Training allowed for non-multi rated students in twins

[ARQuattr]

My understanding is that you cannot instruct toward any rating other than a multi-engine rating in a multi-engine airplane for a student that doesn't have a multi-engine rating. Is that the case and is there a CARs reference for this?

So, if an instructor is qualified to instruct night, multi and IFR, but the student doesn't already have a multi rating, the only training that can be done in a multi-engine plane is for the multi rating, i.e. they couldn't do night or instrument training until the student gets the multi rating. For example, if a student has done multi training and is ready for a multi rating flight test but has to wait a month for that, could the instructor continue working with them on IFR training in a twin in the meantime?

[CpnCrunch]

No, the only restriction is that you can't train for the PPL, CPL or RPL unless the student owns the plane or the plane is obtained at arms length from the instructor. See 406.03 (2).

The scenario you outlined seems perfectly legal. Obviously the instructor would be PIC in this case, and the insurance on the aircraft would need to cover the flight training of people not listed on the policy.

A person who does not hold a flight training unit operator certificate may operate a flight training service if

(a) the person holds a private operator registration document or an air operator certificate, the aircraft used for training — in the case of the holder of an air operator certificate — is specified in the air operator certificate, and the training is other than toward obtaining a pilot permit — recreational, a private pilot licence, a commercial pilot licence or a flight instructor rating; or

(b) the trainee is

(i) the owner, or a member of the family of the owner, of the aircraft used for training,

(ii) a director of a corporation that owns the aircraft used for training, and the training is other than toward obtaining a pilot permit — recreational or a private pilot licence, or

(iii) using an aircraft that has been obtained from a person who is at arm’s length from the flight instructor, and the training is other than toward obtaining a pilot permit — recreational or a private pilot licence.

[ARQuattr]

Thanks Cpn. I'm familiar with that section of the CARs - I believe CPL isn't included though.

[CpnCrunch]

Thanks Cpn. I'm familiar with that section of the CARs - I believe CPL isn't included though.

It does seem to be listed in (a). I didn't think it was included either. I'm not sure if it has changed recently, or if it was always there.

[Conflicting Traffic]

My understanding is that you cannot instruct toward any rating other than a multi-engine rating in a multi-engine airplane for a student that doesn't have a multi-engine rating. Is that the case and is there a CARs reference for this?

So, if an instructor is qualified to instruct night, multi and IFR, but the student doesn't already have a multi rating, the only training that can be done in a multi-engine plane is for the multi rating, i.e. they couldn't do night or instrument training until the student gets the multi rating.

This is close but not quite correct. The CARs reference you're looking for is CAR 425.21(5):

A person who conducts flight training in a multi-engine aeroplane where the trainee does not have a multi-engine class rating shall:
(a) be the holder of a Commercial Pilot Licence or an Airline Transport Pilot Licence;
(b) have multi-engine pilot experience, which if acquired on centre thrust multi-engine aeroplanes may be credited toward qualifying a pilot to provide centre thrust multi-engine flight instruction only; and
(c) have experience of not less than 50 hours flight time on multi-engine aeroplanes with not less than 10 hours on the type of aeroplane used for the training.

The emphasized part is the key, it says "in a multi-engine aeroplane", not "towards a multi-engine rating". If the student doesn't hold a multi-engine class rating, the instructor must have 50 hours ME and 10 h on type. However, if the instructor has these requirements, they can teach anything they are qualified to teach (e.g. - night if they have an instructor rating).

For example, if a student has done multi training and is ready for a multi rating flight test but has to wait a month for that, could the instructor continue working with them on IFR training in a twin in the meantime?

Yes.