1-Aim Book-2022-2 - Access - e (001-165)

TC-1007083
TC-1007083
AERONAUTICAL
INFORMATION
MANUAL
Effective 0901Z, October 6, 2022 to 0901Z, March 23, 2023
TP 14371E
(2022-2)
1. Aeronautical Information Manual - AIM 2022-2
Effective 0901Z, October 6, 2022 to 0901Z, March 23, 2023
2. Next Edition:
AIM 2023-1 March 23, 2023
Printed in Canada
3. Please direct your TC AIM comments and inquiries to:
TC AIM Co-ordinator (AARTT)

Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0N8
Telephone:....................................................................... 613-993-4502
Fax:....................................................................................613-952-3298
E-mail:.................................. TC.AeronauticalInformationManual-
Manueldinformationaeronautique.TC@tc.gc.ca
For general Civil Aviation inquires please contact:
Civil Aviation Communications Centre (AARC)

Transport Canada
Place de Ville
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N8
E-mail:.......................................................................services@tc.gc.ca
4. © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Transport 2022
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, without prior written permission of the Department of Transport, Canada. Please
contact the Civil Aviation Communications Centre at 1-800-305-2059 (EST) for assistance.
The information in this publication is to be considered solely as a guide and should not be
quoted as or considered to be a legal authority. It may become obsolete in whole or in part at any
time without notice.
5. ISSN: 1715-7382
TP 14371E
(02/2022)
TC-1007083
TP 14371E
Transport Canada
Aeronautical Information Manual
(TC AIM)
OCTOBER 6, 2022
TC AIM October 6, 2022
TRANSPORT CANADA AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION

MANUAL (TC AIM)
EXPLANATION OF CHANGES
EFFECTIVE—OCTOBER 6, 2022
NOTES: (6) MET 4.11 Clouds and Weather Chart
The abbreviation QS (quasi-stationary) in paragraph
1. Editorial and format changes were made throughout the
(a) Synoptic features was replaced with STNR
TC AIM where necessary and those that were deemed
(stationary).
insignificant in nature were not included in the “Explanation
of Changes.” (7) MET 4.11 Clouds and Weather Chart
The symbol “SHRA” in paragraph (d) Visibility was
2. Effective March 31, 2016, licence differences with ICAO replaced with “SHSN” to reflect what is more
Annex 1 Standards and Recommended Practices, previously commonly used on weather charts and in aviation
located in LRA 1.8 of the TC AIM, have been removed and weather reports.
can now be found in AIP Canada GEN 1.7.
(8) MET 4.12 Icing, Turbulence and Freezing Level Chart
3. The blue highlights in the manual represent the changes Abbreviations were edited and changed.
described in this section. (9) MET 5.2 Issuance Criteria
Some abbreviations were modified and amended.
AGA
(10) MET 5.7 Location of the Phenomenon
(1) AGA 7.6.1 General The text in this subpart was amended for clarity and
The text in this section was amended for clarity and ease of reading.
ease of reading. The text was also updated to more (11) MET 5.7.1 Circle
clearly present information regarding eye-to-wheel The text in this section was amended for clarity and
height (EWH). ease of reading.
COM (12) MET 5.7.2 Line
(1) COM 5.4.2.2 Global Navigation Satellite The text in this section was amended for clarity and
System (GNSS) Overlay Approaches ease of reading.
This subsection was deleted as Canada no longer (13) MET 5.7.3 Polygon
publishes GNSS overlay approaches. The text in this section was amended for clarity and
ease of reading.
MET
(14) MET 6.0 Significant Meteorological
(1) MET 1.1.1 Meteorological Information Information (SIGMET)
The postal address for NAV CANADA was updated. Multiple abbreviations were changed to reflect what is
(2) MET 1.1.5 Weather Information from Air Traffic more commonly used on weather charts and in
Service (ATS) aviation weather reports.
Additional information was added regarding RVR (15) MET 7.3 National Variations
observations and communications to pilots and The text in this subpart was amended for clarity and
aircrew. ease of reading.
(3) MET 1.1.8 Differences from International Civil RAC
Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 3
The text in this section was amended for clarity and (1) RAC 2.8 Airspace Classification
ease of reading, and correction of tenses. The text in this subpart was amended for clarity and
(4) MET 1.2.3 Weather Services Definitions in Flight ease of reading.
Publications (2) RAC 4.2.5.1 Oblique Angle Intersection Use
New text was added to clarify the status of weather Changes to oblique angle intersection use at
services not included in the flight publications. controlled airports were previously published in
(5) MET 1.2.4.2 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Weather aeronautical information circular (AIC) 8/22.
Stations (3) RAC 4.2.5.2 Best Practices for Pilots
Text was added to address automated weather stations A new subsection was added.
disseminating information through the Internet. (4) RAC 4.4.2 Initial Clearance
The text under VFR Holding Procedures was amended
for clarity and ease of reading.
(5) RAC 5.8 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Operations Within (10) RPA 3.4.2.1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilot
Class C Airspace Certificate
The text in this subpart was amended for clarity and Information was added regarding the Canadian
ease of reading. RPAS 101 guide.
(6) RAC 9.6.1 Contact Approach (11) RPA 3.4.2.2 Recency Requirements
This section was amended to remove references to Information was added regarding the accessibility of
GNSS overlay approaches. the completed copy.
(7) RAC 9.17.1 Corrections for Temperature (12) RPA 3.4.5 Operations at or in the Vicinity of an
An equation was removed and the section was Airport or Heliport—Established Procedure
amended for clarity and ease of reading. Information was added in this section for clarity.
(8) RAC 9.21 Aircraft Approach Categories (13) RPA 3.6.2 Application for a Special Flight Operations
Some text at the beginning of this subpart was deleted Certificate (SFOC)—Remotely Piloted Aircraft
and information was added regarding approach System (RPAS)
speeds and aircraft approach categories. Information was added regarding the time required
NAT to receive an SFOC—RPAS, depending on the
complexity.
(1) NAT 1.17.2.1 Aircraft Procedures—Westbound
The text in this subsection was amended for clarity
and ease of reading.
(2) NAT 1.17.2.2 Aircraft Procedures—Eastbound
The text in this subsection was amended for clarity
and ease of reading.
(3) NAT 1.19.3 Provisions for Partial Loss of Navigation
Capability
Some waypoints were deleted.
(4) NAT 1.19.4 Special Routes for Aircraft Fitted with a
Single Long-Range Navigation System
Some waypoints were deleted.
RPA
(1) RPA 1.0 General Information
Some clarifications were provided and references to
TC Web sites containing additional RPAS
information were added.
(2) RPA 2.0 Micro Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs)—Less
Than 250 g
The text in this part was reworded for clarity.
(3) RPA 3.0 Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs)—
250 g to 25 kg
The text in this part was reworded for clarity.
(4) RPA 3.2.3.2 Controlled Airspace
Information was added in paragraph (f) Class F
Airspace.
(5) RPA 3.2.8 Visual Observers
The text in this section was reworded for clarity.
(6) RPA 3.2.35 Operations at or in the Vicinity of an
Aerodrome, Airport, or Heliport
The text was reworded for clarity.
(7) RPA 3.2.38 Tethered Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)
Information was added regarding control line models.
(8) RPA 3.3.2.1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilot
Certificate
Information was added regarding the Canadian
RPAS 101 guide.
(9) RPA 3.3.2.2 Recency Requirements
Information was added regarding the accessibility of
the completed copy.
Table of Contents
GEN—GENERAL1
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION�� 1
1.1 Aeronautical Information�� 1
1.1.1 Aeronautical Authority��1
1.1.2 Aeronautical Information Management (AIM)��2
1.1.3 Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM)��2
1.1.4 Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM) Publication Information��2
1.1.5 NOTAM��3
1.1.6 Aerodromes��3
1.2 Summary of National Regulations�� 3
1.3 Differences with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards, Recommended Practices and
Procedures�� 3
1.3.1 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Procedures for Air Navigation Services—Aircraft
Operations (PANS OPS)��3
1.4 Units of Measurement�� 3
1.4.1 Other Units��3
1.4.2 Geographic Reference��4
1.5 Time System�� 4
1.5.1 Date-Time Group��4
1.5.2 Morning and Evening Twilight Charts��4
1.5.3 Time Zone��6
1.6 Nationality and Registration Marks�� 6
1.7 V–Speeds�� 6
1.7.1 Conversion Tables��7
1.7.2 RVR Comparative Scale–Feet to Metres��8
2.0 SAFETY�� 8
2.1 Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Program�� 8
2.1.1 General��8
2.1.2 Refusal to Work in Dangerous Situations��9
2.1.3 Delegated Labour Program Officials ��9
2.2 Aviation Safety Analysis�� 9
2.2.2 Aviation Safety Research and Analysis��9
2.2.3 Minister’s Observer and Technical Advisor Programs��9
2.2.4 Safety Promotion��10
2.3 General Aviation Safety Program��10
3.0 TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD OF CANADA (TSB)�� 10

3.1 Aviation Safety Investigation��10
3.2 Definitions��10
3.3 Reporting an Aviation Occurrence��11
3.3.1 Accidents��11
3.3.2 Mandatory Reportable Incidents��11
3.3.3 Information to Report��11
3.3.4 Other Occurrences��12
3.3.5 Contacting the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB)��12
3.4 Keeping and Preservation of Evidence�� 12
3.5 SECURITAS Program�� 12
3.5.1 How to Report to SECURITAS��12
3.5.2 What to Report to SECURITAS��12
3.5.3 Where to Submit a SECURITAS Report��13
3.6 Offices of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB)�� 13
4.0 INDEX OF KEYWORDS�� 14
i
5.0 MISCELLANEOUS�� 27
5.1 Glossary of Aeronautical Terms�� 27
5.2 Abbreviations and Acronyms�� 39
5.3 Legislation Index �� 44
5.4 Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC)�� 45
5.4.1 General�� 45
5.4.2 Governing Principles�� 45
5.4.3 Objective�� 46
5.4.4 Organizational Structure�� 46
5.4.4.1 Focus Group�� 46
5.4.4.2 Special Technical Committee�� 46
5.4.4.3 Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC) Plenary�� 46
5.4.4.4 Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) Management Team�� 46
5.4.4.5 Secretariat�� 46
5.4.5 Project Resources�� 46
5.4.6 Communication�� 46
5.4.7 Information��47
6.0 AVIATION OPERATIONS CENTRE (AOC)�� 47

6.1 Aviation Operations Centre (AOC)—Civil Aviation Accident, Occurrence and Incident Reporting�� 47
7.0 CIVIL AVIATION ISSUES REPORTING SYSTEM (CAIRS)�� 47
AGA—AERODROMES49
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION �� 49
1.1 General�� 49
1.1.1 Aerodrome Authority�� 49
1.1.2 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Documents�� 49
1.1.3 Canadian Runway Friction Index (CRFI)�� 49
1.1.4 Contaminated Runway Operations�� 49
1.1.4.1 Canadian Civil Aerodromes�� 49
1.1.4.2 Department of National Defence Aerodromes�� 49
1.1.5 Wildlife Hazard�� 49
1.2 International Airports�� 49
1.2.1 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Definitions�� 50
1.3 Aerodrome Directory�� 50
1.4 Aeronautical Ground Lights�� 50
2.0 AERODROMES AND AIRPORTS�� 50

2.1.1 Registration�� 50
2.1.2 Certification�� 50
2.2 Use of Aerodromes, Airports, and Heliports��51
2.3 Airport/Heliport/Water Airport Certification��51
2.3.2 Applicability of Airport Certification��51
2.3.3 Transport Canada’s Responsibilities��51
2.3.4 Operator’s Responsibilities��51
2.3.5 Airport Certification Process��52
2.3.6 Regulatory References for Aerodrome Certification (Airport/Heliport/Water Airport)��52
2.4 Airport/Heliport/Water Airport Certificate�� 52
2.4.1 Issue��52
2.4.2 Airport Certificate Validity and Amendments��52
3.0 RUNWAY CHARACTERISTICS�� 52

3.1 Runway Length and Width�� 52
3.2 Runway Strip�� 52
3.3 Runway Safety Area�� 52
ii
3.4 Runway End Safety Area (RESA)�� 52

3.5 Runway Threshold Displacement�� 53
3.6 Runway Turn Pad�� 53
3.7 Blast Pad�� 53
3.8 Stopway�� 53
3.9 Clearway�� 53
3.10 Declared Distances�� 53
3.11 Rapid-Exit Taxiways�� 53
3.12 Runway and Taxiway Bearing Strength�� 53
3.12.1 Pavement Load Rating Charts�� 54
3.13 Heliports�� 54
3.13.1 Final Approach and Take-Off Area (FATO)�� 54
3.13.2 Heliport Classification�� 54
3.13.3 Heliport Operational Limitations�� 54
4.0 OBSTACLE RESTRICTIONS�� 54

4.2 Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS)�� 55
4.2.2 Heliports��55
4.3 Airport Zoning Regulations�� 55
4.3.2 Airports Where Zoning Regulations Are in Effect��55
5.0 MARKERS, MARKINGS, SIGNS, AND INDICATORS�� 55

5.1 Aircraft Take-off or Landing Area Boundary Markers�� 55
5.2 Air Taxiway Edge Markers�� 56
5.3 Seaplane Dock Markers�� 56
5.4 Runway Markings�� 57
5.4.1 Displaced Threshold Markings��57
5.4.2 Stopway Markings�� 58
5.4.3 Runway Holding Position Markings�� 58
5.5 Heliports�� 59
5.5.1 Heliport Touchdown and Lift-Off Area (TLOF) Marking��59
5.5.2 Safety Area Markers��59
5.5.3 Heliport Identification Markings��59
5.5.4 Final Approach and Take-Off Area (FATO) Markers��59
5.5.5 Helicopter Parking Position Markings��59
5.5.6 Approach and Take-Off Direction Indicator Markings��59
5.6 Closed Markings�� 59
5.7 Unserviceable Area Markers�� 60
5.8 Airside Signs�� 60
5.8.1 General�� 60
5.8.2 Information Signs�� 60
5.8.3 Mandatory Instruction Signs��61
5.8.4 Illumination of Airside Signs��62
5.9 Wind Direction Indicators�� 62
6.0 OBSTRUCTION MARKING AND LIGHTING�� 62

6.2 Regulations�� 62
6.3 Aeronautical Evaluation�� 63
6.4 Marking�� 63
6.5 Lighting�� 63
6.5.1 Rotating Obstruction Light�� 63
6.5.2 Tower Configurations�� 64
6.6 Appurtenances�� 64
6.7 Suspended Cable Span Markings�� 64
6.8 Aircraft Detection Systems�� 65
iii
7.0 AERODROME LIGHTING�� 65

7.2 Aerodrome Beacon�� 65
7.3 Minimum Night Lighting Requirements at Aerodromes�� 66
7.4 Unserviceable Area Lighting�� 66
7.5 Approach Lighting�� 66
7.5.1 Non-Precision Approach Runways�� 66
7.5.2 Precision Approach Runways�� 67
7.6 Visual Approach Slope Indicator Systems (VASIS)�� 67
7.6.1 General�� 67
7.6.2 Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) V1 and V2 and Abbreviated VASI (AVASI) AV�� 67
7.6.3 Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) and Abbreviated PAPI (APAPI) �� 68
7.6.4 Categories According to Eye-To-Wheel Height (EWH) in the Approach Configuration�� 68
7.6.4.1 General�� 68
7.6.4.2 Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) Categories�� 68
7.6.4.3 Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) Categories�� 69
7.6.5 Knowing the Eye-to-Wheel Height (EWH)�� 69
7.6.6 Obstacle Protection Surface (OPS)�� 69
7.7 Runway Identification Lighting�� 69
7.7.1 Runway Threshold Identification Lights (RTIL)�� 69
7.7.2 Visual Alignment Guidance System (VAGS)��70
7.8 Runway Lighting�� 70
7.8.1 Runway Edge Lights (REDL)��70
7.8.2 Runway Threshold Lights and Runway End Lights (RENL)��70
7.8.3 Displaced Threshold Lighting��71
7.8.4 Runway Centreline Lighting��71
7.8.5 Runway Touchdown Zone Lighting��71
7.9 Rapid-Exit Taxiway Indicator Lights (RETIL)�� 71
7.10 Taxiway Lighting�� 71
7.10.1 Taxiway Edge Lights��71
7.10.2 Taxiway Centreline Lights�� 72
7.10.3 Stop Bars�� 72
7.11 Runway Guard Lights�� 72
7.12 Heliport Lighting�� 73
7.12.1 Touchdown and Lift-Off Area (TLOF) Lighting��73
7.12.2 Final Approach and Take-Off (FATO) Lighting��73
7.12.3 Approach/Take-Off Direction Lights��73
7.13 Emergency Lighting��74
7.14 Aircraft Radio Control of Aerodrome Lighting (ARCAL)��74
7.15 Retroreflective Markers��74
8.0 AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIRE FIGHTING (ARFF)�� 74

8.1 General��74
8.2 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Hours of Availability��74
8.3 Classification System��74
8.4 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Standby Request�� 75
8.5 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Discreet Communication�� 75
9.0 AIRCRAFT ARRESTING SYSTEMS�� 75

9.1 Engineered Material Arresting Systems (EMAS)�� 75
9.1.1 System Description��75
9.1.2 System Depiction��76
9.1.3 Pilot Considerations for Engagement��76
9.2 Military Aircraft Arresting Systems��76
9.2.1 Background��76
9.2.2 Markings�� 77
9.2.3 Operations�� 77
9.2.4 Damage Hazards�� 77
9.2.5 Information for Pilots�� 77
iv
10.0 AIRPORT COLLABORATIVE DECISION MAKING (A-CDM)�� 77

10.1 Introduction�� 77
10.2 Operational Concept�� 77
10.3 Terms�� 78
10.4 Scope of Applicability�� 78
10.5 Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) Procedures�� 79
10.5.1 Commercial Air Transport Operations — Procedures for Operators and Handling Agents�� 79
10.5.1.1 Requirement for All Flights to Have a Current Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)�� 79
10.5.1.2 Preferred Way of Providing the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)�� 79
10.5.1.3 Access to the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)�� 79
10.5.1.4 Pre-Departure Sequencing — Target Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT) Generation�� 79
10.5.1.5 Access to the Target Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT)�� 79
10.5.1.6 Target Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT) Swapping�� 79
10.5.1.7 The Importance of Updating the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)�� 79
10.5.1.8 Target Off-Block Time (TOBT) Update Limitations�� 79
10.5.1.9 Methods for Updating the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)�� 79
10.5.2 Commercial Air Transport Operations — Flight Crew Procedures�� 79
10.5.2.1 Target Off-Block Time (TOBT) and Target Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT) Delivery Channels�� 79
10.5.2.2 Access to the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)�� 80
10.5.2.4 Information Related to Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) on the Advanced Visual Docking
Guidance System (AVDGS)�� 80
10.5.2.5 Call Ready Procedure�� 80
10.5.2.6 Procedures for Extended Times Between Target Off-Block Time (TOBT) and
Target Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT)�� 80
10.5.2.7 Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM)-Imposed Waiting Time and On-Time Performance�� 80
10.5.2.8 Pushback / Start-Up Approval�� 80
10.5.2.9 Flight Crew Concerns About Meeting Constraints�� 80
10.5.2.10 De-icing Operations��81
10.5.3 General and Business Aviation Operations — Air Operator Procedures��81
10.5.3.1 Prior Permission to Operate Required (Reservation)��81
10.5.3.2 Requirement to Provide the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)��81
10.5.3.3 Pre-Departure Sequencing — Target Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT) Generation��81
10.5.3.4 Access to the Target Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT)��81
10.5.3.5 The Importance of Updating the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)��81
10.5.3.6 Target Off-Block Time (TOBT) Update Limitations��81
10.5.3.7 Method for Updating the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)��81
10.5.3.8 Target Off-Block Time (TOBT) and Target Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT) Delivery Channels��81
10.5.3.9 Access to the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)��81
10.5.3.11 Call Ready Procedure�� 82
10.5.3.12 Start-Up Procedures�� 82
10.5.3.13 Flight Crew Concerns About Meeting Constraints�� 82
10.5.3.14 De-icing Operations�� 82
10.6 Contingency Operations�� 82
COM—COMMUNICATIONS, NAVIGATION AND SURVEILLANCE 83

1.0 VOICE COMMUNICATIONS �� 83
1.2 Regulations and Guidance Material�� 83
1.3 Language�� 83
1.4 Very High Frequency (VHF) Communication Frequencies—Channel Spacing�� 83
1.4.1 Remote Communications Outlets (RCOs) and Dial-Up Remote Communications Outlets (DRCOs)�� 83
1.4.2 Emergency Frequency 121.5 MHz�� 84
1.5 Very High Frequency (VHF) Allocations�� 84
1.6 Use of Frequency 5 680 kHz�� 84
1.7 Phone Use During a Radio Communications Failure�� 84
1.8 Canadian Base Operators (CBO)�� 84
v
1.9 Other Telecommunication System Operators�� 84

1.10 Satellite Voice Communications (SATVOICE)�� 84
2.0 LOCATION INDICATORS�� 85
3.0 DATA LINK COMMUNICATION�� 85

3.1 Data Link Applications�� 85
3.2 Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) and Future Air Navigation
Systems (FANS) 1/A�� 85
3.3 Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN)�� 86
3.4 Data Link Service Providers�� 86
3.5 Data Link Networks�� 86
3.6 Aircraft Communications Addressing And Reporting System (ACARS) Initialization�� 86
3.7 Data Link Automatic Terminal Information Service (D-ATIS)�� 86
3.8 Pre-Departure Clearance (PDC)�� 86
3.9 Departure Clearance (DCL)�� 87
3.10 Automatic Dependent Surveillance Contract (ADS-C)�� 87
3.11 Controller‑Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC)�� 87
3.12 Air Traffic Services Facilities Notification (AFN)�� 88
3.13 Current/Next Data Authorities�� 88
4.0 GROUND-BASED RADIO NAVIGATION AIDS�� 88

4.2 Accuracy, Availability and Integrity of Ground-Based Navigation Aids �� 88
4.3 Pilot Reporting of Abnormal Operation of Ground-Based Navigation Aids (NAVAIDs)�� 89
4.4 Interference with Aircraft Navigational Equipment�� 89
4.5 VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR)�� 89
4.5.1 VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Receiver Checks�� 90
4.5.2 Airborne VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Check�� 90
4.6 Non-Directional Beacon (NDB)�� 90
4.7 Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)�� 90
4.8 Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN)��91
4.9 VHF Omnidirectional Range and Tactical Air Navigation Aid (VORTAC)��91
4.10 Instrument Landing System (ILS)��91
4.10.1 Localizer (LOC)��91
4.10.2 Glide Path (GP)��91
4.10.3 Non-directional Beacon (NDB)�� 92
4.10.4 Instrument Landing System (ILS)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)�� 92
4.10.5 Instrument Landing System (ILS) Categories�� 92
4.10.6 Category II/III Instrument Landing System (ILS)�� 92
4.10.7 Caution Regarding Use of Instrument Landing System (ILS)�� 92
5.0 AREA NAVIGATION (RNAV)�� 94

5.1 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)�� 94
5.2 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Constellations�� 94
5.2.1 Global Positioning System (GPS)�� 94
5.2.2 Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS)�� 95
5.2.3 Galileo Navigation Satellite System�� 95
5.2.4 BeiDou Navigation Satellite System�� 95
5.3 Augmentation Systems�� 95
5.3.1 Aircraft-Based Augmentation System (ABAS)�� 95
5.3.2 Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS)�� 96
5.3.3 Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS)�� 96
5.4 Domestic Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Approval to Use Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
and Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS)�� 96
5.4.1 Domestic En Route and Terminal Operations�� 97
5.4.2 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-Based Area Navigation (RNAV) Approach Procedures�� 97
5.4.2.1 Area Navigation (RNAV) Approaches with Lateral Guidance Only�� 97
5.4.2.2 Vertical Guidance on Area Navigation (RNAV) Approaches�� 98
vi
5.4.2.3 Area Navigation (RNAV) Approaches with Vertical Guidance Based on Barometric Vertical
Navigation (Baro‑VNAV)�� 98
5.4.2.4 Area Navigation (RNAV) Approaches with Vertical Guidance Based on Wide Area Augmentation
System (WAAS)�� 98
5.5 Flight Planning�� 99
5.5.1 Global Positioning System (GPS) NOTAM�� 99
5.5.2 Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) NOTAM�� 99
5.5.3 Negative W Notation�� 99
5.5.4 Space Weather�� 99
5.6 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flight Plan Equipment Suffixes�� 100
5.7 Avionics Databases�� 100
5.8 Use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in Lieu of Ground-based Aids�� 100
5.9 Area Navigation (RNAV) Approaches at Alternate Aerodromes�� 100
5.9.1 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Approaches—Global Positioning System (GPS)
(TSO‑C129/C129a) Avionics�� 100
5.9.2 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Approaches—Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)
Avionics��101
5.10 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Vulnerability—Interference and Anomaly Reporting��101
5.11 Proper Use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)��101
5.12 VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) (RHO-THETA) System��102
5.13 Distance Measuring Equipment (DME-DME [RHO-RHO]) System��102
6.0 PERFORMANCE-BASED NAVIGATION (PBN)�� 102

6.1 General��102
6.2 Key Elements of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN)��102
6.2.1 Navigation Aid (NAVAID) Infrastructure��103
6.2.2 Navigation Specifications ��103
6.2.3 Navigation Application ��103
6.3 Navigation Specifications Expanded��103
6.3.1 Area Navigation (RNAV) 10��103
6.3.2 Area Navigation (RNAV) 5�� 104
6.3.3 Area Navigation (RNAV) 1 and RNAV 2�� 104
6.3.4 Required Navigation Performance (RNP) 4�� 104
6.3.7 Required Navigation Performance (RNP) 0.3�� 105
6.3.8 Advanced Required Navigation Performance (A-RNP)�� 105
6.3.9 Required Navigation Performance Approach (RNP APCH)�� 105
6.3.10 Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required Approach (RNP AR APCH)�� 105
6.4 Fixed Radius Paths��105
6.4.1 Radius To Fix (RF) Path Terminator�� 106
6.4.2 Fixed Radius Transition (FRT)�� 106
6.5 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Flight Plan Completion�� 106
6.6 Navigation Error Components�� 106
7.0 SURVEILLANCE�� 107

7.1 Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)��107
7.2 Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) ��107
7.2.1 Code Assignment�� 107
7.3 Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B)��107
7.3.1 Aircraft Equipment�� 107
7.3.2 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Flight Plan Completion�� 108
7.3.3 Airworthiness Compliance Requirements�� 108
7.3.4 Surveillance Phraseology�� 109
7.4 Multilateration (MLAT)��110
7.4.1 Code Assignment��110
8.0 TRANSPONDER OPERATION ��110

8.1 General ��110
8.2 Transponder Requirements ��110
vii
8.3 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations in Other Low-Level Airspace ��111

8.4 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Operations ��111
8.5 Phraseology��111
8.6 Emergencies ��112
8.7 Communication Failure ��112
8.8 Unlawful Interference��112
9.0 TRAFFIC ALERT AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (TCAS) AND

AIRBORNE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (ACAS)��112
9.2 Transport Canada (TC) Regulations on Traffic Alert And Collision Avoidance System (TCAS)/Airborne Collision
Avoidance System (ACAS)��113
9.3 Use of the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) Outside of Canada ��114
9.4 Operational Approval ��114
9.5 Aircraft Certification Approval��115
9.6 Operational Considerations ��115
9.7 Pilot Action When Deviating From Clearances—Regulations and Information ��116
9.8 Mode S Transponder Approval and Unique Codes��116
9.9 Pilot/Controller Actions��116
9.10 Pilot and Controller Phraseology��117
10.0 SATELLITE SYSTEMS��117

10.2 Satellite Service Providers��117
11.0 EMERGENCY AUTOMATION SYSTEMS��117

11.1 Automated Emergency Descent Management Systems��117
11.2 Emergency Automatic Landing Systems��118
MET—METEOROLOGY119
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ��119
1.1.1 Meteorological Information��119
1.1.2 Meteorological Services Available ��119
1.1.3 Aviation Weather Services ��119
1.1.4 Weather Service Information�� 120
1.1.5 Weather Information from Air Traffic Service (ATS)�� 120
1.1.6 Pilot Reports�� 120
1.1.6.1 Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPs)�� 120
1.1.7 Applicable International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) Documents�� 120
1.1.8 Differences From International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 3��121
1.1.9 Pilot Responsibility��121
1.2 Meteorological Observation and Reports ��121
1.2.1 Type and Frequency of Observations ��121
1.2.2 Flight Weather Documentation ��121
1.2.3 Weather Services Definitions in Flight Publications ��121
1.2.4 Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS)�� 122
1.2.4.1 Overview�� 122
1.2.4.2 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Weather Stations�� 122
1.2.5 Automatic Aerodrome Routine Meteorological Reports (METAR AUTO) and
Limited Weather Information System (LWIS) Reports�� 122
1.2.5.1 Automatic Aerodrome Routine Meteorological Reports (METAR AUTO) �� 122
1.2.5.2 Limited Weather Information System (LWIS) Reports �� 123
1.2.6 Automatic (AUTO) Reports�� 123
1.2.7 Weather Services in Support of Approach Unicom (AU)�� 123
1.2.8 Runway Visibility Assessment�� 123
1.3 Meteorological Forecasts and Charts�� 123
viii
1.3.1 Flight Information Centre (FIC) Hours of Service and Telephone Numbers�� 123
1.3.2 World Area Forecast System (WAFS) Charts �� 123
1.3.3 Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) �� 123
1.3.4 Aerodrome Advisory Forecasts �� 124
1.3.5 Coastal Weather�� 124
1.3.6 Graphic Area Forecasts (GFAs) and AIRMET�� 124
1.3.7 Upper Level Wind and Temperature Forecasts (FD) �� 124
1.3.8 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Weather Assistance �� 124
1.3.9 Supplementary Information �� 125
1.3.9.1 Weather Radar �� 125
1.3.9.2 ECCC/DND Weather Radar Network�� 125
1.4 In-Flight Meteorological Information (VOLMET)�� 125
2.0 PILOT WEATHER REPORTS (PIREPs)�� 126

2.1 General �� 126
2.1.1 Pilot Weather Report (PIREP) Example�� 126
2.2 Clear Air Turbulence (CAT)��127
2.2.1 General�� 127
2.2.2 Turbulence Reporting Criteria�� 127
2.3 Wind Shear (WS) ��127
2.4 Airframe Icing �� 128
2.5 Volcanic Ash �� 128
2.6 Pilot Estimation of Surface Wind �� 128
3.0 CANADIAN WEATHER INFORMATION�� 130

3.1 Aviation Forecasts and Charts�� 130
3.2 Aviation Weather Reports ��131
3.3 Weather Charts ��132
4.0 GRAPHIC AREA FORECASTS (GFA) �� 132

4.2 Issue and Valid Times ��132
4.3 Coverage Area��133
4.4 Units of Measure ��133
4.5 Abbreviations and Symbols ��133
4.6 Layout ��133
4.7 Title Box ��133
4.8 Legend Box��133
4.9 Comments Box�� 134
4.10 Weather Information �� 134
4.11 Clouds and Weather Chart��135
4.12 Icing, Turbulence and Freezing Level Chart�� 138
4.13 Graphic Area Forecast (GFA) Amendments ��140
4.14 Graphic Area Forecast (GFA) Corrections ��140
5.0 AIRMETs �� 140

5.1 Definition��140
5.2 Issuance Criteria ��140
5.3 Coordinate Points��141
5.4 Rules for the Use of Letters��141
5.5 Rules for the Use of Numbers��141
5.6 Validity��141
5.7 Location of the Phenomenon��142
5.7.1 Circle�� 142
5.7.2 Line�� 142
5.7.3 Polygon�� 142
5.8 Flight Level and Extent��142
5.9 Movement or Expected Movement��142
5.10 Change in Intensity��143
ix
5.11 Remark ��143

5.12 Updated AIRMET��143
5.13 Cancellation��143
5.14 Test AIRMET��143
5.15 AIRMET Identifiers�� 144
5.16 AIRMET Examples�� 144
6.0 SIGNIFICANT METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION (SIGMET)�� 145

6.1 Definition��145
6.2 Issuance Criteria��145
6.3 Coordinate Points��146
6.4 Rules for the Use of Letters��146
6.5 Rules for the Use of Numbers��146
6.6 Validity��146
6.7 Location of the Phenomenon��146
6.7.1 Circle��147
6.7.2 Line��147
6.7.3 Polygon��147
6.8 Flight Level and Extent��147
6.9 Movement or Expected Movement��147
6.10 Change in Intensity��147
6.11 Remark��147
6.12 Updated Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET)��147
6.13 Cancellation��148
6.14 Test Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) Message��148
6.15 Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) Message Identifiers��148
6.16 Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) Message Examples��149
7.0 AERODROME FORECASTS (TAFs)�� 151

7.1 Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) Locations��151
7.3 National Variations��152
7.4 Sample Message��152
7.5 Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs) from Automatic Aerodrome Routine Meteorological Reports (METAR AUTO) ��155
7.6 Amended Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)��155
8.0 AERODROME ROUTINE METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS (METARs) �� 156

8.1 The Aerodrome Routine Meteorological Report (METAR) Code �� 156
8.2 National Variations �� 156
8.3 Sample Message �� 156
8.4 Aerodrome Special Meteorological Reports (SPECI) ��160
8.4.1 Criteria for Taking Aerodrome Special Meteorological Reports (SPECI) �� 160
8.4.2 Local Criteria ��161
8.4.2.1 Observer’s Initiative ��161
8.4.2.2 Check Observations ��161
8.5 Automatic Aerodrome Routine Meteorological Reports (METAR AUTO) and Limited Weather Information
System (LWIS) Reports��161
8.5.1 Automatic Aerodrome Routine Meteorological Reports (METAR AUTO) ��161
8.5.2 Limited Weather Information System (LWIS) Reports��162
8.5.3 Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) and Limited Weather Information System (LWIS)
Performance Characteristics��162
8.5.4 Automatic Aerodrome Routine Meteorological Reports (METAR AUTO) and Human Observation
Comparison��163
8.6 Voice Generation Systems��165
9.0 UPPER LEVEL WINDS AND TEMPERATURES�� 166

9.1 Canadian Forecast Winds and Temperatures Aloft Network�� 166
9.2 Upper Level Wind and Temperature Forecasts (FDs) ��167
x
10.0 SURFACE WEATHER MAPS�� 167
11.0 UPPER LEVEL CHARTS �� 168

11.1 Upper Level Analysis Charts��168
11.2 Upper Level Prognostic Charts ��168
12.0 SIGNIFICANT WEATHER PROGNOSTIC CHARTS �� 169

12.1 Mid-Level Charts��169
12.2 High-Level Charts��170
13.0 VOLCANIC ASH PRODUCTS �� 172
14.0 SPACE WEATHER INFORMATION SERVICE ��174

14.1 Introduction��174
14.2 Nature of the Disturbances��174
14.3 The ICAO Service Advisories��174
14.4 Response to Advisories��174
14.5 Space Weather Advisory Message��175
14.6 Examples of Space Weather Advisories ��175
15.0 ABBREVIATIONS—AVIATION FORECASTS ��176
RAC—RULES OF THE AIR AND AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES 179

1.1 Air Traffic Services��179
1.1.1 Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Information Services ��179
1.1.2 Flight Advisory and Information Services �� 180
1.1.2.1 Flight Information Centres (FICs)�� 180
1.1.2.2 Flight Service Stations (FSSs)�� 180
1.1.2.3 Flight Information Centres (FICs) and Flight Service Stations (FSSs)��181
1.1.2.4 International Flight Service Station (IFSS)��181
1.1.3 Arctic Territories ��181
1.1.4 Military Flight Advisory Unit (MFAU) ��181
1.2 Services Other Than Air Traffic Services (ATS) ��182
1.2.1 Universal Communications (UNICOM)��182
1.2.2 Airport Radio/Community Aerodrome Radio Station ��182
1.2.3 Private Advisory Stations (PAS)—Controlled Airports ��182
1.2.4 Apron Advisory Service ��183
1.3 Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) ��183
1.4 Use of Term “Ceiling and Visibility OK (CAVOK)” ��183
1.5 ATS Surveillance Service �� 184
1.5.1 General�� 184
1.5.2 Procedures �� 184
1.5.3 Air Traffic Service (ATS) Surveillance Traffic Information �� 184
1.5.4 ATS Surveillance Navigation Assistance to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flights ��185
1.5.5 Obstacle Clearance During Vectors ��185
1.5.6 Misuse of Vectors �� 186
1.5.7 Canadian Forces Radar Assistance �� 186
1.5.8 The Use of ATS Surveillance in the Provision of Aerodrome Advisory Service (AAS) and
Remote Aerodrome Advisory Service (RAAS) by Flight Service Stations (FSS)�� 186
1.6 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Clearances, Instructions and Information �� 186
1.6.1 Inability to Issue Clearance��187
1.6.1.1 Examples��187
1.7 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Service Priority ��189
1.7.1 Normal Conditions��189
1.7.2 Special Conditions ��189
1.7.3 Minimum Fuel Advisory�� 190
1.8 Collision Avoidance—Right of Way (Canadian Aviation Regulations [CARs])�� 190
xi
1.9 Aerobatic Flight (Canadian Aviation Regulations [CARs] 602.27 and 602.28)��191

1.10 Conservation��191
1.10.1 Fur and Poultry Farms��191
1.10.2 Protection of Wildlife ��191
1.10.3 National, Provincial and Municipal Parks, Reserves and Refuges�� 192
2.0 AIRSPACE – REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES�� 192

2.2 Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA)�� 192
2.2.1 Northern Domestic Airspace (NDA)�� 192
2.3 High- and Low-Level Airspace��193
2.3.1 Cruising Altitudes and Flight Levels Appropriate to Aircraft Track �� 193
2.4 Flight Information Regions (FIRs)��193
2.5 Controlled Airspace �� 194
2.5.1 Use of Controlled Airspace by Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flights �� 194
2.5.2 Aircraft Speed Limit Order �� 194
2.6 High-Level Controlled Airspace�� 194
2.7 Low-Level Controlled Airspace ��195
2.7.1 Low-Level Airways �� 195
2.7.2 Control Area Extensions �� 196
2.7.3 Control Zones �� 196
2.7.4 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Over-the-Top �� 198
2.7.5 Transition Areas �� 198
2.7.6 Terminal Control Areas �� 198
2.8 Airspace Classification�� 198
2.8.1 Class A Airspace�� 199
2.8.2 Class B Airspace �� 199
2.8.3 Class C Airspace �� 200
2.8.4 Class D Airspace �� 200
2.8.5 Class E Airspace�� 200
2.8.6 Class F Airspace �� 201
2.8.6.1 Charting of Class F Airspace�� 201
2.8.6.2 Danger Area (International Waters)�� 201
2.8.6.3 Advisory Airspace �� 201
2.8.6.4 Restricted Airspace �� 202
2.8.6.5 Joint-Use Airspace �� 202
2.8.6.6 NOTAM �� 202
2.8.7 Class G Airspace �� 202
2.9 Other Airspace Divisions �� 202
2.9.1 Altitude Reservation �� 202
2.9.2 Temporary Flight Restrictions—Forest Fires �� 203
2.9.3 Flight Operations Over or in the Vicinity of Nuclear Power Plants�� 203
2.9.4 Military Operations Areas�� 203
2.10 Altimeter Setting Region �� 203
2.11 Standard Pressure Region �� 203
2.12 Mountainous Regions�� 204
2.13 Emergency Communications and Security�� 205
3.0 FLIGHT PLANNING�� 205

3.1 General �� 205
3.2 Pilot Briefing Service�� 205
3.3 Aeronautical Information �� 205
3.4 Weight and Balance Control �� 206
3.4.1 Definitions �� 206
3.4.2 Weight Control �� 207
3.4.3 Balance�� 207
3.4.4 Operational Requirements�� 207
3.4.5 Computerized Systems�� 208
3.4.6 Segmented Weights�� 208
3.4.6.1 Derivation of Segmented Weights�� 208
xii
3.4.7 Computation of Passenger and Baggage Weights�� 208

3.4.8 Fuel and Oil Weights��210
3.5 Flight Plans and Flight Itineraries ��211
3.5.1 When Required ��211
3.5.2 Filing (Canadian Aviation Regulation [RAC] 602.75)��211
3.5.3 Flight Plan Requirements—Flights Between Canada and a Foreign State ��211
3.5.4 Opening a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary ��211
3.6 Changes To The Information In A Flight Plan Or Flight Itinerary ��211
3.6.1 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary ��212
3.6.2 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary ��212
3.7 Composite Flight Plan Or Flight Itinerary—Visual Flight Rules (VFR) And Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) ��212
3.8 Defence Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Plans and Defence Flight Itineraries (Canadian Aviation Regulation
[CAR] 602.145)��212
3.9 Intermediate Stops ��213
3.9.1 Consecutive Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flight Plans ��213
3.10 Cross-country Instrument Training Flights ��213
3.11 Closing a Flight Plan��213
3.11.1 Arrival Report ��214
3.11.2 Closing of a Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary Prior to Landing ��214
3.12 Fuel Requirements ��214
3.12.1 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight ��214
3.12.2 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flight ��214
3.13 Requirements for Alternate Aerodrome — Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flight ��215
3.13.1 Alternate Aerodrome Weather Minima Requirements��215
3.14 Completion of Canadian Flight Plans and Flight Itineraries and International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) Flight Plans��216
3.14.1 General��216
3.14.2 Canadian ��216
3.14.3 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) ��216
3.14.4 Instructions for Completing the Form ��217
3.14.4.1 General��217
3.14.4.2 Instructions for Insertion of ATS Data��217
3.15 Contents of a Flight Plan and Flight Itinerary ��217
3.15.1 Item 7: Aircraft Identification (not exceeding seven alphanumeric characters and without hyphens
or symbols) ��217
3.15.2 Item 8: Flight Rules and Type of Flight ��217
3.15.2.1 Flight Rules (one character) (Canadian and ICAO) ��217
3.15.2.2 Type of Flight (up to two characters, as applicable) ��218
3.15.3 Item 9: Number and Type of Aircraft and Wake Turbulence Category ��218
3.15.3.1 Number of Aircraft (one or two characters) ��218
3.15.3.2 Type of Aircraft (two to four characters)��218
3.15.3.3 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Wake Turbulence Category (one character) ��218
3.15.4 Item 10: Equipment (Canadian and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)) ��218
3.15.4.1 Radio Communication, Navigation and Approach Aid Equipment and Capabilities ��218
3.15.4.2 Surveillance Equipment and Capabilities��219
3.15.5 Item 13: Departure Aerodrome and Time �� 220
3.15.5.1 Departure Aerodrome (maximum four characters) �� 220
3.15.5.2 Time (maximum four characters) �� 220
3.15.6 Item 15: Cruising Speed, Altitude/Level and Route �� 220
3.15.6.1 Flights Along Designated Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes: �� 220
3.15.6.2 Flights Outside Designated Air Traffic Service (ATS) Routes: �� 221
3.15.7 Item 16: Destination Aerodrome, Total Estimated Elapse Time (EET), Search And Rescue (SAR) Time (for
flights in Canada only) and Destination Alternate Aerodrome(s) �� 222
3.15.7.1 Destination Aerodrome and Total Estimated Elapse Time (EET) (maximum 10 characters) �� 222
3.15.7.2 Destination Alternate Aerodrome(s) �� 222
3.15.8 Item 18: Other Information �� 223
3.15.9 Item 19: Supplementary Information �� 225
3.15.9.1 Endurance �� 225
3.15.9.2 Persons On Board �� 225
3.15.9.3 Emergency and Survival Equipment �� 225
xiii
4.0 AIRPORT OPERATIONS �� 227

4.1 General �� 227
4.1.1 Wake Turbulence �� 228
4.1.2 Noise Abatement �� 229
4.1.3 Preferential Runway Assignments �� 230
4.1.4 Runway Protected Area �� 230
4.2 Departure Procedures — Controlled Airports �� 230
4.2.1 Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) Broadcasts �� 230
4.2.2 Clearance Delivery �� 230
4.2.3 Radio Checks ��231
4.2.4 Requests for Push-back or Power-back ��231
4.2.5 Taxi Information ��231
4.2.5.1 Oblique Angle Intersection Use��231
4.2.5.2 Best Practices for Pilots�� 232
4.2.6 Taxi Holding Positions �� 232
4.2.7 Taxiway Holding Positions During Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations �� 232
4.2.7.1 Glide Path Signal Protection Procedures �� 232
4.2.8 Take-off Clearance �� 232
4.2.8.1 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Phraseology When a Runway Is Temporarily Shortened Due to Construction �� 233
4.2.8.2 Clearance for Aborting a Takeoff �� 233
4.2.9 Release from Tower Frequency �� 233
4.2.10 Departure Procedures - No Radio (NORDO) Aircraft �� 233
4.2.11 Visual Signals �� 233
4.2.12 Departure Procedures – Receiver Only (RONLY) Aircraft �� 233
4.3 Traffic Circuits — Controlled Aerodromes �� 234
4.4 Arrival Procedures — Controlled Airports �� 234
4.4.1 Initial Contact �� 234
4.4.2 Initial Clearance �� 234
4.4.3 Landing Clearance �� 235
4.4.3.1 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Phraseology When a Runway Is Temporarily Shortened Due to Construction �� 236
4.4.4 Taxiing�� 236
4.4.5 Arrival Procedures – No Radio (NORDO) Aircraft �� 236
4.4.6 Arrival Procedures – Receiver Only (RONLY) Aircraft �� 237
4.4.7 Visual Signals �� 237
4.4.8 Communications Failure - Visual Flight Rules (VFR) �� 237
4.4.9 Operations on Intersecting Runways �� 237
4.4.10 High Intensity Runway Operations (HIRO)�� 239
4.5 Aircraft Operations—Uncontrolled Aerodromes �� 240
4.5.1 General  �� 240
4.5.2 Traffic Circuit Procedures — Uncontrolled Aerodromes �� 241
4.5.3 Helicopter Operations �� 242
4.5.4 Mandatory Frequency (MF) �� 242
4.5.5 Aerodrome Traffic Frequency (ATF) �� 242
4.5.6 Use of Mandatory Frequency (MF) and Aerodrome Traffic Frequency (ATF) �� 243
4.5.7 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Communication Procedures at Uncontrolled Aerodromes with Mandatory
Frequency (MF) and Aerodrome Traffic Frequency (ATF) Areas �� 243
4.5.8 Aircraft Without Two-Way Radio (No Radio [NORDO]/ Receiver Only [RONLY])�� 244
4.5.8.1 Prior Arrangements �� 244
4.5.8.2 Traffic Circuits - No Radio [NORDO]/Receiver Only [RONLY] �� 244
4.5.8.3 Receiver Only (RONLY) �� 244
4.6 Helicopter Operations at Controlled Airports �� 244
5.0 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) EN ROUTE PROCEDURES �� 245

5.1 Monitoring, Broadcasting on 126.7 MHz and Position Reporting En Route�� 245
5.2 Acknowledgement of Clearances �� 245
5.3 Altitudes and Flight Levels — Visual Flight Rules (VFR) �� 245
5.4 Minimum Altitudes—Visual Flight Rules (VFR) (Canadian Aviation Regulations [CARs] 602.14 and 602.15)�� 245
5.5 Minimum Altitudes — Overflying Aerodromes [Canadian Aviation Regulations [CARs] 602.96(4)and(5)]�� 246
5.6 Controlled Visual Flight Rules (CVFR) Procedures �� 246
5.7 En route Air Traffic Service (ATS) Surveillance �� 247
xiv
5.8 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Operations Within Class C Airspace �� 247
6.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) — GENERAL �� 247

6.1 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Clearance �� 247
6.2 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flights in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) �� 248
6.2.1 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Clearance with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Restrictions �� 248
6.2.2 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Release of an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Aircraft �� 248
6.3 Emergencies and Equipment Failures — Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) �� 248
6.3.1 Declaration of Emergency �� 248
6.3.2 Two-Way Communications Failure �� 248
6.3.2.1 General �� 248
6.3.2.2 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flight Plan �� 249
6.3.3 Reporting Malfunctions of Navigation and Communications Equipment �� 250
6.3.4 Fuel Dumping �� 250
6.4 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Separation �� 250
6.4.1 General �� 250
6.4.2 Vertical Separation — General �� 250
6.4.3 Vertical Separation Between Flight Levels and Altitudes Above Sea Level (ASL) �� 250
6.4.4 Longitudinal Separation—Distance-Based ��251
6.4.5 Lateral Separation — General ��251
6.4.6 Lateral Separation — Airways and Tracks ��251
6.4.7 Lateral Separation — Instrument Approach Procedure ��251
6.5 Visual Separation�� 252
6.5.1 General�� 252
6.5.2 Speed Control Instructions on Departure�� 252
6.5.3 Controller-Applied Visual Separation�� 252
6.5.4 Pilot-Applied Visual Separation�� 252
6.6 Development of Instrument Procedures �� 252
7.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES – DEPARTURE PROCEDURES�� 252

7.1 Aerodrome Operations �� 252
7.2 Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) Broadcasts �� 253
7.3 Initial Contact �� 253
7.4 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Clearances �� 253
7.5 Standard Instrument Departure (SID) �� 253
7.6 Noise Abatement Procedures — Departure �� 254
7.6.1 General�� 254
7.6.2 Noise Preferential Runways �� 254
7.6.3 Noise Abatement Departure Procedure (NADP) �� 255
7.6.3.1 NADP 1 (Criteria for a Close-in Noise-sensitive Area) Description�� 256
7.6.3.2 NADP 2 (Criteria for a More Distant Noise-sensitive Area) Description�� 256
7.7 Obstacle and Terrain Clearance �� 257
7.7.1 Visual Climb Over The Airport (VCOA)�� 257
7.7.2 Low, Close-in Obstacles�� 258
7.8 Release from Tower Frequency �� 258
7.9 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Departures from Uncontrolled Airports �� 258
7.10 Alerting Service Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Departures from Uncontrolled Airports �� 259
8.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) – EN ROUTE PROCEDURES �� 259

8.1 Position Reports �� 259
8.2 Mach Number/True Airspeed—Clearances and Reports�� 259
8.2.1 Mach Number �� 259
8.2.2 True Airspeed (TAS) �� 260
8.3 Altitude Reports �� 260
8.4 Climb or Descent �� 260
8.4.1 General �� 260
8.4.2 Visual Climb and Descent �� 260
8.4.2.1 General �� 260
8.4.2.2 Visual Separation from Other Aircraft �� 260
8.5 Minimum Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Altitudes �� 261
xv
8.6 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Assignment of Altitudes �� 262

8.6.1 Minimum Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Altitude �� 262
8.6.1.1 Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) Intersections on a Minimum En-Route Altitude (MEA) �� 262
8.6.2 Altitudes and Direction of Flight �� 262
8.7 “1 000-ft-on-Top” Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flight  �� 263
8.8 Clearances—Leaving or Entering Controlled Airspace �� 263
8.9 Clearance Limit �� 263
8.10 Class G Airspace—Recommended Operating Procedures—En-Route �� 263
9.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR)—ARRIVAL PROCEDURES �� 264

