The Canadian Armed Forces announces the retirement of the Aviation Physiology Technician occupation
Press Release
Aviation Physiology Technicians (Av Phys Techs) possess critical skills and knowledge that contribute to both the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS). They are responsible for supporting aircrew, High Altitude Parachutists, and civilian flight personnel through academic and practical instruction on the psychological and physiological effects of aviation. Av Phys Techs maintain a high level of expertise in aeromedical matters, demonstrate professionalism in the execution of their duties, and uphold a sense of responsibility and commitment to the Canadian Forces Aeromedical Training Programme.
In recent years, the Av Phys Tech occupation underwent a comprehensive occupational analysis to examine its structure, training, and long-term sustainability. This review identified several challenges, including limited career progression, a small occupational footprint, an overlap of work with already existing occupations, and increasing challenges to sustaining specialized training and personnel generation. The analysis also highlighted that older occupation structures no longer align with what the CAF needs to support aviation-related health and performance.
As an outcome of the analysis, the Av Phys Tech occupation will be retired, and its core functions will be distributed across other occupations within the CAF. These functions, including aviation life support equipment management, physiological and environmental training, and high-altitude airdrop mission support, will be transitioned primarily to the Bioscience Officer, Paramedic, and Aircraft Structures Technician occupations. This approach will ensure that the critical skills and capabilities possessed by the Av Phys Tech occupation are maintained, while improving flexibility, sustainability, and alignment with modern operational requirements.
The transfer of functions and retirement of the Av Phys Tech occupation will begin on July 15, 2026, and continue through to the end of September 2029. This phased approach will allow for the deliberate transfer of responsibilities, continuity of support to air operations, and the effective management of personnel as they transfer occupations throughout the process.
Current Av Phys Techs will undergo a structured transition process, with opportunities for occupational transfer into trades that best match their skills, experience, and professional qualifications. Career management support, training equivalencies, and individualized transition plans have been developed to facilitate this process and support members throughout this organizational change.
The CAF recognizes the significant contributions of Av Phys Techs to air operations and remains committed to preserving their expertise. The aviation physiology knowledge and experience, best practices, and lessons learned from the Av Phys Tech occupation are being captured and integrated into the receiving occupations to ensure continued support to the aerospace domain.
The retirement of the Av Phys Tech occupation represents an important step in CAF personnel modernization. By adapting its approach to delivering the functions associated with aviation physiology, the CAF will continue to deliver effective, agile, and sustainable support to aircrew and aviation operations across the full spectrum of missions.
For more information on the implementation, please contact the implementation team at AvPhysTechImp-ImpPhysTechAero@forces.gc.ca.
I can't help feeling this is an example of a internal change to the CAF practices that makes it a more attractive place to have a career. That line about "limited career progression" is carrying a lot of weight. The old way of doing things is not necessarily the best way...