# 2013-054 - Contradictory Provisions in Different Versions of Flight Manuals, Course Failure, Progress Review Board...

Case Summary

F&R Date: 2013–12–19

The grievor contested the decision of Commandant of the Flying Training School to uphold the recommendations of the Progress Review Board and terminate his pilot training. The Committee had to determine whether the decision to terminate the grievor's pilot training was reasonable in light of the facts and the relevant policies.

The initial authority (IA) agreed with the decision to terminate the grievor's pilot training and was of the opinion that all the rules for convening a Progress Review Board had been respected. The IA denied the grievance, indicating that the determination of failure had been properly attributed.

Supported by the opinion of a subject matter expert, the Committee determined that, according to the established standard, the grievor had in fact failed three flight tests, meaning that a Progress Review Board had to be convened. On reviewing the case, the Committee also concluded, in light of the circumstances, that the decision to terminate the grievor's pilot training was reasonable and in accordance with policy.

The Committee recommended that the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) deny the grievance.

The Committee did conclude, however, that some of the manuals for pilots and aircrew training would benefit from updates and noted that there were differences between the French and English versions. The Committee therefore issued a systemic recommendation regarding the revision of these manuals.

CDS Decision Summary

CDS Decision Date: 2014–07–14

The FA agrees with the conclusions and the recommendation of the Committee that the grievance be denied. The FA agrees with the Committee's systemic recommendation that the different training manuals and guides for pilots and aircrew be revised and harmonised. To that end, it asked that the Commander Royal Canadian Air Force take the necessary steps to make the English and French versions and the definitions of what constitutes a major and a minor error identical in the various documents.