9.1 Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) Broadcasts �� 264
9.2 Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR), Minimum Sector Altitude (MSA) and Terminal Arrival Area (TAA) �� 264
9.2.1 Minimum Sector Altitude (MSA)�� 264
9.2.2 Terminal Arrival Area (TAA)�� 264
9.2.3 Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) �� 265
9.2.3.1 Conventional Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR)�� 265
9.2.3.2 Performance-based Navigation (PBN) Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR)�� 265
9.2.3.3 Flight Planning�� 265
9.2.3.4 Procedure Identification�� 265
9.2.3.5 Altitude Restrictions �� 266
9.2.3.6 Speed Restrictions�� 266
9.2.3.7 Operating Procedures �� 266
9.2.3.8 Top of Descent (TOD)�� 266
9.2.3.9 Descent Planning�� 267
9.2.3.10 Closed Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) Procedures �� 267
9.2.3.11 Open Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) Procedures �� 267
9.2.3.12 Transitioning from an Open Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) to an Approach Procedure�� 267
9.2.3.13 Approach Clearances�� 268
9.2.3.14 Vectors to Final�� 269
9.2.3.15 Amending Routes �� 269
9.2.3.16 Direct Routings to an Initial Approach Waypoint (IAWP)/Intermediate Waypoint (IWP) �� 269
9.2.3.17 Cancelling Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) Procedures �� 269
9.2.3.18 Communication Failures on a Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) Procedure�� 269
9.3 Approach Clearance �� 269
9.4 Descent Out of Controlled Airspace ��270
9.5 Advance Notice of Intent in Minimum Weather Conditions �� 271
9.6 Contact and Visual Approaches �� 271
9.6.1 Contact Approach �� 271
9.6.2 Visual Approach �� 271
9.6.2.1 Missed Approach�� 272
9.7 Arrivals �� 272
9.7.1 General �� 272
9.7.2 ATS Surveillance Required �� 273
9.7.3 Speed Adjustment – ATS Surveillance-Controlled Aircraft �� 273
9.7.4 Precision Radar Approaches �� 273
9.8 Initial Contact with Control Towers ��274
9.9 Approach Position Reports— Controlled Airports ��274
9.10 Control Transfer— Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Units to Towers ��274
9.11 Initial Contact with Air-Ground Facility at Uncontrolled Aerodromes ��274
9.12 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Reporting Procedures at Uncontrolled Aerodromes ��274
9.13 Instruments Flight Rules (IFR) Procedures at an Uncontrolled Aerodrome in Uncontrolled Airspace ��275
9.14 Outbound Report ��275
9.15 Straight-In Approach ��275
9.16 Straight-In Approaches from an Intermediate Fix ��275
9.17 Procedure Altitudes and Current Altimeter Setting ��276
9.17.1 Corrections for Temperature ��276
9.17.2 Remote Altimeter Setting �� 278
9.18 Departure, Approach and Alternate Minima �� 278
9.18.1 Category II Instrument Landing System (ILS) Approach Minima �� 278
xvi
9.19 Application of Minima �� 279

9.19.1 Takeoff Minima �� 279
9.19.2 Approach Ban �� 280
9.19.2.1 General Aviation—Non-Precision Approach (NPA), Approach Procedure with Vertical Guidance (APV),
CAT I or CAT II Precision Approach�� 280
9.19.2.2 Approach Ban—General Aviation—CAT III Precision Approach�� 281
9.19.2.3 Approach Ban—Commercial Operators—General—Non-Precision Approach (NPA), Approach Procedure
with Vertical Guidance (APV), or CAT I Precision Approach�� 281
9.19.2.4 Approach Ban—Commercial Operators—CAT II and CAT III Precision Approach�� 282
9.19.2.5 Approach Ban—Commercial Operators—Operations Specification—Non-Precision Approach (NPA),
Approach Procedure with Vertical Guidance (APV), or CAT I Precision Approach�� 282
9.19.2.6 Runway Visibility�� 282
9.19.2.7 Localized Phenomenon�� 283
9.19.2.8 Effects of the High-Intensity Approach Lighting (HIAL) System on Canada Air Pilot (CAP) Advisory Visibility
and on Runway Certification�� 283
9.19.3 Landing Minima �� 284
9.20 Runway Visual Range (RVR) �� 284
9.20.2 Operational Use of Runway Visual Range (RVR) �� 285
9.21 Aircraft Approach Categories �� 286
9.22 Straight-In Landing Minima �� 286
9.23 Circling �� 287
9.23.1 Standard Circling Approach Radii�� 287
9.23.2 Expanded Circling Approach Radii�� 288
9.24 Circling Procedures �� 288
9.25 Missed Approach Procedure While Visually Manoeuvring in the Vicinity of the Aerodrome �� 289
9.26 Missed Approach Procedures �� 289
9.27 Simultaneous Precision Instrument Approaches - Parallel Runways �� 289
9.28 Simultaneous Precision Instrument Approaches - Converging Runways �� 290
10.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) — HOLDING PROCEDURES �� 290

10.1 General �� 290
10.2 Holding Clearance �� 290
10.3 Standard Holding Pattern��291
10.4 Non-Standard Holding Pattern ��291
10.5 Entry Procedures ��291
10.6 Timing �� 292
10.7 Speed Limitations �� 292
10.8 Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) Procedures �� 292
10.9 Shuttle Procedure �� 292
10.10 Holding Patterns Published on Enroute and Terminal Charts �� 293
11.0 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) SPECIAL PROCEDURES�� 293

11.1 Adherence to Mach Number �� 293
11.2 Parallel Offset Procedures �� 293
11.3 Structured Airspace �� 293
11.4 Canadian Domestic Routes �� 293
11.4.1 General �� 293
11.4.2 North American Route Program (NRP)�� 293
11.4.2.1 Introduction �� 293
11.4.2.2 Eligibility �� 293
11.4.2.3 Procedures �� 294
11.4.3 Mandatory Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Routes �� 294
11.4.4 Fixed Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes �� 294
11.4.5 Northern Control Area (NCA) Random Routes �� 294
11.4.6 Arctic Control Area (ACA) Random Routes �� 294
11.4.7 Polar Routes�� 295
11.4.7.1 General�� 295
11.4.7.2 Flight Planning and Position Reporting�� 295
11.4.7.3 Altitude Assignment�� 295
xvii
11.5 Northern American Route (NAR) System�� 295

11.6 Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic (escat) Plan �� 295
11.7 Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM)�� 295
11.7.2 Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Airspace �� 295
11.7.3 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Procedures �� 295
11.7.4 In-Flight Procedures �� 296
11.7.5 Flight Planning Requirements �� 296
11.7.6 Operation of Non-Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (Non-RVSM) Aircraft in RVSM Airspace�� 296
11.7.7 Delivery Flights for Aircraft that are Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM)-Compliant
on Delivery �� 297
11.7.8 Airworthiness and Operational Approval and Monitoring �� 297
11.7.9 Monitoring �� 297
11.7.10 North American Approvals Registry and Monitoring Organization (NAARMO) �� 298
11.7.11 Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) II/Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) II
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Requirements�� 298
11.7.12 Mountain Wave Activity (MWA)�� 298
11.7.13 Wake Turbulence �� 298
11.7.14 In-Flight Contingencies �� 299
11.8 Minimum Safe Altitude Warning (MSAW)�� 300
11.8.1 General�� 300
11.8.2 Procedures�� 301
11.8.3 Pilot-Initiated Terrain Avoidance Procedure�� 301
11.8.4 Air Traffic Control (ATC)-Initiated Terrain Avoidance Procedure�� 301
11.8.5 Assistance to Aircraft in Distress�� 301
11.9 Formation Flights��301
12.0 RAC ANNEX�� 302

12.1 General �� 302
12.2 Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) �� 302
12.3 Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) by Air��310
NAT—NORTH ATLANTIC (NAT) OPERATIONS 313

1.0 NORTH ATLANTIC (NAT) OPERATIONS��313
1.1 Regulation, Reference Documents and Guidance Material ��313
1.1.1 Regulation ��313
1.1.2 North Atlantic (NAT) Documentation ��313
1.2 General Aviation Aircraft ��313
1.3 North American Routes (NAR) ��313
1.4 Gander Oceanic Transition Area (GOTA) ��313
1.5 North Atlantic (NAT) Organized Track System (OTS) ��314
1.6 Flight Rules��314
1.7 Flight Planning Procedures ��314
1.7.1 Routes ��314
1.7.2 Airspeed ��315
1.7.3 Altitude ��315
1.7.4 Estimated Times ��316
1.7.5 Aircraft Approval Status and Registration ��316
1.7.6 Height Monitoring Unit (HMU)��316
1.7.7 Filing ��316
1.8 Preferred Route Message (PRM) ��316
1.9 Clearances ��316
1.9.1 Oceanic Clearances ��316
1.9.2 Domestic Clearances—North Atlantic (NAT) Westbound Traffic ��317
1.9.3 Oceanic Clearance Delivery ��318
1.10 Position Reports ��318
1.10.1 Requirements ��318
1.10.2 Communications With Air Traffic Control (ATC) ��318
xviii
1.11 Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (MNPS) for operations within the North Atlantic High-Level
Airspace (NAT HLA)��319
1.11.1 General ��319
1.11.2 Aircraft Without Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (MNPS) for the North-Atlantic
High-Level Airspace (NAT HLA) Operations ��319
1.12 Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM)—Minimum Aircraft System Performance
Specifications (MASPS)��319
1.13 Adherence to Mach Setting ��319
1.14 Operation of Transponders �� 320
1.15 Meteorological Reports �� 320
1.16 Altitude Reports �� 320
1.17 Contingency and Emergency Procedures �� 320
1.17.1 In-Flight Contingencies �� 320
1.17.2 Contingency Procedures for Oceanic Traffic in the Event of an Evacuation of Gander Area Control
Centre (ACC) ��321
1.18 Communications Failure—North Atlantic (NAT) Traffic �� 325
1.18.1 General �� 325
1.18.2 Communications Failure Prior to Entering the North Atlantic (NAT) Oceanic Airspace �� 326
1.18.3 Communications Failure Prior to Exiting the North Atlantic (NAT) Oceanic Airspace �� 326
1.19 North Atlantic High-Level Airspace (NAT HLA)�� 326
1.19.1 General �� 326
1.19.2 Time Keeping Procedures �� 326
1.19.3 Provisions for Partial Loss of Navigation Capability �� 327
1.19.4 Special Routes for Aircraft Fitted With a Single Long-Range Navigation System �� 327
1.19.5 Aircraft Without Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (MNPS) Capability �� 328
1.19.6 Monitoring of Gross Navigation Errors �� 328
1.20 North Atlantic (NAT) Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) �� 328
1.20.1 Geographic Boundaries �� 328
1.20.2 Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Details and Procedures �� 328
1.20.3 Flight Level Allocation Scheme (FLAS)�� 328
1.20.3.1 Flight Level Allocation Scheme (FLAS) Procedures�� 328
1.20.3.2 Organized Track System (OTS)�� 328
1.20.3.3 Organized Track System (OTS) Changeover Periods �� 329
1.20.3.4 Night Datum Line�� 330
1.20.3.5 North Datum Line�� 330
1.20.4 North Atlantic (NAT) Reduced Vertical Separation Mininum (RVSM) Aircraft Approvals ��331
1.20.5 Central Monitoring Agency (CMA)��331
1.20.6 Data Link Mandate (DLM) Airspace ��331
1.20.6.1 General Information ��331
1.20.6.2 Data Link Mandate (DLM) Flight Levels ��331
1.20.6.3 Flights Permitted to Operate Within NAT DLM Airspace ��331
1.20.6.4 Operational Policies ��332
1.20.6.5 Equipment Failure of Either ADS-C or CPLDC Systems ��332
1.20.7 Height Monitoring ��332
1.20.8 Height Monitoring Unit (HMU)��332
1.20.8.1 Pre-flight Procedures ��332
1.20.8.2 In-flight Procedures ��333
1.20.8.3 Post-flight Procedures ��333
1.21 Strategic Lateral Offset Procedure (SLOP)��333
2.0 INTERNATIONAL AIR-GROUND SERVICE�� 333

2.1 High Frequency (HF) Aeromobile Operations in the North Atlantic (NAT)��333
2.2 High Frequency (HF) Operations—Anchorage Arctic�� 334
2.3 Availability of Single Sideband (SSB)�� 334
2.4 Selective Calling System (SELCAL)�� 334
2.5 Use of General Purpose Very High Frequency (VHF) or Satellite Voice Communications (SATVOICE)
in Lieu of International High Frequency (HF) Air-Ground Frequencies�� 334
2.5.1 North Atlantic (NAT) and Anchorage Arctic Regions—Satellite Voice Communications (SATVOICE) Use�� 334
2.5.2 North Atlantic (NAT) Region—Very High Frequency (VHF) Coverage��335
2.6 ARINC 424 Identifiers for Half-Degree Waypoints in the Gander Oceanic Control Area (OCA)�� 336
xix
SAR—SEARCH AND RESCUE 337

1.0 RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY �� 337
1.2 Types of Service Available ��337
1.3 Search and Rescue (SAR) Agreements ��337
2.0 FLIGHT PLANNING �� 338

2.1 General �� 338
2.2 Request for Search and Rescue (SAR) Assistance �� 338
2.3 Missing Aircraft Notice (MANOT)�� 338
2.4 Aiding Persons in Distress ��339
3.0 EMERGENCY LOCATOR TRANSMITTER (ELT)�� 340

3.1 General �� 340
3.2 Types of Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) �� 340
3.3 Installation and Maintenance Requirements �� 340
3.4 Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) Operating Instructions (Normal Use) �� 340
3.5 Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) Operating Instructions (Emergency Use) �� 341
3.6 Maximizing the Signal �� 341
3.7 Accidental Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) Transmissions �� 342
3.8 Testing Procedures �� 342
3.8.1 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs)�� 342
3.8.2 121.5/243 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs)�� 342
3.9 Schedule of Requirements �� 343
4.0 AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE�� 343

4.1 Declaring an Emergency �� 343
4.2 Action by the Pilot During Emergency Conditions �� 343
4.3 Transponder Alerting �� 344
4.4 Radar Alerting Manoeuvres �� 344
4.5 Emergency Radio Frequency Capability�� 344
4.6 Interception Procedures (Canadian Aviation Regulation (CAR) 602.144) �� 345
4.7 Downed Aircraft Procedures �� 348
4.7.1 Ground-to-Air Signals �� 348
4.7.2 Survival �� 348
4.8 Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (2001, C. 26) EXTRACT—PART 5, SECTIONS 130–133�� 349
MAP—AERONAUTICAL CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS 351

2.0 AERONAUTICAL PUBLICATIONS�� 351

2.1 AIP Canada ��351
2.2 AIP Canada Supplements ��351
2.3 AIP Canada Aeronautical Information Circulars ��351
2.4 Aeronautical Information Regulation and Control (AIRAC) Canada��351
2.5 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Aeronautical Information�� 352
2.5.1 VFR Navigation Chart (VNC)��352
2.5.2 VFR Terminal Area Chart (VTA)��352
2.5.3 Canada Flight Supplement (CFS)��352
2.5.4 Canada Water Aerodrome Supplement (CWAS)��352
2.5.5 Aeronautical Charts ��352
2.6 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Aeronautical Information��352
3.0 NOTAM �� 352

3.2 NOTAM Format ��353
xx
3.2.1 Format Description ��353

3.2.2 Item Q Description ��353
3.2.3 Items Description ��353
3.2.3.1 NOTAM Number and Type��353
3.2.3.2 Item Q) Coded Line��353
3.2.3.3 Item A) Location Indicator(s)��353
3.2.3.4 Items B) and C) Start and End Time�� 354
3.2.3.5 Item D) Schedule�� 354
3.2.3.6 Item E) NOTAM Text�� 355
3.2.3.7 Items F) and G) Lower and Upper Vertical Limits�� 355
3.3 NOTAM Types �� 355
3.4 NOTAM Issued Under a Flight Information Region (FIR) or an Aerodrome �� 355
3.5 NOTAM Distribution�� 355
3.6 Criteria for Issuing a NOTAM �� 355
3.7 Automatic Query/Response—Canadian NOTAM Database ��357
3.8 Runway Surface Condition (RSC)/RSC NOTAM��357
4.0 PROCUREMENT OF AERONAUTICAL CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS �� 357

4.2 NAV CANADA Publications�� 358
4.2.1 Individual Purchase �� 358
4.2.2 Subscriptions �� 358
5.0 CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS �� 359
LRA—LICENSING, REGISTRATION AND AIRWORTHINESS 361

1.0 FLIGHT CREW LICENSING �� 361
1.2 Aviation Document Booklet (ADB)�� 361
1.3 Aviation Language Proficiency �� 361
1.4 Permits and Licences issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA)�� 361
1.4.1 Permits�� 361
1.4.2 Licences �� 362
1.5 Definitions of Flight Experience �� 362
1.6 Summary of Requirements for Permits�� 362
1.6.1 Student Pilot Permits (SPP)�� 362
1.6.2 Pilot Permits �� 363
1.7 Summary of Requirements for Licences�� 364
1.7.1 Pilot Licence�� 364
1.7.2 Private Pilot Licence (PPL)�� 365
1.7.3 Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)�� 365
1.7.4 Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) �� 366
1.7.5 Flight Engineer (FE) Licence�� 366
1.8 Differences Between the National Regulations and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO)
Annex 1 Standards and Recommended Practices�� 366
1.9 Medical Fitness for Permits and Licences�� 366
1.9.1 Medical Validity Periods�� 367
1.9.2 Medical Fitness—Renewals of Category 1, 2 or 3 Medical Certificates (Assessed Fit)�� 368
1.9.3 Medical Fitness—Renewal of a Category 4 Medical Certificate�� 368
1.9.4 Medical Fitness—Assessed Unfit�� 368
1.10 Refusal to Issue a Permit, Licence, Rating or Medical Certificate�� 368
1.11 Reinstatement of a Suspended Permit, Licence or Rating�� 369
1.12 Recency Requirements �� 369
1.13 Flight Crew Licensing Conversion Agreement Between Canada and the United States�� 369
1.14 Flight Crew Licensing Administration ��370
1.14.1 Flight Crew Licensing Change of Address Request �� 370
1.14.2 Application for Re-Issue of Civil Aviation Licensing Document�� 370
1.14.3 Flight Crew Licensing Declaration of Name�� 370
1.14.4 Change of Citizenship �� 370
xxi
2.0 CIVIL AVIATION MEDICINE�� 370

2.1 Medical Assessment Process ��370
2.1.1 Medical Examination Report �� 370
2.1.2 Category 4 Medical Declaration�� 370
2.2 Medical Examination Requirements��372
2.3 Periodic Medical Exam Categories 1, 2 and 3—Medically Fit ��373
2.4 Aviation Medical Review Board ��373
2.5 Unfit Assessment ��373
2.6 Review by the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada (TATC) ��373
3.0 FLIGHT CREW EXAMINATIONS��374

3.1 Examination Offices��374
3.2 Cheating on an Exam��374
3.3 Use of Hand-Held Calculators or Computers��374
4.0 AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION, MARKING, REGISTRATION AND INSURANCE �� 375

4.2 Aircraft Identification ��375
4.3 Nationality and Registration Marks ��375
4.4 Change of Ownership—Canadian-Registered Aircraft ��376
4.5 Initial Registration ��376
4.6 Importation of Aircraft ��376
4.7 Exportation of Aircraft ��376
4.8 Liability Insurance ��376
5.0 AIRCRAFT AIRWORTHINESS �� 376

5.2 Aircraft Design Requirements �� 377
5.2.1 General �� 377
5.2.2 Canadian Type Certificate �� 377
5.3 Flight Authority and Noise Compliance �� 377
5.3.1 General �� 377
5.3.2 Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A)�� 377
5.3.3 Special Certificate of Airworthiness (Special C of A) �� 378
5.3.4 Flight Permit �� 378
5.3.5 Noise Compliance �� 378
5.4 Maintenance Certification��378
5.4.1 General �� 378
5.4.2 Certification of Maintenance Performed Outside Canada �� 379
5.5 Annual Airworthiness Information Report (AAIR)��379
5.6 Maintenance Requirements for Canadian-Registered Aircraft ��379
5.6.1 General �� 379
5.6.2 Maintenance Schedules�� 379
5.6.3 Maintenance Performance�� 379
5.6.4 Aircraft Technical Records�� 380
5.6.5 Service Difficulty Reporting Program�� 380
5.7 Airworthiness Directives (ADs)�� 380
5.7.1 General�� 380
5.7.2 Availability of Airworthiness Directives (ADs)�� 380
5.7.3 Airworthiness Directive (AD) Schedule and Compliance Records�� 380
6.0 THE TRANSPORTATION APPEAL TRIBUNAL OF CANADA (TATC) �� 380

6.1 General �� 380
6.2 Refusal to Issue or Amend a Canadian Aviation Document ��381
6.3 Suspension, Cancellation or Refusal to Renew a Canadian Aviation Document ��381
6.4 Monetary Penalties ��381
6.5 Appeals �� 382
xxii
AIR—AIRMANSHIP383
1.1 General �� 383
1.2 Pilot Vital Action Checklists �� 383
1.3 Aviation Fuels �� 383
1.3.1 Fuel Grades �� 383
1.3.2 Aviation Fuel Handling �� 383
1.3.3 Fuel Anti-Icing Additives �� 383
1.3.4 Refuelling—Fires and Explosions �� 384
1.3.4.1 Understanding Flashpoint, Static and Auto-ignition�� 384
1.4 Aircraft Hand Fire Extinguishers �� 384
1.4.1 General �� 384
1.4.2 Classification of Fires �� 384
1.4.3 Types of Extinguishers �� 384
1.5 Pressure Altimeter �� 385
1.5.1 General �� 385
1.5.2 Calibration of the Pressure Altimeter �� 385
1.5.3 Incorrect Setting on the Subscale of the Altimeter �� 385
1.5.4 Non-Standard Temperatures �� 386
1.5.5 Standard Pressure Region �� 386
1.5.6 Effect of Mountains �� 386
1.5.7 Downdraft and Turbulence �� 387
1.5.8 Pressure Drop �� 387
1.5.9 Abnormally High Altimeter Settings �� 387
1.6 Canadian Runway Friction Index (CRFI)�� 387
1.6.1 General �� 387
1.6.2 Reduced Runway Coefficients of Friction and Aircraft Performance �� 387
1.6.3 Description of Canadian Runway Friction Index (CRFI) and Method of Measurement �� 387
1.6.4 Description of Canadian Runway Friction Index (CRFI) Reporting Method�� 387
1.6.5 Aircraft Movement Surface Condition Reports (AMSCR)�� 388
1.6.6 Wet Runways�� 388
1.6.7 Canadian Runway Friction Index (CRFI) Application to Aircraft Performance �� 389
1.7 Jet and Propeller Blast Danger �� 393
1.8 Marshalling Signals�� 394
2.0 FLIGHT OPERATIONS �� 398

2.1 General �� 398
2.2 Crosswind Landing Limitations �� 398
2.3 Carburetor Icing �� 399
2.4 Low Flying �� 399
2.4.1 Birds and Sensitive Fauna�� 399
2.4.2 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)�� 399
2.4.3 Flying Near High-Voltage Power Lines �� 400
2.4.4 Transmission Line Catenaries�� 400
2.4.5 Logging Operations �� 400
2.4.6 Hydrokinetic Energy System�� 401
2.4.7 Wind Farms with a Dimming System�� 401
2.4.8 Blasting Operations�� 401
2.5 Flight Operations in Rain �� 401
2.6 Flight Operations In Volcanic Ash �� 401
2.7 Flight Operation Near Thunderstorms �� 402
2.7.1 General �� 402
2.7.2 Considerations �� 402
2.8 Low-Level Wind Shear (WS)  �� 403
2.9 Wake Turbulence �� 403
2.9.1 Vortex Characteristics �� 404
2.9.2 Considerations �� 405
2.10 Clear Air Turbulence (CAT)�� 405
2.11 Flight Operations on Water �� 406
xxiii
2.11.1 General �� 406

2.11.2 Ditching �� 406
2.11.3 Life-Saving Equipment For Aircraft Operating Over Water �� 407
2.11.4 Landing Seaplanes on Glassy Water �� 407
2.12 Flight Operations in Winter �� 407
2.12.1 General �� 407
2.12.1.1 Fan Blade Ice Shedding Procedure�� 407
2.12.2 Aircraft Contamination on the Ground – Frost, Ice or Snow �� 407
2.12.3 Aircraft Contamination in Flight – In-flight Airframe Icing ��411
2.12.3.1 Types of Ice ��411
2.12.3.2 Aerodynamic Effects of Airborne Icing ��411
2.12.3.3 Roll Upset ��411
2.12.3.4 Tail Plane Stall �� 412
2.12.3.5 Freezing Rain, Freezing Drizzle, and Large Super-Cooled Droplets �� 412
2.12.3.6 Detecting Large Super-Cooled Droplets Conditions in Flight ��413
2.12.3.7 Flight Planning or Reporting ��413
2.12.4 Landing Wheel-Equipped Light Aircraft on Snow Covered Surfaces ��413
2.12.5 Use of Seaplanes on Snow Surfaces ��413
2.12.6 Landing Seaplanes on Unbroken Snow Conditions ��413
2.12.7 Whiteout ��414
2.13 Flight Operations in Mountainous Areas ��414
2.14 Flight Operations in Sparsely Settled Areas of Canada ��414
2.14.1 Single-Engine Aircraft Operations in Northern Canada ��414
2.15 Flight Operations at Night ��414
2.16 Vertical Path Control on Non-Precision Approaches (NPAs)��415
2.16.1 Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT)��415
2.16.2 Stabilized Approach��415
2.16.3 Vertical Path Control Techniques��415
3.0 MEDICAL INFORMATION �� 416

3.1 General Health��416
3.1.1 Mandatory Medical Reporting ��416
3.2 Specific Aeromedical Factors ��416
3.2.1 Hypoxia��416
3.2.2 Carbon Monoxide��417
3.2.3 Hyperventilation��417
3.3 Decompression Sickness��417
3.4 Scuba Diving��417
3.5 Vision��418
3.6 Middle-Ear and Sinus Discomfort or Pain��418
3.7 Disorientation��418
3.8 Fatigue��419
3.9 Alcohol��419
3.10 Medications, Natural Health Products, Cannabis, and Other Recreational Drugs��419
3.11 Anaesthetics�� 420
3.12 Blood Donation�� 420
3.13 Immunizations�� 420
3.14 Pregnancy �� 420
3.15 Positive and Negative G�� 420
3.15.1 What is G? �� 420
3.15.2 The Effects of G�� 421
3.15.3 G Straining Manoeuvres�� 421
3.15.4 Dealing with G�� 421
4.0 MISCELLANEOUS �� 422

4.1 Air Time and Flight Time �� 422
4.2 Conduct of Experimental Test Flights �� 422
4.3 Practice Spins �� 422
4.4 Cargo Restraint �� 422
xxiv
4.4.1 General �� 422

4.4.2 Regulations �� 422
4.4.3 Guidelines �� 422
4.4.4 References �� 423
4.4.5 Approval �� 423
4.5 Collision Avoidance – Use of Landing Lights �� 423
4.6 Use of Strobe Lights �� 423
4.7 Manned Free Balloon Operations �� 423
4.7.1 Balloon Operations with Fare-Paying Passengers�� 423
4.8 Parachute Jumping/Skydiving �� 424
4.9 Hang Glider and Paraglider Operations �� 424
4.10 Ultra-light Aeroplane �� 424
4.11 Circuit Breakers and Alerting Devices �� 425
4.12 Design Eye Reference Point �� 425
4.13 First Aid Kits on Privately Owned and Operated Aircraft �� 425
4.14 Survival Advisory Information �� 425
4.15 Potential Flight Hazards for Aircraft�� 426
4.15.1 Avoid Flight in the Vicinity of Exhaust Plumes�� 426
4.15.2 Pilot Procedures When Exposed to Laser and Other Directed Bright Light Sources�� 426
4.15.2.1 General�� 426
4.15.2.2 Procedures�� 427
4.15.2.2.1 Preventive Procedures�� 427
4.15.2.2.2 Incident Procedures�� 427
4.15.2.2.3 Medical Follow-up Procedures After an
In-flight Illumination�� 427
4.16 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)�� 429
RPA—REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT 431

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION �� 431
2.0 MICRO REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPAs)—LESS THAN 250 g�� 431
3.0 SMALL REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPAs)—250 g TO 25 kg�� 432

3.1 Registration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs)�� 432
3.1.1 Modifying a Registration�� 433
3.1.1.1 Cancelling a Registration�� 433
3.1.1.2 Change of Name or Address�� 433
3.2 General Operation and Flight Rules�� 433
3.2.1 Line-of-sight �� 433
3.2.1.1 Visual line-of-sight (VLOS)�� 433
3.2.1.2 Radio line-of-sight (RLOS)�� 433
3.2.2 Emergency Security Perimeters �� 434
3.2.3 Airspace�� 434
3.2.3.1 Canadian Domestic Airspace�� 434
3.2.3.2 Controlled Airspace�� 434
3.2.3.3 Drone Site Selection Tool�� 435
3.2.3.4 Inadvertent Entry Into Controlled Airspace�� 435
3.2.4 Flight Safety �� 436
3.2.5 Right of Way �� 436
3.2.6 Detecting and Avoiding Traffic �� 436
3.2.6.1 General�� 436
3.2.6.2 Seeing Traffic�� 436
3.2.6.3 Hearing Traffic�� 437
3.2.6.4 Avoiding a Collision�� 437
3.2.7 Fitness of Crew Members�� 438
3.2.8 Visual Observers�� 438
3.2.9 Compliance With Instructions�� 439
3.2.10 Living Creatures�� 439
xxv
3.2.11 Procedures�� 439

3.2.11.1 Normal Operating Procedures�� 439
3.2.11.2 Emergency Procedures�� 439
3.2.12 Pre-flight Information�� 439
3.2.12.1 Pre-flight Inspections�� 439
3.2.12.2 Fuel and/or Energy�� 440
3.2.13 Maximum Altitude�� 440
3.2.13.1 Types of Altitudes�� 440
3.2.13.2 Measuring Altitude�� 441
3.2.14 Horizontal Distance�� 441
3.2.15 Site Survey�� 442
3.2.15.1 Understanding Your Area of Operation�� 442
3.2.15.2 Locating Local Aerodromes and Airports�� 442
3.2.15.3 Identifying Classes of Airspace�� 442
3.2.16 Other Pre-flight Requirements�� 442
3.2.17 Serviceability of the RPAS�� 442
3.2.17.1 Airframe (All Types)�� 443
3.2.17.2 Landing Gear�� 443
3.2.17.3 Powerplant�� 443
3.2.17.4 Propellers�� 443
3.2.17.5 Battery—Lithium Polymer�� 443
3.2.17.6 RPAS Control Station/Receiver/Transmitters�� 443
3.2.18 Availability of RPAS Operating Manuals�� 443
3.2.19 Manufacturer’s Instructions�� 443
3.2.20 Control of RPAS�� 444
3.2.21 Takeoffs, Launches, Approaches, Landings, and Recovery�� 444
3.2.22 Minimum Weather Conditions�� 444
3.2.22.1 Sources of Weather Information�� 444
3.2.22.2 Micro vs. Macro Climate Environments�� 445
3.2.22.3 Wind�� 445
3.2.22.4 Visibility�� 445
3.2.22.5 Clouds�� 445
3.2.22.6 Precipitation�� 445
3.2.22.7 Fog�� 446
3.2.22.8 Temperature�� 446
3.2.22.9 Urban Airflow�� 446
3.2.22.10 Sun�� 447
3.2.23 Icing�� 447
3.2.24 Formation Flight�� 447
3.2.25 Operation of Moving Vehicles, Vessels, and Manned Aircraft�� 447
3.2.26 First-person View (FPV) Devices�� 448
3.2.27 Night Flight�� 448
3.2.27.1 Detecting Aircraft During Night Operations�� 448
3.2.27.2 Aircraft Lighting�� 448
3.2.27.3 Use of Lights�� 449
3.2.27.4 Night Vision Goggles�� 449
3.2.28 Multiple Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)�� 449
3.2.29 Special Events�� 449
3.2.29.1 Special Aviation Events�� 449
3.2.29.2 Advertised Events�� 449
3.2.30 Handovers�� 449
3.2.31 Payloads�� 449
3.2.32 Flight Termination Systems�� 450
3.2.33 Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT)�� 450
3.2.34 Transponders and Automatic Pressure-Altitude Reporting Equipment�� 450
3.2.34.1 Transponder-required Airspace�� 450
3.2.34.2 Transponder Requirements�� 451
3.2.35 Operations at or in the Vicinity of an Aerodrome, Airport, or Heliport�� 451
3.2.36 Records�� 451
3.2.37 Incidents and Accidents�� 452
xxvi
3.2.38 Tethered Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)��452

3.3 Basic Operations�� 453
3.3.1 General�� 453
3.3.2 Pilot Requirements�� 453
3.3.2.1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilot Certificate�� 453
3.3.2.2 Recency Requirements�� 453
3.3.2.3 Access to Certificate and Proof of Currency�� 453
3.3.2.4 Examination Rules�� 453
3.3.3 Small Remote Pilot Aircraft (RPA) Requirement�� 454
3.4 Advanced Operations�� 454
3.4.1 General�� 454
3.4.2.1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilot Certificate�� 454
3.4.2.2 Recency Requirements�� 454
3.4.2.3 Access to Certificate and Proof of Currency�� 454
3.4.2.4 Examination Rules�� 454
3.4.3 Manufacturer Declaration�� 454
3.4.4 Operations in Controlled Airspace�� 455
3.4.5 Operations at or in the Vicinity of an Airport or Heliport—Established Procedure �� 455
3.4.6 Operations Near People�� 456
3.4.7 Operations Over People�� 456
3.4.8 RPA Modification�� 456
3.5 Flight Reviewers�� 457
3.5.1 General�� 457
3.5.2.1 Flight Reviewer Rating�� 457
3.5.2.2 Examination�� 457
3.5.3 Conduct of Flight Reviews�� 457
3.6 Special Flight Operations—RPAS�� 457
3.6.1 General�� 457
3.6.2 Application for a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC)—Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)�� 458
xxvii
xxviii
GEN—GENERAL Prairie and Northern Region
GEN
Transport Canada Civil Aviation
344 Edmonton Street
Winnipeg MB R3C 0P6
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
Tel:......................................................................1-888-463-0521
Fax:....................................................................1-800-824-4442
1.1 AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION
Ontario Region
1.1.1 Aeronautical Authority Transport Canada Civil Aviation
Transport Canada is the responsible aeronautical authority 4900 Yonge Street, 4th Floor
in Canada. Toronto ON M2N 6A5
Tel:......................................................................1-800-305-2059
Postal Address: Fax:..................................................................... 1-877-822-2129
Assistant Deputy Minister
Transport Canada, Safety and Security Quebec Region
330 Sparks Street Transport Canada Civil Aviation
Ottawa ON K1A 0N8 700 Leigh-Capreol Place
The Transport Canada, Aerodromes and Air Navigation Branch Dorval QC H4Y 1G7
is responsible for the establishment and administration of the Tel:......................................................................1-800-305-2059
Regulations and Standards for the provision of AIS in Canada. Fax:.....................................................................1-855-633-3697
Enquiries relating to regulations and standards for AIS should
be addressed to:
Atlantic Region
Postal Address: 95 Foundry Street
Flight Standards (AARTA) PO Box 42
Transport Canada Civil Aviation Moncton NB E1C 8K6
330 Sparks Street Tel:......................................................................1-800-305-2059
Ottawa ON K1A 0N8 Fax:..................................................................... 1-855-726-7495
Tel.:.....................................................................1-800-305-2059
Fax:.........................................................................613-952-3298 Figure 1.1—Transport Canada Regions
E-mail:.... TC.Flights.Standards-Normesdevol.TC@tc.gc.ca
TRANSPORT CANADA REGIONAL OFFICES

Transport Canada has five Regional Offices:
Pacific Region
Suite 820
800 Burrard Street
Vancouver BC V6Z 2J8
Tel.:.....................................................................1-800-305-2059
Fax:.....................................................................1-855-618-6288
1
1.1.2 Aeronautical Information As much as possible, the rules of the air and ATC procedures
GEN
Management (AIM) have been incorporated into the TC AIM in plain language.
Where this was not possible, the CARs have been incorporated
NAV CANADA’s AIM group is responsible for the collection,
verbatim. Editorial liberties have been taken in the deletion of
evaluation and dissemination of aeronautical information
definitions not considered essential to the understanding of the
published in the state AIP and associated aeronautical charts.
intent of the CARs. This has been done to enhance comprehension
In addition, the AIM group assigns and controls Canadian
of the rules and procedures essential to the safety of flight. The
location indicators and aircraft operating agency designators.
inclusion of these rules and procedures in this format does not
(For information on the dissemination of aeronautical information
relieve persons concerned with aviation from their responsibilities
and aeronautical products, see the MAP chapter.)
to comply with the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), the
The AIM group postal address is: Aeronautics Act and other regulations made under the Act.
NAV CANADA Where the subject matter of the TC AIM makes reference to the
Aeronautical Information Management CARs, the relevant provisions are indicated.
1601 Tom Roberts Avenue Care has been taken to ensure that the information contained
PO BOX 9824 STN T CSC in the TC AIM is accurate and complete. Any correspondence
Ottawa ON K1G 9Z9 concerning the content of the TC AIM is to be referred to:
Tel. (Toll free, North America only):............1-866-577-0247 TC AIM Co-ordinator (AARTT)
Tel. (Outside North America):.......................1-613-248-4087 Transport Canada
Fax:.....................................................................1-613-248-4093 330 Sparks Street
Email:..................................................aimdata@navcanada.ca Ottawa ON K1A 0N8
Comments on the Air Navigation System Tel.:......................................................................... 613-993-4502

Fax:..........................................................................613-952-3298
Any errors, omissions, anomalies, suggestions or comments on E-mail:........................TC.AeronauticalInformationManual-
the air navigation system can be submitted via any FIC. Manueldinformationaeronautique.TC@tc.gc.ca
To report any concerns about the safety or quality of services
provided by NAV CANADA, please contact the local 1.1.4 Transport Canada Aeronautical Information
NAV CANADA Site Manager or our Customer Service Centre Manual (TC AIM) Publication Information
at:
Individual copies of the TC AIM may be purchased by logging
NAV CANADA onto the Transport Canada Publication Storefront Web site
Customer Service at <https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/publications-
77 Metcalfe Street how-order>. All information with respect to purchases and
PO BOX 3411 STN T subscriptions to the TC AIM will be available on this Web
Ottawa ON K1P 5L6 site, or by contacting the Order Desk.
Tel. (Toll-free, North America only):.......... 1-800-876-4693 This edition of the TC AIM is designed to be as inexpensive as
Tel. (Outside North America):.......................1-613-563-5588 possible since it is intended primarily for student pilots and
Fax (Toll-free, North America only):...........1-877-663-6656 foreign pilots for use over a short period of time.
Fax (Outside North America):.......................1-613-563-3426
E-mail:...................................................service@navcanada.ca The TC AIM is available on the TransportCanada Web site at:
Regular hours of operation:...............08:00–18:00 EST/EDT <https://www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/aviation/publications/tc-aim.
html>.
1.1.3 Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Amendment Service
Manual (TC AIM)
This document is intended to provide users of Canadian airspace
The TC AIM provides flight crews with reference material useful with current information. A regular amendment service is
for aircraft operation in Canadian airspace. It includes those established to advise individuals of changes to the airspace,
sections of the CARs that are of interest to pilots. regulations or procedures. New editions of the TC AIM are
issued twice a year in phase with the ICAO AIRAC schedule.
The TC AIM supplements the rules of the air and procedures
Future issue dates are as follows:
for aircraft operation in Canadian airspace found in AIP Canada
(see MAP 2.1). 2022-2 – October 06, 2022 2023-1 – March 23, 2023
Throughout the TC AIM, the term “should” implies that TC
encourages all pilots to conform with the applicable procedure.
The term “shall” implies that the applicable procedure is
mandatory because it is supported by regulations.
2
Each new edition of the TC AIM includes an explanation of 1.3 DIFFERENCES WITH THE
GEN
changes section that highlights the most significant changes INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION
made to the TC AIM and may provide a reference to detailed ORGANIZATION (ICAO) STANDARDS,
information on the change. RECOMMENDED PRACTICES AND
PROCEDURES
Distribution
Differences with ICAO Annexes, which comprise international
To ensure uninterrupted service, rectify any distribution problems standards, recommended practices and procedures, are listed
or make a change of address, please contact the TC Publications in AIP Canada, GEN 1.7.
Order Desk using one of the methods listed below.
Transport Canada Publications Order Desk 1.3.1 International Civil Aviation
Operational Support Services (AAFBD) Organization (ICAO)’s Procedures for Air
2655 Lancaster Road Navigation Services—Aircraft Operations
Ottawa ON K1B 4L5 (PANS OPS)
Tel. (toll-free in North America): ..................1-888-830-4911 (See AIP Canada GEN 1.7)
.................................................................................613-991-4071
Fax: ......................................................................... 613-991-1653
1.4 UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
E-mail: ....................................................publications@tc.gc.ca
Web site: ........... https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/ The imperial system of units is used for all information contained
publications-how-order on aeronautical charts and publications.
1.1.5 NOTAM 1.4.1 Other Units

NAV CANADA, International NOTAM Office (NOF), is Other units are given in the following table and apply to specific
responsible for the collection, evaluation and dissemination of situations.
NOTAMs. A complete description of the Canadian NOTAM
Table 1.1—Other Units of Measurement Used in Aviation
system is located in MAP 3.0.
Postal Address MEASUREMENT UNITS SYMBOLS

NAV CANADA Altimeter setting inches of in. Hg
International NOTAM Office mercury
Combined ANS Facility Altitudes, elevations and feet ft
1601 Tom Roberts Avenue heights
PO Box 9824 Stn. T Distance used in navigation nautical miles NM
Ottawa ON K1G 6R2
Horizontal speed knots kt
Tel.:........................................................................613-248-4000 Relatively short distances feet ft
Fax:........................................................................ 613-248-4001
Runway Visual Range feet ft
AFTN:...................................................................CYHQYNYX (RVR)
Temperature degrees °C
1.1.6 Aerodromes Celsius
Complete information for all Canadian aerodromes is published Tire pressure pounds per psi
square inch MPa
in the CFS. ICAO Type A Charts are available from NAV CANADA’s megapascals
AIM group (see MAP 4.2.1 and AIP Canada GEN 3.2).
Vertical speed feet per minute ft/min
Visibility statute miles SM
1.2 SUMMARY OF NATIONAL
REGULATIONS Weight pounds lb
kilograms kg
Civil aviation in Canada is regulated by the Aeronautics Act and kilonewtons kN
the CARs. (See MAP 4.1 to find out where to find the CARs). A Wind direction, except for degrees true °True
legislation index is located in GEN 5.3. landing and takeoff
Wind direction degrees °Mag
observations for landing magnetic
and takeoff
*Degrees true in the NDA
Wind speed knots kt
3
1.4.2 Geographic Reference 1.5.2 Morning and Evening Twilight Charts

GEN
Geographic coordinates are determined using the North In the morning, civil twilight begins when the centre of the sun’s
American Datum 1983 (NAD83). Canada has deemed NAD83 disc is 6° below the horizon and is ascending, and ends at sunrise,
coordinates to be equivalent to the World Geodetic System 1984 approximately 25 min later. In the evening, civil twilight begins
(WGS-84) for aeronautical purposes. at sunset, and ends when the centre of the sun’s disc is 6° below
the horizon and is descending, approximately 25 min later.
1.5 TIME SYSTEM
INSTRUCTIONS
Coordinated Universal Time, abbreviated UTC, Zulu (Z) or 1. Start at the top or bottom of the scale with the appropriate
spoken Universal, is used in Canadian aviation operations and date and move vertically, up or down to the curve of the
is given to the nearest minute. Time checks are given to the observer’s latitude.
nearest 15 seconds. The day begins at 0000 hours and ends at
2. From the intersection move horizontally and read the
2359 hours.
local time.
1.5.1 Date-Time Group 3. To find the exact zone or standard time, ADD 4 minutes
for each degree west of the standard meridian, or SUBTRACT
(See AIP Canada GEN 2.1) 4 minutes for each degree east of the standard meridian.
The standard meridians in Canada are: AST-60W; EST-75W;
CST-90W; MST-105W; PST-120W
Figure 1.2—Beginning of Morning Civil Twilight on Standard Meridian of Time Zone
4
Figure 1.3—End of Evening Civil Twilight on Standard Meridian of Time Zone
GEN
5
1.5.3 Time Zone 1.7 V–SPEEDS

GEN
Where daylight saving time is observed in Canada, clocks are
Table 1.3—V-Speeds
advanced one hour. Daylight saving time is in effect from 02:00
local time on the second Sunday in March to 02:00 local time
V1 Critical engine failure recognition speed *
on the first Sunday in November. Locations that observe daylight
saving time are indicated in the CFS and the CWAS with the V2 Takeoff safety speed
abreviation DT or the symbol “‡”, in the Aerodrome/Facility
Directory, under the subheading REF (references). V2min Minimum takeoff safety speed
Table 1.2—Time Zone Local Times V3 Flap retraction speed
Time Zone To Obtain Local Time Va Design safety speed

Newfoundland UTC minus 3 1/2 hours (2 1/2 DT) Vb Speed for maximum gust intensity
Atlantic UTC minus 4 hours (3 DT)
Vc Cruise speed
Eastern UTC minus 5 hours (4 DT)
Central UTC minus 6 hours (5 DT) Vd Diving speed
Mountain UTC minus 7 hours (6 DT) Vdf /Mdf Demonstrated flight diving speed
Pacific UTC minus 8 hours (7 DT)
Vf Flap speed
Figure 1.4—Time Zone
Vfe Maximum flap speed
Maximum level flight speed at maximum
Vh continuous power
Vle Landing gear extended speed
Vlo Maximum landing gear operation speed

Minimum control speed with critical
Vmc engine inoperative
Vmo /Mmo Maximum operating limit speed
Vmu Minimum unstick speed
Vno Maximum structural cruising speed **
Vne Never exceed speed
Vr Rotation speed
Vref Landing reference speed

Stalling speed or minimum steady
Vs controllable flight speed
1.6 NATIONALITY AND REGISTRATION Stalling speed or minimum steady flight
Vsl speed obtained in a specific configuration
MARKS
Stalling speed or minimum steady flight
(See AIP Canada GEN 2.1.5) Vso speed in the landing configuration
Vx Speed for best angle of climb
Vy Speed for best rate of climb

* This definition is not restrictive. An operator may adopt any other definition outlined
in the aircraft flight manual (AFM) of TC type-approved aircraft as long as such
definition does not compromise operational safety of the aircraft.
** For older transport category aircraft Vno means normal operating limit speed.
6
1.7.1 Conversion Tables
GEN
Table 1.4—Conversion of Millibars to Inches of Mercury
hPa/mb 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
INCHES
940 27.76 27.79 27.82 27.85 27.88 27.91 27.94 27.96 27.99 28.02
950 28.05 28.08 28.11 28.14 28.17 28.20 28.23 28.26 28.29 28.32
960 28.35 28.38 28.41 28.44 28.47 28.50 28.53 28.56 28.58 28.61
970 28.64 28.67 28.70 28.73 28.76 28.79 28.82 28.85 28.88 28.91
980 28.94 28.97 29.00 29.03 29.06 29.09 29.12 29.15 29.18 29.20
990 29.23 29.26 29.29 29.32 29.35 29.38 29.41 29.44 29.47 29.50
1000 29.53 29.56 29.59 29.62 29.65 29.68 29.71 29.74 29.77 29.80
1010 29.83 29.85 29.88 29.91 29.94 29.97 30.00 30.03 30.06 30.09
1020 30.12 30.15 30.18 30.21 30.24 30.27 30.30 30.33 30.36 30.39
1030 30.42 30.45 30.47 30.50 30.53 30.56 30.59 30.62 30.65 30.68
1040 30.71 30.74 30.77 30.80 30.83 30.86 30.89 30.92 30.95 30.98
1050 31.01 31.04 31.07 31.09 31.12 31.15 31.18 31.21 31.24 31.27
NOTE:
1 millibar (mb) = 1 hectopascal (hPa)
Table 1.5—Celsius and Fahrenheit Degrees Temperature Scales
°C °F °C °F °C °F °C °F °C °F °C °F °C °F °C °F
-45 -49.0 -33 -27.4 -21 -5.8 -9 15.8 3 37.4 15 59.0 27 80.6 39 102.2
-44 -47.2 -32 -25.6 -20 -4.0 -8 17.6 4 39.2 16 60.8 28 82.4 40 104.0
-43 -45.4 -31 -23.8 -19 -2.2 -7 19.4 5 41.0 17 62.6 29 84.2 41 105.8
-42 -43.6 -30 -22.0 -18 -0.4 -6 21.2 6 42.8 18 64.4 30 86.0 42 107.6
-41 -41.8 -29 -20.2 -17 1.4 -5 23.0 7 44.6 19 66.2 31 87.8 43 109.4
-40 -40.0 -28 -18.4 -16 3.2 -4 24.8 8 46.4 20 68.0 32 89.6 44 111.2
-39 -38.2 -27 -16.6 -15 5.0 -3 26.6 9 48.2 21 69.8 33 91.4 45 113.0
-38 -36.4 -26 -14.8 -14 6.8 -2 28.4 10 50.0 22 71.6 34 93.2 46 114.8
-37 -34.6 -25 -13.0 -13 8.6 -1 30.2 11 51.8 23 73.4 35 95.0 47 116.6
-36 -32.8 -24 -11.2 -12 10.4 0 32.0 12 53.6 24 75.2 36 96.8 48 118.4
-35 -31.0 -23 -9.4 -11 12.2 1 33.8 13 55.4 25 77.0 37 98.6 49 120.2
-34 -29.2 -22 -7.6 -10 14.0 2 35.6 14 57.2 26 78.8 38 100.4 50 122.0
7
Table 1.6—Conversion Factors 1.7.2 RVR Comparative Scale–Feet to Metres

