Air regulations - AIR - 4.0 MISCELLANEOUS

4.2 Conduct of Experimental Test Flights

The C of A requires that aircraft be maintained and operated in accordance with the Aircraft Type Approval, Weight and Balance Report and Aircraft Flight Manual. If, for test demonstration or experimentation, an aircraft is to be flown outside of the approved Aircraft Flight Manual envelope, with unapproved equipment installed, with equipment intentionally disabled, or with inoperative equipment not covered by an approved Minimum Equipment List or maintenance deferral action, the C of A will be invalid. In these cases, flights may only be authorized through a Flight Permit issued by TC.

It must be emphasized that experimentation beyond the limitations imposed by the aircraft certification documentation (Type Approval, C of A, Aircraft Flight Manual, Minimum Equipment List) may be hazardous as it can reduce the safety margins designed into the aircraft and, thus, jeopardize the safety of the crew. Consequently, experimental or developmental flight testing should normally be conducted only under controlled conditions by specifically qualified aircrew after adequate engineering analysis and planning have taken place.

Before a test flight, the determinations of the conditions and limits of testing, normal and emergency procedures specific to the test, and expected aircraft handling characteristics are essential if risks are to be minimized. If companies or individuals wish to conduct a flight test program, they should apply for a Flight Permit and consult with the aircraft manufacturer and TC, who can help them to assess the risks and their capability to conduct the tests safely.

Careful planning, covering all foreseeable exigencies, is critical to safe testing.

Air regulations - RAC - 3.0 FLIGHT PLANNING

3.13 Fuel Requirements

The fuel requirements contained in this Section do not apply to gliders, balloons or ultra-light aeroplanes. (CAR 602.88)

In addition to VFR and IFR fuel requirements, every aircraft shall carry an amount of fuel that is sufficient to provide for

(a) taxiing and foreseeable delays prior to takeoff;

(b) meteorological conditions;

(c) foreseeable air traffic routings and traffic delays;

(d) landing at a suitable aerodrome in the event of loss of cabin pressurization or, in the case of a multi-engined aircraft, failure of any engine, at the most critical point during the flight; and

(e) any other foreseeable conditions that could delay the landing of the aircraft.

3.13.1 VFR Flight

An aircraft operated in VFR flight shall carry an amount of fuel that is sufficient to allow the aircraft

(a) in the case of an aircraft other than a helicopter,

(i) when operated during the day, to fly to the destination aerodrome and then to fly for 30 minutes at normal cruising speed, or

(ii) when operated at night, to fly to the destination aerodrome and then to fly for 45 minutes at normal cruising speed, or

(b) in the case of a helicopter, to fly to the destination aerodrome and then to fly for 20 min. at normal cruising speed.