CBTA CHANGES 

Uncover the Training Changes and Procedures that Impact Your Crew: 

2025 TC CBTA Changes: Competency Based Training and Assessments

Are you feeling uncertain and overwhelmed by the complexities of the new and ever-evolving TDG requirements from Transport Canada? Don't fret, because at Solo Training Systems, we understand your concerns and are here to provide you with comprehensive support. 

Transport Canada has implemented mandatory 2025 updates to Transportation of Dangerous Goods Aviation requirements affecting all Canadian air operators regulated under CARs 702, 703, 704, 705, and flight schools (406), including No Carry operations.
These changes require operators to move away from generic training and minimal documentation toward company specific manuals, competency-based training, and documented assessments.


We offer a range of benefits that are specifically designed to aid you in smoothly transitioning to meet the new regulatory standards:
  • A team of experienced professionals who are well-versed in the latest TDG requirements
  • Ongoing assistance and updates to keep you informed 
  • Training programs tailored to address the unique requirements of your operation 
  • Task Analysis from 2 to 200 (or more)
  • Confirmation of Tasks (Roles) Competencies
  • Master Certification in Market Research

Do I Need a TDG Operations Manual? 


A TDG Operations Manual is required if the operation involves any passenger-accepted dangerous goods, including:

  • Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs)
  • Tablets or iPads with lithium batteries
  • Portable fire extinguishers
  • Crew or passenger baggage
(Exception: flight schools not conducting scenic or sightseeing flights.)

Air Operator Requirements 2025 + ON


All air operators- Carry and No Carry- must implement CBTA-aligned TDG training.

TC emulating ICAO requires:
  • Training content mirrored directly to the operator’s TDG Operations Manual
  • All Air Operators (Unless they are a Flight School that does NOT offer scenic flights)  is required to provide a TDG Operations Manual 
  • Role-specific performance criteria aligned with Form 16-0090
  • Individual competency assessments
  • CID Number Enrollment
  • Generic or off-the-shelf TDG courses are no longer accepted unless fully customized and mirrored to the operator’s manuals.


Required TDG Program Components (2025)

Operators additionally must maintain all of the following:
  1. Customized TDG Operations Manual (Including flight schools, unless they do not offer scenic flights)
  2. CBTA training program with a written or online, combined with a CBTA assessment- aligned or “mirrored” to the manual
  3. TDG competency assessment guides
  4.  Operator-specific online or in-person TDG training
  5. Documented competency records for applicable employees


Who Needs CBTA Training?


 

Operators must include CBTA training customized separately for employees involved in:

  • Flight crew and aircrew
  • Dispatch and flight following
  • Passenger and cargo acceptance
  • Baggage handling
  • Refueling operations
  • Maintenance and
  • storage
  • Air ambulance operations
  • Skydiving operations
  • Ground couriers and
  • drivers

Training must be role-specific, not generic.

WHAT
IS CBTA?

Competency Based Training Assessments 
Competency-Based Training and Assessments (CBTA) is an evaluation method used to assess a employee’s ability to apply knowledge, skills, and behaviours in operationally realistic scenarios.


Rather than relying solely on multiple-choice testing, CBTA focuses on decision-making, threat and error management, and the practical application of procedures. This type of training  evaluates what the individual knows, how they apply that knowledge, and why they make specific decisions when managing normal, abnormal, and time-critical situations in the operational environment.

CBTA emphasizes:
  • Technical skills - actual looking up information in the ORG TDG Manual or IATA manual, not just relying on supervisors

  • Non-technical skills (TEM and Decision making, proper communication, leadership, workload management)

  • Real-world scenarios for the individual employee rather than scripted generic questions or training.   Instructor judgment supported by standardized criteria