GEN
To CONVERT INTO MULTIPLY BY Table 1.7—RVR Comparative Scale: in Feet and Metres
RVR - FEET RVR - METRES

centimetres inches 0.394
500 150
feet metres 0.305
600 175
imperial gallon U.S. gallon 1.201
700 200
imperial gallon litres 4.546
1000 300
inches centimetres 2.540
1200 350
pounds per square
inches of mercury
inch
0.490 1400 400
2600 800
kilograms pounds 2.205
4000 1200
pounds per imperial
kilograms per litre 10.023 5000 1500
gallon
pounds per U.S.
kilograms per litre 8.333
gallon 2.0 SAFETY
kilometres nautical miles 0.540
kilometres statute miles 0.621 2.1 AVIATION OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
litres imperial gallon 0.220 AND SAFETY PROGRAM
litres U.S. gallon 0.264 Employers have a general obligation or duty to ensure that the
health and safety of all persons they employ are protected while
pounds per
megapascals 145.14 they are at work. Also, employers have specific duties in regard
square inch
to each workplace they control and every work activity under
metres feet 3.281 their authority that occurs in a workplace that is beyond the
nautical miles kilometres 1.852 employer’s control.
nautical miles statute miles 1.152 No one knows a workplace better than the people who work in
it, so Part II of the Canada Labour Code gives the workplace
newton pounds 0.2248
parties—employees and employers—a strong role in identifying
pounds kilograms 0.454 and resolving health and safety concerns.
pounds newtons 4.448
2.1.1 General
pounds per imperial
gallon The TC Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Program began
pounds per square in 1987. Its primary objective is to ensure the health and safety
inches of mercury 2.040
inch of employees working on board aircraft in operation. This goal
is accomplished through the administration, enforcement, and
pounds per square
megapascals 0.00689 promotion of Part II of the Canada Labour Code (the Code) and
inch
the pursuant Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
pounds per U.S. The purpose of Part II of the Code is “to prevent accidents and
gallon
injury to health arising out of, linked with or occurring in the
statute miles kilometres 1.609 course of employment to which this part applies”.
statute miles nautical miles 0.868 The Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Program operates
U.S. gallon imperial gallon 0.833 as an extended jurisdiction from the Labour Program of
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and is
U.S. gallon litres 3.785 administered by TC, Safety and Security by virtue of a
memorandum of understanding with Employment and Social
Development Canada.
For additional information, see <www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/
standards/commerce-ohs-menu-2059.htm>.
8
2.1.2 Refusal to Work in Dangerous Situations 2.2 AVIATION SAFETY ANALYSIS
GEN
As outlined in subsection 128(1) of the Code, all employees have
a legal right to refuse dangerous work and to refuse to work in 2.2.1 General
a place if they have reasonable cause to believe that the use or The Aviation Safety Analysis Division in the Policy and Regulatory
operation of a machine or thing, the performance of an activity, Services Branch is responsible for monitoring and evaluating
or a condition existing in the workplace constitutes a danger to the level of safety within the National Civil Air Transportation
themselves or others. Pursuant to subsection 122(1) of the Code: System (NCATS) by:
“‘danger’ means any hazard, condition or activity that could
reasonably be expected to be an imminent or serious threat to the (a) monitoring and evaluating all facets of the system;
life or health of a person exposed to it before the hazard or condition (b) reviewing and analyzing accident and incident data, as well
can be corrected or the activity altered”. as other safety-related information;
Due to the health and safety risk towards others, pilots are not (c) assessing risk and providing risk management advice; and
permitted to refuse to work while in flight (see paragraph 128(2)
(d) preparing and coordinating emergency response to national
(a) of the Code). However, pilots are permitted to refuse to work
or international emergencies affecting aviation.
before or after the aircraft is in operation (e.g. at the gate or on
the apron). Flight attendants and other on board employees must
report any in-flight refusal to work to the pilot-in-command 2.2.2 Aviation Safety Research and Analysis
who will in turn decide if the refusal is permitted while in the One of the objectives of the Aviation Safety Research and Analysis
air. Regardless of whether the refusal is permitted in flight, it unit is to produce safety intelligence. This is information about
will be addressed as soon as the aircraft is on the ground at its hazards in the National Civil Air Transportation System (NCATS)
next destination. that allows managers in Civil Aviation to understand the hazards
Once an employee has indicated that they are refusing to work, and risks present in the elements of the system they oversee.
both they and their employer have specific roles and responsibilities Aviation safety hazards and trends are proactively identified,
that have been established to assist them in working together to analyzed, and evaluated in order to produce a mix of special
find a solution. Sections 128 and 129 of the Code identify these studies and routine standard products. This strategic analytical
employee and employer roles and responsibilities as well as the capability supports the development of mitigation and prevention
role and responsibility of the delegated labour program official, strategies necessary for managing risks. These strategies feed
should their intervention become necessary. into policy development, regulatory framework, and Civil
Aviation operational areas.
To protect employees’ rights, section 147 of the Code states that
no employer shall take, or threaten to take, any disciplinary
2.2.3 Minister’s Observer and Technical
action against an employee who has refused to work in a dangerous
Advisor Programs
situation. It should also be noted that subsection 147.1(1) states
that after all the investigations and appeals have been exhausted Key aspects of obtaining safety intelligence are the Minister’s
by the employee who exercised their right to refuse dangerous Observer and Technical Advisor Programs. While it is the TSB’s
work, the employer may take disciplinary action against that mandate to advance transportation safety by conducting
employee provided the employer can demonstrate that the investigations into occurrences, the Minister’s observer/technical
employee has willfully abused their rights. advisor plays an essential role by:
(a) obtaining timely, factual information from an on-going
2.1.3 Delegated Labour Program Officials investigation;
The Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Program (b) advising the Minister of significant regulatory factors;
Headquarters provides guidance and assistance to regional
(c) identifying deficiencies that require immediate coordination
delegated labour program officials who conduct inspections,
of corrective actions;
investigations, and promotional visits to ensure that air operators
are committed to the health and safety of their employees. (d) being TC’s support to an aviation occurrence investigation;
and
Delegated labour program officials may be reached during the
day at their workplace by using the “How to Reach Us” page on (e) providing safety intelligence to senior managers and the
the TC Aviation Occupational Health and Safety Web site: <www. Minister to help support their decision making.
tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/commerce-ohs-reach_ As a member of ICAO, Canada enjoys certain rights and accepts
us-menu-2116.htm>. certain responsibilities in relation to accidents either occurring
To ensure 24-hr service to the aviation community, in urgent in another State, or where another State has an interest in an
situations or after working hours, a delegated labour program accident that occurs in Canada.
official may be reached through the Aviation Operations These responsibilities are detailed in Article 26 of ICAO’s
Centre (AVOPS) at:<https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/ Convention on International Civil Aviation, which imposes an
opssvs/emergencies-incidentreporting-menu.htm>. obligation on the State in which the aircraft accident occurs to
institute an inquiry in accordance with ICAO procedures; and
9
Article 37, which provides for the standards and recommended 2.3 GENERAL AVIATION SAFETY
GEN
practices (SARPS) for aircraft accident investigation, which are PROGRAM
detailed in Annex 13 to the Convention.
The General Aviation Safety Campaign transitioned to a program
In the event of an accident that occurs outside Canada and in June 2020. The purpose is to reduce the number of fatal
involves a Canadian-registered aircraft, or an aircraft or accidents through a non-regulatory, consensus-based, data-driven
significant component manufactured in Canada, Canada has approach by engaging with the general aviation community to
the right to appoint an accredited representative. Under Annex 13, find shared solutions to safety issues and concerns by:
this duty falls to the TSB. TC and other Canadian interests may
(a) promoting safety through promotional and educational
appoint technical advisors to support the accredited representative.
materials;
In the event of a domestic occurrence, the Canadian Transportation
(b) promoting a national program for the development and
Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act (CTAISB Act)
delivery of safety seminars and pilot recurrent training
contains provisions that permit a party of direct interest to
programs;
participate as an observer in a TSB investigation if the Board
determines that it is appropriate. (c) encouraging a collaborative approach and maintaining a
visible presence within the GA community; and
If the TSB decides not to investigate, in accordance with
subsection 14(2) of the CTAISB Act , TC can make a formal (d) reducing the total number of GA accidents by:
request to the TSB to investigate. Subsection 14(4) of the CTAISB (i) identifying and addressing accident trends;
Act also states:
(ii) identifying root causes; and
“Nothing […] prevents a department from commencing an
(iii) recommending solutions that can reduce the
investigation into or continuing to investigate a transportation
probability of similar accidents from reoccurring.
occurrence for any purpose other than that of making findings
as to its causes and contributing factors, or from investigating NOTE:
any matter that is related to the transportation occurrence and For more information on the General Aviation Safety Program,
that is not being investigated by the Board[…]” go to <https://tc.canada.ca/en/campaigns/general-aviation-safety-
In the event of an occurrence involving a Canadian civil aviation campaign> or contact our Safety Program Team at <TC.
certificate holder, Civil Aviation must determine, on behalf of GeneralAviation-AviationGenerale.TC@tc.gc.ca>.
the Minister, as quickly as possible, whether or not the certificate
holder continues to meet the certificate’s conditions of issue.
3.0 TRANSPORTATION SAFETY
2.2.4 Safety Promotion BOARD OF CANADA (TSB)
As part of Civil Aviation’s wider risk mitigation strategy, TC
communicates safety information to promote the adoption of 3.1 AVIATION SAFETY INVESTIGATION
practices known to be effective at mitigating risk and to educate
The purpose of an aviation safety investigation into an aircraft
the wider aviation community on current and emerging hazards.
accident or incident is to prevent a recurrence; it is not to
Promotional and educational products are developed, as determine or assign blame or liability. The TSB, established
appropriate, to support Civil Aviation’s programs and initiatives under the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and
for the benefit of the Canadian aviation industry. These programs Safety Board Act (CTAISB Act), is responsible for investigating
and initiatives aim to enhance aviation safety awareness and all aviation occurrences in Canada involving civil aircraft
accident prevention. For more information about these programs registered both in Canada and abroad. A team of investigators
and initiatives, please go to <https://tc.canada.ca/en/campaigns>. is on 24-hr standby. The following text is mainly taken from the
The Aviation Safety Letter (ASL), Civil Aviation’s quarterly online recently updated Transportation Safety Board of Canada
newsletter, includes articles that address aviation safety from all Regulations. The complete text of both the CTAISB Act as well
perspectives, such as safety insight derived from accidents and as the updated Regulations can be found on the Department of
incidents, regulatory updates, as well as safety information Justice Web site.
tailored to the needs of pilots, AMEs, certificate holders, and all
other interested individuals within the aviation community. 3.2 DEFINITIONS
Readers can subscribe to the ASL e-Bulletin notification service
to receive e-mails that announce the release of each new issue Under the CTAISB Act, “aviation occurrence” means
of the ASL and include a link to the ASL Web page. To register (a) any accident or incident associated with the operation of
for this service, please go to <https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/ an aircraft, and
publications/aviation-safety-letter> and follow the appropriate
(b) any situation or condition that the Board has reasonable
steps. Those who prefer a printed copy can order a print-on-
grounds to believe could, if left unattended, induce an
demand version (black and white) through TC’s Publications
accident or incident described in paragraph (a).
Order Desk by calling 1‑888‑830‑4911 or e-mailing
<publications@tc.gc.ca>. The following definitions are taken from the Transportation
Safety Board of Canada Regulations.
10
“Collision” means an impact, other than an impact associated 3.3.2 Mandatory Reportable Incidents
GEN
with normal operating circumstances, between aircraft or
In the case of an incident involving an aircraft having a maximum
between an aircraft and another object or terrain.
certificated take-off weight greater than 2 250 kg, or of an aircraft
“Dangerous goods” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the being operated under an air operator certificate issued under
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992. Part VII of the Canadian Aviation Regulations:
“Operation” means the activities for which an aircraft is used (a) an engine fails or is shut down as a precautionary measure,
from the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention (b) a power train transmission gearbox malfunction occurs,
of flight until they disembark.
(c) smoke is detected or a fire occurs on board,
“Risk of collision” means a situation in which an aircraft comes
so close to being involved in a collision that a threat to the safety (d) difficulties in controlling the aircraft are encountered owing
of any person, property or the environment exists. to any aircraft system malfunction, weather phenomena,
wake turbulence, uncontrolled vibrations or operations
“Serious injury” means: outside the flight envelope,
(a) a fracture of any bone, except simple fractures of fingers, (e) the aircraft fails to remain within the intended landing or
toes or the nose; take-off area, lands with all or part of the landing gear
(b) lacerations that cause severe hemorrhage or nerve, muscle retracted or drags a wing tip, an engine pod or any other
or tendon damage; part of the aircraft,
(c) an injury to an internal organ; (f) a crew member whose duties are directly related to the safe
operation of the aircraft is unable to perform their duties
(d) second or third degree burns, or any burns affecting more
as a result of a physical incapacitation which poses a threat
than 5% of the body surface;
to the safety of persons, property or the environment,
(e) a verified exposure to infectious substances or injurious
(g) depressurization of the aircraft occurs that requires an
radiation; or
emergency descent,
(f) an injury that is likely to require hospitalization.
(h) a fuel shortage occurs that requires a diversion or requires
approach and landing priority at the destination of the
3.3 REPORTING AN AVIATION aircraft,
OCCURRENCE
(i) the aircraft is refuelled with the incorrect type of fuel or
The owner, operator, pilot-in-command, any crew member of contaminated fuel,
the aircraft and any person providing air traffic services that
have direct knowledge of an occurrence must report the following (j) a collision, a risk of collision or a loss of separation occurs,
aviation occurrences to the Board if they result directly from (k) a crew member declares an emergency or indicates an
the operation of an aircraft. emergency that requires priority handling by air traffic
3.3.1 Accidents services or the standing by of emergency response services,
(l) a slung load is released unintentionally or as a precautionary
In the case of an accident:
or emergency measure from the aircraft, or
(a) a person is killed or sustains a serious injury as a result of:
(m) any dangerous goods are released in or from the aircraft.
(i) being on board the aircraft,
(ii) coming into direct contact with any part of the 3.3.3 Information to Report
aircraft, including parts that have become detached
The report must contain the following information:
from the aircraft, or
(iii) being directly exposed to jet blast, rotor down wash (a) the type, model, nationality and registration marks of the
or propeller wash, aircraft;
(b) the aircraft sustains structural failure or damage that (b) the name of the owner, operator, pilot-in-command and, if
adversely affects the aircraft’s structural strength, applicable, hirer of the aircraft;
performance or flight characteristics and would normally (c) the last point of departure and the intended destination of
require major repair or replacement of any affected the aircraft, including the date and time of the departure;
component, except for: (d) the date and time of the occurrence;
(i) engine failure or damage, when the damage is limited (e) the name of the person providing air traffic services related
to the engine, its cowlings or accessories, or to the occurrence;
(ii) damage limited to propellers, wing tips, antennae, (f) the number of crew members, passengers and other persons
tires, brakes, fairings or small dents or puncture involved in the occurrence and the number of those who
holes in the aircraft’s skin, or were killed or sustained serious injuries as a result of the
(c) the aircraft is missing or inaccessible. occurrence;
11
(g) the location of the occurrence by reference to an easily to the extent possible in the circumstances and before taking
GEN
defined geographical point, or by latitude and longitude; those measures, record the evidence by the best means available
(h) a description of the occurrence and the extent of any resulting and advise the Board of their actions.
damage to the environment and to the aircraft and any
other property; 3.5 SECURITAS PROGRAM
(i) a list of any dangerous goods carried on board or released The SECURITAS program provides a means for individuals to
from the aircraft, including the shipping name or UN report incidents and potentially unsafe acts or conditions relating
number and consignor and consignee information; to the Canadian transportation system that would not normally
be reported through other channels. It should be noted that this
(j) if the aircraft is missing or inaccessible:
multi-modal, confidential safety reporting system replaces the
(i) the last known position of the aircraft by reference Confidential Aviation Safety Reporting Program (CASRP).
to an easily defined geographical point, or by latitude
Each report is assessed by SECURITAS analysts. When a reported
and longitude, including the date and time that the
concern is validated as a safety deficiency, the TSB normally
aircraft was at that position, and
forwards the information, often with suggested corrective action,
(ii) the actions taken or planned to locate or gain access to the appropriate regulatory authority, or in some cases, the
to the aircraft; transportation company, organization or agency. No information
(k) a description of any action taken or planned to protect will be released that could reasonably be expected to reveal the
persons, property and the environment; reporter’s identity without the reporter’s written consent.
(l) the name and title of the person making the report and the
3.5.1 How to Report to SECURITAS
phone number and address at which they can be reached;
and SECURITAS is primarily concerned with unsafe acts and
(m) any information specific to the occurrence that the Board conditions relating to commercial and public transportation
requires. systems. When contacting SECURITAS, ensure the following
is included in your message:
The person making the report must send to the Board as soon
as possible and by the quickest means available, all the information (a) your name, address and phone number
required that is available at the time of the occurrence; and the (b) your profession and experience
remainder of that information as soon as it becomes available
(c) your involvement in the unsafe situation being reported
within 30 days after the occurrence.
(d) where else you may have reported this unsafe situation or
3.3.4 Other Occurrences safety concern
(e) complete identification of the aircraft or related facility/
Any other incident indicative of a deficiency or discrepancy in
equipment
the Canadian air transportation system may be reported in
writing to the TSB. Sufficient details concerning the incident (f) the name of the owner/operator of the equipment
should be provided to enable the identification of action required Also, please describe the unsafe act or safety concern.
to remedy the deficiency or discrepancy.
For example:
3.3.5 Contacting the Transportation Safety Board (a) How was the unsafe act/condition discovered?
of Canada (TSB) (b) If you are describing an event, tell SECURITAS
Aviation occurrences are to be reported to a regional TSB office, (i) what happened;
using the telephone numbers listed in GEN 3.6.
(ii) where it happened;
For Canadian-registered aircraft operating outside of Canada,
in addition to the reporting required by the state of occurrence, (iii) when it happened (the date and the local time); and
a report shall be made to the TSB regional office nearest to the (iv) why you think it happened.
company’s headquarters or, for private aircraft, nearest to the
(c) What actions/inactions resulted, or could have resulted?
aircraft’s home base.
(d) How do you think the situation could be corrected?
3.4 KEEPING AND PRESERVATION OF
EVIDENCE 3.5.2 What to Report to SECURITAS
Every person having possession of or control over evidence These are some examples of the types of situations that could
relating to a transportation occurrence must keep and preserve affect air transportation safety and that your report might help
the evidence unless the Board provides otherwise. This is not correct.
to be construed as preventing any person from taking the Unsafe conditions:
necessary measures to ensure the safety of any person, property
or the environment. Any person who takes these measures must, (a) chronic lack of repair of aircraft, poor maintenance practices
12
(b) unsafe runway or aerodrome conditions REGIONAL OFFICES (AIR)
GEN
(c) inadequate or poor air traffic services in a particular area TSB—Pacific
(d) poor reception of navigation signals, weak radio coverage, Regional Office Administration, TSB-AIR
inadequate weather services 4-3071 No 5 Road
(e) errors in aeronautical publications: unsafe procedures Richmond BC V6X 2T4
published in manuals of instructions for pilots, cabin crew, Toll-free (within Canada):.............................. 1-800-387-3557
ground crew, aircraft maintenance or air traffic services Toll:....................................................................... 604-202-2400
Unsafe procedures and practices: E-mail:.................. airnotifications.vancouver@tsb-bst.gc.ca
(a) routinely descending below minimum en route altitude or TSB—Western

approach in IMC
Regional Office Administration, TSB-AIR
(b) non-compliance with airworthiness directives, minimum 17803-106A Avenue
equipment list Edmonton AB T5S 1V8
(c) pilots flying in excess of regulatory flight-time limits Toll-free (within Canada):.............................. 1-800-387-3557
(d) unsafe aircraft circuit procedures and/or communications E-mail:.................. airnotifications.edmonton@tsb-bst.gc.ca
(e) air traffic control practices that could jeopardize the safety TSB—Central
of flight, e.g. use of non-standard phraseology, compromising
separation criteria, inadequate manning and supervision
335-550 Century Street
(f) unsafe cabin baggage stowage procedures, unsafe passenger Winnipeg MB R3H 0Y1
seating or cargo securing arrangements
Toll-free (within Canada):.............................. 1-800-387-3557
(g) aircraft maintenance procedures not completed correctly Toll:....................................................................... 204-983-5548
but signed off E-mail:....................airnotifications.winnipeg@tsb-bst.gc.ca
(h) shortcuts in following checklist procedures
TSB—Ontario
(i) crew scheduling problems: inadequate crew composition,
unqualified crew, inadequate crew rest
23 Wilmot Street East
(j) scheduling personnel who are not professionally or medically Richmond Hill ON L4B 1A3
qualified for the assigned duties
(k) the use of unapproved parts, time-expired equipment Toll:........................................................................ 905-771-7676
E-mail:....................... airnotifications.toronto@tsb-bst.gc.ca
3.5.3 Where to Submit a SECURITAS Report
TSB—Quebec (Dorval)
To submit a report, contact SECURITAS at:
SECURITAS 185 Dorval Avenue, Suite 403
PO Box 1996, Station B Dorval QC H9S 5J9
Gatineau QC J8X 3Z2
Tel.:.....................................................................1-800-567-6865 Toll:........................................................................514-633-3246
Fax:........................................................................ 819-994-8065 E-mail:.................... airnotifications.montreal@tsb-bst.gc.ca
E-mail:................................................. securitas@tsb-bst.gc.ca
TSB—Atlantic
3.6 OFFICES OF THE TRANSPORTATION Regional Office Administration, TSB-AIR
SAFETY BOARD OF CANADA (TSB) 150 Thorne Avenue
Dartmouth NS B3B 1Z2
HEADQUARTERS:
Place du Centre, 4th Floor Toll-free (within Canada):.............................. 1-800-387-3557
200 Promenade du Portage Toll:....................................................................... 902-483-3341
Gatineau QC K1A 1K8 E-mail:.................airnotifications.dartmouth@tsb-bst.gc.ca

Toll:........................................................................819-994-3741
TDD:......................................................................819-953-7287
E-mail:...................................................... airops@tsb-bst.gc.ca
13
4.0 INDEX OF KEYWORDS – Ground Lights....................................................... AGA 1.4

GEN
Aeronautical Information............................................ GEN 1.1
– AIM (Aeronautical Information
A Management)...................................................... GEN 1.1.2
Abbreviations – Aviation Forecasts......................... MET 15.0 – AIRAC Canada.................................................... MAP 2.4
Abbreviations and Acronyms..................................... GEN 5.2 – Canada Flight Supplement............................. MAP 2.5.3
Abnormal Operation of Navigation Aids, Pilot
Reporting of................................................................COM 3.4 – Charts and Publications for International
Abnormally High Altimeter Settings....................... AIR 1.5.9 Flights.................................................................... MAP 5.0
Aeronautical Fixed Service (AFS).......MAP 3.1, 3.5, RAC 3.3 – Circular................................................................. MAP 2.3
– Calibration of...............................RAC Fig. 9.1, AIR 1.5.2 – Collection...............................................................MAP 1.0
– Downdraft and Turbulence................................ AIR 1.5.7 – ICAO Type A Charts........................................ MAP 4.2.1
– Effect of Mountains.............................................AIR 1.5.6 – IFR.......................................................................... MAP 2.6
– Incorrect Setting..................................................AIR 1.5.3 – Manual (TC AIM)..............................................GEN 1.1.3
– Major Errors of.....................................................AIR 1.5.4 – NOTAM................................................................ MAP 3.0
– Pressure.................................................................... AIR 1.5 – Procurement of Charts and Publications.........MAP 4.0
– Pressure Drop.......................................................AIR 1.5.8 – Publication, Aeronautical Information
AIP Canada...........................................................MAP 2.1
– Setting Region.................................... .RAC 2.10, Fig. 2.10
– VFR.........................................................................MAP 2.5
– Standard Pressure Aeronautical Terms, Glossary..................................... GEN 5.1
Region.................................RAC 2.11, Fig. 2.10, AIR 1.5.5
– Temperature Correction............ RAC Fig. 9.1, AIR 1.5.4 – Aeronautics Act and Canadian Air Regulations,
– Legislative Index.................................................. GEN 5.3
ACAS/TCAS...................................................................COM 9.0 Aiding Persons in Distress............................................ SAR 2.4
ACAS II and Transponder Equipage....................RAC 11.7.11 AIP Canada....................................................................MAP 2.1
Accident reporting........................................................ GEN 3.3
– AIC (Aeronautical Information Circular)........ MAP 2.3
– SECURITAS Program......................................... GEN 3.5
Accuracy, Availability and Integrity – Supplements.......................................................... MAP 2.2
of Navigation Aids.................................................... COM 4.2 Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS)........COM 9.0
Acknowledgement of Clearances – VFR....................RAC 5.2 AIRAC Canada............................................................. MAP 2.4
Acronyms and Abbreviations..................................... GEN 5.2 Air Routes and Airways Designation....................... COM 5.5
ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone)............RAC 2.13, 3.8 Air Time and Flight Time............................................. AIR 4.1
ADS-B..............................................................................COM 7.3 Air Traffic and Advisory Services...............................RAC 1.1
ADS-C...........................................................................COM 3.10 Air Traffic Services, Services Other Than................ RAC 1.2
Advance Notice of Intent in Minimum Aircraft
Weather Conditions....................................................RAC 9.5 – Aviation Safety Investigation...............................GEN 3.1
Advisory Airspace...................................................... RAC 2.8.6 – Aircraft Identification, Marking, Registration
Advisory forecasts..........................................................MET 7.2 and Insurance.........................................................LRA 4.0
Aerobatic Flight..............................................................RAC 1.9 – Airworthiness........................................................ LRA 5.0
Aerodromes and airports............................................. AGA 2.0 – Airworthiness ANNEX........................................ LRA 9.0
– ARCAL (Aircraft Radio Control of Aerodrome – ARCAL (Radio Control of
Lighting)........................................................AGA 7.14 Aerodrome Lighting)..........................................AGA 7.14
– ATF (Aerodrome Traffic Frequency)... ..RAC 4.5.5, 4.5.6 – Categories..............................................................RAC 9.21
– Authority..............................................................AGA 1.1.1 – Change of Ownership –
– Beacon.....................................................................AGA 7.2 Canadian-Registered............................................ LRA 4.4
– Certification.......................................................... AGA 2.3 – Contamination (Frost, Ice or Snow)
– Design Criteria, Runway......................................AGA 3.1 – In Flight.......................................................... AIR 2.12.3
– Directory................................................................ AGA 1.3 – On ground.......................................................AIR 2.12.2
– DND (Snow Removal and Ice Control)...........AGA 1.1.4 – Design Requirements............................................LRA 5.2
– Lighting...................................................................AGA 7.0 – Emergency Assistance.......................................... .SAR 4.0
– Maintenance – First Aid Kits on Privately Owned
– Transport Canada.......................................... AGA 2.3.3 and Operated Aircraft......................................... AIR 4.13
– Obstacle Charts (ICAO Type A)......................MAP 4.2.1 – Identification..........................................................LRA 4.2
– Operator Responsibilities................................. AGA 2.3.4 – Import/Export.................................................LRA 4.6, 4.7
– PNR (Prior Notice Required)............................. AGA 2.2 – Liability Insurance.................................................LRA 4.8
– PPR (Prior Permission Required)...................... AGA 2.2 – Load rating............................................................AGA 3.12
– Private-use Certificate......................................... AGA 2.2 – Nationality and
Registration Marks...............................GEN 1.6, LRA 4.3
– Public-use Certificate........................................... AGA 2.2
– Navigational Equipment,
– Registration........................................................... AGA 2.1 Interference with.................................................. COM 4.4
– Runway Characteristics....................................... AGA 3.0 – Operations – Uncontrolled Aerodromes...........RAC 4.5
– TAF (Forecasts)......................................................MET 7.0 – Registration, Initial...............................................LRA 4.5
– From AWOS Sites..............................................MET 7.5 – Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF).................... . AGA 8.0
– National Variations.......................................... MET 7.3 – Speed Limit......................................................... RAC 2.5.2
– Uncontrolled Procedures (IFR)......................... RAC 9.13 – Technical Records...............................................LRA 5.6.3
– Use, International Flights.................................... AGA 1.2 Aircraft Contamination in Flight............................AIR 2.12.3
Aeromedical Factors.......................................................AIR 3.2 Aircraft Contamination on the Ground.................AIR 2.12.2
Aeronautical Aircraft Load Rating (ALR).......................................AGA 3.12
– Assessment............................................................. AGA 6.3 Aircraft Movement Surface Condition
– Authority..............................................................GEN 1.1.1 Report (AMSCR)......................................................AIR 1.6.4
– Charts for Visual Flight................................... MAP 4.2.1 Aircraft Parachute System............................................GEN 5.1
14
Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF)................ AGA 8.0 Anti-icing Additives, Fuel...........................................AIR 1.3.3
GEN
– Hours of Availability............................................ AGA 8.2 Appeals – Transportation Appeal Tribunal
– Classification System........................................... AGA 8.3 of Canada (TATC)......................................................LRA 6.5
– ARFF Standby Request........................................ AGA 8.4 Approach
AIREP (Meteorological Report)................................NAT 1.15 – Approach Lighting System - ALSF-2, LIAL, ODALS,
Airmanship...................................................................... AIR 1.1 MALSF, MALS, MALSR, SSALR, SSALS
– Flight Operations....................................................AIR 2.0 ........................................ AGA 7.5.1, 7.5.2, RAC 9.19.2.8
– Low Flying...............................................................AIR 2.4 – Approach Lighting System with Sequenced Flashers -
AIRMET...............................................................MET 1.3.6, 5.0 CAT II (ALSF - 2)......................AGA 7.5.2, RAC 9.19.2.8
Arrival Procedures – IFR..............................................RAC 9.0 – Ban......................................................................RAC 9.19.2
Airport – Contact.................................................................RAC 9.6.1
– ASDE (Surface Detection Equipment)..............COM 7.1 – From an Intermediate Fix.................................. RAC 9.16
– Airport Radio (APRT RDO).............................RAC 1.2.2 – PAPI.................................................................... .AGA 7.6.3
– Airside Signs.......................................................... AGA 5.8 – PAR (Precision Radar).....................COM 7.1, RAC 9.8.4
– Bird Hazard.........................................................AGA 1.1.5 – Position Reports – Controlled Airports.............RAC 9.9
– Certificate.............................................................. AGA 2.4 – Simplified Short Approach Lighting System (SSALS)
– Certification..................................... AGA 2.3, 2.3.5, 2.3.6 .....................................................AGA 7.5.1, RAC 9.19.2.8
– Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM)..... AGA 10.0 – Simplified Short Approch Lighting System
– Information Signs............................................. .AGA 5.8.2 with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (SSALR)
– Operations..............................................................RAC 4.0 ....................................................AGA 7.5.2, RAC 9.19.2.8
– Controlled Airports, – Straight-in.............................................................RAC 9.15
Departure Procedures......................................... COM 3.8 – Visual....................................................................RAC 9.6.2
– Snow Removal and Ice Control........................AGA 1.1.4 – Approach Procedures
– Uncontrolled Aerodromes...................................RAC 4.5 with Vertical Guidance (APV)....................... COM 5.4.2
– Zoning Regulations.............................................. AGA 4.3 Apron Advisory Service.............................................RAC 1.2.4
– Airspace Classification.........................................RAC 2.8 ARCAL (Aircraft Radio Control of
Aerodrome Lighting)...............................................AGA 7.14
– Advisory.............................................................. RAC 2.8.6 Arctic Territories.........................................................RAC 1.1.3
– Canadian Domestic/Northern and Area Navigation (RNAV)............................................ COM 5.0
Southern Domestic.................................RAC 2.2, Fig. 2.1
– Fixed RNAV Routes..........................................RAC 11.4.4
– Classification of......................................................RAC 2.8
– Mandatory IFR Routes
– High- and Low-Level.............................................RAC 2.3 (Including RNAV)............................................RAC 11.4.3
– High-Level Controlled..........................................RAC 2.6 Areas
– Joint Use.............................................................. RAC 2.8.6 – Gander Oceanic Control............................. .NAT Fig. 1.1
– Low-Level Controlled............................................RAC 2.7 – Mountainous.......................................RAC 2.12, Fig. 2.11
– NAT MNPSA (North Atlantic Minimum – RVSM Transition Area................................RAC Fig. 12.3
Navigation Performance – Specifications) – Southern, Northern and Arctic
Between FL 285 and FL 420......................... RAC Fig.1.2, Control Areas................................................. RAC Fig. 2.4
– Other Divisions......................................................RAC 2.9 – Transition.............................................................RAC 2.7.5
– Requirements and Procedures.............................RAC 2.0 Arresting Systems, Military Aircraft..........................AGA 9.1  
– Restricted............................................................ RAC 2.8.6 Arrival
– Southern, Northern and Arctic Control – Procedures – Controlled Airports..................... RAC 4.4
Areas................................................................ RAC Fig. 2.4  – Traffic Circuit Procedures
Airways, low-level – LF/MF, VHF/UHF................. RAC 2.7.1
Airworthiness – Uncontrolled Aerodromes, VFR..................... RAC 4.5.2
– Report – Contents.............................................RAC 3.12.1
– Aircraft.................................................................... LRA 5.0 ASDA (Accelerate Stop Distance Available)............AGA 3.10
– ANNEX...................................................................LRA 5.8 ATC (Air Traffic Control)
– Annual Airworthiness – Assignment of Altitudes.......................................RAC 8.6
Information Report...............................................LRA 5.5 – Clearances, Instructions and Information........RAC 1.6
– Flight Authority.....................................................LRA 5.3 – Flight Priority.........................................................RAC 1.7
Airworthiness Directives (ADs)................................. .LRA 5.7 ATIS (Automatic Terminal
– Availability of..................................................... .LRA 5.7.2 Information Service)................................. RAC 1.3, 4.2.1
– Schedule and Compliance Records.................. LRA 5.7.3 – Broadcasts.................................................RAC 1.3, 7.2, 9.1
AIS (Aeronautical Information Services)................GEN 1.1.2 – METAR AUTO/SPECI AUTO Reports........... .MET 8.5
AIM (Aeronautical Information Management).....GEN 1.1.2 Automatic Flight Control Guidance System....... COM 4.10.7
Alcohol.............................................................................. AIR 3.9 Automatic Landing (Autoland) Operations....... COM 4.10.7
Alerting Devices and Circuit Breakers...................... AIR 4.11 Aviation
ALR (Aircraft Load Rating).......................................AGA 3.12 – Automated Reports – Other................................ MET 8.6
Alternate Aerodrome, Requirements for
IFR Flight.............................................................RAC 3.14 – Document Booklet................................................ LRA 1.2
Altimeter – Fuels..........................................................................AIR 1.3
Altitude – Language Proficiency............................................ LRA 1.3
– And Direction of Flight.................................... RAC 8.7.2 – Medical Review Board..........................................LRA 2.4
– Area Minimum Altitude (AMA).....................RAC 8.6.1 – METAR (Routine Weather Report)..................MET 5.14
– Correction Chart.......................................... .RAC Fig. 9.1 – Occurrence, Reporting an................................... GEN 3.3
– IFR Minimum............................................. RAC 8.5, 8.6.1 – Recreational................................................ AIR 4.7 to 4.10
– Minimum Holding..............................................RAC 10.7 – Safety....................................................................... GEN 2.0
– Report....................................................................NAT 1.16 – Weather Briefing Service (AWBS).................. MET 1.1.3
15
– Weather Information Service (AWWS)......... MET 1.1.3 – Publications – International Flights..................MAP 5.0
GEN
– Weather Reports/Charts........................ MET 3.2.2, 3.2.3 – Procurement of Aeronautical..........................MAP 4.2.1
AWOS (Automated Weather – Updating of Canadian Aeronautical.................MAP 2.3
Observation Systems).....................................MET 1.2.4, 8.5 – Upper Level – Actual, Forecast (PROG)......... MET 11.0
– actual weather information/reports/charts... MET 1.2.4 Checklists, Pilot Vital Action........................................ AIR 1.2
– METAR SPECI/AUTO/LWIS Reports...............MET 8.4, 8.5 Circling Minima and Procedures.................... RAC 9.23, 9.24
Circuit Breakers and Alerting Devices...................... AIR 4.11
B Circuit
– Controlled Aerodromes........................................RAC 4.3
Ballistic Parachute System.......................................RAC 3.16.9 – Uncontrolled Aerodromes...................................RAC 4.5
Balloon Operations, Manned Free...............................AIR 4.7 Circular, Aeronautical Information...........................MAP 2.3
Bars Civil Aviation Complaint Filing Procedures.............GEN 7.0
– Stop.....................................................................AGA 7.10.3 Civil Aviation Contingency Operations (CACO).... GEN 6.0
Beacons – Headquaters Operations...................................... GEN 6.2
– Aerodrome..............................................................AGA 7.2 – Accident, Occurrence, or Incident Reporting..... GEN 6.3
Bearing Strength, Runway and Taxiway...................AGA 3.12 Civil Twilight, Morning and Evening..................... GEN 1.5.2
Beaufort Wind Scale...................................... MET 2.6, Table 1 Class
Bird Hazard Control, Airport...................................AGA 1.1.5 – A Airspace............................................................RAC 2.8.1
Blood Donation............................................................. AIR 3.14 – B Airspace........................................................... RAC 2.8.2
BOTA.......................................................................... NAT 1.19.1 – C Airspace.................................................... RAC 2.8.3, 5.8
Brest Oceanic Transition Area (BOTA)................. NAT 1.19.1 – D Airspace.......................................................... RAC 2.8.4
Boundary Markers, Aerodromes.................................AGA 5.1 – E Airspace........................................................... RAC 2.8.5
– F Airspace........................................................... RAC 2.8.6
C – G Airspace...................................................RAC 2.8.7, 8.10
Clean Aircraft Concept.............................................AIR 2.12.2
Cable Span Markings, Suspended............................. AGA 6.7
Canada Clear Air Turbulence (CAT),
Avoidance of....................................... MET 2.2, AIR 2.10
– Flight Supplement........................................... MAP 2.5.3 Clearance(s)
– Charts and Publications
– Individual Purchases.....................................MAP 4.2.1 – Delivery............................................................... RAC 4.2.2
– Subscriptions.................................................. MAP 4.2.2 – “Hold/Hold Short”............................................. RAC 4.2.5
– Shipping Act, extract from...............SAR 4.8, AIR 2.11.1 – IFR............................................................................ RAC 7.4
Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory – Landing............................................................... RAC 4.4.3
Council (CARAC)......................................................GEN 5.4 – Limit.........................................................................RAC 8.9
RAC ANNEX 2.0, LRA ANNEX 5.8 – Leaving or Entering Controlled Airspace..........RAC 8.8
– Oceanic Clearance Delivery..............................NAT 1.9.3
– Legislative Index................................................... GEN 5.3 – Resolution Advisory (TCAS/ACAS)...................RAC 1.6
Canadian Domestic Airspace.......................................RAC 2.2 – Tower Frequency, Release from....................... RAC 4.2.9
Canadian Runway Friction Index (CRFI).................. .AIR 1.6 Clearances Instructions and Information
– Coefficients..........................................................AIR 1.6.2 from the ATC.................................................RAC 1.6, 6.1
– Description and Method of Measurement.....AIR 1.6.3 Clearway, Definition......................................................AGA 3.9
Canadian Type Certificate.........................................LRA 5.2.2 Clock Position System (ATS Surveillance Traffic
Carbon Monoxide........................................................AIR 3.2.3 Information)
Carburetor Icing..............................................................AIR 2.3 ..............................................................................RAC 1.5.3
Cargo Restraint................................................................AIR 4.4 Closed Markings – Runway, Taxiway, Heliports........AGA 5.6
Categories Cloud Heights.................................................... MET 1.1.5, 3.13
– VASI.................................................................. AGA 7.6.4.2 Collision Avoidance
– EWH (Eye-to-Wheel Height)............................AGA 7.6.4 – Right of Way, Regulations....................................RAC 1.8
CAVOK, Use of Term....................................................RAC 1.4 – Use of Landing Lights............................................AIR 4.5
Certificate Communications Air-Ground Service, International
– Airport.................................................................. .AGA 2.4 ..................................................................................NAT 2.0
– Noise Compliance..............................................LRA 5.3.5 – Aviation Weather Information Service (AWIS)
Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) .............................................................................. MET 1.1.3
– Special........................................................ LRA 5.3.2, 5.3.3 – Emergency Communications and Security
Certification .......................................................... COM 1.4.2, RAC 2.13
– Failure (VFR)........................................RAC 4.4.8, 6.3.2.2
– Of Airports............................................................ AGA 2.3 – Frequency 5680 kHz, Use of............................. COM 1.6
– Of Heliport............................................................. AGA 2.3 – General Information...........................................COM 1.1
– Water Airport........................................................ AGA 2.3 – Initial Contact.............................................RAC 4.4.1, 9.9
Channel Spacing, VHF Communication – Language.............................................................. COM 5.2
Frequencies.......................................................... COM 1.4 – Location Indicators............................................. COM 2.0
Charter Flight Airport Facilities Reservations – Navigation Equipment, Reporting
– En Route, Low Altitude/High Altitude Malfunction of.................................................. RAC 6.3.3
– Products..........................................................MAP 4.2.1 – Radiocommunication Regulations.................. COM 1.2
Charts – Radio Navigation Aids....................................... COM 4.0
– Responsible Authority........................................ COM 1.2
– Aerodrome Obstacle – ICAO Type A............ MAP 4.2.1 – Satellite Systems.................................................COM 1.10
– Aeronautical, for Visual Flight........................MAP 4.2.1 – Satellite Voice......................................................COM 1.10
– En Route, Low Altitude/High Altitude – SATVOICE......................................................... COM 1.10
– Prices................................................................MAP 4.2.1 – Summary of Services.........................................RAC 1.2.3
– Index of Aerodrome Obstacle Charts – Use of MF and ATF.......................................... RAC 4.5.6
– ICAO Type A...................................................MAP 4.2.1 – VFR Procedures at Uncontrolled Aerodromes
– Index to Canadian Aeronautical........................MAP 2.2 with MF and ATF areas....................................RAC 4.5.7
– Pavement Load Rating.................................... AGA 3.12.1 – VHF Coverage in the NAT Region................ NAT 2.5.2 
– Procurement Community Aerodrome Radio Stations
– Individual and Subscription........................ MAP 4.2.2 (CARS).................................................................RAC 1.2.2
– Publication Revision Cycles.............................MAP 4.2.1
16
Confidential Incident Reporting DME-DME (RHO-RHO) System.............................COM 5.14
GEN
– SECURITAS Program......................................... GEN 3.5 Downed Aircraft Procedures........................................SAR 4.7
Conservation.................................................................RAC 1.10 Downdraft and Turbulence........................................AIR 1.5.7
Contact and Visual Approaches..................................RAC 9.6 Drugs............................................................................... AIR 3.10
Contamination of Aircraft (Frost, Ice or Snow)
– In Flight...............................................................AIR 2.12.3 E
– On Ground..........................................................AIR 2.12.2 ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter)........................SAR 3.0
Continuous Descent Final Approach (CDFA).......... AIR 2.17 – Accidental Transmissions.....................................SAR 3.7
Control Transfer – Categories.................................................................SAR 3.2
– IFR Units to Towers............................................. RAC 9.10 – Downed Aircraft Procedures................................SAR 4.7
Controlled Airports – Flight Planning
– Approach Position Reports..................................RAC 9.9 (Supplementary Information).........................RAC 3.16.9
– Arrival Procedures................................................RAC 4.4 – Installation and Maintenance Requirements..............SAR 3.3
– Initial Clearance................................................ RAC 4.4.2 – Operating Instructions (Emergency Use)...........SAR 3.5
– Landing Clearance............................................ RAC 4.4.3 – Operating Instructions (Normal Use).................SAR 3.4
– Operations on Intersecting Runways..............RAC 4.4.9 – Schedule of Requirements to Carry an ELT................SAR 3.9
– Private Advisory Stations..................................RAC 1.2.3 – Signal, Maximizing the..........................................SAR 3.6
– Sequential Operations........................................RAC 4.4.9 – Testing Procedures.................................................SAR 3.8
– Simultaneous Operations..................................RAC 4.4.9 Emergency
– Traffic Circuits.......................................................RAC 4.3 – Action by the Pilot during Emergency
Controlled Airspace.......................................................RAC 2.5 Conditions............................................................. .SAR 4.2
– Area Extensions..................................................RAC 2.7.2 – Assistance................................................................ SAR 4.0
– Clearances – Communications and Security.......... COM 1.4.2, RAC 2.13
– Leaving or Entering............................................RAC 8.8 – Declaring an........................................RAC 6.3.1, SAR 4.1
– Control Zones..................................................RAC 2.7.3 – Lighting, Aerodrome...........................................AGA 7.13
– High-Level...........................................................RAC 2.6 – Locator Transmitter...............................................SAR 3.0
– Low-Level.............................................................RAC 2.7 – Monitoring of Emergency Frequency
– Low-Level Airways – LF/MF, VHF/UHF.......RAC 2.7.1 121.5 MHz........................................................ COM 1.12.2
– Transition Areas..............................................RAC 2.7.5 – Procedures, Downed Aircraft...............................SAR 4.7
– Use of Controlled Airspace by – Procedures for Signaling Vessels......................... SAR 2.4
VFR Flights............................................................. RAC 2.5.1 – Radio Frequency Capability................................ .SAR 4.5
– Transponder Alerting........................................... SAR 4.3
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT).....................AIR 2.17.1 Emergency Equipment
Controlled VFR (CVFR) Procedures..........................RAC 5.6
Conversion Tables.......................................................GEN 1.7.2 – Flight Planning (Supplementary Information)
...........................................................................RAC 3.16.9
CRFI..............................................................AGA 1.1.3, AIR 1.6 – Operations Over Sparsely Settled Areas........... AIR 2.14
Cross Country Instrument Training Flights........... RAC 3.11 – Operations Over Water..................................... AIR 2.11.3
Crosswind Landing Limitations English, Use of in Communications......................... COM 1.3
– Light Aircraft...........................................................AIR 2.2 En-Route Procedures – VFR........................................RAC 5.0
Cruising Altitudes and Flight Levels...................... RAC 2.3.1 Equipment
– COM/NAV.........................................................RAC 3.16.4
D – RNAV....................................................................RAC 9.2.2
Dangerous Goods – Surveillance (SSR) (Canadian and ICAO).............RAC 3.16.4
– Transportation by Air.......................... RAC ANNEX 3.0 Evaluation, Aeronautical.............................................. AGA 6.3
Dangerous Situations Examinations, Use of Hand-held Calculators
– Refusal to Work................................................. GEN 2.1.2 or Computers for Written.........................................LRA 3.3
Date – Time Group.....................................................GEN 1.5.1 Exhaust Plumes.......................................................... AIR 4.16.1
Day Markings of Obstructions................................... AGA 6.4 Experimental Test Flights, Conduct of........................AIR 4.2
Declared Distances......................................................AGA 3.10 Explosions and Fires....................................................AIR 1.3.4
Decompression Sickness................................................AIR 3.5 Export of Aircraft...........................................................LRA 4.7
– Defence – ADIZ (Air Defence Eye Reference Point, Design........................................ AIR 4.12
Identification Zone)....................................RAC 2.13, 3.9,
– Flight Plans.............................................................RAC 3.9 F
Departure(s) Fan Blade Ice Shedding Procedure....................... AIR 2.12.1.1
– Approach and Alternate Minima...................... RAC 9.18 FANS 1/A ADS WPR..................................................COM 3.10
– Non-ATS Surveillance.......................................RAC 4.1.1 Fatigue............................................................................. AIR 3.10
– Procedures – Controlled Airports.................... COM 3.8 FD (Upper Level Wind
– RONLY Aircraft............................................... RAC 4.2.12 and Temperature Forecasts).................................... MET 9.0
– Vectoring..............................................................RAC 4.1.1 Final Approach Fix (FAF)........................................RAC 9.19.2
Design Eye Reference Point.........................................AIR 4.12 FIR (Flight Information Regions).................RAC Fig. 2.3, 2.4
Designated Mountainous Regions Fire Extinguishers
in Canada..................................................... RAC Fig. 2.11 – For Use in Aircraft................................................. AIR 1.4
Dial-up RCO................................................................RAC 1.1.4 – Types of.................................................................AIR 1.4.3
Disorientation.................................................................. AIR 3.7 Fire Fighting, Aircraft Rescue and (ARFF).............. AGA 8.0
Displaced – ARFF Hours of Availability............................... .AGA 8.2
– Threshold Lighting........................................... .AGA 7.8.3 – Classification System........................................... AGA 8.3
– Thresholds............................................................ .AGA 3.5 – ARFF Standby Request........................................ AGA 8.4
– Threshold Markings......................................... .AGA 5.4.1 – Discreet Communication.................................... AGA 8.5
Ditching....................................................................... AIR 2.11.2 Fires and Explosions....................................................AIR 1.3.4
DME (Distance Measuring Equipment)................. .COM 4.7 Fires, Classification of.................................................AIR 1.4.2
– Intersections, Minimum En-Route First Aid Kits on Privately Owned
– Altitude..............................................................RAC 8.6.1.1 and Operated Aircraft.............................................. AIR 4.13
– Procedures (Holding Patterns)..........................RAC 10.8
17
Fitness Sample – Composite IFR/VFR/ IFR

