On my March “from the cockpit” Lack of Ultralight Instructor, I planned to obtain my Ultralight instructor license and contacted Wayne for the purpose of scheduling my training. I can report that I completed my fivehour air training and finished reading the ground school material for instructional technique.

Wayne was able to coordinate with the examiner for my flight test and before that, I was supposed to write Transport Canada (TC) instructional technique exam called FITEN. Which started my journey with TC somewhat confusing system. In order to schedule for the exam, I called two Calgary schools, and both advised me that they are not authorized to administer the exam! I then called TC free number to figure out the next step. On my first call, the TC person was very friendly but not helpful, his advice was that TC doesn’t administer any exam and I have to contact the flying schools. I told him that I contacted two of them and both advised that they are not authorized to administer the exam. He didn’t get my point and kept saying that TC transferred the exams to the school. I asked him to provide the school’s name that is authorized to administer the exam. He unequivocally denied providing any names because TC staffs are not allowed to advertise any school name!! I asked him if he can provide me with all the schools names in Calgary who are authorized to administer the exam, and his response was check the Yellow Pages. Well thanks for the unhelpful advice, because I am certain that the Yellow Pages doesn’t specify the exams that the schools are authorized to administer!

My journey continued and I decided to visit the schools and ask the responsible person to contact TC and check if they are able to administer the FITEN exam. They did and got the answer that they are not authorized either! Then my next move was to visit TC office in the airport to personally meet someone and discuss my case. So, I did. Upon arrival to the office, I found a note on the door stating that all meetings will be conduct by pre-appointment, they provided 888 xxxxx number to contact! Thanks TC, but I will not go back and call the 888 number. I rang the doorbell and spoke with very friendly voice from the office. Once I told her few words about my confusion, she came and opened the door and let me in. Thanks God, I am able to speak with a person face to face. With few words the lead recognized the hassle that I am facing and told me to wait for her to make a phone call. In few minutes she returned, apologized for the confusion and advised that TC office in Calgary does administer the FITEN test. Yahoo: I booked the test date and time and hoped to report next month that I passed the test.

Despite that I consider myself a technology savvy, but I have never been a fan of call centers, it does take the human interaction from its context and turn us to a machine interacting with other machine via a predetermined question. So, TC please allow some walk-ins in your offices at least for the people who are confused in dealing with your sophisticated systems.