FlightSafety International is the first training provider to receive Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) course pre-approval for an aircraft-specific training programme under the Approved Training Organisation (ATO) Pilot Project.

The ATO Pilot Project is part of Transport Canada's effort to establish regulations for the certification and oversight of ATOs. Through this initiative, Transport Canada is introducing a formal, standardised method of pre-approving aircraft-specific training programmes under existing regulatory provisions that address contract training for pilots employed or sponsored by Canadian Aviation Regulation (CAR) 604 private operators or Part 7 commercial air operators.

The first programme to receive a course pre-approval under the project is FlightSafety's Challenger 300 training programme. By establishing standardised training that meets Transport Canada's requirements, FlightSafety is helping Canadian operators reduce administrative complexity, achieve greater consistency and ensure that their pilots are trained to the highest standards of safety and preparedness. Pre-approved courses may be adopted by an air operator's own approved training programme by Transport Canada.

“This milestone reflects our commitment to helping Canadian operators meet regulatory requirements with greater efficiency and confidence,” says Ben Carter, EVP, Learning Center operations, FlightSafety International. “By offering standardised, Transport Canada pre-approved training programmes, we are supporting safety, consistency and preparedness across the Canadian aviation community.”

“This initiative is an important step in advancing the consistency of pilot training in Canada,” adds Ryan Johnson, Transport Canada's chief for pilot training and licensing. “Standardising programmes reduces unnecessary duplication and creates a more uniform approach across the industry, which supports safety over the long term.”

FlightSafety has made aligning its training programmes with Canadian regulatory standards a priority for nearly a decade and will continue expanding its portfolio of Transport Canada pre-approved aircraft-specific programmes. The company is also engaging with Canadian operators to demonstrate how standardised approvals support both regulatory compliance and operational efficiency and will discuss this further at upcoming Canadian Business Aviation Association chapter meetings.