GEN
– Medically Fit....................................................... LRA 1.9.2 – Flight Itinerary............................................... RAC Fig. 3.1
– Unfit Assessment................................................ LRA 1.9.4 – IFR (ICAO)..................................................... RAC Fig. 3.2
Flight Level Allocation Scheme (FLAS),............... NAT 1.20.3 – VFR.................................................................. RAC Fig. 3.3
Flight(s) – Type of Flight and Flight Rules......................RAC 3.16.2
– Aerobatic...............................................................RAC 1.10 – VFR Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary.................RAC 3.6.1
– Airmanship.............................................................. AIR 1.0 Flight Operations............................................................AIR 2.0
– Authority.................................................................LRA 5.3 – At night.................................................................. .AIR 2.16
– Avoid flight in the vicinity of Flight Planning...............................................................RAC 3.0
exhaust plumes................................................... AIR 4.16.1 Flying Low, Hazards of...................................................AIR 2.4
– Definitions flight experience............................... LRA 1.5 Forecast
– Experimental Test.................................................. AIR 4.2 – Aerodrome Forecasts from AWOS Sites............MET 7.5
– Fuel Requirements.............................................. RAC 3.13 – Area (GFA)............................................................. MET 4.0
– Fuel, Sufficient Amount, – Aviation, Abbreviations.................................... .MET 15.0
IFR/VFR Flights...................................RAC 3.13.1, 3.13.2 – Charts (PROG).................................................... MET 11.2
– In Rain......................................................................AIR 2.5 – Significant Weather Prognostic Charts
– Information Regions (FIR)...........RAC Fig.2.3, RAC 2.4 – CMC...................................................................... MET 12.1
– Information Service................................. RAC 1.1.1, 1.1.2 – RAFC....................................................................MET 12.2
– Itineraries................................................................RAC 3.6 – TAF (Aerodrome)..................................................MET 7.0
– Itinerary form, Composite IFR/VFR/ – Upper Level Charts – PROG.................... MET 11.0, 11.2
IFR Sample...................................................... RAC Fig. 3.1 – Upper Level Wind and Temperature (FD)
– Military Flight Advisory Unit (MFAU)..........RAC 1.1.6 ..................................................................... MET 1.1.3, 9.0
– Mountainous Regions.......................RAC 2.12, AIR 2.13 – Winds and Temperatures Aloft Network,
– Operations – Airmanship.....................................AIR 2.0 Canadian.................................................................MET 9.1
– Operations in Volcanic Ash..................................AIR 2.6 French, Use of in Communications.......................... COM 1.3
– Operations in Winter...........................................AIR 2.12 Frequency
– Operations – Mountainous Regions – Mandatory (MF), Use of.........................RAC 4.5.4, 4.5.6
............................................................RAC 2.12, AIR 2.13 – Monitoring 126.7 MHz.........................................RAC 5.1
– Operations on Water........................................... .AIR 2.11 – Release from Tower.......................................... .RAC 4.2.9
– Other Information............................................RAC 3.16.8 FSS (Flight Service Stations)......................................RAC 3.4.1
– Permit...................................................................LRA 5.3.4 Fuels
– Planning.....................................RAC 3.0, 12.5.4, SAR 2.0
– Priority....................................................................RAC 1.7 – Anti-icing Additives............................................AIR 1.3.3
– Temporary Restrictions – Forest Fires............RAC 2.9.2 – Aviation....................................................................AIR 1.3
– Time / Air Time...................................................... AIR 4.1 – Dumping..............................................................RAC 6.3.4
– Transoceanic, General Aviation Aircraft...................NAT 1.2 – Fires and Explosions............................................AIR 1.3.4
Flight Plan/Itinerary – Grades.................................................................... AIR 1.3.1
– Handling...............................................................AIR 1.3.2
– Aerodrome, Departure and Time................. RAC 3.16.5 – Minimum Fuel Advisory................................... RAC 1.7.2
– Aerodrome, Destination, Total Estimated – Requirements.......................................................RAC 3.13
Elapsed Time, SAR Time (Canadian only) – Sufficient Amount, IFR/VFR Flights
and Alternate Aerodrome(s)...........................RAC 3.16.7 ...............................................................RAC 3.13.1, 3.13.2
– Aircraft Identification......................................RAC 3.16.1 Fuel and Oil Weights..................................................RAC 3.5.2
– Alternate Aerodrome for IFR Flight................. RAC 3.14
– Canadian............................................................RAC 3.15.2
– Changes to the Information.................................RAC 3.7 G
– Closing...................................................................RAC 3.12 Gander Oceanic Transition Area (GOTA).................NAT 1.4
– Closing of a Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary Gander Radio...............................................................NAT 2.5.1
Prior to Landing................................................RAC 3.12.2 Geographic Reference/Coordinates........................ GEN 1.4.2
– Composite, VFR and IFR.....................................RAC 3.8 Glassy Water and Landing Seaplanes..................... AIR 2.11.4
– Contents................................................................RAC 3.16 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)...... COM 5.1, 5.2
– Cross Country Instrument Training Flights........... .RAC 3.11 – Approach Procedures....................................... COM 5.4.2
– Cruising Speed, Altitude/Level – Approach Procedures with Barometric Vertical
and Route...........................................................RAC 3.16.6 Navigation (baro‑VNAV).............................COM 5.4.2.4
– Defence VFR (DVFR) and Defence – Approach Procedures with
Flight Itineraries....................................................RAC 3.9 Vertical Guidance (APV)................................ COM 5.4.2
– Equipment (Canadian and ICAO).................RAC 3.16.4 – Approaches at
– Filing (CAR 602.75)............................................RAC 3.6.2 Alternate Aerodromes..........................COM 5.9, 5.9.1, 5.9.2
– Flight Rules and Type of Flight......................RAC 3.16.2 – Avionics Databases......................................... COM 3.15.8
– Flights Along or Outside Designated – Augmentation Systems
ATS Routes.........................................................RAC 3.16.6 (ABAS, SBAS, GBAS).......................................... COM 5.3
– Forms, Completion of.........................................RAC 3.15
– Fuel Requirements...............................................RAC 3.13 – GNSS Vulnerability
– Fuel, Sufficient Amount, IFR/VFR Flights – Interference, Anomaly Reporting.................COM 5.10
...............................................................RAC 3.13.1, 3.13.2 – NOTAMs............................................................ COM 5.5.2
– ICAO....................................................RAC 3.15.3, Fig. 3.2 – Proper use of........................................................COM 5.11
– IFR..........................................................................RAC 3.15 – User Comments................................................. COM 5.12
– IFR Flight Plan....................................................RAC 3.7.2 Glossary of Aeronautical Terms..................................GEN 5.1
– Intermediate Stops...............................................RAC 3.10 GOTA...............................................................................NAT 1.4
– Number and Type of Aircraft Graphic Area Forecast (GFA)..................................... .MET 4.0
and Wake Turbulence Category.....................RAC 3.16.3 Gross Navigation Errors, Monitoring of...............NAT 1.19.6
– Other Information............................................RAC 3.16.8 Ground-to-Air Signals................................................SAR 4.7.1
– Opening a VFR Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary......RAC
3.6.4
– Requirements – Flights Between Canada
H
Hang Glider Operations............................................. . AIR 4.15
and a Foreign State.............................................RAC 3.6.3 Health and Safety Program, Transport Canada
Aviation Occupational (A-OH&S)..........................GEN 2.1
18
Heaters, Portable Combustion – Danger of................AIR 3.3 – Clearances – Leaving or Entering
GEN
Helicopter Operations....................................... .RAC 4.5.3, 4.6 Controlled Airspace..............................................RAC 8.8
– At Controlled Airports.........................................RAC 4.6 – Climb or Descent...................................................RAC 8.4
– Takeoff, Landing and Safety Areas...................AGA 3.12 – Contact and Visual Approaches..........................RAC 9.6
– Vortices.....................................................................AIR 2.9 – Corrections for Temperature............ RAC 9.17.1, Fig. 9.1
Heliports........................................................................ .AGA 5.5 – Cross Country Training Flight.......................... RAC 3.11
– Arrival and Departure Hover Area..........................AGA 3.13 – Departure,Approach and Alternate Minima..RAC 9.18
– Final Approach and Take-Off Area (FATO) – Departure Procedures........................................... RAC 7.0
...........................................................................AGA 7.12.2 – Departure from Uncontrolled Aerodromes............... RAC 7.9
Lighting.....................................................................AGA 7.12 – Descent Out of Controlled Airspace..................RAC 9.4
– Markers and Markings................AGA 5.5.1, 5.5.2, 5.5.3, – DME Holding Procedures..................................RAC 10.8
............................................................ .5.4, 5.5.5, 5.5.6, 5.6 – Emergencies and Equipment Failures................RAC 6.3
– Touchdown and Lift-Off Area (TLOF).........AGA 7.12.1 – En Route Procedures.............................................RAC 8.0
High Altimeter Settings..............................................AIR 1.5.9 – En Route – Uncontrolled Aerodromes
High Altitude Flight in Aircraft with (Class–“G” Airspace)...........................................RAC 8.10
Unpressurized Cabins................................................ AIR 3.4 – Flight – Two-Way Communications Failure.......... RAC 6.3.2
High Intensity Approach Lighting (HIAL)........RAC 9.19.2.8 – Flight Plan............................................................RAC 3.7.2
High Intensity Runway Operations (HIRO).........RAC 4.4.10 – Flight Plan – Completion of...............................RAC 3.15
Hijack (Unlawful Interference).................................RAC 1.8.8 – Flight, “1 000-Ft-on-Top”.....................................RAC 8.7
– Flights in VMC.......................................................RAC 6.2
Holding – General....................................................................RAC 6.0
– Clearance...............................................................RAC 10.2 – Holding Clearance...............................................RAC 10.2
– DME Procedures................................................. RAC 10.8 – Holding Entry Procedures.................................RAC 10.5
– Pattern, Entry Procedures................................. RAC 10.5 – Holding Pattern, Speed Limitations.................RAC 10.7
– Pattern, Non-Standard....................................... RAC 10.4 – Holding Pattern, Timing....................................RAC 10.6
– Pattern, Speed Limitations, DME Procedures, – Holding Procedures.............................................RAC 10.0
Shuttle Procedure..............................RAC 10.7, 10.8, 10.9 – ILS, Category II Minima................................. RAC 9.18.1
– Pattern, Standard.................................................RAC 10.3 – Initial Contact at Uncontrolled Aerodromes........... RAC 9.11
– Pattern, Timing....................................................RAC 10.6 – Initial Contact with Tower............................ RAC 7.3, 9.9
– Patterns Depicted on En Route – Instrument Procedures, Development of...........RAC 6.6
and Terminal Charts.........................................RAC 10.10 – Landing Minima...............................................RAC 9.19.3
– Positions, Taxi.................................................... RAC 4.2.6 – Mach Number.........................RAC 8.3.1, 12.1, NAT 1.13
– Procedures – Minimum Altitudes..............................................RAC 8.5
– IFR......................................................................RAC 10.0 – Missed Approach Procedures............................RAC 9.26
– VFR................................................................... RAC 4.4.2 – Missed Approach Procedures – Visual............RAC 9.25
– Speed Limitations................................................RAC 10.7 – Noise Abatement Procedures – Departure........ RAC 7.6
Hover – Non-Standard Holding Pattern.........................RAC 10.4
– Approach and Take-Off Direction – Obstacle and Terrain Clearance......................... .RAC 7.7
– Markings............................................................. AGA 5.5.6 – Outbound Report................................................ RAC 9.14
– Taxi..........................................................................RAC 4.6 – PAR (Precision Radar Approaches)
– Hydroplaning.......................................................AIR 1.6.5 ...........................................................COM 7.1, RAC 9.8.4
– Position Reports.....................................................RAC 8.1
Hyperventilation..........................................................AIR 3.2.2 – Mandatory Routes.............................. .RAC 3.16.6, 11.4.3
Hypothermia and Hyperthermia.............................. .AIR 3.17 – Mandatory IFR Routes (Including RNAV)...........RAC 11.4.3
Hypoxia..........................................................................AIR 3.2.1 – Procedure Altitudes............................................ RAC 9.17
– Procedures – Uncontrolled Aerodromes/Airspace
I ....................................................................RAC 4.5.2, 9.14
– Published Holding Patterns.............................RAC 10.10
ICAO
– Applicable ICAO and WMO Documents...............MET 1.1.7 – Release from Tower Frequency............................ RAC 7.8
– Remote Altimeter Setting................................ RAC 9.17.2
ICAO Flight Plan Form, Sample.......................... RAC Fig. 3.2 – Reporting of Equipment Malfunction........... RAC 6.3.3
ICAO Type A Charts.................................................MAP 4.2.1 – Reporting Procedures
Ice Control and Snow Removal.................................AGA 1.1.4 – Uncontrolled Aerodrome...................................RAC 9.12
Ice – Required Visual Reference..............................RAC 9.19.3
– Aircraft Contamination on the Ground, – Runway Visual Range (RVR).............................RAC 9.20
and in Flight.......................................... AIR 2.12.2, 2.12.3 – Separation...............................................................RAC 6.4
– Accumulation........................................................ MET 2.4 – Shuttle Procedure................................................RAC 10.9
– Types of Ice......................................................AIR 2.12.3.1 – Simultaneous Approaches..................................RAC 9.27
– Aerodynamic Effects of Airborne Icing..............AIR 2.12.3.2 – Speed Adjustment – ATS Surveillance Controlled
– Roll Upset.........................................................AIR 2.12.3.3 Aircraft
IFR ............................................................................. RAC 9.7.3
– Advance Notice of Intent......................................RAC 9.5 – Standard Holding Pattern..................................RAC 10.3
– Air Traffic Control Clearance.............................RAC 6.1 – Standard Instrument Departure (SID)............... RAC 7.5
– Aircraft Categories..............................................RAC 9.21 – Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR)......... RAC 9.2, 9.2.3
– Altitude Reports.....................................................RAC 8.3 – Straight-in Approach..........................................RAC 9.15
– Application of Takeoff Minima...................... RAC 9.19.1 – Straight-in Landing Minima.............................RAC 9.22
– Approach Ban....................................................RAC 9.19.2 – True Airspeed (TAS)......................................... RAC 8.2.2
– Approach Clearance..............................................RAC 9.3 – Uncontrolled Airspace........................................RAC 9.13
– Approach Position Reports – Controlled Airports...... RAC 9.9 – Visual Approach.................................................RAC 9.6.2
– Arrivals....................................................................RAC 9.7 ILS (Instrument Landing Systems)......................... COM 4.10
– Arrival Procedures................................................RAC 9.0 – Automatic Landing (Autoland) Operations
– Uncontrolled Aerodromes/Airspace...............RAC 9.12, 9.13 ......................................................................... COM 4.10.7
– ATC Assignment of Altitudes..............................RAC 8.6 – Categories......................................................... COM 4.10.5
– Circling..................................................................RAC 9.23 – Glide Path........................................................ COM 4.10.2
– Procedures............................................................RAC 9.24 – Glide Path Fluctuations................................. COM 4.10.7
– Clearance with VFR Restrictions.....................RAC 6.2.1 – Localizer........................................................... COM 4.10.1
– Clearances............................................................... RAC 7.4 – Minima, Category II........................................ RAC 9.18.1
19
Importation of – Medium Intensity Approach Lighting

GEN
– Aircraft into Canada.............................................LRA 4.6 – System (MALS)...................................................AGA 7.5.1
Index – Medium Intensity Approach, System with Sequenced
– Aerodrome Obstacle Charts Flashing Lights (MALSF)..................................AGA 7.5.1
– ICAO Type A......................................................MAP 4.2.1 – Medium Intensity Approach Lighting and Runway
– Legislation – Canadian Aviation Regulations....... GEN 5.3 – Alignment Indicator Lights (MALSR) ...........AGA 7.5.1
Information – Night........................................................................AGA 7.3
– Signs..................................................................... AGA 5.8.2 – Non-Precison Approach Runways...................AGA 7.5.1
– Survival Advisory.........................................AIR ANNEX – Obstructions.......................................................... AGA 6.0
– Weather.................................................................. MET 3.0 – Omnidirectional Approach (ODALS).............AGA 7.5.1
Initial Contact.......................................................RAC 4.4.1, 9.9 – Rapid-Exit Taxiway Indicator Lights..................AGA 7.9
Interception – Procedures.................. SAR 4.6 SCHEDULE I – Runway....................................................................AGA 7.8
– Visual Signals for Use in the Event of – Runway Centre Line...........................................AGA 7.8.4
.....................................................SAR 4.6 SCHEDULE II – Runway Touchdown Zone................................ AGA 7.8.5
Intermediate Approach............................................... RAC 9.16 – Simplified Short Approach Lighting System with
Intermediate Stops.......................................................RAC 3.10 Runway Alignement Indicator Lights (SSALR)
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) .............................................................................AGA 7.5.2
– Definitions.......................................................... AGA 1.2.1 – Taxiway..................................................................AGA 7.10
– Documents...........................................................AGA 1.1.2 – Unserviceable Area................................................AGA 7.4
International Flights Lights
– Charts.....................................................................MAP 5.0 – Approach and Take-Off Direction Lights......AGA 7.12.3
– HF Air-Ground Frequencies, Use of General – Rapid-Exit Taxiway Indicator Lights..................AGA 7.9
Purpose VHF, in Lieu of..................................... COM 1.4 – Runway Edge Lights...........................................AGA 7.8.1
– Runway End Lights.............................................AGA 7.8.2
Internet address (Transport Canada Home Page)...... LRA 5.7 – Runway Guard Lights.........................................AGA 7.11
Instrument – Runway Threshold End Lights.........................AGA 7.8.2
– Flight Rules – General...........................................RAC 6.0 – Taxiway Centreline Lights...............................AGA 7.10.2
– Flight Test (IFT)....................................................COM 9.4 – Taxiway Edge Lights............................................AGA 7.10.1
– Rating Minima............................................... RAC Fig. 9.2 – Use of Landing Lights – Collision Avoidance......AIR 4.5
Insurance – Use of Strobe............................................................AIR 4.6
– Liability...................................................................LRA 4.8 Lights, Runway Threshold Identification (RTIL).. AGA 7.7.1
Interference with Aircraft Navigational Equipment Limited Weather Information Systems (LWIS)
................................................................................ COM 4.4 ....................................................................MET 1.1.5, 1.2.4
Intersecting Runways, Operations on......................RAC 4.4.9 Localizer................................................................... COM 4.10.1
Logging Operations.....................................................AIR 2.4.2
J Low
Jet and Propeller Blast Danger..................................... AIR 1.7 – Level Controlled Airspace....................................RAC 2.7
– Level Wind Shear....................................................AIR 2.8
L – Flying........................................................................AIR 2.4
– Flying near power lines.........................................AIR 2.4.
Landing Distance Available (LDA)...........................AGA 3.10
Landing Lights, Collision Avoidance...........................AIR 4.5 – visibility operations plan (LVOP)........................RAC 1.6
Landing Minima...................................................... RAC 9.19.3
Legislative Index M
– Canadian Aviation Regulations.......................... GEN 5.3 Mach Number
Licences – Clearances and Reports........................................RAC 8.2
– Airline Transport................................................ LRA 1.7.4 – Adherence to........................................................ NAT 1.13
– Commercial Pilot................................................ LRA 1.7.3 – True Airspeed (TAS) .........................................NAT 1.7.2
– Differences with ICAO Standards...................... LRA 1.8 Maintenance Requirements
– Flight Engineer.................................................... LRA 1.7.6 – For Canadian Registered Aircraft....................... LRA 5.6
– Medical Examination Requirements..................LRA 2.2 – Aircraft used in Dual Role Operations...........LRA 5.6.2
– Multi-crew........................................................... LRA 1.7.5 Maintenance Certificate........................................... LRA 5.4
– Pilot........................................................................LRA 1.7.1 Major Errors in Altimeter...................RAC Fig. 9.1, AIR 1.5.4
– Private Pilot......................................................... LRA 1.7.2 Mandatory Frequency (MF), Use of..............RAC 4.5.4, 4.5.6
– Recency Requirements....................................... LRA 1.7.2 Mandatory Instruction Signs................................... AGA 5.8.3
– Reinstatement of Suspended Licence............... LRA 1.11
Licensing Manned Free Balloon Operations................................AIR 4.7
Manoeuvring Area, Visual.........................................RAC 9.25
– Flight Crew Licensing Administration............ LRA 1.14 MANOT (Missing Aircraft Notice)............................ SAR 2.3
– Flight Crew Conversion Agreement between
Canada and the United States............................ LRA 1.13 Markers
– Flight Crew Licensing........................................... LRA 1.0 – Aerodrome Boundary...........................................AGA 5.1
– Licensing and Registration of Aircraft...............LRA 4.5 – Retroflective.........................................................AGA 7.15
Life-Saving Equipment for Aircraft – Seaplane Dock....................................................... AGA 5.3
Operating Over Water..................................... AIR 2.11.3 – Shore....................................................................... AGA 6.7
Light Aircraft – Takeoff or Landing Area Boundary...................AGA 5.1
– Crosswind Landing Limitations..........................AIR 2.2 Markings
Lighting – Aerodrome..............................................................AGA 5.1
– Aerodrome..............................................................AGA 7.0 – Approach and Take-Off ................................... AGA 5.5.6
– Approach.................................................................AGA 7.5 – Appurtenances...................................................... AGA 6.6
– Approach/Take-Off Direction........................AGA 7.12.3 – Aeronautical Evaluation....................................... AGA 6.3
– Displaced Threshold......................................... AGA 7.8.3 – Arrows................................................................. AGA 5.4.1
– Emergency............................................................AGA 7.13 – Cable Spans.....................................................AGA 6.2, 6.7
– Heliport.................................................................AGA 7.12 – Closed..................................................................... AGA 5.6
– Low Intensity Approach (LIAL).......................AGA 7.5.1 – Day Marking.......................................................... AGA 6.4
20
– Displaced Threshold......................................... AGA 5.4.1 – Differences with ICAO Annex-3..................... MET 1.1.8
GEN
– Helicopter Safety Area Markers...................... AGA 5.5.2 – GFA (Area Forecast).........................MET 1.1.3, 1.3.6, 4.0
– Heliports................................................................. AGA 5.5 – Forecasts and Charts........................................... .MET 1.3
– Heliport Identification...................................... AGA 5.5.3 – Ice Accumulation.................................................. MET 2.4
– Heliport Takeoff and Landing Area Marking – Locations – Aerodrome Forecast........................MET 7.1
............................................................................ AGA 5.5.1 – METAR (Aerodrome Routine Meteorological
– Holding................................................................ AGA 5.4.3 Report)...................................................MET 1.2.1, 3.2, 8.0
– Hover Area.......................................................... AGA 5.5.4 – Observations and Reports.................................. MET 1.2
– Obstruction........................................................... AGA 6.0 – Pilot Report (PIREP)
– Power Line Crossings........................................... AGA 6.7 ..............................MET 1.1.3, 1.1.6, 2.0, 2.2.1, RAC1.1.3
– Preferred Approach and Departure Path...... AGA 5.5.6 – Report (AIREP)....................................................NAT 1.15
– Runway................................................................... AGA 5.4 – Reports, Forecasts and Charts..................... MET 3.1, 3.2
– Standards............................................................... AGA 6.2 – Responsibility......................................................MET 1.1.1
– Taxiway Exit and Holding................................ AGA 5.4.3 – Services Available.............................................. MET 1.1.2
– Unserviceable Area................................................AGA 5.7 – SIGMET........................................................ MET 1.1.3, 6.0
Marshalling Signals........................................................ AIR 1.8 – Space Weather................................MET 14.0, COM 5.5.4
Measurement, Units of..................................................GEN 1.4 – SPECI (Special Weather Reports)
Medical ..............................................................MET 1.2.1, 8.4, 8.5
– Aeromedical Factors..............................................AIR 3.2 – Special VFR Weather Minima..................... RAC Fig. 2.8
– Assessment Process............................................... LRA 2.1 – Surface Weather Maps....................................... MET 10.0
– Aviation Medical Review Board..........................LRA 2.4 – Symbols
– Examination Requirements.................................LRA 2.2 – Significant Weather............................................ MET 12.1
– Fitness for Permits and Licences......................... LRA 1.9 – Surface Weather Maps....................................... MET 10.0
– Periodic Medical Exam Categories 1, 2 3 – TAF (Aerodrome Forecast)........................MET 1.1.3, 7.0
Medically Fit...........................................................LRA 2.3 – Turbulence Reporting Criteria Table..............MET 2.2.2
– Unfit Assessment...................................................LRA 2.5 – Upper Level Charts, analysed (ANAL)............MET 11.1
– Upper Level Wind and Temperature
Medical Information...................................................... AIR 3.0 Forecasts........................................................MET 1.3.7, 9.0
– Alcohol..................................................................... AIR 3.9 – VOLMET............................................... NAT 2.2, MET 1.4
– Anesthetics............................................................ AIR 3.13 – Weather Charts..................................................... MET 3.3
– Blood Donation..................................................... AIR 3.14 – Weather Observing Systems...............MET 3.2, 3.3, 1.1.5
– Carbon Monoxide................................................AIR 3.2.3 – Weather Radar..................................COM 7.1, MET 1.3.9
– Decompression Sickness........................................AIR 3.5 – Wind Shear............................................................MET 2.3
– Disorientation......................................................... AIR 3.7 Middle Ear and Sinus Discomfort or Pain.................. AIR 3.8
– Drugs...................................................................... AIR 3.10
– Fatigue................................................................... .AIR 3.10 Military
– follow-up procedures after an in-flight illumination – Arrester Cables.......................................................AGA 9.2
............................................................................AIR 4.15.5 – Flight Advisory Unit (MFAU)..........................RAC 1.1.6
– Radar Assistance (Canadian Forces)...............RAC 1.5.7
– General Health........................................................ AIR 3.1 Minima
– High Altitude Flight in Aircraft with – Application of.......................................................RAC 9.19
Unpressurized Cabin............................................. AIR 3.4 – Circling..................................................................RAC 9.23
– Hyperventilation..................................................AIR 3.2.2 – Departure, Approach and Alternate................. RAC 9.18
– Hypothermia and Hyperthermia....................... AIR 3.17 – Straight-in Landing.............................................RAC 9.22
– Hypoxia.................................................................AIR 3.2.1
– Mandatory Medical Reporting.......................... AIR 3.1.1 Minimum
– Middle Ear and Sinus Discomfort or Pain......... AIR 3.8 – Altitudes – Overflying Aerodromes...................RAC 5.5
– Portable Combustion Heaters, Potential – Altitudes – VFR.....................................................RAC 5.4
Hazard of..................................................................AIR 3.3 – En-Route Altitudes (MEA)................................RAC 8.6.1
– Pregnancy.............................................................. AIR 3.15 – Fuel Advisory...................................................... RAC 1.7.2
– Scuba Diving...........................................................AIR 3.6 – Holding Altitude (MHA)...................................RAC 10.7
– Vision........................................................................ AIR 3.7 – IFR Altitudes..........................................................RAC 8.6
Meteorological / Meteorology – Obstruction Clearance Altitude (MOCA)
– Abbreviations, Significant Weather................. MET 12.1 ..................................................................... RAC 8.5, 8.6.1
– AIRMET..................................MET 1.1.3, 1.3.4, 1.3.6, 5.0 – Sector Altitude (MSA)........................................RAC 9.2.1
– Authority, Areas of Responsibility...................MET 1.1.1 Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications
– Automated Reports (MNPS)......................................................................NAT 1.11
– Other....................................................................... MET 8.6 – Certification........................................................NAT 1.7.5
– Reports from Other Non-aviation Autostations – High-Level Airspace (HLA)............ NAT 1.11, NAT 1.19
............................................................................... MET 8.6 – Navigation Errors, Monitoring of Gross.......NAT 1.19.6
– Voice Generator Module (VGM)....................... MET 8.6 – North Atlantic (NAT) MNPS Operations... COM 3.15.11
– Aviation Forecasts, Abbreviations................... MET 15.0 Missed Approach
– Aviation Weather Briefing Service – From a Circling Procedure.................................RAC 9.25
(AWBS).................................................................MET 1.1.3 – Procedures............................................................RAC 9.26
– Aviation Weather Information Service Monitoring Emergency Frequency 121.5 MHz.... COM 1.4.2
(AWWS).............................................................. MET 1.1.3 Morning and Evening Civil Twilight Charts......... GEN 1.5.2
– Aviation Weather Reports............................MET 3.2, 8.0
– Aviation Weather Services............................... MET 1.1.3 Mountainous
– AWOS (Automated Weather Observation – Areas, Flight Operations in................................. AIR 2.13
System)................................................................... MET 8.5 – Regions.................................................RAC 2.12, Fig. 2.12
– Canadian Forecast Winds and Temperatures
Aloft Network.........................................................MET 9.1
– Canadian Meteorological Centre (CMC)....... MET 12.1
N
NAR (North American Routes)...................................NAT 1.3
– Canadian Weather Information...............MET 1.3.5, 3.0 National Harbours Board Act.................................. AIR 2.11.1
– Charts and Forecasts............................................ MET 1.3 Nationality and Registration Marks..........GEN 1.6, LRA 4.3
– Clear Air Turbulence (CAT), Avoidance of
............................................................. MET 2.2, AIR 2.10
– Coastal Weather................................................. MET 1.3.5
21
NAV CANADA – Suspended Cable Span Markings....................... AGA 6.7

GEN
– Regions – Addresses, Facsimile Occupational Health and Safety Program, Aviation
and Telephone Numbers....................................GEN 1.1.2 (A-OH&S)..............................................................GEN 2.1
NAVAID – Civil Aviation Safety Inspectors...................... GEN 2.1.3
– DME (Distance Measuring Equipment).......... COM 4.7 Occurrence – Reporting an Aviation......................... GEN 3.3
– LOC (Localizer).............................................. COM 4.10.1 Oceanic Clearances.....................................................NAT 1.9.1
– NDB (Non-Directional Beacon)................... COM 4.10.3 Oil and Fuel Weights..................................................RAC 3.5.2
– Radio Navigation Aids........................................ COM 4.0 Operational Information Signs................................ AGA 5.8.2
– TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation).................... COM 4.8 Operations
– VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range)............... COM 4.5 – On Intersecting Runways..................................RAC 4.4.9
– VORTAC (VOR and TACAN)........................... COM 4.9 – Sequential.............................................................RAC 4.4.9
Navigation Aids – Simultaneous.......................................................RAC 4.4.9
– Accuracy, Availability and Integrity of............ COM 4.2 Organized Track System (NAT)........... NAT 1.5, NAT 1.20.3
– Pilot Reporting of Abnormal Operation of..... COM 4.3 Over-the-Top, VFR......................................................RAC 2.7.4
Navigation System Overflying Aerodromes, Minimum Altitudes..........RAC 5.5
– GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)
....................................................................... COM 5.1, 5.2
– GPS (Global Positioning System)................... COM 5.2.1 P
– NDB (Non-Directional Beacon)........................ COM 4.6 PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator).......... AGA 7.6.3, 7.6.4.3
– VOR/DME (RHO-THETA)............................. COM 5.14 Parachute Jumping..........................................................AIR 4.8
Night Lighting................................................................AGA 7.3 Paraglider operations.....................................................AIR 4.9
Night, Flight Operations at.......................................... AIR 2.16 Passenger(s) – Actual Weights..................................RAC 3.5.1
Noise – Weight standards...................................................RAC 3.5
– Abatement.....................................................RAC 4.1.2, 7.6 Pavement Load Rating Charts.............................. .AGA 3.12.1
– Preferential Runways...............................RAC 4.1.3, 7.6.2 Permission – PPR (Prior Permission Required)....... AGA 2.2
Non-Directional Beacon (NDB)........................... COM 4.10.3 Permits
NORDO/RONLY............................. RAC 4.2.10, 4.2.12, 4.4.5, – Medical Examination Requirements..................LRA 2.2
....................................................................4.4.6, 4.5.7, 4.5.8 – Reinstatement of a suspended........................... LRA 1.11
North American Routes (NAR)...................................NAT 1.3 – Student Pilot...........................................................LRA.6.1
North Atlantic – Summary of Requirements.................................. LRA 1.6
– Clearances...............................................................NAT 1.9 Phone use During a Radio Communications
Failure....................................................................COM 1.7
– Data Link Mandate (DLM) Airspace........... NAT 1.20.6 Pilot
– Documents and Guidance Material................NAT 1.1.2
– Domestic Clearances..........................................NAT 1.9.2 – Permits........................................................LRA 1.4.1, 1.6.2
– Flight Planning Procedures................................ NAT 1.7. – Procedures when exposed to laser or other
– Flight Rules.............................................................NAT 1.6 – Directed Bright Light Sources........................... .AIR 4.15
– In-flight Contingencies.......................................NAT 1.17 – Proficiency Check (PPC).....................................COM 9.4
– Oceanic Clearance Delivery..............................NAT 1.9.3 – Reporting of Abnormal Operation
– Operations (NAT).................................................NAT 1.0 of Navigation Aids............................................... COM 4.3
– Organized Track System................ NAT 1.5, NAT 1.20.3 – Vital Action Checklists.......................................... AIR 1.2
– Regulation............................................................NAT 1.1.1 – Waivers – Wake Turbulence.............................RAC 4.1.1
– Transponders, Operation of............................... NAT 1.14 PIREP (Pilot Report)................................MET 1.1.6, 2.0, 2.2.1
Northern and Southern Domestic Airspace...........RAC 2.2.1 PN (Prior Notice Required)......................................... AGA 2.2
Northern Canada, Single-Engine Aircraft Operations Position Reports...........................................................NAT 1.10
.............................................................................. AIR 2.14.1 – IFR............................................................................RAC 8.1
NOTAM..........................................................................MAP 3.0 – VFR..........................................................................RAC 5.1
– Collection, Evaluation and Dissemination..............GEN 1.1.5 – Automatic Dependent Surveillance Waypoint Position
– Criteria for Issuance......................................MAP 3.1, 3.6 Reporting (FANS 1/A ADS WPR)...................COM 3.10
– Description........................................................ MAP 3.2.3 Positive and Negative G................................................ AIR 3.18
– Distribution – Canadian, International............MAP 3.5 Power-back / Push-back Requests........................... RAC 4.2.4
– Format....................................................................MAP 3.2 Power Line Crossing Markings................................... AGA 6.7
– GPS Satellite Outages....................................... COM 5.5.1 Practice Spins...................................................................AIR 4.3
– Information for Flight Planning.........................RAC 3.3
– Schedule.......................................................... MAP 3.2.3.5 Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI)
– Service..................................................... .COM 5.5.1, 5.5.2 ................................................................. AGA 7.6.3, 7.6.4.3
– Types.......................................................................MAP 3.3 Preferential Runways
Notice – PNR (Prior Notice Required)...................... AGA 2.2 – Assignments........................................................RAC 4.1.3
– Noise.....................................................................RAC 7.6.2
O Preferred Routes Messages (PRM)..............................NAT 1.8
Pre-flight
Obstacle
– And Terrain Clearance......................................... RAC 7.7 – Service, Single Source...........................................RAC 3.4
– Clearance During Vectors.................................RAC 1.5.5 Pregnancy....................................................................... AIR 3.15
– Clearance Limit...................................................AGA 7.6.7 Pressure
– Limitation Surfaces.............................................. AGA 4.2 – Altimeter.................................................................. AIR 1.5
– Protection Surface..............................................AGA 7.6.6 – Drop.......................................................................AIR 1.5.8
– Restrictions............................................................ AGA 4.0 – Region, Standard..................................................AIR 1.5.5
– Heliports..............................................................AGA 4.2.2 Prior Notice Required (PN)......................................... AGA 2.2
Obstruction Private
– Aeronautical Evaluation...................................................AGA 6.3 – Advisory Stations – Controlled Airports................RAC 1.2.3
– Appurtenances...................................................... AGA 6.6 Procedure(s)
– Day Lighting.......................................................... AGA 6.5 – Air Traffic Control (ATC) Special ...................RAC 11.0
– Day Marking.......................................................... AGA 6.4 – Altitudes................................................................ RAC 9.17
– Markings................................................................ AGA 6.0 – Downed Aircraft................................................... .SAR 4.7
– Markings, Standards............................................ AGA 6.2
22
Propeller and Jet Blast Danger...................................... AIR 1.7 – Basic Operations................................................... RPA 3.3
GEN
Publications and Charts, Procurement – Fitness of Crew Members................................. RPA 3.2.7
of Aeronautical.......................................................MAP 4.2.1 – General Information.............................................RPA 1.0
Push-back / Power-back Requests........................... RAC 4.2.4 – General Operation and Flight Rules.................. RPA 3.2
– Maximum Altitude.......................................... RPA 3.2.13
R – Micro RPA - Less than 250g ............................... RPA 2.0
– Minimum Weather Conditions.....................RPA 3.2.22
Radar / ATS Surveillance.............................................COM 7.0 – Night Flight.......................................................RPA 3.2.27
– Alerting Manoeuvres........................................... SAR 4.4 – Operations at or in the Vicinity of an Aerodrome,
– Arrivals.................................................................. RAC 9.7 Airport or Heliport................................RPA 3.2.35, 3.4.5
– ASDE (Airport Surface Detection Equipment) – Pilot Requirements..................................RPA 3.3.2, 3.4.2
.................................................................................COM 7.1 – Pre-flight Information.................................... RPA 3.2.12
– Canadian Forces Radar Assistance.................RAC 1.5.7 – Records..............................................................RPA 3.2.36
– Misuse of Vectors...............................................RAC 1.5.6 – Registration.............................................................RPA 3.1
– Navigation Assistance to VFR Flights............RAC 1.5.4 – Serviceability of the RPAS.............................. RPA 3.2.17
– Obstacle Clearance During Vectors.......................... RAC 1.5.5 – Small RPA- 250g to 25 kg.................................... RPA 3.0
– PAR (Precision Approach).................................COM 7.1 Reports
– Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)...................COM 7.1 – Altitude.................................................................NAT 1.16
– Required..............................................................RAC 9.8.2 – ATS – Possible Contravention of the
– Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR)................COM 7.2 Air Regulations..................................................RAC 1.1.4
– Service.....................................................................RAC 1.5 – Automated Reports
– Procedures..........................................................RAC 1.5.2 – Other...................................................................... MET 8.6
– Surveillance – VFR...............................................RAC 5.7 – Limited Weather Information System (LWIS)
– Traffic Information (Clock System)............... RAC 1.5.3 ................................................................................. MET 8.5
– Use of ATS Surveillance in the Provision of AAS by – Voice Generator Module (VGM)....................... MET 8.6
FSSs – AWOS – METAR AUTO or
...............................................................................RAC 1.5.8 SPECI AUTO......................................................................MET 8.5
– Misuse of Vectors...............................................RAC 1.5.6 – CRFI.....................................................AGA 1.1.3, AIR 1.6
– Vectors, Obstacle Clearance During...............RAC 1.5.5 – Pilot (PIREP)........................................................ MET 2.0
– Weather Radar.................................. COM 7.1 MET 1.3.9 – Pollution........................................................... RAC 1.12.5
Radio Required Visual Reference.......................................RAC 9.19.3
– Checks.................................................................. RAC 4.2.3
– Navigation Aids, Ground Based........................ COM 4.0 Resolution Advisories (TCAS/ACAS).........................RAC 1.6
– Radio Telephony Network Operations – North Responsibilities
Atlantic Area (NAT)/Anchorage Arctic FIR.............. NAT 2.2 – NAV CANADA..................................................GEN 1.1.2
Communications, Voice.............................................. COM 1.0 – Transport Canada......................... GEN 1.1.1, AGA 2.3.3
– Arctic...................................................................RAC 1.1.3 Restricted Airspace.................................................... RAC 2.8.6
– Channel Spacing................................................. COM 1.4 Retroflective Markers..................................................AGA 7.15
– Radiocommunication Regulations.................. COM 1.2 Right of Way – Collision Avoidance Regulations.................. RAC 1.9
– Regulations – Operator’s Certificates and RNAV (Area Navigation) Operations....................... COM 5.0
Station Licences................................................... COM 1.2 RONLY (Receiver Only)/NORDO (No Radio), Procedures
Rapid-Exit Taxiway Indicator Lights..........................AGA 7.9 ...................... RAC 4.2.10, 4.2.12, 4.4.5, 4.4.6, 4.5.7, 4.5.8
Rapid-Exit Taxiways....................................................AGA 3.11 Routes, Canadian Domestic
Recency Requirements – Pilot Licence – Mandatory IFR Routes (including RNAV)
Privileges..........................................................................LRA 1.12 .................................................................RAC 3.16.6, 11.4.3
Recreational Aviation........................................ AIR 4.7 to 4.10 RSC and CRFI Reporting...........................................AIR 1.6.4
Reduced Lateral Separation, Arrangements for................ NAT 1.12 RTIL (Runway Threshold Identification Lights)......AGA 7.7
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) Runway(s)
– North Atlantic RVSM........................................RAC 1.21 – Centre Line Lighting.........................................AGA 7.8.4
– NAT Height Monitoring ................... NAT 1.20.7, 1.20.8 – Characteristics...................................................... AGA 3.0
– In-flight Contingencies..................................... NAT 1.17 – CRFI......................................................................... AIR 1.6
– Minimum Aircraft System Performance – Declared Distances.............................................AGA 3.10
Specification........................................................NAT 1.12 – Dimensions............................................................AGA 3.1
Reduced Visibility Operations Plan (RVOP).............RAC 1.6 – End Lights...........................................................AGA 7.8.2
Refuelling – Friction Calibration Method.........................AGA 1.1.4.1
– Fires and Explosions...........................................AIR 1.3.4 – Guard Lights........................................................AGA 7.11
Refuges, Reserves and Parks (National, Provincial – Heading..................................................................RAC 7.5
and Municipal)......................................................RAC 1.10.3 – Holding Position Markings............................. AGA 5.4.3
Region(s) – Intersecting, Operations on.............................RAC 4.4.9
– Altimeter Setting................................................RAC 2.11 – Lighting..................................................................AGA 7.8
– Mountainous............................ RAC 2.12, RAC Fig. 2.13 – Markings............................................................... AGA 5.4
– NAV CANADA..................................................GEN 1.1.2 – Non-Precision Approach .................................AGA 7.5.1
– Transport Canada..............................................GEN 1.1.1 – Sequential Operations.......................................RAC 4.4.9
– Simultaneous Operations.................................RAC 4.4.9
Registered Aerodrome.................................................. AGA 2.0 – Strip........................................................................ AGA 3.2
Registration Marks and Nationality..........GEN 1.6, LRA 4.3 – Taxiway Bearing Strength.................................AGA 3.12
Regulations, Airport Zoning...................................... AGA 4.3 – Threshold Identification Lights (RTIL)............AGA 7.7
Reinstatement of Suspended Permit, Licence – Touchdown Zone Lighting.............................. AGA 7.8.5
or Rating................................................................... LRA 1.11 – Wet....................................................RAC 4.4.9, AIR 1.6.5
Remote Altimeter Setting....................................... RAC 9.17.2 – Winter Condition NOTAM..............................AIR 1.6.4
Remote Communications Outlets (RCO)............. COM 1.4.1 Runway turn pad........................................................... AGA 3.6
– Dial-up RCOs................................................... COM 1.4.1 Runway Visual Range (RVR).....................................RAC 9.20
– Flight Information Service En Route (FISE) – Comparative Scale – Feet to Meters................GEN 1.7.3
......................................COM 1.4.1, RAC 1.1.3, 1.1.4, 4.5.1 – Operational use of RVR................................. RAC 9.20.2
– Remote Aerodrome Advisory Service (RAAS)
......................................COM 1.4.1, RAC 1.1.3, 1.1.4, 4.5.1
Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).................................AIR 4.16
– Advanced Operations........................................... RPA 3.4
23
S – Flight Operations in Winter..............................AIR 2.12

GEN
Safety............................................................................... GEN 2.0 – Landing Seaplanes on Unbroken Snow Conditions
– Alert Procedure and Phraseology..................RAC 12.15 ..............................................................................AIR 2.12.6
– Aviation Safety Analysis..................................... GEN 2.2 – Landing Wheel-Equipped Light Aircraft
– Aviation Safety Letter (ASL)........................... GEN 2.2.4 on Snow Covered Surfaces..............................AIR 2.12.4
– Occupational.........................................................GEN 2.1 – Removal and Ice Control..................................AGA 1.1.4
SAR (Search and Rescue)...............................................SAR 1.1 SOTA........................................................................... NAT 1.19.1
– Agreements.............................................................SAR 1.3 Southern and Northern Domestic Airspace...........RAC 2.2.1
– Aiding Persons in Distress.................................. SAR 2.4 Sparsely Settled Areas
– Assistance, Request for........................................ SAR 2.2 – Flight Operations................................................. AIR 2.14
– Assistance to Aircraft With Emergencies........ .SAR 4.0 – Single-Engine Aircraft Operating in
– Closing of a Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary Northern Canada.............................................. AIR 2.14.1
Prior to Landing...............................................RAC 3.12.2 Special VFR Weather Minima..................................RAC 2.7.3
– Declaring an Emergency......................................SAR 4.1 Speed
– Distress Signal Panel............................................ SAR 2.4 – Adjustment – ATS Surveillance Controlled Aircraft.RAC 9.7.3
– Downed Aircraft Procedures...............................SAR 4.7 – Aircraft Speed Limit......................................... RAC 2.5.2
– Emergency Locator Transmitter....................... .SAR 3.0 Spins, Practice..................................................................AIR 4.3
– Flight Planning...................................................... SAR 2.0 Stabilized Approach................................................... AIR 2.17.2
– Ground-to-Air Signals.......................................SAR 4.7.1 Standard
– Interception Procedures...................................... SAR 4.6 – Instrument Departure (SID)............................... RAC 7.5
– MANOT (Missing Aircraft Notice)................... SAR 2.3 – Pressure Region...................................................RAC 2.11
– Procedures for Signaling Vessels........................ SAR 2.4 – Terminal Arrival (STAR).......................... RAC 9.2, 9.2.3
– Regions (SRR)................................................ .SAR Fig. 1.1 – Conventional STAR........................................RAC 9.2.3.1
– Rescue Co-ordination Centres (RCCs)..............SAR 1.1 – PBN STAR....................................................... RAC 9.2.3.2
– Responsible Authority...........................................SAR 1.0 Stop Bars.....................................................................AGA 7.10.3
– Services Available..................................................SAR 1.2 Stops, Intermediate......................................................RAC 3.10
– Survival.................................................................SAR 4.7.2 Stopway
Satellite Navigation (SatNav)................................... COM 5.3.2 – Definition.............................................................. AGA 3.8
– Current Approvals.............................................. COM 5.4 Stopways...................................................................... AGA 5.4.2
– Required Navigation Performance.................. COM 6.0
Scuba Diving....................................................................AIR 3.6 Straight-In Approach...................................................RAC 9.15
Seaplane Dock Markers................................................ AGA 5.3 Strength Scale – Communications Checks.............COM 1.11
Seaplanes Strobe Lights, Use of.......................................................AIR 4.6
– Landing on Glassy Water................................ AIR 2.11.4 Sunrise/Sunset............................................................ GEN 1.5.2
– Landing on Unbroken Snow Conditions...............AIR 2.12.6 Supplement, AIP Canada.............................................MAP 2.2
– Use on Snow Surfaces.......................................AIR 2.12.5 Surface Condition Reports
Search and Rescue (see SAR).........................................SAR 1.1 – Aircraft Movement (AMSCR)..........................AIR 1.6.4
SECURITAS Program.................................................. GEN 3.5 Survival..........................................................................SAR 4.7.2
Security, Emergency Communications and – Advisory Information.................................AIR ANNEX
.......................................................... COM 1.4.2, RAC 2.13
SELCAL (Selective Calling System)............................NAT 2.4 T
Sequential Operations................................................RAC 4.4.9 Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN)............................ COM 4.8
Service Difficulty Reporting Program....................LRA 2.6.4 Takeoff Clearance...................................................... RAC 4.2.8
Services Takeoff Distance Available (TODA).........................AGA 3.10
– Aeronautical Fixed (AFS)..................MAP 3.5, RAC 3.3 Takeoff Minima......................................................... RAC 9.19.1
– Air Traffic........................................................... RAC 1.1.1 Takeoff Run Available (TORA).................................AGA 3.10
– Apron Advisory..................................................RAC 1.2.4 Taxi
– Arctic Territories................................................RAC 1.1.3 – Holding Positions............................................. RAC 4.2.6
– Other Than Air Traffic Services........................RAC 1.2 – Holding Positions During IFR Operations.... RAC 4.2.7
“Shall” and “Should” (Definitions)..........................GEN 1.1.3 – Information........................................................ RAC 4.2.5
Shannon Oceanic Transition Area (SOTA).......... NAT 1.19.1 Taxiing..........................................................................RAC 4.4.4
Shore Markers................................................................ AGA 6.7 Taxiway
“Should” and “Shall” (Definitions)..........................GEN 1.1.3 – Bearing Strength.................................................AGA 3.12
SIGMET – Lighting................................................................AGA 7.10
(Significant Meteorological Report)............... MET 1.1.3, 6.0 – Rapid-Exit...........................................................AGA 3.11,
Signals – Rapid-Exit Taxiway Indicator Lights.................AGA 7.9
– Ground-to-Air........................................................SAR 4.7 TC AIM
– Intercepting and Intercepted Aircraft............... SAR 4.6 – Amendments–Future dates..............................GEN 1.1.4
– Marshalling for Aircraft and Helicopters.......... AIR 1.8 – Content................................................................GEN 1.1.3
– Visual...................................................... RAC 4.2.11, 4.4.7 – Co-ordinator.......................................................GEN 1.1.3
Significant Weather Prognostic Charts (RAFC)...............MET 3.13 – Distribution, address changes and information
Signs requests................................................................GEN 1.1.4
– Airfield.................................................................. AGA 5.8 – Obtaining the commercial edition..................GEN 1.1.4
– Illumination of Airfield................................... AGA 5.8.4 TCAS I/TCAS II............................................................COM 9.0
– Information........................................................ AGA 5.8.2 TCAS/ACAS (Traffic Alert and Collision
– Mandatory Instruction.................................... AGA 5.8.3 Avoidance Systems and Airborne Collision
Simultaneous Operations......................................RAC 4.4.9 Avoidance Systems).............................................COM 9.0
Simultaneous Precision Instrument Approaches – Airworthiness Approval.....................................COM 9.5
– Converging Runways.........................................RAC 9.28 – Mode S Transponder Approval
– Parallel Runways.................................................RAC 9.27 and Unique Codes.............................................. COM 9.8
Single-engine Aircraft Operating – Operational Approval.........................................COM 9.4
in Northern Canada......................................... AIR 2.14.1 – Pilot and Controller Interchange..................... COM 9.8
– Transoceanic Flight..............................................NAT 1.2 – Pilot/Controller Actions.....................................COM 9.9
Single Side Band.............................................................NAT 2.3 – Pilot Immunity from Enforcement Action
Snow for Deviating from Clearances..........................COM 9.7
– Transport Canada Policy................................... COM 9.2
24
– Use of.................................................................... COM 9.3 Airworthiness........................................................ LRA 1.0
GEN
Technical Records, Aircraft...................................... LRA 2.6.3 – Reporting Procedures (IFR)..............................RAC 9.12
Temperature Correction – Traffic Circuit Procedures............................... RAC 4.5.2
for Altimeter.....................................RAC Fig. 9.1, AIR 1.5.2 Uncontrolled Airspace – Procedures (IFR)............. RAC 9.13
Terminal Arrival Area (TAA)...................................RAC 9.2.2 Underwater Diving.........................................................AIR 3.6
Terminal Control Areas.............................................RAC 2.7.6 UNICOM (Universal Communications)................RAC 1.2.1
Terminal Products.......................................... MAP 4.2.1, 4.2.2 – Approach UNICOM (AU)........... RAC 1.2.1, MET 1.2.7
Test Flights, Conduct of Experimental........................AIR 4.2 Units of Measurement...................................................GEN 1.4
Thresholds Unlawful Interference............................. COM 8.8, RAC 1.8.8
– Arrows................................................................ AGA 5.4.1 Unserviceable Area Markings......................................AGA 5.7
– Displaced Threshold Lighting........................ AGA 7.8.3 Upper Level
– Stopways............................................................. AGA 5.4.2 – Charts (ANAL).................................................... MET 9.0
Thunderstorms – Wind and Temperature Forecasts (FD)....... MET 1.3.8, 11.1
– Flight Operations Near.........................................AIR 2.7
Time V
– System.....................................................................GEN 1.5 V Speeds...........................................................................GEN 1.7
– Zone, UTC/Local.............................................. GEN 1.5.3 VASI (Visual Approach Slope Indicator)
Traffic Circuit Procedures .......................................................AGA 7.6.2, AGA 7.6.4.2
– Controlled Aerodromes.......................................RAC 4.3 Vertical Path Control on Non-Precision
– NORDO/RONLY........................................... RAC 4.5.8.2 Approaches................................................................. AIR 2.17
– Uncontrolled Aerodromes............................... RAC 4.5.2 Vertical Path Control Techniques........................... AIR 2.17.3
Transborder Flights Vertigo............................................................................... AIR 3.7
– Flight Plan Requirements (Between Canada VFR
and a Foreign State)...........................................RAC 3.5.3 – Acknowledgement of Clearances.......................RAC 5.2
Transfer – IFR Units to Towers................................ . RAC 9.10 – Aeronautical Information..................................MAP 2.5
Transoceanic Flight – General Aviation Aircraft...................NAT 1.2 – Altitudes and Flight Levels..................................RAC 5.3
Transition Areas..........................................................RAC 2.7.5 – Controlled Airspace, Use of by
Transponder VFR Flights.........................................................RAC 2.5.1
– Alerting.................................................................. SAR 4.3 – En Route Procedures............................................RAC 5.0
– Communication Failure.................................... COM 8.7 – Flight Plan and Flight Itineraries... RAC 3.6, RAC 3.7.1
– Emergencies......................................................... COM 8.6 – Holding Procedures.......................................... RAC 4.4.2
– IFR Operations in Other Low-Level – Minimum Altitudes..................................... RAC 5.4, 5.5
Airspace................................................................ COM 8.2 – Operations within Class “C” Airspace..............RAC 5.8
– Mode S, Approval and Unique Codes..........................COM 9.8 – Over-the-Top......................................................RAC 2.7.4
– Operation............................................................. COM 8.0 – Position Reporting................................................RAC 5.1
– Phraseology.......................................................... COM 8.5 – VFR Release of an IFR Aircraft...................... RAC 6.2.2
– Requirements....................................................... COM 8.2 – Weather Minima................................. RAC 2.7.3, Fig. 2.7
– VFR Operations.................................................. COM 8.4 VGM (Voice Generated Module)........... RAC 4.5.1, RAC 9.12
– Unlawful Interference (Hijack)........................ COM 8.8 VHF
– Regions – Addresses, Facsimile and – Channel Spacing................................................. COM 1.4
Telephone Numbers...........................................GEN 1.1.1 – In Lieu of International HF Air-Ground
– Responsibilities................................................. AGA 2.3.3 – Omnidirectional Range and Tactical
Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada (TATC) Air Navigation (VORTAC)................................ COM 4.9
..................................................................................LRA 6.0 – Omnidirectional Range (VOR)........................ COM 4.5
– Refusal to issue or Amend a Canadian Visibility, Ground...................................................... RAC 9.19.1
Aviation Document..............................................LRA 6.2 Vision................................................................................ AIR 3.7
– Suspension, Cancellation or Refusal Visual
to Renew.................................................................LRA 6.3 – Alignment Guidance System (VAGS).............AGA 7.7.2
– Monetary Penalties...............................................LRA 6.4 – Approach Slope Indicator Systems (VASIS)
– Appeals...................................................................LRA 6.5 ..................................................................................AGA 7.6
Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB)........................GEN 3.0 – Climb and Descent........................................... RAC 8.4.2
– Addresses, Facsimile and Visual Climb Over the Airport..................................RAC 7.7.1
Telephone Numbers..............................................GEN 3.6 Visual Signals...............................................................RAC 4.4.7
Tribunal – Transportation Appeal Tribunal of – Ground..............................................................RAC 4.3.11
Canada (TATC).....................................................LRA 6.0 – Ground-to-Air.....................................................SAR 4.7.1
True Airspeed (TAS)...............................RAC 8.3.2, NAT 1.7.2 – Intercepting and Intercepted Aircraft............... SAR 4.6
Turbulence.................................................................... MET 3.13 – Marshalling for Aircraft and Helicopters.......... AIR 1.8
– Clear Air (CAT).................................................. .AIR 2.10 – Tower to Aircraft.............................................RAC 4.2.11
– Reporting Criteria Table..................................MET 2.2.2 Voice Generated Module (VGM).....................RAC 4.5.1, 9.12
– Pilot Waivers.......................................................RAC 4.1.1 ................................................................................. MET 8.6
– Wake................................................... .RAC 4.1.1, AIR 2.9 Volcanic Ash.............................................. MET 2.5, 3.2.2, 13.0
Turbulence, Downdraft and.......................................AIR 1.5.7 – Flight Operations in..............................................AIR 2.6  
Turn pad, Runway......................................................... AGA 3.6 VOLMET........................................................................ MET 1.4  
Twilight Charts, Morning and Evening................. GEN 1.5.2 VOR/DME (RHO-THETA) System.........................COM 5.13
VORTAC (VHF Omnidirectional Range
U and Tactical Air Navigation)............................. COM 4.9
Ultra-light Aeroplane................................................... AIR 4.10 Vortex
Uncontrolled Aerodromes – Characteristics.................................................... .AIR 2.9.1
– Aircraft Operations..............................................RAC 4.5 – Strength...................................................................AIR 2.9
– Class “G” Airspace Vortices, Helicopter........................................................AIR 2.9
– Recommended Operating Procedures VOR
– En-Route.......................................................... RAC 8.11 – Airborne VOR Check...................................... COM 4.5.3
– Helicopter Operations...................................... RAC 4.5.3 – Check Point....................................................... COM 4.5.2
– Initial Contact with Air-Ground Facility................. RAC 9.11 – Receiver Checks............................................... COM 4.5.1
– Licensing, Registration and
25
W
GEN
Wake Turbulence......................................... RAC 4.1.1, AIR 2.9
Water
– Operations on....................................................... AIR 2.11
– Operations Over, Life-Saving Equipment.................. AIR 2.11.3
Web, Transport Canada Site..................................... GEN 1.1.4
Weather
– ATC Weather Assistance................................. MET 1.3.8
– ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information
Service)........................................................ RAC 1.3, 4.2.1
– Automated Reports – Other............................... MET 8.6
– Voice Generator Module (VGM)....................... MET 8.6
– Briefing, Flight Planning.....................................RAC 3.2
– Charts, Reports.............................................MET 3.2, 3.3
– Codes, significant................................................ MET 8.3
– Flight Operation Near Thunderstorms..............AIR 2.7
– Information........................................................... MET 3.0
– Minima Requirements, Alternate
Aerodrome........................................................RAC 3.14.1
– Minima, VFR....................................... RAC 2.7.3, Fig. 2.7
– Observations, Surface......................................... MET 8.0
– Pilot Report (PIREP)............................................MET 1.1.6, 2.2.1
– Radar................................................................... MET 1.3.9
– Reporting of Cloud Bases................................ MET 1.1.5
– Reports, Charts.............................................MET 3.2, 3.3
– METAR (Routine Report)...........................MET 3.2, 8.0
– Special Reports (SPECI)...................................... MET 8.4
– Surface Maps...................................................... MET 10.0
– Surface Weather Observing Service...............RAC 1.1.3
– Symbols, Significant.......................................... MET 10.0
– TAF (Aerodrome Forecast)................................ MET 3.9
– Volcanic Ash.........................................MET 2.5, 3.2, 13.0
– Flight Operations in..............................................AIR 2.6
Weight and Balance Form............................................RAC 3.5
– Actual Weights...................................................RAC 3.5.1
– Fuel and Oil Weights.........................................RAC 3.5.2
– Passenger Standards.............................................RAC 3.5
Wet Runways.............................................RAC 4.4.9, AIR 1.6.5
Wheel-Equipped Light Aircraft on Snow-Covered
Surfaces...............................................................AIR 2.12.4
Whiteout......................................................................AIR 2.12.7
Wind Direction Indicators (Wind Socks)..................AGA 5.9
Wind
– Pilot Estimate of Surface Wind......................... MET 2.6
– Beaufort Wind Scale............................. MET 2.6, Table 1
Wind Shear.....................................................................MET 2.3
– Low-Level............................................................... AIR 2.8
Winter Operations – Aircraft Contamination....................AIR 2.12.2
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and ICAO
– Applicable Documents......................................MET 1.1.7
121.5 MHz, Monitoring of
Emergency Frequency................................................... COM 1.4.2
126.7 MHz, Monitoring of........................................................... RAC 5.1
26
5.0 MISCELLANEOUS aircraft critical surface contamination (ACSC)
GEN
Presence of substances, including frost, ice and snow, on the
5.1 GLOSSARY OF AERONAUTICAL TERMS critical surface of an aircraft that can have an adverse impact
on the performance of an aircraft.
“Acknowledge”
aircraft radio control of aerodrome lighting (ARCAL)
An expression used in radiocommunication meaning “Let me
know that you have received and understood this message.” A system used by pilots to control some or all of the aerodrome
lighting, aside from obstacle lights, via the aircraft VHF
acts of unlawful interference transmitter and the microphone on the appropriate frequency.
Acts or attempted acts such as to jeopardize the safety of civil air defence identification zone (ADIZ)
aviation and air transport, i.e.:
An airspace of defined dimensions extending upwards from the
(a) unlawful seizure of aircraft in flight; surface of the earth within which certain rules for the security
(b) unlawful seizure of aircraft on the ground; control of air traffic apply.
(c) hostage-taking on board aircraft or on aerodromes; airport (APRT)
(d) forcible intrusion on board an aircraft, at an airport or on An aerodrome for which an airport certificate is in force.
the premises of an aeronautical facility;
airspace classification (see RAC 2.8).
(e) introduction on board an aircraft or at an airport of a weapon
or hazardous device or material intended for criminal The division of the Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA) into
purposes; seven classes, each identified by a single letter: A, B, C, D, E, F
or G. The application of any classification to an airspace structure
(f) communication of false information such as to jeopardize
determines the operating rules, the level of ATC service provided
the safety of an aircraft in flight or on the ground, of
within the structure and, in some instances, communications
passengers, crew, ground personnel or the general public,
and equipment requirements. The horizontal and vertical limits
at an airport or on the premises of a civil aviation facility.
of airspace are described in the Designated Airspace
aerodrome Handbook (DAH).
Any area of land, water (including the frozen surface thereof) air traffic
or other supporting surface used, designed, prepared, equipped
or set apart for use, either in whole or in part, for the arrival, All aircraft in flight or operating on the manoeuvring area of
departure, movement or servicing of aircraft. This includes any an aerodrome.
buildings, installations and equipment situated thereon or
air traffic control clearance
associated therewith.
An authorization issued by an ATC unit for an aircraft to proceed
aerodrome traffic frequency (ATF) within controlled airspace in accordance with the conditions
A very high frequency (VHF) designated to ensure that all radio- specified by that unit.
equipped aircraft operating at or in the vicinity of an aerodrome, • also called: air traffic clearance, ATC clearance and
or in a defined area where VFR traffic is high, are listening on clearance
a common frequency and following a common reporting
procedure. air traffic control instruction
A directive issued by an ATC unit for ATC purposes.
afterimage
A collection of light, dark, or coloured spots, perceived after air traffic control service
exposure to bright light,that may be distracting and disruptive A service provided for the purposes of
and may persist for several minutes.
(a) preventing collisions between
• see also: flash blindness, glare
(i) aircraft;
airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS) (ii) aircraft and obstacles; and
An aircraft system based on secondary surveillance radar (SSR) (iii) aircraft and vehicles on the manoeuvring area; and
transponder signals which operates independently of ground-
based equipment to provide advice to the pilot on potential (b) expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic.
conflicting aircraft that are equipped with SSR transponders. • also called: ATC service
27
air traffic control unit area navigation (RNAV)

