AC 901-002 ¶ 3.0 - section overview

In plain language

This section provides background on the purpose of the Advisory Circular, which is to guide RPAS operators in establishing and maintaining operations and maintenance manuals. It outlines the eligibility requirements for holding a Remotely Piloted Operator Certificate (RPOC) and explains how the robustness of an operator's processes must scale with operational risk.

Requirement as structured

This section provides background on the purpose of the Advisory Circular, which is to guide RPAS operators in establishing and maintaining operations and maintenance manuals. It outlines the eligibility requirements for holding a Remotely Piloted Operator Certificate (RPOC) and explains how the robustness of an operator's processes must scale with operational risk.

Original regulatory text

(1) What is this guide for and who should use it? - (a) This document is intended to guide RPAS Operators in establishing and maintaining the RPAS operations manual, maintenance control manual, and the Processes which are to support an RPOC application and complex SFOC application. (ref CAR 901.214(3)(c), 901.217 (1), 901.218(1), 901.219(1), and 901.221(1).) - (b) In order to hold an RPOC, in most cases, if it was a person, the person must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; if it was a corporation, the corporation must be incorporated under Canadian laws. For any commercial air services, the person must be Canadian, ref CAR 901.213. - (c) RPAS Operators are to establish and maintain their own manuals which reflect their organizational and operational reality. RPAS Operators are expected to assess risk, make logical decisions on how to proceed when hazards/risks are identified, and assess the effectiveness of their safety program on a continuous basis. - (d) TC may verify that declared framework exists, and during any oversight, certification, or inspection activities as per SI SUR-001, to confirm that the system is effective and compliant with CAR 901.214, 901.217 and 901.218, 901.219, and 901.221. (2) Compliance and beyond - (a) Transport Canada works to make our transportation system safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible. This guide is intended to assist RPAS Operators in developing manuals and processes to support safe and efficient RPAS operations. - (b) Well-developed processes from the aviation industry help ensure regulatory compliance and can be leveraged to develop best practices which will ensure safety and add value to the organization. RPAS Operators are recommended to focus on the output of the program, and the structure of the processes. Appendix A with examples is provided to guide RPAS operators to develop their processes. (3) Organizational complexity - (a) The manuals and processes need to be appropriate for the nature and complexity of operations and be compliant with the CARs Part IX. - (b) Lower-risk operations (low altitude, low population density, and uncontrolled airspace) require less robust processes. As the risk levels increase the expectations of a more robust processes increase as well. Higher-risk operations (over 150KGs, high altitude, high population density, in controlled airspace with complex/multiple aircraft, and remote operating centers) usually require processes to meet the elevated risk and robustness levels, but not necessarily complex processes if straightforward processes ensure safe operations. - (c) Most organization’s appropriate process complexity level will fall somewhere in between these two. To conclude, getting started, RPAS Operators should be researching and receiving training on safety programs, processes, and determining where safety intersects with their market positioning.

Applies when

country

Canada

regulatory category

Specific