Navigating the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)
A comprehensive guide to CARs Parts V and VI — maintenance requirements and logbook entries for privately-owned piston aircraft, including approved schedules, out-of-phase items, and Maintenance Release rules.
Overview of CARs
The Canadian Aviation Regulations are freely available online through Transport Canada. The regulations specify what must be done; the standards indicate how to comply. In Part VI, regulation numbers contain a "0" (e.g. 605.84) while corresponding standards contain a "2" (e.g. 625.84).
Approved Maintenance Schedules
CAR 605.86 prohibits takeoff in aircraft not maintained according to an approved schedule. For private owners, Standard 625, Appendix B, Part I provides a blanket maintenance schedule for non-commercial, privately-owned piston aircraft. Owners must document this in their journey logbook and comply with Appendix C.
Out-of-Phase Items (Appendix C)
These calendar-based maintenance requirements operate on hard time limits — unlike annual inspections which allow a grace period.
- Tachometers: annual accuracy check within manufacturer tolerances or ±4% of engine RPM at cruise midpoint.
- Magnetic Direction Indicators: swung annually, with correction cards completed, dated, installed at the compass, and copied into the journey log.
- ELTs: 121.5 MHz only — annual performance test at approved shop. 121.5/406 MHz — annual operational test. 406 MHz — performance test every 2 years. Aircraft may operate up to 30 days without ELT per CAR 605.39.
- Altimetry Devices: biennial calibration if operating in Class B/C/D transponder airspace. Pitot/static system leaks must be checked beforehand — never blow into pitot tubes or static ports.
- ATC Transponders: tested every 24 months, typically simultaneously with altimetry.
Additional Hard-Time Requirements
- Engine oil and filter changes
- ELT battery replacement (manufacturer's time limit)
- Magneto overhaul — 500 hr Bendix, 400 hr Slick
- Exhaust-type heater inspection per AD CF90-03R2 (annually or every 150 hr)
- Propeller bolt re-torque on wood propellers
Maintenance Release Requirements
CAR 571.03 requires all maintenance work to be entered into technical records. Elementary work (Standard 625 Appendix A) may be signed by pilots without a Maintenance Release. All other work requires one.
Authorized signatories: certificated aircraft — appropriately rated AME; amateur-built — owner; Owner-Maintenance Special Certificate — pilot-owner.
References: Transport Canada CARs page · CARs 571 Schedules
Originally published at https://raa-toronto.ca/2025/05/02/navigating-the-canadian-aviation-regulations-cars/