GEN
As the circumstances require, this may be A method of navigation which permits aircraft operation on any
desired flight path within the coverage of ground- or space-based
(a) an area control centre (ACC) established to provide ATC
NAVAIDs or within the limits of the capability of self-contained
service to aircraft; or
aids, or a combination of these.
(b) an airport control tower unit established to provide ATC
service to airport traffic. automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B)
• also called: ATC unit A means by which aircraft, aerodrome vehicles and other objects
can automatically transmit and/or receive data such as
alternate aerodrome identification, position and additional data, as appropriate, in a
An aerodrome to which an aircraft may proceed when it becomes broadcast mode via a data link.
either impossible or inadvisable to proceed to or land at the
aerodrome of intended landing. Alternate aerodromes include automatic landing operation (autoland operation)
the following: An operation during which an automatic landing system carries
out an aircraft’s approach and landing under the supervision of
(a) takeoff alternate aerodrome
the crew.
(b) en-route alternate aerodrome
(c) destination alternate aerodrome ballistic parachute system
An aircraft parachute system that extracts/propels the parachute
NOTE: via an ignitable propellant (e.g. rocket motor or explosive charge).
The aerodrome from which a flight departs may also be an
en-route or a destination alternate aerodrome for that flight. barometric vertical navigation (baro‑VNAV)
A function of certain RNAV systems that presents to the pilot
apron computed vertical guidance referenced to a specified vertical
That part of an aerodrome, other than the manoeuvring area, path, based on barometric altitude information and typically
intended to accommodate the loading and unloading of passengers computed as a geometric path between two waypoints or an
and cargo; the refuelling, servicing, maintenance and parking angle based on a single waypoint.
of aircraft; and any movement of aircraft, vehicles and pedestrians • also called: lateral navigation/vertical navigation (LNAV/
engaged in services for such purposes. VNAV)
• also called: flight line, ramp and tarmac
broadcast (BCST)
arc A transmission of information relating to air navigation that is
The track over the ground of an aircraft flying at a constant not addressed to a specific station or stations.
distance from a NAVAID by reference to distance measuring
equipment (DME). Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA)
As geographically delineated in the Designated Airspace
Arctic Control Area (ACA) (see RAC Figure 2.3) Handbook (DAH), all airspace over the Canadian land mass,
A controlled airspace within the Northern Domestic the Canadian Arctic and the Canadian archipelago, and over
Airspace (NDA) at FL 270 and above. areas of the high seas.
area minimum altitude (AMA) ceiling

The lowest altitude that may be used under instrument The lesser of:
meteorological conditions (IMC) that will provide a minimum (a) the height above ground or water of the base of the lowest
vertical clearance of 1000 ft or, in a designated mountainous layer of cloud covering more than half the sky; or
region, 2000 ft, rounded up to the next 100-ft increment, under
conditions of standard temperature and pressure, above all (b) the vertical visibility in a surface-based layer which
obstacles located in the area specified. completely obscures the sky.
NOTE clear air turbulence (CAT)

This term replaced the term geographic area safe altitude (GASA) Turbulence encountered in air where no clouds are present.
on April 18, 2002.
NOTE:
This expression is commonly applied to high-level turbulence
associated with wind shear (WS). CAT is often encountered in
the vicinity of the jet stream.
28
clearance limit controlled flight into terrain (CFIT)
GEN
The point to which an aircraft is granted an ATC clearance. An occurrence in which an aircraft, under the control of the
crew, is flown into terrain, water or an obstacle with no prior
“Cleared for the option” awareness on the part of the crew of the impending disaster.
(a) For an arriving aircraft: An expression used to indicate
ATC authorization for an aircraft to make a touch-and-go, controlled VFR flight (CVFR)
low approach, missed approach (MA), stop-and-go, or full- A flight conducted under VFR within Class B airspace and in
stop landing, at the discretion of the pilot. accordance with an ATC clearance.
(b) For a departing aircraft: An expression used to indicate
control zone (CZ)
ATC authorization for an aircraft to execute manoeuvres
other than a normal takeoff (e.g. an aborted takeoff). After A controlled airspace of defined dimensions extending upwards
such a manoeuvre, the pilot is expected to exit the runway from the surface of the earth up to and including 3 000 ft AAE
by the most expeditious way rather than backtrack the unless otherwise specified.
runway.
critical surface
common frequency area (CFA) Any stabilizing surface of an aircraft, including the wings, control
An area that has a designated frequency published for use by surfaces, rotors, propellers, horizontal stabilizers, vertical
any aircraft. stabilizers and, in the case of an aircraft that has rear-mounted
engines, the upper surface of its fuselage.
NOTE:
A CFA is intended to be used for air-to-air communications to cruise climb
provide pilots with an awareness of traffic in their vicinity. It is A cruising technique resulting in a net increase in altitude as
not a class of airspace and the CFA frequency is not monitored the aircraft mass decreases. A clearance or instruction to carry
by ATC nor is it for use at uncontrolled aerodromes. out a cruise climb allows the pilot the option of climbing at any
given rate, as well as the option of levelling off at any intermediate
composite flight plan altitude.
A flight plan (FP) that specifies VFR operation for one portion
cruising altitude
of flight and IFR for another portion.
The altitude, as shown by a constant altimeter indication in
contact approach relation to a fixed and defined datum, maintained during a flight
An approach wherein an aircraft on an IFR flight plan (FP), or portion thereof.
having an ATC authorization and operating clear of clouds with
day
at least 1 mi. flight visibility and a reasonable expectation of
continuing to the destination airport in those conditions, may The time between the beginning of morning civil twilight and
deviate from the instrument approach procedure (IAP) and the end of evening civil twilight.
proceed to the destination airport by visual reference to the • also called: daylight
surface of the earth.
dead reckoning navigation (DR)
continuous descent final approach (CDFA)
The estimating or determining of position by advancing an
A technique, consistent with stabilized approach procedures, earlier known position by the application of direction, time and
for f lying the final approach segment of a non-precision speed data.
instrument approach procedure as a continuous descent, without
level-off, from an altitude/height at or above the FAF altitude/ decision altitude (DA)
height to a point approximately 15 m (50 ft) above the landing
A specified altitude in the precision approach or approach with
runway threshold or the point where the flare manoeuvre should
vertical guidance at which a missed approach must be initiated
begin for the type of aircraft flown.
if the required visual reference to continue the approach to land
• also called: constant descent final approach has not been established.
control area extension (CAE) NOTE:

A controlled airspace of defined dimensions within the low-level Decision altitude (DA) is referenced to mean sea level (MSL) and
airspace (LLA), extending upwards from 2 200 ft AGL unless decision height (DH) is referenced to the threshold elevation.
otherwise specified.
controlled airspace
An airspace of defined dimensions within which ATC service
is provided.
29
decision height (DH) expected further clearance time (EFC)

GEN
A specified height in the precision approach or approach with The time at which it is expected that further clearance will be
vertical guidance at which a missed approach must be initiated issued to an aircraft.
if the required visual reference to continue the approach to land
has not been established. expedite (to)
An expression used by ATC when prompt compliance is required
NOTE: to avoid the development of an imminent situation.
Decision height (DH) is referenced to the threshold elevation
and decision altitude (DA) is referenced to mean sea level (MSL). final approach area
The area within which the final approach portion of an instrument
defence visual flight rules (DVFR)
approach procedure (IAP) is carried out.
Rules applicable to flights within an air defence identification
zone (ADIZ) conducted under VFR. final approach course fix (FACF)
A fix and/or waypoint located on the final approach course of
directed bright light source
an instrument approach procedure (IAP)
Any directed light source that may create a hazard to aviation
(a) prior to the point of glide path (GP) intercept on a precision
safety or cause damage to an aircraft or injury to persons on
approach procedure;
board.
(b) prior to the final approach fix (FAF) on a non-precision
NOTE: approach procedure that has a designated FAF;
Directed bright light sources include lasers, searchlights,
(c) prior to any stepdown fixes on a non-precision approach
spotlights, and image projectors.
procedure with designated fixes but no FAF; or
downwind termination waypoint (DTW) (d) at a point that would permit a normal landing approach on
a non-precision approach procedure with no FAF or
The waypoint located downwind to the landing runway abeam stepdown fixes.
the final approach course fix (FACF) where an open RNAV
STAR terminates. final approach fix (FAF)
engineered material arresting system (EMAS) The fix of a non-precision instrument approach procedure (IAP)
where the final approach segment commences.
A soft ground arrestor system, located beyond the end of the
runway and centred on the extended runway centreline, that final approach segment
deforms under the weight of an aircraft, bringing it to a safe stop
That part of an instrument approach procedure (IAP) from the
in the event of an overrun without structural damage to the
time that the aircraft
aircraft or injury to its occupants.
(a) completes the last procedure turn or base turn, where one
NOTE: is specified;
EMAS beds are made up of a grouping of blocks of crushable
(b) intercepts the last track specified for the procedure;
cellular concrete that will reliably deform under the weight of
an aircraft. (c) (for non-precision approaches) crosses the final approach
fix (FAF), final approach waypoint (FAWP) or final approach
evening civil twilight point (FAP); or
Relative to the standard meridians of the time zones, the period (d) (for precision approaches) crosses the point where the vertical
that begins at sunset and ends at the time specified by the Institute path or glide path intercepts the intermediate approach
of National Measurement Standards of the National Research segment altitude until the aircraft reaches the missed
Council of Canada. approach point (MAP).
• also called: final approach
NOTE:
Evening civil twilight ends in the evening when the centre of flash blindness
the sun’s disc is 6° below the horizon.
The temporary or permanent inability to see caused by bright
light entering the eye and persisting after the illumination has
expected approach time (EAT)
ceased.
The time at which ATC expects that an arriving aircraft, following
• see also: afterimage, glare
a delay, will leave the holding fix to complete its approach for
landing. flight information centre (FIC)
A centralized ATS unit that provides services pertinent to pre-
flight and the en-route phase of flight.
30
flight information region (FIR) (see RAC Figure 2.2) glare
GEN
An airspace of defined dimensions extending upwards from the A temporary disruption in vision caused by a bright light within
surface of the earth within which flight information service (FIS) an individual’s field of vision and lasting only as long as the light
and alerting service are provided. is present within that field of vision.
flight information service en route (FISE) NOTE:

The provision and receipt by a FIC of information pertinent to Visible laser light can produce glare and interfere with vision
the en route phase of flight. even at low energies, including levels well below that which
produce eye damage.
flight level (FL)
• see also: afterimage, flash blindness
The altitude expressed in hundreds of feet indicated on an
altimeter set to 29.92 in. of mercury or 1013.2 mb. “Go around”
An expression used in radiocommunications to instruct a pilot
flight management system (FMS)
to abandon an approach or landing.
An aircraft computer system that uses a large database to allow
routes to be programmed and fed into the system by means of ground visibility
data loader. The system is constantly updated with regard to In respect of an aerodrome, the visibility at that aerodrome as
position accuracy by reference to conventional NAVAIDs. contained in a weather observation reported by
flight service station (FSS) (a) an ATC unit;
An ATS unit that provides services pertinent to the arrival and (b) an FSS or FIC;
departure phases of flight at uncontrolled aerodromes and for (c) a community aerodrome radio station (CARS);
transit through a mandatory frequency (MF) area.
(d) an automated weather observation system (AWOS) used by
flight technical error (FTE) the Department of Transport, the Department of National
Defence or the Atmospheric Environment Service for the
The difference between estimated position and defined path. It
purpose of making aviation weather observations; or
relates to the ability of an air crew or autopilot to fly along a
defined path. Any display errors, such as a CDI centering error, (e) a radio station that is ground-based and operated by an air
may cause FTE. FTE is usually the largest error component of operator.
the total system error (TSE).
hang glider
flight visibility A motorless heavier-than-air aircraft deriving its lift from surfaces
The average range of forward visibility at any given time from that remain fixed in flight, designed to carry not more than two
the cockpit of an aircraft in flight. persons and having a launch weight of 45 kg (99.2 lb) or less.
flow control “Have numbers”

Measures designed to adjust the flow of traffic into a given An expression used by pilots to indicate that they have received
airspace, along a given route, or bound for a given aerodrome, runway, wind and altimeter information only.
so as to ensure the most effective utilization of the airspace.
heading (HDG)
fuel dumping The direction in which the longitudinal axis of an aircraft is
The intentional airborne release of usable fuel, excluding the pointed, usually expressed in degrees from north (true, magnetic,
dropping of fuel tanks. compass or grid north).
• also called: fuel jettisoning height above aerodrome (HAA)
fuel remaining The height in feet of the minimum descent altitude (MDA) above
the published aerodrome elevation.
The amount of fuel remaining on board until actual fuel
exhaustion. height above touchdown zone elevation
The height in feet of the decision height (DH) or the minimum
descent altitude (MDA) above the touchdown zone
elevation (TDZE).
• also called: height above touchdown (HAT) and height
above touchdown zone
31
high-intensity runway operations (HIRO) be completed and thereafter, if a landing is not completed, to a
GEN
Operations, used atsome airports, that consist of optimizing position at which holding or en route obstacle clearance criteria
separation of aircraft on final approach in order to minimize apply.
runway occupancy time (ROT) for both arriving and departing • also called: instrument approach
aircraft so as to increase runway capacity.
instrument meteorological conditions (IMC)
high-level air route Meteorological conditions less than the minima specified in
In high-level airspace (HLA), a prescribed track between specified Subpart 602 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) for
fixes. visual meteorological conditions (VMC), expressed in terms of
visibility and distance from cloud.
NOTE:
On aeronautical charts, high-level air routes are indicated by intermediate approach segment
letters such as “T” or “NAT.” That part of an instrument approach procedure (IAP) between
the intermediate approach fix (IF) or waypoint and the final
high-level airspace (HLA) approach fix (FAF), waypoint or point, or between the end of a
All airspace within the Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA) at track reversal, racetrack or dead-reckoning track procedure and
or above 18 000 ft ASL. the FAF, waypoint or point, as appropriate. It is in this part of
the procedure that aircraft configuration, speed and positioning
high-level airway adjustments are made for entry into the final approach segment.
In controlled high-level airspace (HLA), a prescribed track • also called: intermediate approach
between specified fixes.
intersection (INTXN)
NOTE:
As the circumstances require, this may be
On aeronautical charts, high-level airways are indicated by the
letter “J” (e.g. J500). (a) a point on the surface of the earth over which two or more
position lines intersect. The position lines may be true
ICAO three-letter designator (ICAO 3LD) bearings from non-directional beacons (NDB) (magnetic
bearings shown on chart for pilot usage); radials from VHF/
An exclusive designator that, when used together with a flight UHF NAVAIDs; centrelines of airways, fixed RNAV routes
number, becomes the aircraft call sign and provides distinct or air routes; localizers; or DME distances; or
aircraft identification to ATS.
(b) the point where two runways, a runway and a taxiway, or
NOTE: two taxiways cross or meet.
A telephony designator associated with an ICAO 3LD is used
for radio communication. Land and Hold Short Operations (LAHSO)
Operations that include simultaneous takeoffs and landings
identification and/or simultaneous landings when a landing aircraft is able
The process of ascertaining that a particular target is the ATS and is instructed by the controller to hold short of the intersecting
surveillance observation from a specific aircraft. runway/taxiway or designated hold-short point.
“identified” NOTE:
This term replaces the term Simultaneous Intersecting Runway
An expression used by ATC to inform the pilot of an aircraft Operations (SIRO)
when identification is established.
laser (or light amplification by stimulated emission of
initial approach segment
radiation)
That part of an instrument approach procedure (IAP) between
A device that produces an intense, directional, coherent beam
the initial approach fix (IAF) or waypoint and the intermediate
of light.
approach fix (IF) or waypoint during which the aircraft departs
the en route phase of flight and manoeuvres to enter the low approach
intermediate segment.
An approach over an airport or runway following an instrument
• also called: initial approach approach procedure (IAP) or VFR approach, including the
overshoot manoeuvre, where the pilot intentionally does not
instrument approach procedure (IAP)
make contact with the runway.
 A series of predetermined manoeuvres by reference to flight
instruments with specified protection from obstacles from the
initial approach fix (IAF), or where applicable, from the beginning
of a defined arrival route to a point from which a landing can
32
low-level air route military terminal control area (MTCA)
GEN
Within low-level uncontrolled airspace, a route extending A controlled airspace of defined dimensions normally established
upwards from the surface of the earth and for which ATC service in the vicinity of a military aerodrome and within which special
is not provided. procedures and exemptions exist for military aircraft. The
terminology (Class B, C, D or E equivalent) used for the
low-level airspace (LLA) designations of MTCAs describes the equivalent level of service
All airspace within the Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA) and operating rules for civilian aircraft operating within the
below 18 000 ft ASL. MTCA and under military control.
low-level airway minimum descent altitude (MDA)

Within controlled low-level airspace (LLA), a route extending The altitude above sea level (ASL) specified in the Canada Air
upwards from 2 200 ft above the surface of the earth and for Pilot (CAP) or the route and approach inventory for a non-
which ATC service is provided. precision approach, below which descent shall not be made until
the required visual reference to continue the approach to land
low-visibility operations plan (LVOP) has been established.
A plan that calls for specific procedures established by the
minimum en route altitude (MEA)
aerodrome operator and/or ATS when aerodrome visibility is
below RVR 1 200 (¼ SM). The altitude above sea level (ASL) between specified fixes on
airways or air routes that assures acceptable navigational signal
L-routes coverage and that meets the IFR obstacle clearance requirements.
L-routes are low-level uncontrolled fixed RNAV routes depicted NOTE:
on En Route Low Altitude charts using green dashed lines and This altitude is published on aeronautical charts.
require GNSS RNAV systems for use. The MOCA provides
obstacle protection for only 6 NM either side of the track centreline minimum fuel
and does not splay. An expression used to inform ATC that an aircraft’s fuel supply
has reached a state that is sufficient to reach destination, provided
mandatory frequencyv (MF) that unexpected delays are not encountered.
A very high frequency (VHF) specified in the Canada Air
Pilot (CAP), the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) or the minimum IFR altitude
Canada Water Aerodrome Supplement (CWAS) for the use of The lowest IFR altitude established for use in a specific airspace.
radio-equipped aircraft operating within a mandatory Depending on the airspace concerned, the minimum IFR altitude
frequency (MF) area. may be a minimum obstacle clearance altitude (MOCA), a
minimum en route altitude (MEA), a minimum sector
manoeuvring area altitude (MSA), a minimum vectoring altitude (MVA), a safe
The part of an aerodrome, other than an apron, that is intended altitude within a radius of 100 NM, an area minimum
to be used for the takeoff and landing of aircraft and for the altitude (AMA), a transition altitude or a missed approach
movement of aircraft associated with takeoff and landing. altitude. The minimum IFR altitude provides obstacle clearance
but may or may not be within controlled airspace.
MEDEVAC
A term used to request ATS priority handling for a medical minimum obstacle clearance altitude (MOCA)
evacuation flight based on a medical emergency in the transport The altitude above sea level (ASL) between specified fixes on
of patients, organ donors, organs or other urgently needed life- airways or air routes that meets the IFR obstacle clearance
saving medical material. requirements for the route segment in question.
NOTE: NOTE:
This term is used on flight plans (FP) and in radiotelephony This altitude is published on aeronautical charts.
communications if a pilot determines that a priority is required minimum reception altitude (MRA)
and is suffixed to the aircraft identification.
When applied to a specific VHF/UHF intersection, the lowest
military operations area (MOA) altitude above sea level (ASL) at which acceptable navigational
signal coverage is received to determine the intersection.
An airspace of defined dimensions established to segregate
certain military activities from IFR traffic and to identify, for minimum sector altitude (MSA)
VFR traffic, where these activities are conducted. The lowest altitude that will provide a minimum clearance of
1000 ft, under conditions of standard temperature and pressure
above all objects located in an area contained within a sector of
a circle with a 25 NM radius centred on a radio aid to navigation
or a specified point.
33
minimum vectoring altitude (MVA) navigation aid (NAVAID)

GEN
The lowest altitude for vectoring aircraft by ATC that meets Any visual or electronic device, airborne or on the surface of
obstacle clearance and radio coverage requirements in the airspace the earth, that provides point-to-point guidance information or
specified. position data to aircraft in flight.
• also called: navigational aid
missed approach point (MAP)
The point on the final approach course that signifies the navigation system error (NSE)
termination of the final approach and the commencement of The difference between true and estimated position. The NSE
the missed approach segment. It may be is defined during navigation system certification.
(a) the intersection of an electronic glide path (GP) with a
decision height (DH); night
(b) a NAVAID located on the aerodrome; The time between the end of evening civil twilight and the
beginning of morning civil twilight.
(c) a suitable fix (e.g. distance measuring equipment [DME]);
or non-precision approach procedure
(d) a specified distance beyond the NAVAID or final approach An instrument approach procedure (IAP) in which only electronic
fix (FAF), not to exceed the distance from that NAVAID or azimuth information is provided. No electronic glide path (GP)
fix to the nearest boundary of the aerodrome. information is provided and obstacle assessment in the final
segment is based on minimum descent altitude (MDA).
missed approach segment
That part of an instrument approach procedure (IAP) between non-RVSM aircraft
the missed approach point (MAP), the missed approach An aircraft that does not meet reduced vertical separation
waypoint (MAWP), or the point of arrival at decision height (DH), minimum (RVSM) requirements for certification and/or for
and the specified missed approach NAVAID, intersection, fix operator approval.
or waypoint, as appropriate, at the minimum IFR altitude. It is
in this part of the approach procedure that the aircraft climbs Northern Control Area (NCA) (see RAC Figure 2.3)
and returns to the en route structure or is positioned for holding A controlled airspace within the Northern Domestic
or a subsequent approach. The route of flight and altitudes are Airspace (NDA) at FL 230 and above.
depicted on instrument approach charts.
• also called: missed approach Northern Domestic Airspace (NDA) (see RAC Figure 2.1)
As geographically delineated in the Designated Airspace
morning civil twilight Handbook (DAH), a subdivision of Canadian Domestic
Relative to the standard meridians of the time zones, the period Airspace (CDA) commencing at the North Pole and extending
that begins at the time specified by the Institute for National southward to the northern limit of the Southern Domestic
Measurement Standards of the National Research Council of Airspace (SDA).
Canada and ends at sunrise.
North Warning System (NWS)
NOTE:
Morning civil twilight begins in the morning when the centre A multiradar system that provides airspace surveillance and
of the sun’s disc is 6° below the horizon. command and control capability for air defence identification
over the northern approaches to North America.
mountainous region (see RAC Figure 2.10)
NOTAM
An area of defined lateral dimensions above which special rules
A notice distributed by means of telecommunication containing
concerning minimum en route altitudes (MEA) apply.
information concerning the establishment, condition or change
movement area in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the
timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned
The part of an aerodrome that is intended to be used for the with flight operations.
surface movement of aircraft and that includes the manoeuvring
area and aprons. obstacle (OBST)
multiple-touch and-gos All fixed (whether temporary or permanent) and mobile objects,
or parts thereof, that are located on an area intended for the
A procedure in which an aircraft makes more than one touch- surface movement of aircraft or that extend above a defined
and-go during a single pass along a runway. surface intended to protect aircraft in flight.
• see also: touch-and-go • also called: obstruction
34
obstacle free zone (OFZ) preferential runway
GEN
The airspace above the inner approach surface, inner transitional One or more runways designated and published by the airport
surfaces, and balked landing surface and that portion of the operator whose selection directs aircraft away from noise-sensitive
strip bounded by these surfaces, which is not penetrated by any areas during the initial departure and final approach phases of
fixed obstacle other than a low-mass and frangibly mounted one flight. Designation of preferential runways may be governed by
required for air navigation purposes. time restrictions, weather, runway conditions, airport layout,
aircraft routings or capacity maximization.
obstruction
• also called: obstacle procedure turn (PT)
A manoeuvre in which a turn is made away from a designated
pavement classification number (PCN) track followed by a turn in the opposite direction to permit the
Numbers expressing, in ICAO terminology, the bearing strength aircraft to intercept and proceed along the reciprocal of the
of a pavement for unrestricted operations in a similar fashion designated track.
to Transport Canada’s pavement load rating (PLR).
procedure turn inbound
path definition error (PDE) The point of a procedure turn manoeuvre where course reversal
The difference between desired and defined paths which reflects has been completed and an aircraft is established inbound on
errors in the navigation database, computational errors in the the intermediate approach or final approach course. A report
RNAV system and display errors. PDE is usually very small and of “procedure turn inbound” is normally used by ATC as a
often assumed to be negligible. position report for separation purposes.
performance-based navigation (PBN) progressive taxi

Area navigation based on performance requirements for aircraft Precise taxi instructions given to a pilot unfamiliar with the
operating along an ATS route, on an instrument approach aerodrome or issued in stages as the aircraft proceeds along the
procedure or in a designated airspace. taxi route.
NOTE: Q-routes
Performance requirements are expressed in navigation Q-routes are high-level fixed RNAV routes depicted on En Route
specifications in terms of accuracy, integrity, continuity, High Altitude charts using black dashed lines and require an
availability and functionality needed for the proposed operation. RNAV system with performance capabilities currently only met
by GNSS or distance measuring equipment/inertial reference
pilot briefing unit (DME/DME/IRU) systems. DME/DME/IRU navigation
The provision of, or consultation on, meteorological and may be limited in some parts of Canada owing to navigational
aeronautical information to assist pilots in pre-flight planning. facility coverage. In such cases, the routes will be annotated as
“GNSS only” on the chart.
• also called: pre-flight pilot briefing
radial (R)
precision approach radar (PAR)
A magnetic bearing from a VHF omnidirectional range (VOR),
A high-definition, short-range radar used as an approach aid. tactical air navigation aid (TACAN), or VORTAC facility, except
This system provides the controller with altitude, azimuth and for facilities in the Northern Domestic Airspace (NDA), which
range information of high accuracy for the purpose of assisting may be oriented on true or grid north.
the pilot in executing an approach and landing. This form of
navigation assistance is termed “precision radar approach”. reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM)
pre-departure clearance (PDC) The application of 1 000-ft vertical separation at and above
FL 290 between aircraft approved to operate in reduced vertical
An initial IFR clearance delivered electronically via air-ground separation minimum airspace.
data link (AGDL) to airline companies with an on-site computer
capable of interfacing with ATC and the data link service provider. reduced-visibility operations plan (RVOP)
NOTE: A plan that calls for specific procedures established by the
Following initial delivery of the clearance to the air operator, aerodrome operator and/or ATC when aerodrome visibility is
the latter may subsequently relay the clearance by non-electronic below RVR 2 600 (½ SM) down to and including RVR 1 200 (¼ SM).
means to the flight crew if the aircraft is not suitably equipped.
remotely piloted aircraft (RPA)
A navigable airctaft, other than a balloon, rocket or kite, that is
operated by a pilot who is not on board.
35
remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) runway incursion

GEN
A set of configurable elements consisting of a remotely piloted Any occurrence at an aerodrome involving the incorrect presence
aircraft, its control station, the command and control links and of an aircraft, vehicle, or person on the protected area of a surface
any other system elements required during flight operation. designated for the landing and takeoff of aircraft.
REQUIRED runway in use

Annotation used on an instrument approach chart to indicate Any runway currently being used for takeoff or landing. When
that the procedure turn may have been eliminated and that the multiple runways are used, they are all considered runways
initial approach portion of the procedure is being provided by in use.
ATC vectors. Without ATC vectoring, the instrument approach
procedure (IAP) may not have a published initial approach. runway lights
Aeronautical ground lights located on a runway, indicating its
required navigation performance (RNP) direction or boundaries, and including but not limited to runway
A statement of the navigation performance accuracy necessary centreline lights, runway edge lights, runway end lights, threshold
for operation within a defined airspace. lights and touchdown zone lights.
required visual reference runway strip

In respect of an aircraft on an approach to a runway, the section A defined area, which includes the runway and stopway where
of the approach area of the runway or the visual aids that, when provided, intended to protect aircraft flying over it during take-
viewed by the pilot of the aircraft, enable the pilot to make an off or landing operations.
assessment of the aircraft position and the rate of change of
position relative to the nominal flight path in order to continue RVSM Aircraft
the approach and complete the landing. An aircraf t that meets reduced vertical separation
minimum (RVSM) requirements for certification and for operator
resolution advisory (RA) approval.
An advisory issued by airborne collision avoidance
system (ACAS)/traffic alert and collision avoidance safe altitude within a radius of 100 NM
system (TCAS) to alert pilots to potential conflicting air traffic The lowest altitude that may be used under instrument
and provide them with a suggested flight-path change in the meteorological conditions (IMC) that will provide a minimum
vertical plane to reduce the possibility of collision. vertical clearance of 1000 ft or, in a designated mountainous
region, 1500 or 2000 ft, as appropriate, rounded up to the next
restricted airspace 100-ft increment, under conditions of standard temperature and
An airspace of defined dimensions above land areas or territorial pressure, above all obstacles located in an area contained within
waters within which the flight of aircraft is restricted in accordance a radius of 100 NM of the aerodrome geometric centre.
with certain specified conditions.
secondary surveillance radar (SSR)
• also called: restricted area
A radar system that requires complementary aircraft equipment
“Resume normal speed” (transponder). The transponder generates a coded reply signal
An expression used by ATC to advise a pilot that previously in response to transmissions from the ground station (interrogator).
issued speed restrictions are cancelled, but that published speed Since this system relies on transponder-generated signals rather
restrictions are still applicable, unless otherwise stated by ATC. than signals reflected from the aircraft, as in primary surveillance
radar, it offers significant operational advantages such as increased
runway edge lights (REDL) range and positive identification.
Aeronautical ground lights located along the edges of the runway. shuttle procedure
runway end safety area (RESA) A manoeuvre involving a descent or climb in a pattern resembling
a holding pattern.
An area that extends from the end of the runway strip, primarily
intended to reduce the risk of damage to an aeroplane Southern Control Area (SCA) (see RAC Figure 2.3)
undershooting or overrunning the runway.
A controlled airspace within the Southern Domestic
runway heading Airspace (SDA) at 18 000 ft ASL and above.
The magnetic or true direction that corresponds with the runway
centreline rather than the painted runway numbers.
36
Southern Domestic Airspace (SDA) (see RAC Figure 2.1) terminal control area (TCA)
GEN
As geographically delineated in the Designated Airspace A controlled airspace of defined dimensions that is normally
Handbook (DAH), all airspace within the Canadian Domestic established in the vicinity of one or more major aerodromes and
Airspace (CDA) commencing at the Canada-United States border within which ATC service is provided based on the airspace
and extending northward to the southern limit of the Northern classification.
Domestic Airspace (NDA).
threshold
“Squawk ident” The beginning of the portion of the runway usable for landing.
A request for a pilot to activate the aircraft transponder
identification feature. threshold crossing height (TCH)
The height of the glide path (GP) above the runway threshold.
standard instrument departure (SID)
A preplanned IFR departure procedure requiring ATC clearance total system error (TSE)
and published for pilot/controller use to provide obstacle clearance The difference between true position and desired position. This
and a transition from an aerodrome to the appropriate en route error is equal to the sum of the vectors of the PDE, FTE, and
structure. NSE.
NOTE: touch-and-go
IDs are published in the Canada Air Pilot (CAP) for pilot and
A procedure in which an aircraft lands and then takes off without
controller use. SIDs may be either:
stopping.
(a) pilot navigation SIDs: SIDs where the pilot is required to
use the applicable SID chart as reference for navigation to touchdown zone (TDZ)
the en route phase; or The first 3 000 ft of the runway or the first third of the runway,
(b) vector SIDs: SIDs established where ATC will provide whichever is less, measured from the threshold in the direction
navigational guidance to a filed or assigned route, or to a of landing. 
fix depicted on the applicable SID chart. Pilots are expected
touchdown zone elevation (TDZE)
to use the SID chart as a reference for navigation until the
vector is commenced. The highest centreline elevation in the touchdown zone.
standard terminal arrival (STAR) track

A n IFR ATC a rriva l procedu re published in t he The projection on the earth’s surface of the path of an aircraft,
Canada Air Pilot (CAP) for pilot and controller use. the direction of which path at any point is usually expressed in
degrees from true, magnetic or grid north.
stepdown fix
traffic advisory (TA)
A fix permitting additional descent within a segment of an
instrument approach procedure (IAP) by identifying the point An advisory issued by airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS)/
at which a controlling obstacle has been safely overflown. traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) to alert pilots
to other air traffic that may be in such proximity to the position
stop-and-go or intended route of flight of their aircraft as to warrant their
A procedure in which an aircraft lands, makes a complete stop attention.
on the runway, and then commences a takeoff from
transition
that point.
(a) The general term that describes the change from one phase
straight-in approach of flight or flight conditions to another, e.g. transition from
(a) A VFR approach in which the aircraft enters the aerodrome en route flight to the approach or transition from instrument
traffic circuit on the final leg without having executed any flight to visual flight.
other part of the circuit. (b) A published procedure used to connect the basic standard
(b) An IFR approach in which the aircraft begins the final instrument departure (SID) to one or more en route airways
approach without first having executed a procedure or to connect one or more en route airways to the basic
turn (PT). standard terminal arrival (STAR). More than one transition
may be published in the associated SID or STAR.
terminal arrival area (TAA) • also called: feeder route
An area, bounded by tracks and distances to identified waypoints,
depicted on select GNSS approach charts indicating altitudes
that provide a minimum clearance of 1 000 ft above all obstacles.
37
T-routes wind shear (WS)

GEN
T-routes are low-level controlled fixed RNAV routes depicted A change in wind speed and/or wind direction in a short distance.
on En Route Low Altitude charts using black dashed lines and
require GNSS RNAV systems for use. The airspace associated NOTE:
with T-routes extends upward from 2 200 ft AGL, 10 NM either Wind shear can exist in a horizontal or vertical direction and
side of the centreline, and does not splay. The MOCA provides occasionally in both.
obstacle protection for only 6 NM either side of the track centreline
and does not splay.
vector
A heading given by a controller to a pilot on the basis of ATS
surveillance-derived information to provide navigational
guidance.
• also called: vectoring
visual approach
An approach wherein an aircraft on an IFR flight plan (FP),
operating in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) under the
control of ATC and having ATC authorization, may proceed to
the airport of destination.
visual meteorological conditions (VMC)

Meteorological conditions, expressed in terms of visibility and
distance from cloud, equal to or greater than the minima specified
in CAR 602.
visual separation
A means used by controllers to separate aircraft operating in
visual meteorological conditions (VMC).
(a) VFR—The controller, having determined that a potential
conflict exists, issues clearances, instructions and/or
information as necessary to aid aircraft in establishing
visual contact with each other or to assist aircraft in avoiding
other aircraft.
(b) IFR or CVFR—Following a pilot’s report that the traffic is
in sight, the controller issues the clearance and instructs
the pilot to provide his or her own separation by manoeuvring
the aircraft as necessary to avoid or follow the traffic.
waypoint (WP)
A specified geographical location, defined by longitude and
latitude, that is used in the definition of routes and terminal
segments and for progress-reporting purposes.
“When ready...”
Authorization for an aircraft to comply with a clearance or
instruction at some point in the future when convenient.
38
5.2 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS APRT.................................................................................................... airport
GEN
APV ................................... approach procedure with vertical guidance
AAE ...................................................above aerodrome elevation ARCAL............................... aircraft radio control of aerodrome lighting
AAIR....................Annual Airworthiness Information Report ARFF.....................................Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting 
AAS ................................................. aerodrome advisory service ARP ................................................... aerodrome reference point
ABAS.................................aircraft-based augmentation system ASDA..................................... accelerate-stop distance available
AC ..................................................................Advisory Circular ASDE................................ airport surface detection equipment
ACA ...............................................................Arctic Control Area ASL .........................................................................above sea level
ACARS.....................aircraft communications addressing and ATA .............................................................actual time of arrival
reporting system ATC ....................................................................air traffic control
ACAS.................................airborne collision avoidance system ATF ................................................ aerodrome traffic frequency
ACC .................................................................area control centre ATFM............................................. air traffic flow management
A-CDM......................Airport Collaborative Decision Making ATIS ............................ automatic terminal information service
ACSC............................ aircraft critical surface contamination ATM........................................................ air traffic management
AD .......................................................Airworthiness Directive ATN ....................... aeronautical telecommunications network
ADB .................................................aviation document booklet ATPL............................................ airline transport pilot licence
ADCUS............................................................. “Advise customs” ATS ....................................................................air traffic service
ADF ................................................... automatic direction finder AU ...............................................................approach UNICOM
ADIZ...........................................air defence identification zone AVASI.................. abbreviated visual approach slope indicator
ADS ....................................automatic dependence surveillance AVGAS............................................................... aviation gasoline
ADS-B..............automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast AVOPS.............................................Aviation Operations Centre
ADS-C................automatic dependent surveillance - contract AWOS.......................... automated weather observation system
ADS WPR............................ automatic dependent surveillance AWWS............................................. Aviation Weather Web Site
............................................. waypoint position report(ing) baro-VNAV............................... barometric vertical navigation
AFCGS.................... automatic flight control guidance system BCST............................................................................... broadcast 
AFCS.........................................automatic flight control system BOTA.............................................Brest oceanic transition area
AFM...........................................................aircraft flight manual BPL .............................................................. balloon pilot licence
AFN ............................ air traffic services facilities notification BVLOS..............................................beyond visual line-of-sight
AFS .....................................................aeronautical fixed service C ......................................................................................Celsius
AFTN...... Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network  CADORS ...............................Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence
AGL .................................................................above ground level . Reporting System
AGN .......................................................... aircraft group number CAE ...........................................................control area extension
AIC .......................................aeronautical information circular CAME................................... Civil Aviation Medical Examiner
AIM ............................Aeronautical Information Management CAP .................................................................... Canada Air Pilot
(NAV CANADA) CARs........................................ Canadian Aviation Regulations
AIP ...............................Aeronautical Information Publication CARAC..... Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council
AIRAC...................Aeronautical Information Regulation and Control CARC............................ Civil Aviation Regulatory Committee
AIREP............................................................................. air report CARS............................... community aerodrome radio station
AIS ........................................ aeronautical information service CASARA...................Civil Air Search and Rescue Association
ALR .................................................................aircraft load rating CAT ................................................................clear air turbulence
ALSF-2 ................................ approach lighting with sequenced CAT I, II, III...................................................... Category I, II, III
flashers–CAT II CAVOK.................................................ceiling and visibility OK
ALT .....................................................................................altitude CDA .............................................. Canadian Domestic Airspace
ALTRV...........................................................altitude reservation CDA .......................... departure clearance readback (data link)
AM .......................................................... amplitude modulation CDFA........................................constant descent final approach
AMA........................................................area minimum altitude  CDI ....................................................course deviation indicator
AME........................................... aircraft maintenance engineer CFA ....................................................... common frequency area
AMIS........................... aircraft movement information service CFB ............................................................Canadian Forces base
AMSL...........................................................above mean sea level CFS ................................................... Canada Flight Supplement
ANS ............................................................ air navigation system CFIT...............................................controlled flight into terrain
ANSP..........................................air navigation service provider CG ..................................................................... centre of gravity
AOC .......................................................... air operator certificate CLD ............................departure clearance message (data link)
AOC .................................................Aviation Operations Centre CLDN........................Canadian Lightning Detection Network
AOE .......................................................................airport of entry  CMA................................................Central Monitoring Agency
AOM.................................................. airport operations manual  CMAC....................Canadian Meteorological Aviation Centre
APAPI.............................abbreviated precision approach path indicator  CMC.......................................Canadian Meteorological Centre
APREQ................................................................................ approval request CMNPS.............Canadian minimum navigationperformance
specifications
39
CMNPSA.........Canadian minimum navigation performance FANS.............................................future air navigation systems

