General
Canadian registered aircraft are required to have attached an aircraft identification plate. The fireproof identification plate bears information relating to the manufacture of the aircraft, and is required by CAR 201.01.
When the ownership of a Canadian registered aircraft changes, the registration is cancelled and the registered owner must notify Transport Canada in writing not more than seven days after the change.
Canadian and foreign aircraft operated in Canada, or Canadian aircraft operated in a foreign country, are required to have public liability insurance.
Flight Authority
No person shall operate an aircraft in flight unless a flight authority is in effect in respect to the aircraft, the aircraft is operated in accordance with the conditions set out in the flight authority, and the flight authority is carried on board the aircraft. Certificates of airworthiness are issued for aircraft that fully comply with all standards of airworthiness.
A flight permit may only be issued on a temporary (12 months or less) basis where the aircraft in respect of which an application is made does not conform to the conditions of issue for a C of A or a special C of A. A flight permit is issued in an experimental or specific purpose classification. A flight permit-experimental may be issued for any aircraft, excluding aircraft that are operated under a special C of A in the owner-maintenance or amateur-built classification, which is manufactured for or engaged in aeronautical research and development, or for showing compliance with airworthiness standards. A flight permit-specific purpose may be issued for an aircraft that does not comply with applicable airworthiness standards, but is capable of safe flight.
Annual Airworthiness Information Report
CAR 501.01 requires that the owner of every Canadian aircraft, other than an ultralight aeroplane, submit an Annual Airworthiness Information Report (AAIR) (form 24-0059) in the form and manner specified in Chapter 501 of the Airworthiness Manual.
Maintenance
The aircraft technical records comprise a journey log, a separate technical record for the airframe, each installed engine and each variable-pitch propeller, and except where otherwise provided under the terms of a fleet empty weight and balance program referred to in CAR 706.06, an empty weight and balance report that meets the applicable standards set out in Standard 571 – Maintenance.
The technical records may consist of separate technical records for each component installed in the airframe, engine or propeller. In the case of a balloon or a glider, or an aircraft operated under a special C of A in the owner-maintenance or amateur-built classification, all entries in respect of the technical records, referred to above, may be kept in the journey log.
Compliance with Airworthiness Directives (ADs) is essential to airworthiness. Pursuant to CAR 605.84, aircraft owners are responsible for ensuring that their aircraft are not flown with any ADs outstanding against that aircraft, its engines, propellers and other items of equipment.