calculations
• Language barriers
• Customs and diplomatic relations
• Fatigue and jet lag

At various points throughout the course students will be given a practical problem relating to the material just covered and will be asked to provide the best solution.  This may be done individually or in groups.  The final part of this course would be a simulated flight from Canada to Europe.  Using printed information provided on the course, students will take action and answer questions relating to international procedures and the specific problems encountered during the flight.  Once complete, a group discussion will follow on the "best" solutions or answers to each situation.

The instructor has 24 years experience flying internationally to virtually all parts of the globe, including medium range and ultra-long range flying.  He has also been Chairman of an ICAO Study Group on ADS (Automatic Dependant Surveillance).  The International Procedures Course will normally be offered at your requested location.

AQP INSTRUCTOR/EVALUATOR COURSE

This course is based on the TC requirements for AQP (Advanced Qualification Program).  It outlines the goals and requirements of AQP, TC standards and the requirements for the AQP Instructor/Evaluator.  The role of threat and error management techniques, evaluation techniques and TC administration in AQP is also covered.

As AQP is different for every airline, this AQP training will be tailored to meet your needs – whether that includes supervisory staff, instructors or evaluators.  This course will be offered at your requested location.

EVALUATING CRM FOR CHECK PILOTS (ECRM) COURSE

This 2-day training is designed to assist check pilots in their TC requirement to evaluate CRM during flight checks.  Using videos, role-plays and group interaction students will cover the following material:

• TC requirements and standards
• CRM skills
• Threat and Error Management techniques
• CRM evaluation guidelines
• Debriefing CRM performance
• CRM evaluation scenarios
• Problem candidates

The ECRM course is under development and the inaugural course will be delivered November 29-30, 2006 in Ottawa. The ECRM Course can be shortened to 1 day and delivered on request to your experienced ACPs as an advanced training program.

CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (CRM) COURSE

This 2 or 3-day course uses the latest generation of Human Factors (HF) information, models and practical flying suggestions to help pilots most effectively use CRM skills. This course can be given as a refresher or an initial CRM course. It uses Threat and Error Management models and philosophies and personal discipline skills. The most recent HF publications by the top experts in this field are also used as a basis for this CRM course. Reference material is used from the following sources: Transport Canada, FAA, UK CAA, ICAO, IATA, Flight Safety Foundation, NASA/AMES and various airlines and universities. The emphasis is on how pilots can use this information and effective CRM skills to them to be safer pilots. The CRM Refresher and Initial courses both meet all TC requirements for Decision Making (DM) and CRM training.

Various case studies are used to generate discussion and promote understanding of how to use CRM skills such as situational awareness to improve flight safety. Group problem-solving and case studies are methods used to assist in learning and retention. Several videos are also shown to ensure realism. Student presentations based on pre-course reading is also part of the program.

Organizational CRM has an integral part in this course, particularly as it relates to flying safety. There is consideration for both single-pilot and multi-crew environments as well as the relationship between pilots, AMEs, flight attendants and line management.

The focus of this course is twofold:

1. How to use Threat and Error Management techniques to avoid, trap and mitigate errors; and

2. Using CRM skills to aid in error management.

The instructor has been involved in industry leading CRM developments with a major airline and other clients for several years, including developing training for assessing CRM during flight checks and CRM in an Advanced Qualification Program (AQP). This course can be tailored for your operation and can include maintainers, flight attendants and dispatchers as well as pilots.

DECISION-MAKING (DM)

The Aerosolutions Decision-Making Course is a single-day training that meets all Transport Canada requirements for DM training found in CAR 723.28 and 722.17.

• Personal discipline
• Error management
• Communication
• Situation awareness
• Decision-making

Using videos and case studies, the student will be challenged to improve their flight management and DM skills. DM training is important for any commercial pilot. The DM Course will normally be delivered on request at your location.

THREAT AND ERROR MANAGEMENT (TEM)

The Aerosolutions Threat and Error Management Course is a single-day training that focuses on how pilots can recognize threats and manage errors. Using the latest human factors research from various sources including ICAO, IATA, NASA/AMES, UK CAA, FAA, LOSA audits and Transport Canada, this course helps pilots to effectively and safely handle threats to safety from inside and outside the flight deck.

Under error management, the following topics are covered:

• Why we make errors
• What kinds of error we make
• Personal lines of defence against error
• How to avoid, trap and mitigate errors

Using videos and case studies, students will gain an in-depth understanding of effective methods to deal with threats and reduce the number and severity of errors.

This type of training is especially important for check pilots, instructors and management. The TEM Course is delivered on request, normally at your location.

CRM SKILLS (CRMS)

The Aerosolutions CRM Skills Course is designed as a refresher to the CRM initial course or as an introduction to CRM skills. This single-day training provides pilots, AMEs and flight attendants with a sound basic knowledge and understanding of the importance of good CRM skills and some techniques to improve these job-related skills.

The following five CRM skills are discussed:

• Communication
• Situation Awareness
• Crew Performance
• Workload Management
• Decision-Making

Within these skills, sub-topics such as teamwork, briefings, conflict resolution and monitoring and feedback are also covered.

Using videos and case studies, students will gain an in-depth understanding of effective methods and techniques to improve safety and efficiency through better CRM skills. The emphasis is on personal strategies that can be used on the job. The CRM Skills Course is delivered on request, normally at your location.

AIRCRAFT COMMAND (AC) COURSE

This 3-day course prepares pilots for the responsibility of aircraft command in a commercial or business environment. It focuses on all the new areas of knowledge and judgment required to be a successful aircraft commander. Most of Day 3 is spent on scenarios and case studies where the student must make decisions based on complex problems. This is covered using group interaction and timeframes similar to what a Captain will experience during normal flying. Decision Making (DM), leadership, followership, communication, conflict resolution and team building are all part of the course curriculum.

The following subjects are covered on this course:

So, what does a
check pilot do?

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