GEN
specifications airspace FARs................................. Federal Aviation Regulations (USA)
CMU............... communications management unit (data link) FATO....................................... final approach and take-off area
CNS ........................communications, navigation, surveillance FAWP....................................................final approach waypoint
CNOP...................... Canadian NOTAM Operating Procedures FD ....................... upper level wind and temperature forecast
CPDLC.................. controller-pilot data link communications FDE ............................................... fault detection and exclusion
C of A............................................... certificate of airworthiness FE ........................................................................ flight engineer
C of R.................................................... certificate of registration FIC ......................................................flight information centre
CONOPS.................................................... concept of operations FIR ..................................................... flight information region
CPL .......................................................commercial pilot licence FISE .....................................flight information service en route
C.R.C............................... Consolidated Regulations of Canada FL ................................................................................flight level
CRFI......................................Canadian Runway Friction Index FLAS..............................................flight level allocation scheme
CTA ...............................................................................contol area FM ...........................................................frequency modulation
CTAISB......Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation FMC .............................................. flight management computer
and Safety Board FMS ................................................... flight management system
CVFR.....................................................................controlled VFR FP ................................................................................flight plan
CWAS.......................... Canada Water Aerodrome Supplement fpm .....................................................................flash per minute
CZ ............................................................................ control zone FPUI................................................flight plan unique identifier
DA .....................................................................decision altitude FPV .................................................................... first-person view
DADS........................................digital altimeter display system FRT ...........................................................fixed radius transition
DAH....................Designated Airspace Handbook (TP 1820E) FSM ................................flight system management (data link)
D-ATIS................................................................... data link ATIS FSS ..............................................................flight service station
DCL ........................................... departure clearance (data link) FSTD...................................... flight simulation training device
DCPC..........................direct controller-pilot communications FTE ............................................................. flight technical error
DF ...................................................................... direction finder GBAS.................................ground-based augmentation system
DH ........................................................................decision height GEO ..................geostationary earth orbit (or geosynchronous
DLM.................................................................data link mandate equatorial orbit)
DME.......................................... distance measuring equipment GEO ................................................. geosynchronous earth orbit
DND....................................... Department of National Defence GES ..............................................................ground earth station
DR ...................................................dead reckoning navigation GFA ..............................................................graphic area forecast
DRCO...........................dial-up remote communications outlet GHz ..................................................................................gigahertz
DT .............................................................. daylight saving time GLONASS.............. global orbiting navigation satellite system
DTW...................................... downwind termination waypoint GMU............................................................GPS monitoring unit
DVFR...................................................defence visual flight rules GNSS......................................global navigation satellite system
D-VOLMET..................................................data link VOLMET GOTA........................................ Gander oceanic transition area
E ............................................................................................east GP .................................................................................glide path
EAD ........................................................European AIS Database GPL ..................................................................glider pilot licence
EASA.................................... European Aviation Safety Agency GPS .....................................................global positioning system
EAT ........................................................expected approach time GPWS.................................. ground proximity warning system
ECAC............................... European Civil Aviation Conference GS ................................................................................glide slope
ECCC.................... Environment and Climate Change Canada GYP .......................................................... gyroplane pilot permit
EET ..........................................................estimated elapsed time HAA.......................................................height above aerodrome
EFC ..........................................expected further clearance time HAT .......................................................height above touchdown
ELT ............................................ emergency locator transmitter HDG................................................................................... heading
EMAS............................. engineered material arresting system HF ........................................................................high frequency
EMI ............................................... electromagnetic interference HFDL..........................................................................HF data link
ERS ...............................................Emergency Response Service Hg ................................................................................... mercury
ESCAT Plan....................... Emergency Security Control of Air HIAL....................................... high intensity approach lighting
Traffic Plan HIRO.....................................high-intensity runway operations
EST ......................................................... Eastern Standard Time HLA ................................................................. high-level airspace
EST (NOTAM).................................estimated time (NOTAM) HMU....................................................... height monitoring unit
ETA ...................................................... estimated time of arrival hPa ..............................................................................hectopascal
ETD .................................................estimated time of departure HPL ...................................................horizontal protection limit
ETE ........................................................ estimated time en route hr ..........................................................................................hour
EWH...............................................................eye-to-wheel height HSI ..............................................horizontal situation indicator
FAA ............................Federal Aviation Administration (USA)  Hz ......................................................................................... hertz
FACF.....................................................final approach course fix IAF ................................................................ initial approach fix
FAF ...................................................................final approach fix IAP ..........................................instrument approach procedure
40
IAS ..................................................................indicated airspeed specification
GEN
IAWP...................................................initial approach waypoint MAWP..............................................missed approach waypoint
ICAO......................International Civil Aviation Organization mb ....................................................................................millibar
IF ......................................................................intermediate fix MCDU...........................multipurpose control and display unit
IFF .................................................. identification, friend or foe MCTOW........................maximum certificated takeoff weight
IFR ..........................................................instrument flight rules MDA..................................................minimum descent altitude
IFSS ......................................international flight service station MEA.................................................minimum en route altitude
IFT ............................................................ instrument flight test MEDEVAC.........................................medical evacuation flight
ILS .................................................. instrument landing system MEHT.............................. minimum eye height over threshold
IMC ...............................instrument meteorological conditions MEL ......................................................minimum equipment list
INF .............................................................inland navigation fix MEO.............................................................. medium earth orbit
INS .................................................... inertial navigation system METAR................... aerodrome routine meteorological report
INTXN........................................................................ intersection MF ............................................................mandatory frequency
IRCC............ Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada MF .................................................................medium frequency
IRS .......................................................inertial reference system MFAU.......................................... Military Flight Advisory Unit
IRU ............................................................inertial reference unit MHA.................................................minimum holding altitude
ISA ...................................International Standard Atmosphere MHz.................................................................................megahertz
ISED............Innovation, Science and Economic Development MLAT.....................................................................multilateration
Canada MLS ................................................... microwave landing system
IWP ........................................ intermediate approach waypoint MM ........................................................................middle marker
J or JET...............................................................high-level airway MNPS.................. minimum navigation performance specifications 
JRCC.......................................joint rescue co-ordination centre MNPSA.............................. minimum navigation performance
kg ..................................................................................kilogram specifications airspace
kHz .................................................................................. kilohertz MOA...................................................... military operations area
KIAS......................................................knots indicated airspeed MOC..............................................minimum obstacle clearance
kN ..............................................................................kilonewton MOCA............................ minimum obstacle clearance altitude
kt .......................................................................................... knot MPa ..............................................................................megapascal
LAAS........................................local-area augmentation system mph ........................................................................ miles per hour
LAHSO..................................Land and Hold Short Operations MRA...............................................minimum reception altitude
LAWO.............................limited aviation weather observation MRB.................................................magnetic reference bearing
lb .......................................................................................pound  MSA ......................................................minimum sector altitude
LDA .................................................... landing distance available MSL .......................................................................Mean Sea Level
LED .............................................................. light-emitting diode MTCA.........................................military terminal control area
LEO ........................................................................ low earth orbit MTOW...............................................maximum take-off weight
LF ......................................................................... low frequency MTSAT................................multifunctional transport satellite
LIAL.......................................... low intensity approach lighting MU ............................................... management unit (data link)
LIDAR..............................................light detection and ranging MVA...............................................minimum vectoring altitude
LLA ................................................................... low-level airspace MVFR...............................................marginal visual flight rules
LOC ................................................................................... localizer  MWO.............................................. meteorological watch office
LNAV................................................................. lateral navigation N ........................................................................................ north
LP ............ localizer performance without vertical guidance NAARMO...............North American Approvals Registry and
LPV .................. localizer performance with vertical guidance  Monitoring Organization
LRNS.............................................long range navigation system NACp..........................navigation accuracy category—position
LVOP.............................................low visibility operations plan NADP.............................noise abatement departure procedure
LWIS..................................limited weather information system NAR .......................................................... North American route
MA .................................................................... missed approach NASA..........National Aeronautics and Space Administration
MALS..................medium intensity approach lighting system (USA)
MALSF.......medium intensity approach lighting system with NAT ........................................................................North Atlantic
sequenced flashing lights NAT HLA............................North Atlantic high-level airspace
MALSR...medium intensity approach lighting system with runway NATO................................North Atlantic Treaty Organization
alignment indicator lights NAVAID.................................................................navigation aid
MANAB.....................................Manual of Word Abbreviations NCA .........................................................Northern Control Area
MANAIR.. Manual of Standards and Procedures for Aviation NCATS................... National Civil Air Transportation System
Weather Forecasts NDA..............................................Northern Domestic Airspace
MANOBS................ Manual of Surface Weather Observations NDB .........................................................non-directional beacon
MANOT.................................................. missing aircraft notice NIC ...............................................navigation integrity category
MAP.........................................................missed approach point NM ........................................................................... nautical mile
MASPS........................minimum aircraft system performance NOHD..................................Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance
41
NO PT..............................................................no procedure turn RAMO.................................... regional aviation medical officer

GEN
NORDO............................................................................ no radio RASS..........................................remote altimeter setting source
NPA ........................................................non-precision approach Rc ...........................................................radius of containment
NRC ....................................National Research Council Canada RCAP...............................................Restricted Canada Air Pilot
NRP ........................................North American Route Program RCD ............................. departure clearance request (data link)
NSE ........................................................ navigation system error RCMP..................................... Royal Canadian Mounted Police
NUCp....................navigation uncertainty category—position RCO ........................................... remote communications outlet
NVIS...............................................night vision imaging system REDL...............................................................runway edge lights
NWP............................................ numerical weather prediction RENL................................................................ runway end lights
OAC .................................................. oceanic area control centre RESA....................................................... runway end safety area
OAT .........................................................outside air temperature RETIL...................................rapid-exit taxiway indicator lights
OBST..................................................................................obstacle RF .............................................................................radius to fix
O/C .......................................................observer-communicator RLOS................................................................radio line-of-sight
OCA................................................................................................. RMI ...................................................... radio magnetic indicator
oceanic control area RNAV....................................................................area navigation
OCL .........................................................obstacle clearance limit RNP ....................................... required navigation performance
OCL ............................................... oceanic clearance (data link) RNP APCH.........required navigation performance approach
OCS .................................................... obstacle clearance surface RNP AR APCH................... required navigation performance
ODALS.................. omnidirectional approach lighting system authorization required approach
ODL .........................................................opposite direction level RNPC..................required navigation performance capability
ODP .............................................. obstacle departure procedure RONLY...................................................................... receiver only
OEP ........................................................oceanic entry/exit point RPA .......................................................remotely piloted aircraft
OFZ ...................................................................obstacle free zone RPAS.........................................remotely piloted aircraft system
OIDS........................... operational information display system RPP .......................................................recreational pilot permit
OKTA............................................................................one-eighth RRTU........................................................radio re-transmit unit
OLS ................................................... obstacle limitation surface RSC .....................................................runway surface condition
OPS ...................................................obstacle protection surface RTF .....................................................radiotelephony frequency
OTS .........................................................organized track system RTIL...............................runway threshold identification lights
OTT ............................................................................over-the-top RWYCC.................................................. runway condition code
PAC ...................................................................................... Pacific RVOP.....................................reduced visibility operations plan
PAL ...................................................................peripheral station RVR .............................................................. runway visual range
PAPI ...................................... precision approach path indicator RVSM............................reduced vertical separation minimum
PAR ......................................................precision approach radar RWS ...................................................reactive wind shear system
PAS ........................................................ private advisory station S ........................................................................................ south
PBN ............................................performance-based navigation SA ...............................................................selective availability
PCN ........................... pavement classification number (ICAO) SAR ...................................................................search and rescue
PDC ....................................pre-departure clearance (data link) SATCOM.............................................satellite communications
PDE ............................................................. path definition error SATVOICE............................... satellite voice communications
PIC ................................................................. pilot-in-command SBAS.................................satellite-based augmentation system
PIREP............................................................pilot weather report SCA ......................................................... Southern Control Area
PLR .............................................................pavement load rating SCDA......................................stabilized constant descent angle
PN .............................................................prior notice required SDA ...............................................Southern Domestic Airspace
PPC ..........................................................pilot proficiency check SELCAL..................................................selective calling system
PPL ............................................................... private pilot licence SFOC.................................. special flight operations certificate
PPR .................................................... prior permission required SID ...........................................standard instrument departure
PPS ........................................................present position symbol SIF .............................................selective identification feature
PRM ...................................................... preferred routes message SIGMET......................significant meteorological information
PRN .............................................................pseudorandom noise SIL ............................................................. source integrity level
PSI ........................................................ pounds per square inch SLOP........................................strategic lateral offset procedure
PSR .................................................. primary surveillance radar SM ............................................................................. statute mile
PSTN.................................. public switched telephone network SNR .............................................................. signal-to-noise ratio
PT ....................................................................... procedure turn SOPs........................................... standard operating procedures
PWS ...............................................predictive wind shear system SORA.............................Specific Operational Risk Assessment
R ........................................................................................radial SOTA.......................................Shannon oceanic transition area
R ....................................................................................... radius SPECI.......................aerodrome special meteorological report
RA ................................................................resolution advisory SPEC VIS........................specified takeoff minimum visibility
RAAS..................................remote aerodrome advisory service SPI ..................................................... special position indicator
RAIM.................... receiver autonomous integrity monitoring SPP ...............................................................student pilot permit
42
SSALR........... simplified short approach lighting system with VASIS............................visual approach slope indicator system
GEN
runway alignment indicator lights (generic term)
SSALS..................... simplified short approach lighting system VCOA............................................ visual climb over the airport
SSB .......................................................................single sideband VCS ...........................................................vehicle control service
SSR ...............................................secondary surveillance radar VDF ............................................................VHF direction finder
STAR...................................................standard terminal arrival VDI ..................................................vertical deviation indicator
STOL aircraft.......................short takeoff and landing aircraft VDL .....................................................................VHF digital link 
SVFR................................................................special VFR flight VDR ...................................................................... VHF data radio
SVM ........................................................... service volume model VFR ...................................................................visual flight rules
SVN ........................................................ satellite vehicle number VGSS................................................. voice generator sub-system
T ...........................................................................................true VHF ...............................................................very high frequency
TA .......................................................................traffic advisory VLF .................................................................very low frequency
TAA ............................................................. terminal arrival area VLOS...............................................................visual line-of-sight
TAC ................................................................terminal area chart VMC....................................... visual meteorological conditions
TACAN...............................................tactical air navigation aid VNAP.................................vertical noise abatement procedure
TAF ................................................................aerodrome forecast VNAV..............................................................vertical navigation
TAS ...........................................................................true airspeed VNC...........................................................VFR navigation chart
TATC................... Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada VOLMET........................ in-flight meteorological information
TAWS...........................terrain awareness and warning system  VOR ................................................ VHF omnidirectional range
TC ..................................................................Transport Canada VORTAC..............................combination of VOR and TACAN
TC AIM..............Transport Canada Aeronautical Information VPA ................................................................. vertical path angle
Manual VTA .......................................................VFR terminal area chart
TCCA.....................................Transport Canada Civil Aviation VTOL aircraft..................vertical takeoff and landing aircraft
TCA ............................................................ terminal control area W .......................................................................................... west
TCAS I/II............. traffic alert and collision avoidance system WAAS....................................... wide area augmentation system
TCH ..................................................... threshold crossing height WAFC..................................................world area forecast centre
TCU .............................................................terminal control unit WAFS................................................ world area forecast system
TDOA...................................................time difference of arrival WMO............................... World Meteorological Organization
TDZ .....................................................................touchdown zone  WP ..................................................................................waypoint
TDZE..................................................touchdown zone elevation  WPR............................................ waypoint position report(ing)
TDZL....................................................touchdown zone lighting WS ...............................................................................wind shear
TIBA..........................traffic information broadcast by aircraft zulu (Z)..........................................Coordinated Universal Time
TLOF............................................... touchdown and lift-off area
TMI ................................................ track message identification NOTES:
TOD ..........................................................................top of descent 1. The Supplements contain additional abbreviations applicable
TODA.................................................take-off distance available to aeronautical charts and publications.
TORA.........................................................take-off run available
2. Abbreviations typical of meteorology are contained in
TP ............................................ Transport Canada publication
MET 14.0.
TRA ..................................................................... tower radar area
TRB ......................................................... true reference bearings
TRP .....................................................................tower radar plan
TSB ............................ Transportation Safety Board of Canada
TSE ...................................................................total system error
TSO ....................................................Technical Standard Order
TSR ................................................. terminal surveillance radar
TWR......................................................................... control tower
UAS ...................................................unmanned aircraft system
UAV ........................................................... unmanned air vehicle
ULP ...........................................................ultralight pilot permit
UHF ...............................................................ultrahigh frequency
UNICOM..........................................universal communications
USB .......................................................................upper sideband
UTC ...............................................Coordinated Universal Time
VAA ............................................................ volcanic ash advisory
VAAC............................................. volcanic ash advisory centre
VAGS.................................Visual Alignment Guidance System
VAS ........................................................ vehicle advisory service
VASI ...........................................visual approach slope indicator
43
5.3 LEGISLATION INDEX 

GEN
This index provides a cross-reference between the CARs and
corresponding TC AIM pages where relevant information can
be found. Some administrative or enabling legislation has been
omitted where it has been determined that knowledge of the
rule is not required for aircraft operations.
The CARs section numbers contained throughout the text are
those of the Consolidated Regulations of Canada (CRC), Chapter 2,
as contained in the CARs.
Table 5.1—Relevant Cross-References Between CARs and TC AIM
CARs TC AIM
CAR Name
Subpart No. Paragraph No.
Part I General Provisions
103 Administration and Compliance LRA 6.4, 6.5
Aircraft Identification and Registration and Operation of a Leased

Part II LRA 4.1, 4.6, 4.7
Aircraft by a Non-registered Owner
201 Identification of Aircraft and Other Aeronautical Products LRA 4.2
202 Aircraft Marking and Registration LRA 4.3, 4.7, 5.7.2
Part III Aerodromes, Airports and Heliports
301 Aerodromes AGA 2.1, 7.3
302 Airports AGA 2.3.6
Part IV Personnel Licensing and Training
403 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licences and Ratings LRA 5.4.2
406 Flight Training Units LRA 5.6.1
421 Flight Crew Permits, Licences and Ratings LRA 1.1, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.12, 1.14.4
424 Medical Requirements LRA 1.1, 1.9, 2.1.1, 2.2
Part V Airworthiness
501 Annual Airworthiness Information Report LRA 5.5
507 Flight Authority and Certificate of Noise Compliance LRA 5.1, 5.3.1, 5.3.3 , 5.3.4, 5.3.5
Approval of the Type Design or a Change to the Type Design of an

521 LRA 5.2.2
Aeronautical Product
521
Service Difficulty Reporting LRA 5.6.5
Division IX
571 Aircraft Maintenance Requirements LRA 5.4.1, 5.6.3, 5.6.4
Part VI General Operating and Flight Rules RAC 3.1
44
CARs TC AIM
GEN
CAR Name
Subpart No. Paragraph No.
601 Airspace RAC 2.8, 2.8.6, 2.9.2
COM 1.3, 9.7, MET 1.1.9, RAC

1.6, 1.8, 1.9, 2.3.1, 2.5.2, 2.7.3,
2.7.4, 2.9.3,2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13,
3.1, 3.6.1, 3.6.2, 3.7.1, 3.7.2, 3.9,
3.12, 3.12.1, 3.13, 3.14, 4.1, 4.1.2,
4.2.5, 4.3, 4.4.8, 4.5.2, 4.5.4,
4.5.7, 5.4, 5.5, 6.1, 8.1, 8.3, 8.4,
602 Operating and Flight Rules
8.5, 9.6.1, 9.7.3, 9.11, 9.12, 9.18.1,
9.19.1, 9.19.2.1, 9.19.2.2, 9.19.2.3,
9.19.2.5, 9.19.2.6, 9.19.3, 10.7,
10.9, RAC Annex 2.0, NAT 1.1.1,
1.2, SAR 3.9, 4.7, 4.8.2, AIR
2.11.3, 2.17.3, 4.4.2, 4.8, 4.9, 4.13,
4.15, 4.15.3
603 Special Flight Operations RAC 1.9, 2.5.2, AIR 4.7.1, 4.8
COM 5.4, 9.2, RAC 9.18, LRA

604 Private Operator Passenger Transportation
5.6.1
COM 8.2, RAC 2.7.4, RAC Annex
2.0, SAR 3.1, 3.3, 3.9, LRA 5.3.1,
605 Aircraft Requirements
5.4.1, 5.6.1, 5.6.2, 5.6.4, 5.7.1,
5.7.3
625 Aircraft Equipment and Maintenance Standard LRA 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.6.2, 5.7.1
Part VII Commercial Air Services RAC 9.18, 9.19
COM 9.2, RAC 3.5.1, 3.5.7, AIR

703 Air Taxi Operations
4.4.2
704 Commuter Operations COM 9.2, AIR 4.4.2
705 Airline Operations COM 9.2, AIR 4.4.2
706 Aircraft Maintenance Requirements for Air Operators LRA 5.6.1
Part VIII Air Navigation Services GEN 1.3.1, RAC 2.1, NAT 1.1.2
5.4 CANADIAN AVIATION REGULATION 5.4.2 Governing Principles

ADVISORY COUNCIL (CARAC) The Cabinet Directive on Regulatory Management published by
the Treasury Board of Canada requires TC (and other federal
5.4.1 General departments) to engage at all stages of the rulemaking process.
This part outlines the TCCA regulatory consultation process. TCCA engages stakeholders on regulatory initiatives through
The TCCA advisory council is known as CARAC. The CARAC, and as such, CARAC is an important part of TC’s
Director General, Civil Aviation is the sponsor of CARAC. The rulemaking consultation process.
Council was established on July 1, 1993. CARAC’s main governing principle is to maintain or improve
upon Canada’s high level of aviation safety.
New proposals, including public interest issues, are judged on
the safety and efficiency that would result from their
implementation. Proposals are also assessed at an early stage to
determine where the development and approval processes can
be streamlined and where resources should be focused.
45
5.4.3 Objective documentation. Membership is comprised of representatives

GEN
from the aviation community, other interested parties and TC.
CARAC’s prime objective of assessing and recommending
A special technical committee can be established based on the
potential regulatory changes through cooperative rulemaking
results of a preliminary issue and consultation assessment.
activities is accomplished through:
5.4.4.3 Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory
(a) communicating and seeking industry input on TCCA’s Council (CARAC) Plenary
rulemaking and strategic priorities;
The CARAC plenary provides an open forum for the aviation
(b) identifying critical or contentious issues that indicate a need industry and TC to exchange on the content and execution of
to examine and revise, where necessary, existing regulations, TCCA’s rulemaking and strategic priorities in light of the
policies, standards or procedures to maintain or improve operational and emerging technological needs of the aviation
aviation safety in Canada; industry.
(c) soliciting and identifying aviation industry needs for full
consideration through direct involvement and consultation; 5.4.4.4 Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA)
Management Team
(d) developing and maintaining administrative tools in order
to engage the aviation industry at various stages of the The TCCA management team has the responsibility to identify
rulemaking process; and prioritize regulatory issues and to consider, approve and
(e) eliminating, wherever possible, constraints to system safety direct the implementation of recommendations made by CARAC
and allowing for efficiency through regulations and focus groups and special technical committees, as applicable.
standards to reduce complexity and increase the productivity The Director, Standards or the Director, Policy and
of the overall aviation safety system; Regulatory Services assesses proposals and supportive
(f) minimizing the regulatory burden where safety is not documentation before they are submitted to a focus group or
compromised; special technical committee. The relevant director appoints the
focus group leader and chairs the special technical committee
(g) maximizing, to the extent practicable, the compatibility meetings. They are responsible for reporting the outcome of a
of the Canadian regulatory system with that of other focus group or special technical committee meeting to the TCCA
regulatory authorities (e.g. ICAO standards and management team. The Director, Policy and Regulatory Services
recommended practices, FAA, EASA) where safety or is responsible for managing the CARAC process and for ensuring
efficiency benefits can be derived; and that the aviation industry representatives are sufficiently diverse
(h) transmitting comprehensive and accurate information to in order to gather a range of views and expertise.
the aviation industry in a timely manner.
5.4.4.5 Secretariat
5.4.4 Organizational Structure The Secretariat establishes, implements and maintains all systems
CARAC is a joint undertaking of government and the aviation required to allow CARAC to properly function. The Secretariat
community for formal consultations with aviation stakeholders is managed by Policy and Regulatory Services and serves as the
on all aspects of rulemaking activities. The participation of a focal point for consultations on civil aviation regulatory
large number of organizations and individuals is sought to development issues within TC.
represent the overall viewpoint of the aviation community.
Participants include management and labour organizations that 5.4.5 Project Resources
represent air operators, manufacturers, and professional
associations. Apart from the full-time Secretariat, resource support is solicited
from within TCCA and the aviation community, as required.
Costs incurred by stakeholder organizations participating in a
5.4.4.1 Focus Group
CARAC focus group, special technical committee or plenary
A focus group reviews technical or safety policy issues; provides are expected to be borne by those organizations. The CARAC
technical expertise; conducts risk assessments; and develops Secretariat will provide, where available, meeting facilities and
possible solutions and recommendations within the scope of a administrative support, such as decision records.
defined terms of reference. Focus group members are comprised
of selected subject matter experts from the industry and TC. A 5.4.6 Communication
focus group is established based on the results of a preliminary
issue and consultation assessment. Comprehensive and timely communications are given top
priority. The appropriate and timely participation of representatives
from the aviation community and from within TC in the CARAC
5.4.4.2 Special Technical Committee
process is key to an effective consultation process with the aviation
A special technical committee provides advice and community.
recommendations to TCCA’s management team on regulatory
issues and formal regulatory proposals. A special technical
committee discusses policy objectives and supportive
46
The CARAC Activity Reporting System, accessible at <http:// To report an aircraft accident, occurrence or incident, contact
GEN
wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/NPA-APM/crs.aspx>, provides the AOC 24 hours a day, seven days a week at:
supportive documentation on any given issue that aviation Tel. (toll-free):...................................................1-877-992-6853
stakeholders were consulted on. These documents include Tel.:........................................................................ 613-992-6853
preliminary issue and consultation assessments, notice of Fax (toll-free):...................................................1-866-993-7768
proposed amendments, focus group reports, decision records Fax:.........................................................................613-993-7768
and documents presented at the plenary.
<http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/2/IR-RI/av_i_r.
aspx?lang=eng>.
5.4.7 Information
The information presented in this part is in the process of being
published in greater detail in a revised CARAC Management 7.0 CIVIL AVIATION ISSUES
Charter and Procedures. Those interested in becoming CARAC REPORTING SYSTEM (CAIRS)
members or wishing to obtain more information about CARAC
may contact the CARAC Secretariat by mail, telephone or e-mail As of March 31, 2016, the Civil Aviation Issues Reporting
at: System (CAIRS) is no longer in operation.
Transport Canada (AARBH) The aviation community and the public can report issues,
CARAC Secretariat concerns and hazards to the Civil Aviation Communications
330 Sparks Street Centre.
Ottawa ON K1A 0N8
In an effort to maintain confidentiality, steps have been taken
Tel.: ........................................................................613-990-1847 by the communications centre to handle confidential enquiries;
E-mail: ..............................................................carrac@tc.gc.ca however, incoming submissions must be clearly marked, in title
and body, as confidential.
6.0 AVIATION OPERATIONS Please send all enquiries to the Civil Aviation Communications
Centre:
CENTRE (AOC) Civil Aviation Communications Centre (AARC)
Transport Canada
6.1 AVIATION OPERATIONS CENTRE Place de Ville, Tower C, 5th floor
(AOC)—CIVIL AVIATION ACCIDENT, 330 Sparks Street
OCCURRENCE AND INCIDENT Ottawa ON K1A 0N8
REPORTING
Tel.: ....................................................................1-800-305-2059
The Aviation Operations Centre (AOC) monitors the national Fax: ........................................................................613-957-4208
civil air transportation system (NCATS) 24 hours a day, seven E-mail: ............................................................ services@tc.gc.c
days a week and responds to NCATS emergencies that require
the attention or coordination of concerned functional branches,
including regional offices and other departments or agencies.
The AOC is the initial point of contact for all aviation-related
occurrences. It receives reports on accidents, occurrences and
any incidents that occur within the NCATS from various sources,
including NAV CANADA, airport authorities, Public Safety
Canada, law enforcement agencies, other government
departments, foreign governments, and the general public. These
reports are continuously monitored and then distributed to the
appropriate functional areas of Transport Canada Civil
Aviation (TCCA) for review, trend analysis, investigation (if
necessary), and final inclusion in the Civil Aviation Daily
Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS).
Reports requiring a regional, modal, multi-modal, inter-
departmental, or an outside agency’s attention are immediately
forwarded to that agency for further action. For more information
about the AOC, please see AIP Canada ENR 1.14 available on
the NAV CANADA Web site.
47
GEN
48
AGA—AERODROMES 1.1.4 Contaminated Runway Operations
1.1.4.1 Canadian Civil Aerodromes
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION At Canadian aerodromes where snow removal and ice control
operations are conducted, assessment and mitigation procedures
are carried out to the extent that is practicable in order to provide
1.1 GENERAL movement surfaces that will permit safe operational use.
All flights into, from, or over the territory of Canada and all Pilots who are confronted with conditions produced by the
flights landing in such territory shall be carried out in accordance ever-changing Canadian climate must be familiar with and
AGA
with Canada’s civil aviation regulations. Aircraft arriving into anticipate the overall effect of contaminated runways on aircraft
or departing from the territory of Canada must first land at an handling characteristics in order to take any corrective actions
aerodrome at which customs control facilities have been provided. considered necessary for flight safety.
For information about which aerodromes provide customs
In general terms, whenever a contaminant, such as water, snow,
service, see the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) or the Canada
or ice, is present on the runway surface, the effective coefficient
Water Aerodrome Supplement (CWAS), Section B, “Aerodrome/
of friction between the aircraft tire and runway is reduced.
Facility Directory.” If the heading CUST (customs) appears in
However, the accelerate-stop distance, landing distance, and
the left-hand column of an aerodrome table, the aerodrome is
crosswind limitations contained in the AFM are demonstrated
an airport of entry (AOE) with customs service.
in accordance with specified performance criteria on dry runways
The privileges extended to aircraft are subject to proper during the aircraft certification flight test program and are thus
authorization of each flight and to whatever restrictions the valid only when the runway is dry.
Government of Canada may, from time to time, or in specific
As a result, the stop portion of the accelerate-stop distance will
cases, deem to be warranted.
increase, the landing distance will increase, and a crosswind
will present directional control difficulties.
1.1.1 Aerodrome Authority
It is therefore expected that pilots will take all necessary action,
Transport Canada is responsible for the surveillance of all certified including the application of any appropriate adjustment factor
civil aerodromes in Canada. Contact information for to calculate stopping distances for their aircraft as may be required
Transport Canada’s offices can be found in GEN 1.1.1. based on the RSC and CRFI information.
1.1.2 International Civil Aviation 1.1.4.2 Department of National Defence Aerodromes

Organization (ICAO) Documents
Snow removal and ice control policy and procedures at Canadian
See ICAO Annex 14, Volumes I and II. military aerodromes are similar to those of Canadian civil
aerodromes; however, the military aerodrome operator might
1.1.3 Canadian Runway Friction Index (CRFI) not use the same type of friction measuring equipment to obtain
the average runway friction index.
Many airports throughout Canada are equipped with mechanical
and electronic decelerometers which are used to obtain an average
of the runway friction measurement. The average decelerometer 1.1.5 Wildlife Hazard
reading of each runway is reported as the CRFI. Experience has Certified airports in Canada are required to have a plan to identify
shown that results obtained from the various types of and control the hazards wildlife (birds and other animals) present
decelerometers on water, slush, wet snow, and dry snow exceeding to flight operations. The risk of wildlife strikes may increase
a 1-inch depth are inaccurate, and the CRFI will not be available during spring and autumn migrations; however, airports can
when these conditions are present. be subject to hazardous wildlife year-round. Pilots should monitor
Aerodromes equipped with runway friction decelerometer ATIS for information concerning this hazard.
capability are listed in the CFS under RWY DATA. For more information on wildlife hazards, migratory birds, and
Operational data relating to the reported average CRFI and the wildlife-strike reporting, see AIP Canada ENR 5.6.
methods to be used when applying these factors to aircraft
performance are presented in AIR 1.6. 1.2 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Some airports are designated “international airport” by
Transport Canada to support international commercial air
transport. See AIP Canada GEN 1.2.2.1 for information on
international commercial flights.
49
1.2.1 International Civil Aviation airports. Aerodrome users are, however, reminded that the
Organization (ICAO) Definitions improvement of aerodrome physical characteristics, visual aids,
lighting, and markings beyond the basic regulatory requirements
International Scheduled Air Transport, Regular Use (RS): An
for aerodromes stated in CAR 301 is a matter of individual
aerodrome which may be listed in the flight plan as an aerodrome
aerodrome operators’ initiative. Such improvements do not
of intended landing.
require regulatory compliance, nor are those improvements
International Scheduled Air Transport, Alternate Use (AS): An inspected or certified in accordance with the standards and
aerodrome specified in the flight plan to which a flight may recommended practices applicable for the certification of
proceed when it becomes inadvisable to land at the aerodrome aerodromes as airports, heliports, or water airports.
of intended landing.
AGA
International General Aviation, Regular Use (RG): All aircraft 2.1.1 Registration

other than those operated on an international air service. Subsection 301 also regulates the “Registration” process, which
is used to publish and maintain information on an aerodrome
NOTE:
in the CFS or the CWAS. The regulation specifies that an
Any of the listed regular aerodromes may be used as a regular
aerodrome operator can expect:
or alternate aerodrome.
(a) to have their aerodrome registered in the appropriate
publication when they provide the necessary information
1.3 AERODROME DIRECTORY
with respect to location, markings, lighting, use, and
Complete general data on Canadian aerodromes is listed in the operation of the aerodrome;
Canada Flight Supplement (CFS). ICAO Type A Charts are
(b) to have their aerodrome denied registration in the appropriate
available from NAV CANADA’s Aeronautical Information
publication if they do not meet the aerodrome regulatory
Management (AIM) (see MAP 4.2.1 and <https://www.navcanada.
requirements for markers and markings, warning notices,
ca/en/aeronautical-information/instrument-flight-rules-ifr-
wind direction indicator, and lighting;
publications-.aspx>).
(c) to assume responsibility of immediately notifying the
1.4 AERONAUTICAL GROUND LIGHTS Minister of any changes in the aerodrome’s published
information regarding its location, markings, lighting, use,
Information on aeronautical ground lights can be found in the or operation; and
Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) under the LIGHTING entry
(d) to have their aerodrome classed as a registered aerodrome
in the table of the aerodrome they serve or on visual flight
when it is published in the CFS or CWAS.
rules (VFR) navigational charts.
NOTE:
2.0 AERODROMES AND AIRPORTS No aerodrome operator is obliged by these regulations to have
information published in the CFS or CWAS. The Minister may
choose not to publish information for a site that is considered
2.1 GENERAL to be hazardous to aviation safety.
An aerodrome is defined by the Aeronautics Act as:
In addition to the initial inspection during the application for
Any area of land, water (including the frozen surface thereof) registration, other inspections are done on an as-required basis,
or other supporting surface used, designed, prepared, equipped once the aerodromes are registered, to verify their compliance
or set apart for use either in whole or in part for the arrival, with CARs and the accuracy of their information as it is published
departure, movement or servicing of aircraft and includes in the CFS or the CWAS. Such information, however, is only
any buildings, installations and equipment situated thereon published for the convenience of the pilot and should be confirmed
or associated therewith. through contact with the aerodrome operator before the pilot
This has a very broad application for Canada where there are uses a site.
no general restrictions preventing landings or takeoffs. There
are defined exceptions, but, for the most part, all of Canada can 2.1.2 Certification
be an aerodrome. Besides “aerodrome” and “registered aerodrome,” other terms
Rules for operating an aerodrome are provided in Part III of the include “airport,” “heliport,” and “water airport.” These are
Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) under Subpart 301. The aerodromes for which a certificate has been issued under
objective is to define the minimum safety standards that must Subpart 302 of the CARs or Subpart 305 for heliports. The
be offered as well as to make provision for inspection by the objective is to protect those, such as the fare-paying public and
Minister. Aerodrome operators are encouraged, in the interest residents in the vicinity of an airport, who do not have the
of aviation safety, efficiency, and convenience, to improve their knowledge or ability to protect themselves and who could thus
aerodromes beyond the basic regulatory requirements using, as be affected by unsafe operations. This is achieved by ensuring
guidelines, the standards and recommended practices applicable sites are inspected periodically for compliance with
for the certification of aerodromes as airports, heliports, or water Transport Canada standards for obstacle limitation surfaces,
50
physical characteristics, marking, lighting, maintenance 2.3.2 Applicability of Airport Certification

procedures, emergency response services, etc., which have been
The requirement for aerodrome certification applies to:
recorded in the Airport/Heliport Operations Manual. The current
information is to be communicated to all interested aircraft (a) any aerodrome that is located within the built-up area of a
operators through the CFS, the CAP, NOTAMs, and voice city or town;
advisories, as applicable. See AGA 2.3 for more information (b) any land aerodrome that is used by an air operator for the
about aerodrome certification. purpose of a scheduled service for the transport of passengers;
and
2.2 USE OF AERODROMES, AIRPORTS,
(c) any other aerodrome, where the Minister is of the opinion
AND HELIPORTS
AGA
that it is in the public interest for that aerodrome to meet
An aerodrome, airport, or heliport listed in the Canada Flight the requirements necessary for the issuance of an airport
Supplement (CFS) or the Canada Water Aerodrome certificate because it would further the safe operation of
Supplement (CWAS) that does not require prior permission of the aerodrome.
the aerodrome or airport operator for aircraft operations is
Exemptions include:
called a public-use aerodrome, airport, or heliport.
(a) military aerodromes; and
An aerodrome, airport, or heliport that can be listed in the CFS
or CWAS but whose use can be limited is called a private-use (b) aerodromes for which the Minister has written an exemption
aerodrome. This can include: and an equivalent level of safety is defined.
(a) Prior Permission Required (PPR): The aerodrome operator’s
permission is required prior to use. All military aerodromes 2.3.3 Transport Canada’s Responsibilities
require PPR for Civilian aircraft. The responsibilities of Transport Canada include:
(b) Prior Notice Required (PN): The aerodrome operator owner (a) developing safety standards, policies, and criteria for
or operator is to be notified prior to use so that current elements such as, but not limited to:
information on the aerodrome may be provided.
(i) physical characteristics of the manoeuvring area,
NOTES: including separations,
1. Pilots and aerodrome operators are reminded that trespass (ii) marking and lighting, and
restrictions are not applicable to aircraft in distress. (iii) obstacle limitation surfaces in the vicinity of airports,
2. Pilots intending to use a non-certified aerodrome are advised heliports and water airports;
to obtain current information from the aerodrome operator (b) reviewing aeronautical studies where variances from airport
concerning operating conditions prior to using that certification safety standards are required;
aerodrome for aircraft operations.
(c) certifying and inspecting against the requirements and
conditions of the respective operations manuals (for airports,
2.3 AIRPORT/HELIPORT/WATER AIRPORT heliports, or water airports); and
CERTIFICATION
(d) verifying, amending, and relaying, as appropriate, pertinent
2.3.1 General airport/heliport/water airport information to be identified
in the appropriate AIS publications.
Transport Canada is responsible for the regulatory development
and compliance oversight in support of a safe national air 2.3.4 Operator’s Responsibilities
transportation system. Therefore, airports supporting commercial
operations involving the carrying of passengers must meet The responsibilities of the operator of an airport/heliport/water
accepted safety standards. The airport operator that holds an airport include, but are not limited to:
airport certificate testifies that the aerodrome meets such safety (a) complying with the applicable regulations and standards
standards. Where variances from airport certification safety in Part III of CARs;
standards are required, studies will be undertaken to devise
offsetting procedures, which will provide equivalent levels (b) completing and distributing an approved operations manual;
of safety. (c) maintaining the facility in accordance with the requirements
specified in the airport/heliport/water airport operations
manual; and
(d) advising Transport Canada and aircraft operators whenever
services or facilities fall below requirements prescribed in
the operations manual or differ from the information
published in the aeronautical publications for their
aerodrome.
51
2.3.5 Airport Certification Process 2.4.2 Airport Certificate Validity and

Amendments
Airport certification is a process whereby Transport Canada
certifies that an aerodrome meets airport certification safety The airport certificate is a legal aviation document that remains
standards and that aerodrome data, as provided by the owner valid as long as the airport is operated and maintained in
or operator and as confirmed by Transport Canada inspectors accordance with the operations manual. Periodic inspections
at the time of certification, is correct and published in the are conducted to verify continued conformity to the certification
appropriate aeronautical information publications. When these standards and conditions specified in the operations manual.
requirements are met, an airport certificate is issued. The airport
Transport Canada may make amendments to the conditions
certificate documentation includes:
applicable to the issuing of an airport certificate when:
AGA
(a) the airport certificate, which certifies that the airport meets
(a) an approved variance from certification standards and a
required standards at the time of issuance; and
change in the conditions of certification are required;
(b) the operations manual, which details the airport
(b) there is a change in the use or operations of the airport; and
specifications, facilities, and services, and specifies the
responsibilities of the operator for the maintenance of airport (c) it is requested by the holder of the airport certificate.
certification standards. The operations manual is a reference
for airport operations and inspections, which ensures that 3.0 RUNWAY CHARACTERISTICS
variances from airport certification safety standards and
the resulting conditions of airport certification are approved.
3.1 RUNWAY LENGTH AND WIDTH
2.3.6 Regulatory References for Aerodrome Runways are generally dimensioned to accommodate an aircraft
Certification (Airport/Heliport/ considered to be the critical aircraft. Critical aircraft is defined
Water Airport) in the fifth edition of the Transport Canada publication titled
The regulatory authority for airport, heliport, and water Aerodrome Standards and Recommended Practices (TP 312) as
airport certification is Subpart 302 of the CARs. The regulatory “the aircraft identified as having the most demanding operational
authority for heliport certification can be found under Part III requirements with respect to the determination of movement
of the CARs, which includes reference to the respective compliance area dimensions, and other aerodrome physical characteristics
standards for aerodrome certification. Depending on the date at the aerodrome or part thereof”. To identify the critical aircraft,
on which the certificate was initially issued, some aerodrome flight manual performance data of a variety of aircraft is
operators may be complying with previous versions of the examined. Once the critical aircraft has been determined, the
certification standards. longest distance determined after analyzing both take-off and
landing performance is used as the basis for runway dimensions.
Generally, the runway width can be increased by a maximum
2.4 AIRPORT/HELIPORT/WATER AIRPORT
of 60 m as a function of length.
CERTIFICATE
3.2 RUNWAY STRIP
2.4.1 Issue
Each runway is bounded by a runway strip on its sides and ends
A certificate will be issued when an inspection confirms that
to protect aircraft that overfly the runway at very low altitudes
all requirements for airport certification have been met, including
during a balked approach for landing. This is achieved by
the following:
restricting the presence of objects to only those that must be in
(a) where variance from the certification standards exists, proximity of the runway as part of normal operations and by
measures have been implemented to provide for an equivalent prescribing frangibility requirements.
level of safety; and
(b) the operations manual has been approved by the Regional 3.3 RUNWAY SAFETY AREA
Director, Civil Aviation. Each runway is bounded by a prepared area on its sides and
ends, within the dimensions of the runway strip. It is graded to
prevent catastrophic damage to aircraft leaving the runway sides.
3.4 RUNWAY END SAFETY AREA (RESA)

On some runways there may be an area, at the end and beyond
the runway strip, prepared to reduce the severity of damage to
an aircraft overrunning or undershooting the runway.
52
3.5 RUNWAY THRESHOLD DISPLACEMENT 3.9 CLEARWAY

Occasionally, natural and human-made obstacles penetrate the A clearway is defined in the Aerodrome Standards and
obstacle limitation surfaces of the approach paths to runways. Recommended Practices (TP 312) as “a defined rectangular area
over land or water under the control of the aerodrome operator,
To ensure that a safe clearance from these obstacles is maintained,
selected as a suitable area over which an aircraft may make a
it is necessary to displace the threshold upwind from the adjacent
portion of its initial climb to a specified height”.
runway end where the approach slope cannot be raised. In the
case of runways for which instrument approach procedures (IAP)
are published in the Canada Air Pilot (CAP), the usable runway 3.10 DECLARED DISTANCES
distances for landings and takeoffs are specified as declared The Canada Air Pilot (CAP) provides information on declared
AGA
distances. The displacements are also depicted on the aerodrome distances, which are defined in the fifth edition of the Aerodrome
or airport diagram in both the CAP and the Canada Flight Standards and Recommended Practices (TP 312) as follows:
Supplement (CFS). For other runways that do not have approaches
published in the CAP, the requisite data is given in the CFS. “The distances that the aerodrome operator declares available
Where a threshold is displaced, it is marked as shown in AGA 5.4.1, for aircraft take-off run, take-off distance, accelerate stop
Figure 5.5. distance, and landing distance requirements. The distances are
categorized as follows:
When the portion of the runway preceding the threshold is
marked with arrows (see AGA 5.4.1), it is permissible to use that (a) Take-off run available (TORA): The length of runway
portion of the runway for taxiing, takeoff, and landing roll-out declared available and suitable for the ground run of an
from the opposite direction. When taking off from the end aircraft taking off.
opposite the threshold, pilots should be aware of the fact that (b) Take-off distance available (TODA): The length of the takeoff
there are obstacles present that have penetrated above the run available plus the length of the clearway, if provided.
approach slope leading to the physical end of the runway and
(c) Accelerate-stop distance available (ASDA): The length of
have resulted in the threshold being displaced. In some cases,
the takeoff run available plus the length of the stopway, if
this may result in the publication of a specified climb and/or
provided.
visibility.
(d) Landing distance available (LDA): The length of the runway
3.6 RUNWAY TURN PAD available and suitable for the ground run of an aircraft
landing.”
Some runways have thresholds that are not served directly by
taxiways. In such cases, there may be a runway turn pad, a widened 3.11 RAPID-EXIT TAXIWAYS
area that can be used to facilitate turnaround. Pilots are cautioned
that these pads do not give sufficient clearance from the runway To reduce the aircraft runway occupancy time, some aerodromes
edge and thus cannot be used for holding while other aircraft or airports provide rapid-exit taxiways, which are connected to
are using the runway. the runway at an angle of approximately 30 degrees.
3.7 BLAST PAD 3.12 RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY BEARING

STRENGTH
A blast pad is defined in the Aerodrome Standards and
Recommended Practices (TP 312) as “an area before the threshold The bearing strength of some aerodrome or airport pavement
that is prepared to resist erosion arising from jet exhaust or surfaces (runways, taxiways, and aprons) that is required to
propeller wash.” When over 60 m in length, this entire paved, withstand continuous use by aircraft of specific weights and tire
non-load-bearing surface is marked with yellow chevrons, as pressures has been assessed at specific locations. The
shown in AGA 5.4.2, Figure 5.6. Transport Canada (TC) pavement load rating (PLR) and
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) pavement
3.8 STOPWAY classification number (PCN) define the weight limits at or below
which the aircraft may operate on pavements without prior
A stopway is defined in the Aerodrome Standards and approval of the aerodrome or airport authority. The tire pressure
Recommended Practices (TP 312) as “a rectangular area on the and aircraft load rating (ALR)/aircraft classification
ground at the end of take-off run available prepared as a suitable number (ACN) must be equal to or less than the PLR/PCN
area in which an aeroplane can be stopped in the case of a rejected figures published for each aerodrome or airport. Aircraft
takeoff”. Where paved, it is marked over its entire length with exceeding the published load restrictions may be permitted for
yellow chevrons (when its length exceeds 60 m) as shown in limited operations following an engineering evaluation by the
AGA 5.4.2, Figure 5.6, and is lit with red edge and end lights in airport operator. Requests to permit such operations should be
the take-off direction. Its length is included in the accelerate-stop forwarded to the airport operator and should include the aircraft
distance available (ASDA) declared for the runway. type, operating weight, and tire pressure, as well as the frequency
of the proposed operation and the pavement areas required at
the aerodrome or airport.
53
3.12.1 Pavement Load Rating Charts 3.13.2 Heliport Classification

Operators who require information about the aircraft weight Non-instrument heliports have three classifications: H1, H2,
limitations in effect at an aerodrome or airport can contact the and H3.
aerodrome or airport operator.
H1 heliports have no suitable or available emergency landing
areas within 625 m of the FATO. Their use is restricted to
3.13 HELIPORTS multi-engine helicopters capable of remaining 4.5 m above all
Because of the unique operational characteristics of helicopters, obstacles within the defined approach/departure pathways when
a heliport’s physical characteristics differ significantly from the operating in accordance with their AFM with one engine
physical characteristics of other aerodromes. For instance, a inoperative.
AGA
heliport does not require a runway, but instead requires a final H2 heliports do have suitable and available emergency landing
approach and take-off area (FATO). The FATO is 1.5 times larger areas within 625 m of the FATO; however, they may only be used
than the longest helicopter for which the heliport is certified by multi-engine helicopters because the associated approach
and is surrounded by a safety area, which is to be kept free of slopes are higher due to high obstacles within the approach/
obstacles, other than visual aids. departure pathways.
Figure 3.1—FATO/Safety Area H3 heliports have suitable and available emergency landing areas
within 625 m of the FATO and no obstacles that penetrate the
OLSs; they may therefore be used by single- or multi-engine
helicopters. Heliport classifications are specified in the CFS.
3.13.3 Heliport Operational Limitations

All heliports have three operational limitations. The limitations
for each specific heliport are listed in the CFS.
The load-bearing strength shall be identified for each elevated
or rooftop FATO or floating supporting structure. Surface-level
heliports do not need to list a load-bearing strength.
The maximum helicopter overall length shall be identified for
each FATO. This is calculated as the width or diameter of each
3.13.1 Final Approach and Take-Off Area (FATO) FATO, divided by 1.5. This number represents the largest size
of helicopter for which the FATO is certified.
Obstacle-free arrival and departure paths to and from a FATO
are always required. In some cases, a FATO can be offset from The heliport category (instrument or non-instrument) and
the intended landing area. In this case, helicopter parking classification, as detailed in AGA 3.13.2, above, shall also be
positions are established on an apron area and pilots will hover listed.
taxi to transition between the FATO and the parking position.
Figure 3.2—Heliport General Layout

4.0 OBSTACLE RESTRICTIONS
4.1 GENERAL
The safe and efficient use of an aerodrome, airport, or heliport
can be seriously compromised by the presence of obstacles within
or close to the take-off or approach areas. The airspace in the
vicinity of take-off or approach areas, which is to be maintained
free from obstacles so as to facilitate the safe operation of aircraft,
FATO with TLOF
FATO
(NoTLOF)
is defined for the purpose of:
Safety Area
Ground
taxiway
Air taxiway
(a) regulating aircraft operations where obstacles exist;
Helicopter parking positions
(b) removing obstacles; or

(c) preventing the creation of obstacles.
Illustration of a heliport general layout
54
4.2 OBSTACLE LIMITATION 4.3 AIRPORT ZONING REGULATIONS

SURFACES (OLS)
4.3.1 General
4.2.1 General
An airport zoning regulation is a regulation applicable to a given
An OLS establishes the limit to which objects may project into airport pursuant to section 5.4(2) of the Aeronautics Act that
the airspace associated with an airport so that aircraft operations imposes restrictions on land use, including vertical development,
at the airport may be conducted safely. It includes an approach with the objective of protecting an airport’s current and future
surface, a take-off surface, and a transitional surface. accessibility, usability, and viability by:
(a) preventing lands adjacent to or in the vicinity of a federal
AGA
Figure 4.1—Example of OLSs
airport or an airport site from being used or developed in
a manner that is, in the opinion of the Minister, incompatible
transitional
(2nd segment)
with the operation of an airport;
transitional
(1st segment)
(b) preventing lands adjacent to or in the vicinity of an airport
approach
strip
slope change
surface or airport site from being used or developed in a manner
(Note 1)
that is, in the opinion of the Minister, incompatible with
PLAN VIEW
transitional
the safe operation of an airport or aircraft; and
runway
45 m (c) preventing lands adjacent to or in the vicinity of facilities

approach surface used to provide services relating to aeronautics from being
2nd slope
used or developed in a manner that would, in the opinion
1st slope inner edge
PROFILE VIEW 3D VIEW
of the Minister, cause interference with signals or

communications to and from aircraft or to and from those
4.2.2 Heliports facilities.
Heliports are normally served by two approach and departure
NOTE:
paths. In some instances, they only have one approach and
An airport zoning regulation applies only to land outside the
departure path and will then require a transitional surface.
boundary of the airport it protects. Obstacles within an airport
Figure 4.2—Heliport Take-off/ boundary must not penetrate an OLS for the runway(s) involved
Approach Areas and Surfaces unless the obstacle is exempted as a result of an aeronautical study.
4.3.2 Airports Where Zoning Regulations Are

in Effect
A list of airports where airport zoning regulations are in effect
is maintained in the Regional Aerodrome Safety office and
online on the Aeronautics Act page of the Department of Justice
Web site, under the heading “Regulations made under this Act”.
5.0 MARKERS, MARKINGS, SIGNS,

AND INDICATORS
5.1 AIRCRAFT TAKE-OFF OR LANDING

AREA BOUNDARY MARKERS
The take-off or landing area boundaries of aerodromes without
prepared runways are indicated by conical- or gable-type markers
(highway-type cone markers are acceptable) or by evergreen
trees in winter. No boundary markers are required if the entire
movement area is clearly delineated from that of the surrounding
ground. The markers are typically coloured international orange
and white or solid international orange.
55
Figure 5.1—Examples of Conical and Gable Markers 5.3 SEAPLANE DOCK MARKERS

gable markers
(alternate arrangement)
Seaplane docks are marked to facilitate their identification. The
stopway edge markers conical markers gable markers dock is marked with an equilateral triangle measuring 2.4 m on
each side. The dock to which this marker is affixed also has red
stopway unpaved runway
and white side markings.
Figure 5.3—Seaplane Dock Markers

90 m
90 cm
AGA
75 cm
white border
(refer text)
break point
top view side view 5 cm above ground
conical type marker (runway edge)

red or
m
2.4
90 cm
approach side:
background colour fluorescent orange
75 cm
(refer text)
top view side view
conical type marker (stopway)
1m
min. 2.4 m min.
50 cm
75 cm max. break point
(refer text) 5 cm above ground
side view front view dock marker

gable type marker
5.2 AIR TAXIWAY EDGE MARKERS

The edges of the air taxiway route are indicated by markers
35 cm in height that consist of three horizontal bands of equal
size arranged vertically. The top and bottom bands are yellow
and the middle one is green.
Figure 5.2—Air Taxiway Edge Marker

red/white side marking
35 cm
56
5.4 RUNWAY MARKINGS 5.4.1 Displaced Threshold Markings

Runway markings vary depending on the runway’s length, width, Figure 5.5—Displaced Threshold Markings
surface type, and, if available, aircraft group number (AGN).
They are described in detail in Transport Canada’s Aerodrome
Standards and Recommended Practices (TP 312).
Where an aiming point marking is provided, it is white and
located at a specific distance from the threshold per Table 5.1 THRESHOLD MARKINGS Threshold bar
below.
1.8 m 30 m ≤ L1≥ L2 1.8 m
6m
AGA
NOTE: Formula to be used
Table 5.1—Location of Aiming Point Marking for multiple arrows
1.8 m
15 m min
7.5 m ≤ a ≤ 15 m a a a
a = width of runway a a
2 2
Declared landing distance Location of aiming point

no. of arrows
(minimum 2 arrows)
available (LDA) marking distance from
DISPLACED PORTION OF RUNWAY
DISPLACED PORTION OF RUNWAY

L1
threshold (m) 50 m min

75 m max
ARROW DETAIL
less than 800 m 150 L2 10 m

85 cm
800 m up to but not including 250

1 200 m
3m
OR
30 m min
1 200 m up to but not 300 3 lines

15 cm
wide at 10 m
including 2 400 m 35 cm
centres
THRESHOLD MARKINGS
2 400 m or more 400 3m
PERMANENT TEMPORARY
Where touchdown zone (TDZ) markings are provided, they are
white and found in pairs in accordance with Table 5.2 and
Figure 5.4 below. The location of pairs of TDZ markings is based NOTE:
on a horizontal spacing of 150 m. However, aiming point markings When the threshold must be displaced for a relatively short
take precedence over TDZ markings; therefore, a pair of TDZ period of time, painting a temporary threshold bar is impractical.
markings is omitted if it would otherwise fall within 50 m of Instead, flags, cones, or wing bar lights are installed to indicate
the aiming point marking. the position of the displaced threshold. A NOTAM or voice
advisory warning of the temporary displacement will contain
Figure 5.4—Aiming Point and TDZ Markings a description of the markers and the expected duration of the
900 m displacement in addition to the length of the closed portion and
750 m
600 m
the remaining usable runway.
400 m
LDA: 2400 m or more

300 m
450 m
LDA: 1500 m up to but not including 2400 m
300 m
450 m LDA: 1200 m up to but not including 1500 m

250 m Touchdown zone
marking
300 m LDA: 900 m up to but not including 1200 m
150 m
LDA: less than 900 m

Threshold Aiming zone
marking marking
57
5.4.2 Stopway Markings

The paved area preceding a runway threshold prepared,
maintained, and declared as a stopway is marked with yellow
chevrons when its length exceeds 60 m. This area is not available
for taxiing, the initial take-off roll, or the landing rollout. The
chevron markings may also be used on blast pads.
Table 5.2—TDZ Marking Pairs

AGA
Distance between thresholds/declared Location of TDZ markings Location of aiming Pairs of TDZ
LDA distance from threshold (m) point marking distance markings
from threshold (m)
less than 900 m 0 150 0

900 m up to but not including 1 200 m 150 250 1
1 200 m up to but not including 1 500 m 150 and 450 300 2
1 500 m up to but not including 2 400 m 150, 450 and 600 300 3
2 400 m or more 150, 300, 600, 750 and 900 400 5
Figure 5.6—Stopway Markings 5.4.3 Runway Holding Position Markings

Runway holding position markings are provided near all runway/
Threshold markings taxiway intersections and runway/runway intersections to protect
the operational environment of the runway in use. They may
TORA
LDA
LDA
Threshold bar
1.8 m also be established at other locations to protect the arrival and
departure flight paths to a runway.
1.8 m
The standard runway holding position marking consists of two
solid and two dashed lines as depicted in Figure 5.7.
Some airports may have multiple runway holding position
markings on a given taxiway. These additional markings are
TORA
commonly referred to as having a ladder-type pattern as depicted

in Figure 5.7. It is important to note that in all cases, the runway
Demarcation
bar
holding position marking nearest to the runway will be the
standard presentation.
½D
Runway ½D
0.9 m
centreline 15 - 30 m
Figure 5.7—Runway Holding Position Markings
D
45° 45°
15 - 30 m
PRE-THRESHOLD AREA
PRE-THRESHOLD AREA
(Eg. Stopway or Blast pad)
(Eg. Stopway or Blast pad)
Supplemental runway holding

15 - 30 m
position marking
0.9 m 7.5 m
max
15 - 30 m
Standard runway holding

position marking
15 - 30 m
½D
1.5 m max
Note: For information on marking tolerances, refer to the respective standards.
58
5.5 HELIPORTS 5.5.5 Helicopter Parking Position Markings

Helicopter parking position markings consist of two concentric
5.5.1 Heliport Touchdown and Lift-Off yellow circles. The diameter of the outer circle shall not be less
Area (TLOF) Marking than 1.2 times the overall length of the longest helicopter for
When the perimeter of the TLOF is not otherwise obvious, it which the helicopter parking position is certified. The diameter
will be marked by a solid white line. of the inner circle is one-third of the size of the outer circle. An
“H” marking will be centred within the inner circle.
5.5.2 Safety Area Markers Figure 5.9—Helicopter Parking Position Markings
The safety area that surrounds the FATO may be indicated by
AGA
gable, conical, or other types of suitable markers or markings.
5.5.3 Heliport Identification Markings

Heliports are identified by a white capital letter “H” centred
within the TLOF. Where it is necessary to enhance the visibility
of the letter “H”, it may be centred within a dashed triangle.
Hospital heliports are identified by a red capital letter “H” centred
5.5.6 Approach and Take-Off Direction
within a white cross.
Indicator Markings
The letter “H” will be oriented with magnetic north, except in
There may be heliports where, due to nearby obstacles or noise-
the area of compass unreliability, where it will be oriented with
sensitive areas, approach and take-off directions are designated.
true north.
The direction of the approach and take-off paths is indicated by
Figure 5.8—Heliport Identification Markings a double-headed arrow, showing their inbound and outbound
directions. The arrows are located beyond the edge of the safety
Maximum allowable
area or on the aiming point marking.
NORTH
mass indicator
(x 1 000 lbs.)
Figure 5.10—Approach and Take-Off Direction Marking
(Dashed
triangle optional)
1.8 m
0.60 m
Approach / Take-off
HOSPITAL HELIPORTS HELIPORT MARKINGS path centre line
2m
1/2 L
5.5.4 Final Approach and Take-Off Area (FATO)
Markers
Where practicable, the boundary of the FATO will be indicated
L
by gable, conical, or other types of suitable markers. The markers
shall be frangible and shall not exceed a height of 25 cm. An
aiming point marking will be provided and located in the centre 5.6 CLOSED MARKINGS
of the FATO, where practicable. Where the direction of the The closed portion of the runway may be shown on the aerodrome
helicopter parking position is not obvious, an indicator will or airport diagram in the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) and
show its direction. the Canada Air Pilot (CAP) for identification purposes; however,
declared distances will only include runway length starting at
the new threshold position.
Runways, taxiways, helicopter final approach and take-off
areas (FATO), and other helicopter areas that are closed to
operations are marked by “Xs”, as shown in Figure 5.11. Snow-
covered areas may be marked by “Xs” using conspicuously
coloured dye.
“Xs” applied to runways are white in colour and placed within
a maximum spacing of 300 m of each other. For taxiways, the
“Xs” are yellow in colour and placed at each end of the
closed portion.
59
For helicopter FATOs, the “X” is white in colour. For other 5.8 AIRSIDE SIGNS
helicopter areas such as helicopter parking positions, the “X” is
yellow in colour. 5.8.1 General
Figure 5.11—Closed Markings The primary purpose of airside signs is to ensure the safe and
expeditious movement of aircraft on the aprons, taxiways, and
runways by providing direction and information to pilots.
300 m
max.
The two main categories of airside signs are information signs
and mandatory instruction signs, differentiated by using black/
yellow and red/white colour combinations, respectively.
AGA
5.8.2 Information Signs

Information signs identify a specific destination, location,
frequency, or routing information to pilots. The inscriptions
taxiway
incorporate arrows, numbers, letters, or pictographs to convey
instructions or to identify specific areas.
helicopter parking position FATO
(a) Location Sign: A location sign has a yellow inscription on
a black background and is used to identify the taxiway that
A lighted “X” may also be used within 75 m of the threshold to
the aircraft is on or entering. A location sign never contains
mark a temporary full-length closure of a runway.
arrows.
Figure 5.12—Lighted “X” Marking a (b) Direction Sign: A direction sign has a black inscription on
Temporary Full-Length Runway Closure a yellow background and is used to identify the intersecting
taxiways toward which an aircraft is approaching. The sign
is, whenever practicable, positioned on the left-hand side
of the taxiway and prior to the intersection. A direction
sign will always contain arrows to indicate the approximate
angle of intercept. Direction signs are normally used in
combination with location signs to provide the pilot with
position information. The location sign will be in the centre
or datum position. In this configuration, all left turn
direction signs are located to the left of the location sign
and all right turn direction signs are located to the right of
the location sign.
The only exception to this rule is for a simple “T” intersection,
where the information sign is located on the opposite side
(the top of the “T”) of the intersection, facing the taxiway.
When a taxiway continues through the intersection and
changes heading by more than 25° or changes its designation,
a direction sign will indicate this fact.
5.7 UNSERVICEABLE AREA MARKERS (c) Runway Exit Signs: A runway exit sign has a black inscription
on a yellow background and is used to identify a taxiway
Unserviceable portions of the movement area other than runways that exits a runway. The sign is positioned prior to the
and taxiways are delineated by markers such as marker boards, intersection on the same side of the runway as the exit. The
cones, or red flags and, where appropriate, a flag or suitable sign will always contain an arrow and will indicate the
marker is placed near the centre of the unserviceable area. Red approximate angle at which the taxiway intersects the
flags are used when the unserviceable portion of the movement runway. When a taxiway crosses a runway, a sign will be
area is sufficiently small for it to be by-passed by aircraft without positioned on both sides of the runway. Runway exit signs
affecting the safety of their operations. may be omitted in cases where aircraft do not normally use
the taxiway to exit or in cases of one-way taxiways.
60
(d) Destination Signs: A destination sign has a black inscription Signs installed at locations other than the runway ends shall
on a yellow background and is used to provide general show the designator for both runways. A location sign is
guidance to points on the airfield. These signs will always positioned in the outboard position beside the runway
contain arrows. The use of destination signs will be kept to designator.
a minimum. Airports with a good direction sign layout will In the following examples, “A” shows that an aircraft is
have little need for destination signs. located on Taxiway “A” at the threshold of Runway 34. The
(e) Other Information Signs: Other information signs have a second example has the aircraft on Taxiway “C” at the
black inscription on a yellow background and include intersection of Runway 34/16. The threshold of Runway 34
information such as stand identification, parking areas and is to the left and Runway 16 to the right.
frequency.
AGA
Figure 5.14—Examples of Runway Designation Signs
Figure 5.13—Information Signs
DIRECTION AND LOCATION
Stand-alone location sign (note 2)
right turn direction sign left turn direction sign
taxiway taxiway
side side
For airports located within the area of compass unreliability,

RUNWAY EXIT
(note 2) (note 2) the same rules apply, except that the sign shows the exact true
azimuth of the runway(s) as a three-digit number.
DESTINATION Figure 5.15—Runway Designation Sign

Inbound Destination Signs
in Area of Compass Unreliability
Outbound Destination Signs (note 2)
RUNWAY VACATED
ILS Critical Area Boundary Sign (b) Category I, Category II, and Category III holding position
signs: CAT I, CAT II, and CAT III holding position signs are
installed to protect the ILS critical area during IFR precision
INTERSECTION TAKEOFF RUN AVAILABLE operations. A sign is installed on each side of the taxiway in
line with the CAT I/II/III hold position marking. The inscription
will consist of the designator of the runway and the inscription
LEGEND Yellow Black Notes: CAT I, CAT II, CAT III, or a combination, as appropriate.
(1) Colour display is for internally illuminated signs. Refer to Figure 5-59 for
colour display of pixel [fibre-optic] signs.
(2) Arrows are orientated in increments of 22.5 degrees.
NOTE:
5.8.3 Mandatory Instruction Signs Where only one holding position is necessary for all categories
of operation, a CAT I/II/III sign is not installed. In all cases, the
Mandatory instruction signs are used to identify runway last sign before entering a runway will be the runway designation
designations, holding positions, NO-ENTRY areas, and sign.
obstacle-free zones, where pilots must receive further ATC
clearance to proceed. At uncontrolled aerodromes, pilots are (c) NO-ENTRY sign: A NO-ENTRY sign, as shown in Figure 5.16,
required to hold at points marked by these signs until they have will be located at the beginning and on both sides of the
ascertained that there is no air traffic conflict. Mandatory area to which entrance is prohibited.
instruction signs have white letters, numbers, or symbols against (d) APCH sign: Located at a runway holding position that has
a red background and are installed on both sides of a taxiway been established for the protection of approach or departure
or runway, unless it is physically impossible to do so and provided paths. The airport configuration may be such that these
that an equivalent painted sign marking is provided on the holding positions are located on runways or taxiways.
taxiway or runway.
(a) Runway Designation Sign: A runway designation sign is
installed at all taxiway/runway and runway/runway
intersections at certified aerodromes. A runway designation
sign is used for runways certified for VFR, IFR non-precision,
and take-off operations. The sign, when installed at the
runway end, shows the designator of the departure runway.
61
Figure 5.16—Mandatory Instruction Signs For night operations the wind direction indicator will
Runway designation Indicates a runway-holding position at a runway extremity.
be illuminated.
of a runway Note: For single runway designators, the width of the sign is
extremity increased to make the red background more conspicuous.
NOTE:
Runway designation Indicates runway-holding position located at other than a At aerodromes certified as airports, a dry standard wind direction
of both extremities runway extremity. A runway holding position sign at a
of a runway runway/runway intersection does not include a location sign. indicator will react to wind speed as follows:
Indicates a runway holding position at
runway/runway/taxiway, or Table 5.3—Wind Indicator Angle Based on Wind Speed
runway/runway/runway intersection.
ILS Indicates a Category I runway-holding position at

AGA
Category I hold
position
the threshold of a runway (e.g. rwy25). Wind Speed Wind Indicator Angle
15 kt or above Horizontal
ILS Indicates a Category II runway-holding position
Category II hold
position
at the threshold of a runway (e.g. rwy25). 10 kt 5˚ below horizontal
6 kt 30˚ below horizontal
ILS Indicates a Category III runway-holding
Category III hold position at the threshold of a runway
position (e.g. rwy25).
At aerodromes not certified as airports, non-standard wind
ILS Indicates a joint Category II and III indicator systems, which could react differently to wind speed,
Category II and III runway-holding position at the
hold position threshold of a runway (e.g. rwy25). may be in use.
NO ENTRY Indicates that entry to an area is prohibited.
6.0 OBSTRUCTION MARKING AND

Approach or
departure surface
Indicates a runway holding position that has
been established for the protection of an
LIGHTING
holding position approach or departure surface OLS to a runway
6.1 GENERAL
5.8.4 Illumination of Airside Signs
Where an object, regardless of its height, has been assessed as
Airside signs are illuminated at airports that are used at night or
constituting an obstacle to air navigation as per subsection
in low visibility. Signs, which are illuminated internally, may be
601.23(1) of the Canadian Aviation Regulation (CARs), it requires
of two types. One type has a sign face constructed from material,
marking and/or lighting in accordance with the standards
such as plexiglass, which permits the entire sign face to be
specified in CAR Standard 621.
illuminated. The other type has a sign face that incorporates
imbedded fibre optic bundles that illuminate the individual letters,
numbers, and arrows, not the face of the sign. At night or in low 6.2 REGULATIONS
visibility, pilots approaching a fibre optic sign will see RED Sections 601.23– 601.27 of t he Canadian Aviation
illuminated characters on mandatory instruction signs, YELLOW Regulations (CARs) provide regulations regarding marking and
characters on a location sign, and WHITE characters on all other lighting of obstacles to air navigation. The following objects are
information signs. marked and/or lighted in accordance with the standards specified
in CAR Standard 621:
5.9 WIND DIRECTION INDICATORS (a) any object penetrating an airport obstacle limitation
At aerodromes that do not have prepared runways, the wind surface (OLS) as specified in Chapter 4 of Aerodrome
direction indicator is usually mounted on or near some Standards and Recommended Practices (TP 312);
conspicuous building or in the vicinity of the general aircraft (b) any object greater than 90 m above ground level (AGL)
parking area. within 6 km of the geographical centre of an aerodrome;
Runways greater than 1 200 m in length will have a wind direction (c) any object greater than 90 m AGL within 3.7 km of the
indicator for each end of the runway. It will be typically located imaginary centreline of a recognized visual flight rules (VFR)
adjacent to the touchdown zone, 60 m outward from the edge of route, including but not limited to a valley, a railroad, a
the runway, and clear of the obstacle-free zone. transmission line, a pipeline, a river, or a highway;
Runways 1 200 m in length and shorter will have a wind direction (d) any permanent catenary wire crossing where any portion
indicator located centrally on the aerodrome or near each end of the wires or supporting structures exceeds 90 m AGL;
of the runway, typically positioned in proximity to the aiming
point markings. (e) any object greater than 150 m AGL; and
(f) any other object, other than the above, deemed by the
Minister to represent a likely hazard to aviation safety, in
accordance with section 601.25 of the CARs.
62
6.3 AERONAUTICAL EVALUATION 6.5 LIGHTING

A person planning to erect or modify an obstacle, namely a Lighting is installed on obstructions in order to warn pilots of
building, structure, or object, including a moored balloon or a potential collision.
kite, either permanently or temporarily, is required to contact
The required intensity for this lighting is based upon an
the appropriate regional Transport Canada Civil Aviation office
acquisition distance from which the pilot would recognize the
at least 90 days prior to erection and provide the information
lighting as identifying an obstruction, and be able to initiate
on the planned obstruction, using Form 26-0427E, Aeronautical
evasive action to miss the obstruction by at least 600 m. For an
assessment form for obstacle notice and assessment, available in
aircraft operating at 165 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS), the
Transport Canada’s forms catalogue at <https://wwwapps.tc.
acquisition distance is 1.90 km. For an aircraft operating between
gc.ca/Corp-Serv-Gen/5/forms-formulaires/search/
AGA
165 and 250 KIAS, the acquisition distance is 2.4 km.
results?Keywords=&FormNumber=26-0427&Transportation
Mode=&Format=&ResultView=Submit>. A variety of lighting systems are used on obstructions. Table 6.1
indicates the characteristics of light units according to their
6.4 MARKING name or designation. Although these designations are similar
to those of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the
Day marking of obstructions that are 150 m above ground level (AGL) photometric characteristics (intensity distribution) are not
in height or less, such as poles, chimneys, antennas, and cable necessarily the same.
tower support structures, may consist of alternate bands of
aviation orange and white paint. A checkerboard pattern may CL-810 lights are used primarily for night protection on smaller
be used for water tanks, as shown in Figure 6.1. Where a structure structures and for intermediate lighting on antennas of more
is provided with medium or high-intensity white flashing strobe than 45 m.
lighting systems that are operated during the day, paint marking CL-856 lights are used primarily for high structures and day
of the structure may be omitted. protection on towers where marking may be omitted.
Figure 6.1—Storage Tank Marking CL-857 lights are used for lighting catenary crossings where
marking can be omitted.
CL-864 lights are used for night protection of extensive obstacles,
such as wind farms and towers, of more than 45 m.
roof or a portion of may be
solid orange where the
For CL-865 lights, when operated 24hr/day on towers of less than 150m,
projection is equal or less
than 1.5 m paint marking may be omitted.
ANYTOWN.CA
CL-866 lights are used for white catenary lighting.
CL-885 lights are used for red catenary lighting.
1/2
to
2/3
6.5.1 Rotating Obstruction Light
The majority of flashing obstruction light units are of a strobe
(capacitor discharge) design. An exception is one type of CL-865
medium-intensity flashing light, which is of a rotating design,
i.e. the light display is produced by rotating lenses. Since this
particular light unit might otherwise be mistaken for an
aerodrome beacon, colour coding is used to produce a sequenced
display of white, white, red, white, white, and red.
Figure 6.2—Rotating Obstruction Light
The rotating type CL-865 also has the same 20 000 candela
intensity for nighttime as for daytime operation. The absence
of dimming is allowed for two reasons: (1) the specified intensities
are minimum requirements; and (2) the rotating characteristic
does not produce glare for the pilot.
63
6.5.2 Tower Configurations

Depending on the height of the towers and other factors, the
installation of lights on towers and antennas may vary as shown
in Figure 6.3.
Figure 6.3—Configurations of Lighting
on Skeletal Structures
Appurtenance
more than 12 m
in height
AGA
A A' A' B C D E F configuration

dual dual
CL-810 CL-864 CL-865 CL-864 CL-856

red LI red MI white MI CL-865 white HI
dual
Table 6.1—Light Unit Characteristics
Intensity Value Flash Rate

Name Colour Intensity Signal Type
(candelas) (flashes per min)
CL-810 red low 32 steady burning n/a
CL-856 white high 200 000 flashing 40
CL-857 white high 100 000 flashing 60
CL-864 red medium 2 000 flashing 20–40
CL-865 white medium 20 000 flashing 40
CL-866 white medium 20 000 flashing 60
CL-885 red medium 2 000 flashing 60
6.6 APPURTENANCES 6.7 SUSPENDED CABLE SPAN MARKINGS

Where an obstruction is provided with a red obstruction lighting Suspended cable spans, such as power line crossings, assessed
system, any appurtenance 12 m in height will require an as being hazardous to air navigation are normally marked with
obstruction light at the base of the appurtenance. Where such coloured balls suspended from a messenger cable between the
an appurtenance is more than 12 m in height, the light must be tops of the support towers. The support towers are obstruction
installed on the top of the appurtenance. If the appurtenance is painted. When painting the support towers is not practical, or
not capable of carrying the light unit, the light may be mounted when additional warning is necessary, shore markers painted
on the top of an adjacent mast. international orange and white will be displayed. In some cases,
older marker panels that have not been updated are of a
Where a high-intensity white flashing lighting system is required,
checkerboard design.
appurtenances higher than 12 m in height will require a
top-mounted medium-intensity white flashing omnidirectional An alternative method of marking is to use strobe lights on
light unit. shore-based cable support towers. Normally three levels of lights
are installed as follows: one light unit at the top of the structures
to provide 360° coverage; two light units on each structure at
the lowest point of the arc of the lowest cable; and two light units
64
at a point midway between the top and bottom levels with 180° 6.8 AIRCRAFT DETECTION SYSTEMS
coverage. The beams of the middle and lower lights are adjusted
A technology has been developed so that obstacle lighting is
so that the signal will be seen from the approach direction on
activated only when required to alert pilots who are on a flight
either side of the power line. The lights flash sequentially: middle
path that may lead to a collision with the obstacle. The system
lights followed by the top lights and then the bottom lights in
addresses public complaints regarding light pollution.
order to display a “fly up” signal to the pilot. The middle light
may be removed in the case of narrow power line sags; in this The system uses radar to detect and track aircraft. The potential
case the bottom lights will flash first then the top lights will for collision with an obstacle is determined by the aircraft’s
flash in order to display a “fly up” signal to the pilot. When speed and angle of approach. If there is a risk of collision, the
deemed appropriate by an aeronautical study, medium-intensity lighting turns on and an audio warning (if provided) is broadcast
AGA
white flashing omnidirectional lighting systems may be used on the very high frequency (VHF) radio. The lighting does not
on supporting structures of suspended cable spans lower than turn on until it is needed by the detected aircraft. Since the
150 m above ground level (AGL). system uses radar, its operation is independent of any equipment
on board the aircraft (e.g. a transponder).
Obstruction markings on aerial cables (i.e. marker balls) that
define aeronautical hazards are generally placed on the highest The obstacle lighting is turned on and the audio warning is
line for crossings where there is more than one cable. Obstruction emitted approximately 30 s before the aircraft reaches the obstacle.
markings can also be installed on crossings under the Navigation In the case of catenaries, the audio warning will state “POWER
Protection Act. In this case, the marker balls are placed on the LINE, POWER LINE”. For other types of obstructions, a different
lowest power line and are displayed to water craft as a warning message will be sent. In some cases, such as those involving wind
of low clearance between the water and an overhead cable. farms near aerodromes, an audio signal might not be provided,
in order to avoid confusing pilots making an approach to landing.
In accordance with the foregoing, pilots operating at low levels
may expect to find power line crossings marked as either an Any questions or comments may be directed to the
aeronautical hazard or a navigable water hazard. They may be Transport Canada Flight Standards office in Ottawa
unmarked if it has been determined by the applicable department (see GEN 1.1.1 for contact information).
or agency that they are neither an aeronautical nor a navigable
waters hazard. Pilots operating at low altitudes must be aware
of these hazards and exercise extreme caution.
7.0 AERODROME LIGHTING
Figure 6.4—Markers for Cable Span 7.1 GENERAL
The lighting facilities available at an aerodrome or airport are
described in the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS). Information
concerning an aerodrome or airport’s night lighting procedures
staggering of markers on highest wire
is included as part of the description of lighting facilities, where
routine night lighting procedures are in effect. Where night
lighting procedures are not published for an aerodrome or airport,
pilots should contact the aerodrome operator concerned and
request that the appropriate lights be turned on to facilitate their
intended night operations.
wire markers
orange and white 7.2 AERODROME BEACON
Many aerodromes are equipped with a flashing white beacon
pole marker
light to assist pilots in locating the aerodrome at night. The
orange and white aerodrome beacon may be of the rotating or flashing type. The
5 m diameter filled aviation orange circle
on a 6m square aviation white panel.
flash frequency of beacons at aerodromes or airports used by
aeroplanes is 22 to 26 evenly spaced flashes per minute (fpm)
for rotating beacons or 20 to 30 for flashing beacons.
The flash frequency of beacons at aerodromes and heliports
used only by helicopters is sequenced to transmit the Morse code
letter “H” (in groups of four quick flashes) at the rate of three to
four groups per minute.
65
7.3 MINIMUM NIGHT LIGHTING Figure 7.2—ODALS

REQUIREMENTS AT AERODROMES
Section 301.07 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) ODALS
requires that any area of land that is to be used as an aerodrome 450 m
runway
at night shall have fixed (steady) white lights to mark the runway,
and fixed red lights to mark unserviceable (hazardous) areas. 90 m
flashing lights
Retroreflective markers may be substituted for lights to mark the
runway at aerodromes, provided alignment lights are installed
(see AGA 7.19). This alternative for night marking of runways, (c) Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System (MALS)
AGA
however, is not approved for certified sites. or Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System with
Sequenced Flashing Lights (MALSF): This system
7.4 UNSERVICEABLE AREA LIGHTING consists of seven barrettes of variable-intensity lights spaced
60 m apart, commencing 60 m from the threshold, over a
Unserviceable areas within the manoeuvring area of an aerodrome distance of 420 m. In a MALSF, the three barrettes farthest
being used at night are marked by steady burning red lights away from the threshold contain a sequenced flashing light
outlining the perimeter of the unserviceable area(s). Where it is unit. These lights flash sequentially towards the threshold,
considered necessary in the interest of safety, one or more flashing repeating at two cycles per second.
red lights may be used in addition to the steady red lights.
Figure 7.3—MALSF
7.5 APPROACH LIGHTING
MALSF
The approach lighting systems depicted in the Canada Flight 420 m
Supplement (CFS) include the following:
runway
7.5.1 Non-Precision Approach Runways 60 m
flashing steady
lights burning lights threshold
(a) Low Intensity Approach Lighting System (LIAL): This
system is provided on non-precision approach runways and (d) Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System with
consists of aviation yellow fixed-intensity twin light units Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (MALSR): This
spaced at 60-metre intervals commencing 60 m from the system consists of variable-intensity approach lights spaced
threshold and extending back for a total distance of 900 m 60 m apart, commencing at 60 m from the threshold, and
(terrain permitting). extending 720 m. This system consists of the following:
Figure 7.1—LIAL (i) seven barrettes of light over a distance of 420 m;
(ii) one side barrette of light on each side of the centreline
LIAL
barrette at 300 m from the runway threshold; and
900 m
runway
(iii) five sequenced flashing lights over the remaining

60 m distance of 300 m. These lights flash in sequence
dual fixtures towards the threshold at a rate of two cycles per
second.
(b) Omnidirectional Approach Lighting System (ODALS): The MALSR has the same configuration as the SSALR, but
This system is a configuration of seven omnidirectional, has lower intensity lights.
variable-intensity, sequenced flashing lights. An ODALS
provides circling, offset, and straight-in visual guidance for Figure 7.4—MALSR
non-precision approach runways. There are five lights on
the extended centreline commencing 90 m from the threshold
MALSR
and spaced 90 m apart over a total distance of 450 m. Two 720 m
lights are positioned 12 m to the left and right of the threshold.
runway
The system flashes towards the threshold, then the two

threshold lights flash in unison; the cycle repeats once 60 m
per second. flashing lights
steady burning lights
threshold
(e) Simplified Short Approach Lighting System (SSALS):

This system is the same as MALS (i.e. MALSF without the
sequenced flashing lights) but high intensity lights are used
instead. (See Figure 7.3 for the layout without the sequenced
flashing lights.)
66
7.5.2 Precision Approach Runways Pilots and/or air operators should ensure that the VASIS type
to be used is appropriate to the given aircraft type, based on the
(a) Simplified Short Approach Lighting System with
EWH group for that aircraft. If this information is not already
Runway Alignment Indicator Lights (SSALR): This system
available in the AFM or other authoritative aircraft manuals
is the same as the MALSR but high intensity lights are used
(e.g. the flight crew operating manual), the aircraft manufacturer
instead. See Figure 7.4 for the layout.
should be contacted.
(b) Approach Lighting System with Sequenced Flashers—
CAT II (ALSF-2): This system consists of rows of five white CAUTION:
variable-intensity light units placed at longitudinal intervals Incompatibility between the EWH and the VASIS type could
of 30 m commencing 30 m from the threshold and extending result in decreased terrain clearance margins and, in some cases,
AGA
for a total distance of 720 m. In view of the very low decision even premature contact with terrain (e.g. a CFIT accident).
height associated with CAT II operations, the following
additional lights are provided: The current Canadian civil aviation standard for VASIS is the
PAPI. Some airports still have the older VASI systems. The VASI
(i) runway threshold (green) and PAPI light units have the same purpose of descent indication
(ii) 150 m distance bar (white with red barrettes) with respect to an approach corridor but are arranged in a
different pattern, as shown below.
(iii) side barrettes (red)
The VASI and PAPI have lights normally situated on the left side
Figure 7.5—ALSF-2 of the runway only. When available strip widths preclude the
use of a full system, an AVASI or APAPI, consisting of only two
light units, may be installed.
ALSF-2
720 m
Where a PAPI or VASI signal has been harmonized with an
runway
electronic vertical guidance signal, it will be for the critical

aircraft with a specific EWH group as determined by the airport
flashing lights steady burning lights 30 m
operator. It is therefore possible for the pilot flying an aircraft
threshold type from a different EWH group to see a conflict between the
approach vertical guidance signal and the visual (VASI/PAPI)
7.6 VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATOR glide slope signal.
SYSTEMS (VASIS)
7.6.2 Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) V1
7.6.1 General and V2 and Abbreviated VASI (AVASI) AV
VASIS is a generic term referring to different approach slope The VASI (V1 and V2) consists of four light units situated on
indicators. Types of VASIS are VASI (visual approach slope indicator), the left side of the runway in the form of a pair of wing bars (two
AVASI (abbreviated VASI), PAPI (precision approach path indicator), light units per wing bar), referred to as the upwind and downwind
and APAPI (abbreviated PAPI). wing bars. Each light unit of a wing bar projects a beam of light.
A VASIS consists of a series of lights visible from approximately The upper part of the beam shows white while the lower part
4 NM and designed to provide visual indications of the desired shows red. When the pilot is:
approach slope to a runway (usually 3°). At a certified airport, (a) above the approach slope, both upwind and downwind bars
aircraft following the on-slope signal are provided with safe show white.
obstruction clearance to a minimum of 6° on either side of the
(b) on the approach slope, the upwind bar shows red and the
extended runway centreline out to 7.5 km (4.1 NM) from the
downwind bar shows white.
runway threshold. Newly certified airports are commonly
protected up to 8° on each side of the extended runway centreline (c) below the approach slope, both upwind and downwind bars
and up to 15 km (8 NM) from the runway threshold. Exceptions show red.
will be noted in the CFS. Descent using VASIS should not be (d) well below the approach slope, the lights of the two wing
initiated until the aircraft is visually aligned with the runway bars merge into one red signal.
centreline.
The AVASI (AV) consists of two light units situated on the left
The vertical distance from a pilot’s eyes to the lowest portion of side of the runway in the form of a pair of wing bars (one light
the aircraft in the landing configuration is called the unit per wing bar). The display is similar to that of a VASI and
eye-to-wheel height (EWH), and this distance varies from less depends on the position of the pilot’s eyes.
than 10 ft (3 m) up to 45 ft (14 m) for some wide-bodied aircraft,
such as the B-747. Consequently, approach slope indicator systems
are related to the EWH for the critical aircraft declared by the
airport operator, and they provide safe wheel clearance over the
threshold when the pilot is receiving the on-slope indication.
67
Figure 7.6—VASI and AVASI Display CAUTION:

Lens Contamination—The PAPI/APAPI light box is a sealed
design with a front lens or cover glass. When the temperature
VASI (V1, V2) AVASI (AV) of the PAPI/APAPI unit lens or cover glass descends below the
dew point, frost or condensation may occur depending on the
ABOVE season. Frost or condensation contamination may produce a
APPROACH
false signal by mixing the red and white colours of the beam.
SLOPE
Under these conditions, the relative intensities of the red and
ON white portions of the beam may cause the mixture to be perceived
UPWIND BAR
APPROACH as predominantly white in colour for a period of time after the
AGA
DOWNWIND BAR
SLOPE PAPI/APAPI is first turned on. Since the mixture may be
BELOW interpreted as a fly-down signal, the pilot should be aware of
APPROACH other cues (e.g. the runway perspective) so as to avoid descent
SLOPE below the OPS. When the PAPI/APAPI provides a true signal,
it should display a crisp transition from white to red as the aircraft
descends through the sectors. If contamination is suspected,
7.6.3 Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) flight crews are advised to disregard the PAPI/APAPI display.
and Abbreviated PAPI (APAPI)
PAPI consists of four light units typically situated on the left 7.6.4 Categories According to Eye-To-Wheel
side of the runway in the form of a wing bar. When the pilot is: Height (EWH) in the Approach
(a) well above the approach slope, all four units show white. Configuration
(b) slightly above the approach slope, the one unit nearest the
runway edge shows red and the other three show white. 7.6.4.1 General
(c) on or close to the approach slope, the two units nearest the VASIS are categorized according to the EWH in the approach
runway edge show red and the two units farthest from the configuration, as shown in Tables 7.1 and 7.2 below. Where a
runway edge show white. VASIS is given for a published category, it is intended to be
useable by all aircraft within the stated EWH group unless
(d) slightly below the approach slope, the three units nearest otherwise stated.
the runway edge show red and the other shows white.
(e) well below the approach slope, all four units show red. NOTE:
The EWH is the vertical distance in-flight of the eye path to the
APAPI consists of two light units situated on the left side of the wheel path, as shown in Figure 7.8, and is determined by the
runway in the form of a wing bar. When the pilot is: approach slope angle and the pitch angle for the maximum
(a) above the approach slope, both units show white. certified landing weight at Vref. This should not be confused with
the horizontal and vertical dimensions as may be measured
(b) on or close to the approach slope, the unit nearer to the
when the aircraft is on the ground.
runway edge shows red and the unit farther from the runway
edge shows white.
7.6.4.2 Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI)
(c) below the approach slope, all units show red.
Categories
Figure 7.7—PAPI and APAPI Display The VASI installations are designed according to aircraft height
group categories AV, V1, and V2, as indicated in Table 7.1. The
PAPI (P1, P2, P3) APAPI (AP) greater the value of the EWH in the approach configuration,
the farther the VASI is installed upwind from the threshold to
TOO
HIGH provide the appropriate MEHT.
Table 7.1—VASI Categories

SLIGHTLY
HIGH Category System Aircraft height group EWH
in the approach configuration
ON CORRECT AV AVASI 0 ft (0 m) ≤ EWH < 10 ft (3 m)
APPROACH PATH
V1 VASI 0 ft (0 m) ≤ EWH < 10 ft (3 m)
SLIGHTLY LOW
V2 VASI 10 ft (3 m) ≤ EWH < 25 ft (7.5 m)
TOO LOW
68
7.6.4.3 Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) 7.6.6 Obstacle Protection Surface (OPS)

Categories
For certified aerodromes, the installation of a PAPI or an APAPI
PAPI and APAPI installations are designed for aircraft height requires the establishment of an obstacle protection surface (OPS).
group categories AP, P1, P2, and P3, as indicated in Table 7.2. The OPS provides a buffer below unit angle A, which, for PAPI,
The greater the value of the EWH in the approach configuration, is the transition from one white light and three red lights to four
the farther the PAPI is installed upwind from the threshold to red lights, and for APAPI, is the transition from one white light
provide the appropriate MEHT. and one red light to two red lights, as shown in Figure 7.9. Objects
do not penetrate the OPS. Where an object or terrain protrudes
Table 7.2—PAPI Categories above the OPS and beyond the length of the approach OLS, one
of a number of possible measures may be taken such as raising
AGA
Category System Aircraft height group EWH
in the approach configuration the approach slope, moving the PAPI further upwind of the
AP APAPI 0 ft (0 m) ≤ EWH < 10 ft (3 m) threshold, or reducing the operational length of the OPS and
marking/lighting the obstacle. At some aerodromes, particularly
P1 PAPI 0 ft (0 m) ≤ EWH < 10 ft (3 m)
in mountainous regions, a limitation is established as a PAPI
P2 PAPI 10 ft (3 m) ≤ EWH < 25 ft (7.5 m) useable distance from the threshold and is published in the CFS.
P3 PAPI 25 ft (7.5 m) ≤ EWH < 45 ft (14 m) The PAPI signal is not to be used until the aircraft is within that
The aircraft position with respect to the PAPI display is shown specified distance. For more information about OPS dimensions,
in Figure 7.8. The approach corridor is defined by the setting see Aerodromes Standards and Recommended Practices (TP 312).
angles of light units C and B. The MEHT is defined by the angle Figure 7.9—PAPI/APAPI OPS
M, which is 2 min of arc below the angle B. This accounts for
the pilot’s difficulty in discerning when the transition from
A
white to full red has occurred. The available MEHT is the sum OPS inner edge
Divergence
of the EWH in the approach configuration and the prescribed Obstacle protection surface (OPS)
26
wheel clearance. The distance D for the location of the PAPI D
C
from the threshold is calculated using the tangent of the angle M. B
A
In other words, D = MEHT/tan(M). For more information about PAPI
Plan View Display

wheel clearance, see Aerodromes Standards and Recommended e
PAPI APAPI
p
Practices (TP 312). proac
h slo
ngle
Ap Aa
Unit
Figure 7.8—PAPI: Pilot Eye Path to Wheel Path
C M = B - 2' PAPI OPS
r B
rr ido
co
ch
A B C D
proa Threshold
ap
eye path
ON CORRECT
APPROACH PATH 7.7 RUNWAY IDENTIFICATION LIGHTING
wheel path
MEHT EWH
7.7.1 Runway Threshold Identification

wheel to threshold clearance
Lights (RTIL)
PAPI
threshold These are provided at aerodromes where terrain precludes the
D
installation of approach lights, or where unrelated non-
aeronautical lights or the lack of daytime contrast reduces the
7.6.5 Knowing the Eye-to-Wheel Height (EWH) effects of approach lights. When an aerodrome is equipped with
For a particular category of PAPI and aircraft group, there is an RTILs, it is indicated in the CFS by the notation “AS”.
available wheel clearance. This is why knowing the EWH in the
approach configuration is important. For example, if your aircraft
belongs in the aircraft height group for a P3 PAPI, using a P2
PAPI means having much less wheel clearance at threshold
crossing. Figure 7.8 also shows why flying below the approach
corridor (with the lights showing three red and one white) is not
recommended.
69
7.7.2 Visual Alignment Guidance System (VAGS) 7.8.2 Runway Threshold Lights and Runway End
Lights (RENL)
The VAGS consists of two lights similar to RTILs. However, by
means of light beam rotation, the pilot is presented with a Runway threshold/end indication is provided by green and red
sequenced display, as shown in Figure 7.10 below. The display light units respectively, in the form of a pair of bars along the
directs the pilot towards the runway/helipad axis, where he or threshold on each side of the runway centreline, where there is
she then sees the lights flash simultaneously. an ODALS or where no approach lighting is provided. Red shows
in the direction of takeoff and green shows in the approach
Figure 7.10—VAGS direction.
Where approach lighting other than ODALS is provided, an
AGA
AIRCRAFT
LEFT OF AXIS
approach threshold bar that extends across the full width of the
runway forms part of the approach lighting configuration.
Figure 7.11 shows the different configurations of such lights.
FLASH SEQUENCE
1 2 RENL are always provided. Runway threshold lights are
AIRCRAFT independent from approach threshold bar lights and are only
ON AXIS
lit if the approach threshold bar is not lit.
SIMULTANEOUS FLASHES
Where MALSR, MALSF or MALS is provided, the green threshold
1 1 lighting is physically separated from the approach threshold bar
AIRCRAFT
RIGHT OF AXIS due to difference in light intensities and circuitry.
Where SSALR or SSALS is provided, the runway threshold lights
FLASH SEQUENCE form part of the approach threshold bar configuration (opposite
2 1
the runway end lights).
7.8 RUNWAY LIGHTING Where an ALSF-2 is provided, the green threshold lighting is
A runway on an aerodrome that is used at night shall display extended farther as wing bars to each side of the runway.
two parallel lines of fixed white lights visible for at least 2 mi. to
mark take-off and landing areas. These lights are arranged so Figure 7.11—Runway Threshold and End Lights
that: RWY Edge Light
(White or Yellow)
(a) the lines of lights or markers are parallel and of equal length Runway
and the transverse distance between the lines is equal to
the runway width in use during the day; With ODALS or no approach lighting
(b) the distance between adjacent lights or markers in each line RWY THLD Lights
(Green)
RWY End Lights
(Red)
is the same and is not more than 60 m (200 ft); Runway
(c) each line of lights or markers is not less than 420 m (1 377 ft)
in length and contains no fewer than eight lights or markers; With MALSR, MALS, MALSF approach lighting
and
(d) each light or marker in a line of lights or markers is situated Approach THLD Bar Runway
opposite to a light or marker in the line of lights or markers (Green)
on the other side of the runway, so that a line connecting With SSALR, SALS approach lighting
them forms a right angle to the centreline of the runway. RWY End Lights
(Red)
For a certified aerodrome, runway lighting may include centreline

Runway
and touchdown zone lighting depending on runway visibility
and approach category.
With ALSF-2 approach lighting
7.8.1 Runway Edge Lights (REDL)

These are variable-intensity white lights at the runway edges
along the full length of the runway spaced at maximum intervals
of 60 m, except at intersections with other runways. On some
runways, a 600-m section of lights or the last third of the runway
at the remote end—whichever is shorter—may show yellow. The
units are light in weight and mounted in a frangible manner.
70
7.8.3 Displaced Threshold Lighting 7.8.5 Runway Touchdown Zone Lighting

Where runway thresholds have been displaced from the beginning Touchdown zone variable intensity white lights are provided on
of the runway, the runway threshold lights and the approach CAT II and CAT III instrument runways. They consist of barrettes
threshold bar are displaced accordingly, using inset lights for of three inset lights disposed on either side of the runway
approach threshold bars and wing bar lights for runway threshold centreline, spaced at 30-m intervals commencing 30 m from the
lights, as follows: threshold. They extend from the threshold for a distance of
900 m down the runway. The lights are unidirectional, showing
Figure 7.12—Displaced Threshold Lighting in the direction of approach to landing.
Figure 7.13—Runway Touchdown Zone Lighting
AGA
runway edge lights - yellow/white
runway edge lights - white
runway > 1 200 m with displacement 600 m
touchdown zone lights - white

In-pavement approach lighting 900 m
approach threshold lights - green
runway edge lights - yellow/white
With ODALS or no approach lighting runway centreline lights - white 600 m
600 m 300 m
alternating red/white centreline lights red centreline lights
900 m
imminence of runway end warning
runway with inset approach lighting and displacement

Inpavement lights displayed to aircraft moving from left to right
7.9 RAPID-EXIT TAXIWAY INDICATOR

LIGHTS (RETIL)
inset approach lighting
approach threshold bar Rapid-exit taxiway indicator lights (RETIL) provide pilots with
With all other approach lighting
distance-to-go information to the nearest rapid-exit taxiway on
the runway. RETIL are fixed unidirectional yellow lights located
on the runway on the same side of the runway centreline as the
7.8.4 Runway Centreline Lighting associated rapid-exit taxiway, in the configuration shown in
Runway centreline lighting is provided on CAT II and CAT III Figure 7.14.
runways. It consists of lights installed on the runway surface
Figure 7.14—Rapid-Exit Taxiway Indicator Lights
spaced at intervals of 15 m. The lights leading in the take-off or
landing direction are variable white from the threshold to 900 m
100 m 100 m 100 m
from the runway end; alternate red and variable white from 60 m
900 m to 300 m from the runway end; and red from 300 m to
the end of the runway.
RETIL
RETILs
2m 2 m lateral
2m spacing
2m
direction of light output
runway centerline
7.10 TAXIWAY LIGHTING
7.10.1 Taxiway Edge Lights

Taxiway edge lights are blue in colour and are spaced at maximum
intervals of 60 m. Where a taxiway intersects another taxiway
or a runway, two adjacent blue lights are placed at each side of
the taxiway where no fillet or curve is provided. To facilitate the
identification of the taxiway entrance for an aircraft on departure
and arriving from the apron, the intersection of an apron with
a taxiway is indicated by two adjacent yellow lights at taxiway/
apron corners.
71
7.10.2 Taxiway Centreline Lights Figure 7.15—Stop Bar Lighting
Taxiway centreline lights are green in colour and are installed

on the taxiway surface. They are spaced at 15-m intervals with
less spacing on taxiway curves. Taxiway centreline lights on an
exit taxiway show alternate green and yellow from their beginning
near the runway centreline to the outer perimeter of the ILS
critical/sensitive area or the runway-holding position, whichever
is farther from the runway; thereafter, all lights show green.
lead-on lights segment

AGA
7.10.3 Stop Bars

90 m
A stop bar is provided at every runway-holding position serving
a runway intended to be used in visibility conditions below
RVR 1200 (¼ SM). Stop bars are located across the taxiway at
the desired stopping point for traffic and consist of lights spaced stopbar
at intervals of 3 m across the taxiway. They show red in the on off on
intended direction of approach to the intersection or runway-
holding position.
Where the stop bar is co-located with taxiway centreline lighting,
a 90-m segment of the taxiway centreline lighting beyond the
stop bar is turned off when the stop bar is illuminated. The stop
bar is illuminated again after a timed duration or by means of
sensors installed on the taxiway.
7.11 RUNWAY GUARD LIGHTS
CAUTION: Runway guard lights are provided at each taxiway/runway
Pilots and vehicle drivers are reminded of the following: intersection to enhance the conspicuity of the holding position
for taxiways supporting runway operations below a visibility
(a) An aircraft or vehicle shall never cross an illuminated stop
value of runway visual range (RVR) 2600 (½ SM). They consist
bar, even with clearance from ATC.
of yellow unidirectional lights that are visible to the pilot of an
(b) ATC switching the illuminated stop bar off does not aircraft taxiing to the holding position, but their configuration
constitute a clearance to enter the runway. may vary:
(c) An aircraft or vehicle shall only proceed past a stop bar (a) They can consist of a series of lights spaced at intervals of
when ATC provides the appropriate verbal clearance AND 3 m across the taxiway. Where this is the case, the adjacent
switches the illuminated stop bar off. lights illuminate alternately and even lights illuminate
(d) If ATC issues a clearance to enter the runway and the stop alternately with odd lights.
bar remains on: (b) They can consist of two pairs of lights, one on each side of
(i) DO NOT PROCEED; the taxiway adjacent to the hold line. Where this is the case,
the lights in each unit illuminate alternately.
(ii) advise ATC that the stop bar is still on; and
(iii) wait for further clearance.
72
7.12 HELIPORT LIGHTING 7.12.2 Final Approach and Take-Off (FATO)

Lighting
7.12.1 Touchdown and Lift-Off Area (TLOF) A FATO perimeter is marked by white or green lights in the
Lighting same configuration as TLOF perimeter lighting (see AGA 7.12.1).
Where a heliport is used at night, the perimeter of the TLOF Where a TLOF is not located within a FATO, the aiming point
may be lighted by yellow perimeter lights or by floodlighting. will be defined by at least seven red aeronautical ground lights
located on the triangular marking.
(a) Yellow perimeter lights: Where the TLOF is circular, no
fewer than eight yellow lights are used to mark the perimeter. FATO or TLOF perimeter lights may be LEDs. Consult the CFS
In a rectangular layout, the perimeter is marked by a for verification of lighting type.
AGA
minimum of four yellow lights on each side, with a light at
CAUTION:
each corner.
Heliports using LED lighting systems may not be visible when
(b) Floodlighting: When provided, the floodlighting will certain NVIS equipment is employed. This is an operational
illuminate the TLOF such that the perimeter marking of limitation of the NVIS equipment, as the purpose of heliport
the TLOF is visible. Floodlight units will be located beyond lighting is to be viewed by the naked eye.
the perimeter of the FATO.
Candela values for heliport lighting systems are detailed in
NOTE: Figure 5-11 of ICAO Annex 14, Volume II.
Perimeter lighting or reflective tape may be used in addition to
floodlighting. Figure 7.17—FATO and Aiming Point Lighting
N N
Figure 7.16—Examples of TLOF Lighting
Luminescent panels Inset lights to be used

(lights may be installed when installed on
as an alternative) dashed form of aiming
TLOF point marking
edge marking
5m Circular TLOF 5m
maximum Inset lights minimum 8 lights maximum
FATO with TLOF FATO without TLOF
TLOF 7.12.3 Approach/Take-Off Direction Lights

edge marking
At some heliports, where it is necessary to follow preferred
approach and take-off paths to avoid obstructions or noise-
Luminescent sensitive areas, the direction of the preferred approach and
panel lights
take-off routes will be indicated by a row of five yellow fixed
5m
maximum 5m
maximum
omnidirectional lights outside the FATO.
Figure 7.18—Maximum Mounting Height for TLOF,

FATO, and Approach/Take-Off Direction Lights
Maximum slope from the first
approach/take-off direction light ± 4%
5 cm max
25 cm max
Approach/Take-Off
direction lights
TLOF FATO length minimum
FATO
73
7.13 EMERGENCY LIGHTING The approved standard for retroreflective markers requires that
they be capable of reflecting the aircraft landing lights so that
Airports with Category (CAT) I, II, and III precision approaches
they are visible from a distance of 2 NM. Pilots are cautioned
in Canada are equipped with a secondary power system for
that the reflective capabilities of retroreflective markers are
visual aids lighting. This system is normally capable of assuming
greatly affected by the condition of the aircraft landing lights,
the electrical load within approximately 15 s for CAT I operations,
the prevailing visibility, and other obscuring weather phenomena.
and within 1 s for CAT II and III operations.
Therefore, as part of pre-flight planning to an aerodrome that
uses retroreflective markers, pilots should exercise extra caution
7.14 AIRCRAFT RADIO CONTROL OF in checking the serviceability of their aircraft landing lights and
AERODROME LIGHTING (ARCAL) making provision for an alternate airport with lighting in case
AGA
Aircraft radio control of aerodrome lighting (ARCAL) systems of an aircraft landing light failure.
are becoming more prevalent as a means of conserving energy,
especially at aerodromes not staffed on a continuous basis or at
which it is not practicable to install a land line to a nearby flight
8.0 AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIRE
service station (FSS). Aside from obstacle lights, some or all of FIGHTING (ARFF)
the aerodrome lighting may be radio-controlled.
Control of the lights should be possible when aircraft are within 8.1 GENERAL
15 NM of the aerodrome. The frequency range is 118 to 136 MHz. Aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) service is provided at
The system is activated via the aircraft very high frequency (VHF) some airports in accordance with the criteria stated in Canadian
transmitter and by pressing the push-to-talk button on the Aviation Regulation (CAR) 303. The primary responsibility of
microphone a given number of times within a specified number an ARFF service is to provide a fire-free egress route for the
of seconds. Each activation will start a timer to illuminate the evacuation of passengers and crew following an aircraft accident.
lights for a period of approximately 15 min. The timing cycle may
be restarted at any time by repeating the specified keying sequence. 8.2 AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIRE
It should be noted that ARCAL Type K runway threshold FIGHTING (ARFF) HOURS OF
identification lights (RTIL) (code AS) can be turned off by keying AVAILABILITY
the microphone three times on the appropriate frequency. The
Aerodromes or airports that provide aircraft rescue and
code for the intensity and the lighting period varies for each
firefighting (ARFF) publish the hours during which an ARFF
installation. Consequently, the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS)
service is operated in the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) under
must be consulted for each installation.
the ARFF annotation. If there are no published hours next to
NOTE: the ARFF critical category number, this means 24-hour service
Pilots are advised to key the activating sequence when beginning is offered.
their approach, even if the aerodrome or airport lighting is on.
This will restart the timing cycle so that the full 15-min cycle 8.3 CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
is available for their approach. Table 8.1 identifies the critical category for firefighting as it
relates to the aircraft size, the quantities of water and
7.15 RETROREFLECTIVE MARKERS complementary extinguishing agents, the minimum number of
aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles, and the total
Some aerodromes may use retroreflective markers in place of discharge capacity. For ease of interpretation, the table is a
lights to mark the edges of runways or helipads. These combination of the two tables found under Canadian Aviation
retroreflective markers are approved for use on runways at Regulation (CAR) 303.
registered aerodromes only; however, they may be used as a
substitute for edge lighting on taxiways or apron areas at some
certified airports.
Retroreflective markers are to be positioned in the same manner
as runway lighting described earlier in this chapter. Therefore,
when the aircraft is lined up on final approach, retroreflective
markers will provide the pilot with the same visual representation
given by normal runway lighting. A fixed white light or strobe
light shall be installed at each end of the runway to assist pilots
in locating the aerodrome and aligning the aircraft with the
runway. Similarly, retroreflective markers at heliports are to be
positioned in the same pattern that is prescribed for helipad
edge lighting.
74
Table 8.1—Classification for ARFF Purposes

Minimum
Maximum Quantity of
Quantity of Number Total Discharge
Aircraft Aircraft Overall Fuselage Complementary
Water of Aircraft Capacity
Category Length Width Agents
(L) Firefighting (L/min)
(m) (kg)
Vehicles
1 less than 9 m 2 230 45 1 230
at least 9 m but
2 2 670 90 1 550
less than 12 m
at least 12 m but
AGA
3 3 1 200 135 1 900
less than 18 m
at least 18 m but
4 4 2 400 135 1 1 800
less than 24 m
at least 24 m but
5 4 5 400 180 1 3 000
less than 28 m
at least 28 m but
6 5 7 900 225 2 4 000
less than 39 m
at least 39 m but
7 5 12 100 225 2 5 300
less than 49 m
at least 49 m but
8 7 18 200 450 3 7 200
less than 61 m
at least 61 m but
9 7 24 300 450 3 9 000
less than 76 m
10 at least 76 m 8 32 300 450 3 11 200
8.4 AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIRE 8.5 AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIRE
FIGHTING (ARFF) STANDBY REQUEST FIGHTING (ARFF) DISCREET
Local standby means the level of response when an aircraft
COMMUNICATION
has, or is suspected to have, an operational defect. This defect The capability to communicate on a discreet frequency is normally
could compromise a safe landing. available at airports that provide aircraft rescue and
firefighting (ARFF) services.
Full emergency standby means the level of response when an
aircraft has, or is suspected to have, an operational defect that
affects normal flight operations to the extent that there is 9.0 AIRCRAFT ARRESTING
possibility of an accident.
SYSTEMS
When informed that an emergency has been declared by a pilot,
the airport aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) unit will take
up emergency positions adjacent to the landing runway and 9.1 ENGINEERED MATERIAL ARRESTING
stand by to provide assistance. Once response to an emergency SYSTEMS (EMAS)
situation has been initiated, the ARFF unit will remain at the The engineered material arresting system (EMAS) is an arresting
increased state of alert until informed that the pilot-in-command system designed for transport category aeroplanes in the event
has terminated the emergency. After the landing, ARFF will of a runway overrun. An EMAS bed is designed to stop an
intervene as necessary and, unless the pilot-in-command overrunning aeroplane by exerting predictable deceleration
authorizes their release, escort the aircraft to the apron and forces on its landing gear as the EMAS material crushes.
remain in position until all engines are shut down.
For an adequate response on the part of the ARFF unit, a pilot 9.1.1 System Description
request to “stand by in the fire hall” is not appropriate. Pilots The strength of the arrester bed is designed to reduce the
are reminded, however, that the ARFF unit will terminate their aeroplane’s speed without leading to structural failure of the
state of alert when informed by the pilot that the emergency landing gear. The beds are made up of a grouping of crushable
situation no longer exists. cellular concrete blocks that will reliably and predictably be
crushed under the weight of an aeroplane.
To arrest an aeroplane overrunning a runway end, EMAS beds
are placed beyond the end of a runway and in alignment with
the extended runway centreline.
75
Figure 9.1—Photograph of an EMAS Installation If, during the take-off or landing phase, a pilot determines that
the aeroplane will overrun the runway end and enter the EMAS,
the following procedure should be followed:
(a) Continue to follow the rejected-takeoff procedures or, in
the case of landing, the maximum-braking procedures
outlined in the AFM, regardless of the aeroplane’s speed
upon overrunning the runway.
(b) Continue straight ahead—do not veer left or right. The
EMAS’s stopping capability is maximized when all of the
AGA
aeroplane’s landing gears enter the bed. Veering to the side

may result in the aeroplane missing the bed altogether or
having only one set of wheels enter the bed with reduced
(The EMAS bed is the grey area under the yellow chevrons) effectiveness. The quality of deceleration will be best within
the confines of the bed. The further the aeroplane travels
9.1.2 System Depiction into the bed, and into deeper concrete, the greater the
deceleration.
The aerodrome sketch will show the location and dimensions
of the EMAS beds. In the example below, the EMAS bed is shown (c) Do not take any action—the arrester bed is a passive system,
as an outlined box with diagonal lines running through it. The similar to other traditional arresting systems such as cables,
dimensions are provided in feet. chains, and aircraft netting.
(d) Do not attempt to taxi or otherwise move the aeroplane
Figure 9.2—EMAS Depiction on an Aerodrome Sketch
once it has stopped.
(e) Use standard aircraft emergency ground egress procedures,
should an emergency egress be required. Where the surface
of the bed has been breached, the loose material will crumble
E
underfoot. During egress, it is important to note that the

two sides and the back of the arrester bed have built-in
continuous steps built in to help provide easy access for
ARFF vehicles and to enable passengers to step off the bed
safely.
EMAS (f) Use slides or aircraft stairs to allow passengers to deplane
31
164 X 170 after an EMAS arrestment, since the EMAS bed will not
6.
o provide a stable base for the air stairs.

5
9.2 MILITARY AIRCRAFT ARRESTING

C
SYSTEMS
31
9.2.1 Background
ELEV Some civil airports and military aerodromes are equipped with
49’ 612 aircraft arresting systems. An aircraft arresting system usually

consists of two sets of gear, called energy absorbers, with one
28’ located on each side of the runway, normally approximately

460 m from the threshold. These energy absorbers are
interconnected by an arrester cable, which is attached to a nylon
tape that is wound onto a tape storage drum (reel) on each energy
9.1.3 Pilot Considerations for Engagement
absorber. To keep the energy absorbers away from the edge of
Prior to using a runway, pilots should be aware of the presence the runway, runway edge sheaves are located next to the runway
of an EMAS bed. Pilots should review the aerodrome sketch and edge. The runway edge sheaves act as a guide (pulley) for the
other aerodrome information to determine whether the runway tape and have sloped sides to permit an aircraft to roll over them.
that they will be using is equipped with an EMAS.
When the tailhook of a fighter aircraft engages the cable, the
tape storage drums start to turn. The energy absorbers apply a
braking force to the storage drums, which in turn slows the
aircraft and brings it to a stop.
76
9.2.2 Markings 10.0 AIRPORT COLLABORATIVE

For identification, yellow circles are painted across the runway DECISION MAKING (A-CDM)
at the location of the aircraft arrester cable. A lighted sign with
a yellow circle is located beside the runway to mark the location
during darkness. 10.1 INTRODUCTION
Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) is a method
9.2.3 Operations for improving the predictability of airport operations, resulting
in the more efficient use of available resources and a better
At civil airports, civil aviation operations will not be permitted
passenger experience. A-CDM has been in use for some years
while the arrester cable is deployed across the runway. At military
AGA
in various parts of the world and its benefits have been
aerodromes, civil aeroplane operations may be permitted with
demonstrated.
the arrester cable deployed across the runway.
A-CDM requires the partners involved in the operation of the
9.2.4 Damage Hazards airport to exchange certain information that meets prescribed
levels of quality and timeliness. Furthermore, aircraft operations
(a) Cables: Pilots are advised to avoid crossing the aircraft will be subject to defined A-CDM procedures. Adherence to
arrester cable at speeds in excess of 10 mph because a wave these procedures is usually mandatory for most aircraft operators,
action may develop in the cable, which could damage the unless a specific exemption applies.
aircraft. This is particularly important for nose-wheel
aircraft with wheel fairings or minimal propeller or 10.2 OPERATIONAL CONCEPT
undercarriage-door clearance. Tail-wheel aircraft may also
sustain damage if the tail wheel engages the cable. One of the objectives of Airport Collaborative Decision
Making (A-CDM) is to make aircraft turnaround more predictable
(b) Runway edge sheaves: The runway edge sheaves are above
and create an efficient outbound flow of traffic. This is achieved
grade and located next to the runway edge, on the runway
by requiring a reliable and accurate Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)
shoulder. The two sides perpendicular to the runway are
for each flight. This TOBT is then used to set up an optimal
sloped, but the other two sides, parallel to the runway, are
pushback and start-up sequence that considers all applicable
vertical. The runway edge sheaves are not frangible and
constraints, like de-icing and possible air traffic f low
may cause damage to aeroplanes that contact or roll over
management restrictions.
them.
Operators and their designated representatives are responsible
(c) Energy absorbers: The energy absorbers are normally located
for keeping the TOBT up to date by providing updates as
beside the graded area of the runway strip (at a distance
necessary. The flight crew is responsible for operating the aircraft,
greater than 61 m from the runway centreline). The energy
taking the Target Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT) into account.
absorbers are not frangible and will cause damage to
Failure to comply with these responsibilities will usually result
aeroplanes that come into contact with them.
in an operational penalty.
9.2.5 Information for Pilots More details about a typical A-CDM operation can be found in
the A-CDM Operations Manual – YYZ Edition, available from
Pilots will normally be advised of the status of the arrester cable the Greater Toronto Airports Authority at <http://torontopearson.
through ATIS or by ATC. The presence of an aircraft arresting com/acdm/>.
system should be included in the RWY DATA entry of the CFS
for the aerodromes. The location of an aircraft arresting system
should also be depicted on the aerodrome sketch.
77
10.3 TERMS Term Definition

The following terms and abbreviations are generally used with Scheduled off-block The time that an aircraft is
Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM): time (SOBT) scheduled to depart from its
parking position.
Table 10.1—Terms and Abbreviations Used With A-CDM Note: SOBT is the coordinated
airport slot.
Term Definition Target off-block time The time at which an operator
(TOBT) or ground handler estimates that
Appropriate radio The radio frequency that a flight an aircraft will be ready, with all
frequency crew must use to contact the Apron doors closed, the boarding bridge
Management Unit (AMU) or other
AGA
removed, and a pushback vehicle

air traffic services (ATS) unit as available and ready to start up/
part of an A CDM procedure. push back immediately upon
Calculated take off The time calculated and issued by receiving clearance from the AMU.
time (CTOT) the air navigation service provider Note: TOBT is equivalent to
that indicates when an aircraft estimated time of departure (ETD)
should be airborne if it is to meet as used by operators and ground
the constraints arising from the handlers.
applicable Traffic Management
Initiatives (TMIs). Target start-up The time at which an aircraft
approval time can expect to receive start-up/
Commercial air An aircraft operation involving the (TSAT) pushback approval. The TSAT may
transport operation transport of passengers, cargo, or be equal to the TOBT.
mail for remuneration or hire.
Target take off time The time at which an aircraft is
Designated A person or organization (TTOY) expected to be airborne based on
representative authorized by an operator to act its TSAT and on the time it takes to
and perform tasks on its behalf taxi to the assigned runway.
within the constraints of their
representation agreement.
10.4 SCOPE OF APPLICABILITY
Estimated off-block The estimated time at which
time (EOBT) the aircraft will start movement Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) procedures
associated with departure. are normally mandatory for all flights operated as commercial
Note: This is the time shown in air transport or general aviation (GA) operations. Depending
Item 13 of the flight plan.
on the airport, helicopters and flights identified by any one of
Flight crew member A licensed crew member charged the following designators in Item 18 of their flight plan, or by
with duties essential to the any other agreed-upon means that may be applicable, are
operation of an aircraft during a
flight duty period. sometimes exempt from adhering to A-CDM procedures:
Flight plan Specified information provided to Table 10.2—Operations Exempted
ATS units, relative to an intended From A-CDM Procedures
flight or portion of a flight of an
aircraft.
STS/FFR Fire fighting
General aviation An aircraft operation other than a
(GA) operation commercial air transport operation. STS/HEAD Flight with Head of State status
GA operations include business STS/HOSP Flight on an actual medical mission
aviation (BA) operations.
STS/ Flight operated for life-critical medical
Ground handler An organization offering the ground MEDEVAC emergency evacuation
handling services that an aircraft
needs for the period during which it STS/SAR Flight engaged in a search and rescue
is on the ground. mission
HMI Human-Machine Interface STS/STATE Flight engaged in military, customs, or police

services
Minimum turnaround The minimum amount of time
time (MTTT) agreed upon with an operator or STS/FLTCK Aircraft performing NAVAID flight check
ground handler for a specified flight Any exemptions would be granted based on the type of mission
or aircraft type.
an aircraft is engaged in and not on the identity of the operator.
Operator The person, organization, or
enterprise engaged in or offering to
engage in an aircraft operation.
Pilot-in-command The pilot designated by the
(PIC) operator, or, in the case of GA, the
owner, as being in command and
charged with the safe conduct of a
flight.
78
10.5 AIRPORT COLLABORATIVE DECISION calculation of the TSAT to ensure that such constraints are
MAKING (A-CDM) PROCEDURES always met.
Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) procedures
generally fall into the following three categories: 10.5.1.5 Access to the Target Start-Up Approval
Time (TSAT)
(a) Commercial Air Transport Operations—Procedures for
The TSAT will be shown in the A-CDM system via the A-CDM
Operators and Handling Agents
application and the A-CDM HMI as soon as stand and runway
(b) Commercial Air Transport Operations—Flight Crew information are both available in the A-CDM system.
Procedures
AGA
(c) General and Business Aviation Operations—Air Operator 10.5.1.6 Target Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT)
Procedures Swapping
An operator or handling agent (as applicable) may be able to
10.5.1 Commercial Air Transport Operations — swap the TSATs between flights of its own operator family if a
Procedures for Operators and Handling given flight is delayed or if a reduction of the waiting time for a
Agents flight is desirable. Eligible flights are identified as such on the
A-CDM system HMI.
10.5.1.1 Requirement for All Flights to Have a Current
Target Off-Block Time (TOBT) 10.5.1.7 The Importance of Updating the Target Off-
The TOBT is used to indicate when the aircraft will be ready to Block Time (TOBT)
push back and start its engines. The initial TOBT is usually Operators and ground handlers (as appropriate) are responsible
obtained by the A-CDM system from one of the following sources: for updating the TOBT if there is a difference of +/- 5 minutes
(a) Estimated time of departure (ETD) provided by an operator compared to the initial or previously updated TOBT. Failing to
via the appropriate communications channel; update the TOBT will result in a TSAT that is no longer
operationally correct, and this, in turn, may cause the flight to
(b) EOBT from the flight plan; or be subject to unnecessary delay.
(c) SOBT from the airport coordinated schedule data held by
the GTAA. 10.5.1.8 Target Off-Block Time (TOBT) Update
Limitations
10.5.1.2 Preferred Way of Providing the Target Off- The TOBT can normally be updated as many times as necessary
Block Time (TOBT) until 10 minutes prior to the TOBT. Thereafter, only two more
Operators are reminded that using the SOBT may result in an updates are possible. Should a third update be necessary, the
inaccurate TOBT. It is therefore highly recommended that they operator or handling agent will likely need to contact the Manager
explore options for providing the ETD via the appropriate of Operations, Airport Flow, for further instructions.
communications channel. This can be normally be done by
contacting the Manager of Operations, Airport Flow, who 10.5.1.9 Methods for Updating the Target Off-Block
typically serves as the single point of contact for all A-CDM- Time (TOBT)
related matters.
The TOBT may be updated via any of the available systems
providing access to it.
10.5.1.3 Access to the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)
The TOBT will be shown and accessible via the A-CDM 10.5.2 Commercial Air Transport Operations —
application and the A-CDM HMI (such as a web portal) as soon Flight Crew Procedures
as it is set in the A-CDM system.
10.5.2.1 Target Off-Block Time (TOBT) and Target
10.5.1.4 Pre-Departure Sequencing — Target Start-Up Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT) Delivery
Approval Time (TSAT) Generation Channels
Based on the TOBT, a TSAT is generated by the A-CDM system Several channels are often provided for the delivery of the TOBT
for every flight. The TSAT is used to indicate the sequence in and TSAT to the flight crew. Operators are free to use any available
which aircraft can expect to receive pushback and start-up channel. The following channels are examples:
approval, ensuring an optimal flow of traffic to the assigned
(a) Advanced Visual Docking Guidance System (AVDGS),
runways. An update to the TOBT will always result in the
where available.
recalculation of the TSAT. However, this may not always result
in a different TSAT or position in the sequence for the flight (b) Any specific means of communication that may exist
concerned. between the operator or ground handler and the flight crew.
This means of communication may be shared with other
Any applicable constraints, like the CTOT, resulting from TMIs, operational communications.
taxi times, and possible de-icing time are considered in the
79
(c) An A-CDM web portal. 10.5.2.7 Airport Collaborative Decision Making

(A-CDM)-Imposed Waiting Time and On-Time
10.5.2.2 Access to the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT) Performance
The TOBT will be displayed for the flight crew on all channels Traditionally, on-time performance (OTP) is measured by the
as soon as it is set in the A-CDM system. point in time when the aircraft releases the brakes and is ready
for movement associated with departure. If an aircraft waits at
the stand for its TSAT, the time between TOBT and TSAT might
10.5.2.3 Access to the Target Start-Up Approval
be counted as a departure delay, adversely impacting the air
Time (TSAT)
operator’s OTP. It is recommended that air operators implement
The TSAT will be displayed for the flight crew on all channels procedures whereby the time at which the flight crew makes the
AGA
except the AVDGS as soon as it is set in the A-CDM system. It ready call is considered as the reference for OTP and any waiting
is expected that the TSAT will be displayed for the flight crew time after the TOBT is met can be successfully ignored.
on the AVDGS as follows:
(a) 10 minutes before TOBT; or 10.5.2.8 Pushback / Start-Up Approval
(b) 20 minutes before TOBT if the TSAT is later than the TOBT Depending on the airport, flight crews might expect pushback
by 20 minutes or more (as may be the case due to TMIs). instructions and start-up approval to be issued on the appropriate
radio frequency by the AMU at TSAT +/- 5 minutes without a
10.5.2.4 Information Related to Airport Collaborative need for the flight crew to make an additional call.
Decision Making (A-CDM) on the Advanced
Visual Docking Guidance System (AVDGS) If the pushback and start-up process does not commence within
2 minutes of the time the approval was issued, the flight crew
The information displayed on the AVDGS depends on the must call the AMU on the appropriate radio frequency, explain
operating mode of the A-CDM system, such as: the situation, and request guidance on how to proceed. If this
(a) Traditional Ramp Information Display (e.g. ETD) = A-CDM call is omitted, it will be assumed that the TSAT is no longer
is not running or A-CDM procedures have been suspended; valid, and it will be removed from the sequence. The operator
or or ground handler will need to provide a new TOBT for a new
TSAT to be generated. This may result in a substantial delay for
(b) TOBT + time or TOBT + time and TSAT + time = A-CDM
the flight concerned.
is running.
If the pushback and start-up process is interrupted for any reason
10.5.2.5 Call Ready Procedure after the aircraft has cleared the stand area or if the start-up
process is expected to take longer than normal, the flight crew
The flight crew usually must call the Apron Coordinator on the must call the AMU on the appropriate radio frequency, explain
published radio frequency for the airport at TOBT +/- 5 minutes the situation, and request guidance on how to proceed.
to confirm that the flight is ready as defined for the TOBT and
state the location “gate.” Thereafter, the crew will need to change Flight crews are reminded that the actual order of pushback and
to the appropriate radio frequency and monitor it for pushback start-up approval depends on the operational decisions of the
and start-up approval. AMU and hence, a difference may exist between the system-
generated sequence and the sequence as established by the AMU.
If the flight crew fails to call within the specified time window, However, even after a manual intervention, any applicable
it will be assumed that the TOBT is no longer valid and the constraints, like CTOT, would be met by the modified sequence.
corresponding TSAT will be removed from the sequence. The
operator or ground handler will need to provide a new TOBT
10.5.2.9 Flight Crew Concerns About Meeting
for a new TSAT to be generated. This may result in a substantial
Constraints
delay for the flight concerned.
All functions of an A-CDM system are designed to ensure that
10.5.2.6 Procedures for Extended Times Between applicable constraints, most importantly those resulting from
Target Off-Block Time (TOBT) and Target TMIs, are always fully met. For example, the TSAT is calculated
Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT) taking all applicable constraints into account, and if duly observed
by the flight crew, the runway slot (CTOT) allocated to the flight
The time difference between the TOBT and the TSAT assigned
will not be missed.
to the flight may be substantial. Airports usually have a policy
for aircraft to stay at the gate until the assigned TSAT time. In Nevertheless, if flight crew members estimate that a TSAT
cases where the gate is required for another flight, or on the assigned to them and their applicable CTOT are not compatible,
specific request of the operator or ground handler, the aircraft they should contact their operator or ground handler to resolve
concerned could be relocated to a waiting area. the issue via the Manager of Operations, Airport Flow.
80
10.5.2.10 De-icing Operations 10.5.3.4 Access to the Target Start-Up Approval

Time (TSAT)
The need for de-icing has a substantial impact on standard
A-CDM procedures, in particular the extended taxi times needed The TSAT will be shown in the A-CDM web portal as follows:
to account for the duration of the de-icing operation. To ensure (a) 10 minutes before the TOBT; or
that the de-icing needs of individual f lights are properly
considered, the following additional procedures are typically (b) 20 minutes before the TOBT if the TSAT is later than the
applicable during de-icing operations: TOBT by 20 minutes or more (as may be the case due to
TMIs).
(a) A request for de-icing would normally be transmitted by
the flight crew on the clearance delivery frequency.
10.5.3.5 The Importance of Updating the Target Off-
AGA
(b) If the flight crew determines, following clearance delivery, Block Time (TOBT)
that de-icing is required, they would contact the AMU on Operators or their designated representatives are obliged to
the applicable radio frequency and request de-icing. update the TOBT if there is a difference of +/- 5 minutes compared
to the initial or previously updated TOBT. Failing to update the
10.5.3 General and Business Aviation Operations TOBT will result in a TSAT that is no longer operationally correct.
— Air Operator Procedures This, in turn, may cause the flight to be subject to unnecessary
delay.
10.5.3.1 Prior Permission to Operate Required
(Reservation) 10.5.3.6 Target Off-Block Time (TOBT) Update
Operators or the designated representatives of general and Limitations
business aviation aircraft typically obtain prior permission to The TOBT may normally be updated as many times as necessary
operate (reservation) from the applicable airport authority using until 10 minutes prior to the TOBT. Thereafter, only two more
A-CDM procedures up to 72 hours before the EOBT, or a updates are usually possible. Should a third update be necessary,
minimum of 60 minutes before the EOBT of the planned the operator or its designated representative should contact the
operation. Some airports have special arrangements with GA/ Manager of Operations, Airport Flow, for further instructions.
BA Tenant Carriers allowing them to book up to 30 days prior
to the EOBT. 10.5.3.7 Method for Updating the Target Off-Block
Permission or reservation can normally be obtained by contacting Time (TOBT)
the airport authority. The TOBT must be updated either by updating the flight plan
EOBT or via the airports A-CDM web portal.
10.5.3.2 Requirement to Provide the Target Off-Block
Time (TOBT) 10.5.3.8 Target Off-Block Time (TOBT) and Target
Similar to Commercial Air Transport Operations, General and Start-Up Approval Time (TSAT) Delivery
Business Aviation flights must also have a TOBT. Operators can Channels
typically obtain their TOBT using the airport’s A-CDM Several channels are provided for the delivery of the TOBT and
web portal. TSAT to the flight crew, such as:
(a) The A-CDM web portal;.
10.5.3.3 Pre-Departure Sequencing — Target Start-Up
Approval Time (TSAT) Generation (b) Any specific means of communication that may exist
between the operator or its designated representative and
Based on the TOBT, a TSAT is generated by the A-CDM system
the flight crew; or
for every flight. The TSAT is used to indicate the sequence in
which aircraft can expect to receive start-up approval, ensuring (c) The AVGDS, where available.
an optimal flow of traffic to the assigned runways. An update
to the TOBT will always result in the recalculation of the TSAT; 10.5.3.9 Access to the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)
however, this may not always result in a different position in the
The TOBT will be displayed for the flight crew on all channels
sequence for the flight concerned.
as soon as it is set in the A-CDM system.
Any applicable constraints, like the CTOT resulting from TMIs,
taxi times, and possible de-icing time are considered in the
calculation of the TSAT, ensuring that such constraints are
always met.
81
10.5.3.10 Access to the Target Start-Up Approval by the flight crew, the runway slot (CTOT) allocated to the flight
Time (TSAT) would not be missed.
The TSAT will usually be displayed for the flight crew on all Nevertheless, if flight crew members estimate that a TSAT
channels as follows: assigned to them and their applicable CTOT are not compatible,
(a) 10 minutes before the TBOT; or they should contact their operator or ground handler to resolve
the issue via the Manager of Operations, Airport Flow.
(b) 20 minutes before the TOBT if the TSAT is later than the
TOBT by 20 minutes or more (as may be the case due to
10.5.3.14 De-icing Operations
TMIs).
The need for de-icing has a substantial impact on standard
AGA
10.5.3.11 Call Ready Procedure A-CDM procedures, especially the extended taxi times needed
to account for the duration of the de-icing operation. To ensure
The flight crew should expect to call the AMU Apron Coordinator that the de-icing needs of individual f lights are properly
at TOBT +/- 5 minutes to confirm that the flight is ready as considered, the following additional procedures are applicable
defined for the TOBT; they must state their location on the during de-icing operations:
airport. The Apron Coordinator will advise the TSAT and then
instruct the flight crew to change to the appropriate radio (a) A request for de-icing would normally be transmitted by
frequency. If the flight crew fails to call within the specified time the flight crew on the airport clearance delivery frequency.
window, it will be assumed that the TOBT is no longer valid and (b) If members of the flight crew determine after clearance
the corresponding TSAT will be removed from the sequence. delivery that de-icing is required, they must contact the
The operator or its designated representative will need to provide AMU and request de-icing.
a new TOBT for a new TSAT to be generated. This may result
in a substantial delay for the flight concerned. 10.6 CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS
10.5.3.12 Start-Up Procedures
If the Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) system
fails or becomes unreliable, the A-CDM procedures will be
The start-up procedure typically commences at TSAT +/- 5 suspended. The suspension and eventual restarting of the
minutes without a need for the f light crew to make an procedures will be announced via the airport terminal information
additional call. service (ATIS) broadcast and a NOTAM. During suspension of
the A-CDM procedures, no target off-block time (TOBT) or
If the start-up process does not commence within 2 minutes of target start-up approval time (TSAT) will be provided.
the TSAT time that was issued, the flight crew must call the
AMU on the appropriate radio frequency, explain the situation,
and request guidance on how to proceed. If this call is omitted,
it will be assumed that the TSAT is no longer valid and it will
be removed from the sequence. The operator or its designated
representative needs to provide a new TOBT via the A-CDM
web portal or via the Manager of Operations, Airport Flow, for
a new TSAT to be generated. This may result in a substantial
delay for the flight concerned.
If the start-up process is interrupted for any reason or if the

start-up process is expected to take longer than normal, the
flight crew must call the AMU on the appropriate radio frequency,
explain the situation, and request guidance on how to proceed.
Flight crew are reminded that the actual order of start-up approval
depends on the operational decisions of the AMU. Hence, a
difference may exist between the system-generated sequence
and the sequence as established by the AMU. However, even
after such manual intervention, the applicable constraints, like
CTOT, would be met by the modified sequence.
10.5.3.13 Flight Crew Concerns About Meeting

Constraints
All functions of the A-CDM system are designed to ensure that
applicable constraints, most importantly those resulting from
TMIs, are always fully met. For example, the TSAT is calculated
to take all applicable constraints into account. If duly observed
82
COM—COMMUNICATIONS, 1.3 LANGUAGE
NAVIGATION AND The use of English and French for aeronautical radio
communications in Canada is detailed in Canadian Aviation
SURVEILLANCE Regulations (CARs) sections 602.133, 602.134, and 602.135. For
definitions of terminology and phraseology used in aviation in
Canada, refer to the Glossary for Pilots and Air Traffic Services
Personnel (AC 100-001), which is available on TC’s Web site
1.0 VOICE COMMUNICATIONS <https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/reference-centre/advisory-
circulars/advisory-circular-ac-no-100-001>.
1.1 GENERAL
1.4 VERY HIGH FREQUENCY (VHF)
This subpart deals with mobile radio communications between COMMUNICATION FREQUENCIES—
aircraft and ground stations. Particular emphasis is placed on CHANNEL SPACING
radiotelephony procedures that are intended to promote
understanding of messages and reduce communication time. The standard very high frequency (VHF) air-ground channel
spacing in Canada is 25 kHz. A 760-channel transceiver is
The primary medium for aeronautical voice communications necessary for operation of 25‑kHz channels. This channel spacing
in Canada is very high frequency–amplitude modulation (VHF-AM) means that some operators with 50‑kHz capability will have
in the frequency range of 118 to 137 MHz. For increased range their access to certain Canadian airspace and airports restricted,
COM
in northern areas and the North Atlantic, high frequency–single as 25‑kHz channels are implemented for air traffic control (ATC)
sideband (HF-SSB) is available in the frequency range of 2.8 to purposes. In some areas of Europe, channel spacing has been
22 MHz. reduced to 8.33 kHz, which means that the same restrictions
may apply.
1.2 REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE
Because the frequency selectors on some 25‑kHz transceivers
MATERIAL
do not display the third decimal place, misunderstanding may
(a) Operator’s certificates—In accordance with section 33 of exist in the selection of frequencies. With such transceivers, if
the Radiocommunication Regulations, a person may operate the last digit displayed includes two and seven, then the equipment
radio apparatus in the aeronautical service…only where the is capable of 25‑kHz operations.
person holds [a Restricted Operator Certificate with
Example:
Aeronautical Qualification, issued by Innovation, Science
and Economic Development Canada]. Toronto Centre:.............................132.475 (actual frequency)
(b) Station licences—All radio equipment used in aeronautical ATC Assigned Frequency:................132.47 (digit 5 omitted)
services is required to be licensed by Innovation, Science
Aircraft Radio Display:................................132.475 or 132.47
and Economic Development Canada.
For complete information on the requirements for communication In either case, the aircraft radio is actually tuned to the
in Canada, please consult the Study Guide for the Restricted proper frequency.
Operator Certificate With Aeronautical Qualification (ROC-A)
(RIC-21). To obtain a copy of this study guide, search for 1.4.1 Remote Communications Outlets (RCOs)
“RIC-21” on the Innovation, Science and Economic and Dial-Up Remote Communications
Development Canada Web site <www.canada.ca/en/innovation- Outlets (DRCOs)
science-economic-development.html>, contact the nearest
RCOs are VHF transmitters/receivers installed at designated
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada district
aerodromes to permit communications between aircraft and an
office, or call 1-877-604-7493.
FSS or FIC for the provision of FISE or RAAS. An RCO may
NAV CANADA has published phraseology guides for visual also be installed at an off-aerodrome location to enhance en route
f light rules (VFR), instrument f light rules (IFR), area communication coverage for the provision of FISE by FICs.
navigation (RNAV), and ground traffic operations. These guides
FISE RCOs use one of the following four frequencies: 123.275,
support standardized pilot-controller-specialist communications
123.375, 123.475, or 123.55 MHz. At most of these outlets,
and are intended as learning tools and reference guides to
126.7 MHz is not active or monitored by a FIC. At these sites,
phraseology for all pilots flying within Canadian airspace. These
as required, the FIC activates and transmits on 126.7 MHz to
guides are available at <https://www.navcanada.ca/en/
provide aeronautical broadcast services (broadcast of SIGMET
aeronautical-information/operational-guides.aspx#d21312acae
or urgent PIREP) and to conduct communication searches for
c74bbdbc5cf437abccb139>.
overdue aircraft. Further details on the use of RCOs can be found
in the General section of the CFS.
83
A DRCO is a standard RCO with a dial-up unit installed to 1.6 USE OF FREQUENCY 5 680 KHZ
connect the pilot with an ATS unit (e.g. FIC) via a commercial
See AIP Canada (GEN 3.4.
telephone line. The line is only opened after communication has
been initiated by the pilot or ATS. The radio range of the RCO
is unaffected by the conversion. 1.7 PHONE USE DURING A RADIO
COMMUNICATIONS FAILURE
Activation of the system by the pilot is accomplished via the
aircraft radio transmitter by keying the microphone button four In the event of an in-flight radio communications failure, and
times with a deliberate and constant action on the published only after normal communications failure procedures have been
DRCO frequency. Procedures for establishing the link can be followed, the pilot-in-command may attempt to contact the
found in the General section of the CFS. appropriate NAV CANADA air traffic service (ATS) unit by
means of a conventional cell or satellite phone. Before placing
See the CFS for more information. the call, transponder-equipped aircraft should squawk Code 7600.
Public switched telephone network (PSTN) numbers to be used
1.4.2 Emergency Frequency 121.5 MHz
in the event of a communication failure are published in the
Pilots should continuously monitor 121.5 MHz when operating Canada Flight Supplement (CFS).
within sparsely settled areas or when operating a Canadian
aircraft over water more than 50 NM from shore, unless essential 1.8 CANADIAN BASE OPERATORS (CBO)
cockpit duties or aircraft electronic equipment limitations do
See AIP Canada GEN 3.4.
COM
not permit simultaneous monitoring of two VHF frequencies

or the pilot is using other VHF frequencies.
1.9 OTHER TELECOMMUNICATION
Only control towers and FSSs have 121.5 MHz capability, and SYSTEM OPERATORS
this emergency frequency is monitored only during these facilities’
hours of operation. Remote communication facilities (PAL, See AIP Canada GEN 3.4.
RAAS RCO and FISE RCO) do not have 121.5 MHz capability.
During an emergency, a pilot has the following options for 1.10 SATELLITE VOICE
communicating with ATS: COMMUNICATIONS (SATVOICE)
(a) When within radio reception of a control tower or FSS The aeronautical satellite voice communications (SATVOICE)
during the facility’s hours of operation, call ATS on the system uses the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and/
tower frequency/FSS MF or 121.5 MHz. It is recommended or dedicated networks to route calls between aircraft and the
that pilots use the normal frequency or the frequency in use appropriate ground party. Dedicated network access switches
at the time. locate the aircraft anywhere in the world, regardless of the satellite
and ground earth station (GES) to which the aircraft is connected.
(b) When within radio reception of a remote communications
facility (FISE RCO, RAAS RCO or PAL), call ATS on the For ground-to-air calls, the ground party initiates the call using
published frequency. a network access number. Once connected to the network access
switch, the ground party provides as a minimum the following
NOTE: information to the appropriate service provider in order to route
FISE RCOs and PALs operate 24 hr/day, while most RAAS RCOs the call to the aircraft:
operate part time. (a) user identification (ID) [Required by Iridium. Inmarsat
does not require a user ID, but does require that the telephone
(c) When out of range for VHF communications (for example
number be registered in their system as part of the validation
at low altitude, along a highway corridor), pilots may use a
process.];
cell phone if they have cell phone coverage.
(b) personal identification number (PIN);
(d) If beyond the radio reception of an ATS facility, or when
outside the facility’s hours of operation, broadcast on (c) priority level; and
121.5 MHz or 126.7 MHz, or both, for assistance from other (d) aircraft address in octal format.
pilots who may be monitoring the frequency.
In addition to registration, every aircraft is assigned an aircraft
1.5 VERY HIGH FREQUENCY (VHF) address. An aircraft address can be defined in one of three formats:
ALLOCATIONS 24-bit format (24 binary characters), hexadecimal format (6
alpha-numeric characters) or octal format (8 characters).
See AIP Canada GEN 3.4.
The user ID and/or PIN are given by the service provider when
access to the network is granted, and they are used to secure
the call.
The priority level may be used by dedicated networks (and the
aircraft systems) to end calls of a lower priority, if necessary, and
allow incoming calls of a higher priority, although some systems
84
may establish a 3-way call, so that the higher priority call can 2.0 LOCATION INDICATORS
interrupt the ongoing conversation without ending it. In that
case, the pilot can hear both ground parties at the same time Responsibility for Canadian location indicators rests with the
and determine which is more important. Aeronautical Information Services Division of NAV CANADA.
Location indicators are listed in the Canada Flight
Table 1.1—Priority Levels for Satellite Supplement (CFS) a nd Canada Water Aerodrome
Voice Communications
Supplement (CWAS).
Priority level Use Examples
1/EMG/Q15 Distress and
urgency
Rapid descent 3.0 DATA LINK COMMUNICATION
Emergency Urgent weather
Safety of Flight deviation
2/HGH/Q12 Flight safety Altitude request 3.1 DATA LINK APPLICATIONS
Operational High The generic term “data link” encompasses different types of
Safety of Flight applications that can transfer data to and from an aircraft. In
3/LOW/Q10 Regularity Flight information Canada, data link applications used by air traffic service (ATS)
Operational Low of flight, service include data link automatic terminal information service (D-ATIS),
Safety of Flight meteorological, Dispatch pre-departure clearance (PDC) via the airline host, departure
administrative. Maintenance
Typically assigned clearance (DCL), oceanic clearance (OCL), automatic dependent
COM
to calls between surveillance waypoint position reporting (ADS WPR) and
aircraft operators controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC). Operational
and their aircraft information regarding Canadian applications can be found in
4/PUB/Q9 Public Public phone calls AIP Canada GEN 3.4.
Non-operational correspondence
Non-safety 3.2 AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS
Flight crews should only act on an air traffic control (ATC) ADDRESSING AND REPORTING
clearance or instruction from a SATVOICE call with priority SYSTEM (ACARS) AND FUTURE AIR
level 2. (Priority level 1/EMG/Q15 is reserved for outbound calls NAVIGATION SYSTEMS (FANS) 1/A
from aircraft.). Many aircraft data link applications transfer data using the
For air-to-ground calls, a telephone numbering plan has been aircraf t communications addressing and reporting
developed that assigns short codes, as well as PSTN numbers, system (ACARS). In the early 1990s, air traffic control (ATC)
specific to each flight information region (FIR). When a GES units in the United States began to use ACARS-based pre-
receives the unique short code from the aircraft via satellite, it departure clearance (PDC) applications to alleviate the problem
is converted and the call is routed to the appropriate air traffic of congestion on clearance delivery frequencies.
services (ATS) unit. Seeing the benefits of this early type of application, airlines
Prior to using SATVOICE equipment for priority level 1, 2 or 3 began to push for additional air traffic service (ATS) data link
calls, the aircraft operator should address flight crew training applications. Notwithstanding the reduced performance of
and qualification, maintenance, minimum equipment list (MEL), ACARS networks that existed at the time, using ACARS-based
user modifiable software and service agreements with the applications was a valuable step towards early introduction of
commercial service provider. Installations would normally be future air navigation systems (FANS). Based on this, various
approved by the state of registry or state of the operator, in ATS applications operating on the ACARS network were
accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) developed. The original Boeing version of these applications
Advisory Circular (AC) 20-150A (or equivalent). was known as FANS 1, whereas the Airbus version was termed
FANS A. Today, new FANS applications such as FANS 1/A+ and
When using SATVOICE, pilots should apply the radiotelephony
FANS B continue to be used in airspace not suited for traditional
conventions and phraseology used for VHF/HF communications.
surveillance coverage.
Operational procedures, along with SATVOICE short codes and
PSTN numbers for aeronautical stations, are published in
AIP Canada GEN 3.4, and on en route low altitude and en route
high altitude charts.
85
3.3 AERONAUTICAL Satellite data links provide greater coverage, although except for
TELECOMMUNICATIONS Iridium they are limited in the polar regions since most of the
NETWORK (ATN) satellites are stationary over the equator. Satellite data links are
also slower than VHF in response time (12–25 s). Service providers
As reliance on data link increased, a new aeronautical
with near-global coverage include Inmarsat (geostationary earth
telecommunications network (ATN) was implemented to enable
orbit [GEO] satellites) and Iridium (low earth orbit [LEO] satellites
greater data link performance. Compared to the original aircraft
in polar orbits for worldwide coverage); others provide coverage
communications addressing and reporting system (ACARS)
in particular regions, such as the multifunctional transport
network, the new ATN uses well-defined protocols, specifically
satellite (MTSAT) over the Pacific Ocean.
designed to provide reliable communications service over
dissimilar networks. Aircraft equipped for both ATN and future HFDL provides near global coverage including over the polar
air navigation system (FANS) applications are said to be equipped regions, but message transit times (approximately 80 s) are much
with “dual-stack”. lengthier than other mediums.
3.4 DATA LINK SERVICE PROVIDERS 3.6 AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS

ADDRESSING AND REPORTING
To operate data link, it is necessary to have a contract with at
SYSTEM (ACARS) INITIALIZATION
least one data link service provider. Major service providers
include Rockwell Collins (formerly ARINC) and Société The core of the airborne data link system is called the aircraft
Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques (SITA). communications addressing and reporting system (ACARS)
COM
These companies provide a variety of air-ground data links, management unit (MU) or communications management
operating in different frequency bands to ensure global coverage. unit (CMU). At the initiation of a flight, one of the first flight
crew actions is to perform the ACARS system initialization. This
3.5 DATA LINK NETWORKS INIT REQUEST establishes a link with the airline ground system,
and informs it that the aircraft is being prepared for departure.
Traditionally, analog very high frequency (VHF) was the most
commonly used medium to transmit aircraft communications
3.7 DATA LINK AUTOMATIC TERMINAL
addressing and reporting system (ACARS) messages. This
INFORMATION SERVICE (D-ATIS)
medium of ACARS transmission is known as plain old ACARS
(POA). The low-speed characteristics of a POA data link require Data link automatic terminal information service (D-ATIS)
a number of frequencies to fully service all users. For example, enables delivery to the cockpit of automatic terminal information
almost a dozen VHF frequencies are required in North America service (ATIS) information in text format via data link. This
in order to provide a reliable service. As the number of analog results in a reduction of flight crew workload, eliminating the
VHF data link transmissions continues to increase across busy need to listen to the ATIS broadcast and hand transcribe the
areas, available channels in the aeronautical VHF band are message during busy periods. Thanks to data link service provider
approaching saturation. coverage areas, D-ATIS can also be accessed well in advance of
descent and approach. Flight crew flying aircraft communications
New high speed digital data link systems transmitting in the
addressing and reporting system (ACARS) equipped aircraft
VHF range are known as VHF digital link (VDL). Different
can send ATIS requests and receive ATIS information using
forms of VDL (Mode 1 through 4) have been defined. This new
their multipurpose control and display unit (MCDU).
digital architecture is called ACARS Over AVLC (AOA), where
the term AVLC refers to aviation VHF link control, which is the D-ATIS implementation can vary in both avionics and ground
protocol used over the VHF link for the relatively common VDL systems. In Canada, D-ATIS is available on the Rockwell Collins
Mode 2 system. (formerly ARINC) air traffic service (ATS) server.
To access VDL service, aircraft must be fitted with a
communications management unit (CMU) that is equipped with 3.8 PRE-DEPARTURE CLEARANCE (PDC)
a digital connection to a VHF data radio (VDR) transceiver. The Pre-departure clearance (PDC) via the airline host is a system
CMU processes all the ACARS applications and can be upgraded that provides instrument f light rules (IFR) departure
to integrate both VDL and ATN functionality. The CMU clearances (DCL) via data link to subscribing airlines at selected
automatically switches between AOA and POA according to airports. The PDC message is sent from the tower to an airline’s
service availability. server. The airline then takes responsibility for delivery of the
While VDL may provide faster message response times (two to PDC via either the aircraft communications addressing and
eight seconds) than analog VHF, the system is still limited to reporting system (ACARS) data link or, for non-ACARS-equipped
line-of-sight coverage. When beyond line-of-sight of a VDL aircraft, through some other means such as a gate printer.
ground station, some aircraft may also have the capability for
HF data link (HFDL) and/or communications through satellite
data link (SATCOM).
86
Instead of a verbal readback of the entire clearance, air traffic 3.10 AUTOMATIC DEPENDENT
control (ATC) primarily requires readback of the flight plan SURVEILLANCE CONTRACT (ADS-C)
unique identifier (FPUI). This is a four-character (three numeric
Position reporting is required in oceanic and remote airspace
and one alphabetic) code included in the PDC message. See
where there is no other means of surveillance. Automatic
AIP Canada GEN 3.4 for a list of airports offering PDC service
dependent surveillance ‑ contract (ADS‑C) waypoint position
along with registration instructions.
reporting (WPR) via data link can overcome issues with voice
reporting. Automatic dependent surveillance (ADS) is a
3.9 DEPARTURE CLEARANCE (DCL) surveillance technique for use by air traffic services (ATS) in
Another data link application similar to pre-departure which aircraft automatically provide, via data link, information
clearance (PDC) is called DCL, which stands for departure derived from on-board position-fixing and navigation systems.
clearance. The DCL message itself may contain the abbreviation ADS allows controllers to obtain position data from future air
PDC, however the delivery method is different for the DCL navigation system (FANS) equipped aircraft in a timely manner,
application. In DCL, the data link dialog is directly between the thereby facilitating route conformance monitoring in non-
flight crew and the controller. The flight crew initiates DCL by surveillance airspace.
sending a departure clearance request (RCD). That RCD is routed An ADS‑C is initiated by the ATS facility and it identifies the
to the tower, where the controller can send the clearance to the types of information and the conditions under which reports
aircraft directly via data link. When sending a RCD, the flight are to be sent by the aircraft. Some types of information are
crew will immediately receive the following flight system included in every report, while other types are provided only if
COM
message (FSM): RCD RECEIVED – REQUEST BEING specified in the ADS‑C request. There are three types of ADS‑C:
PROCESSED – STANDBY.
(a) periodic (a time interval at which the aircraft system sends
If the RCD cannot be correlated to the flight plan or if the RCD an ADS‑C report),
was sent too late, the flight crew may receive one of the following
FSMs: RCD REJECTED – FLIGHT PLAN NOT HELD – REVERT (b) demand (a single ADS‑C periodic report), and
TO VOICE PROCEDURES or RCD REJECTED – ERROR IN (c) event (triggered by a particular event such as a waypoint
MESSAGE – REVERT TO VOICE PROCEDURES – RCD TOO change event).
LATE.
ADS‑C are managed by ATS facilities based on their surveillance
When air traffic control (ATC) receives a valid RCD, it will requirements, and ADS reports are sent automatically without
respond by sending the departure clearance message (CLD) and, notification to, or action required by, the flight crew. In the event
in turn, the flight crew will respond with a departure clearance that an ADS report is not received, air traffic control (ATC)
readback (CDA). Upon successful reception of a matching CDA, would attempt to contact the flight crew to obtain the position
the flight crew will receive a FSM that states: CDA RECEIVED report via voice. In the event of ADS service interruptions, aircraft
– CLEARANCE CONFIRMED. equipment failures or loss of signal coverage, flight crews are
At any time during the clearance process, if the flight crew expected to resume voice reporting. Flight crews should be aware
receives a FSM stating to REVERT TO VOICE, the data link of the limitations associated with available aircraft equipment
clearance becomes void and the flight crew should contact ATC. and the signal coverage over the intended route.
Other examples of FSM error messages include: Operational procedures for automatic dependent surveillance
waypoint position reporting (ADS WPR) can be found in
(a) RCD REJECTED – REQUEST ALREADY RECEIVED – AIP Canada GEN 3.4.
STANDBY
(b) RCD REJECTED – ERROR IN MESSAGE – REVERT TO 3.11 CONTROLLER‑PILOT DATA LINK
VOICE PROCEDURES COMMUNICATIONS (CPDLC)
(c) CDA REJECTED – CLEARANCE CANCELLED – REVERT Controller‑pilot data link communications (CPDLC) is a data
TO VOICE PROCEDURES link application that supports the exchange of text-based messages
Unlike PDC, there is no registration requirement to use DCL; between a controller and the flight crew. Text messages provide
however, operators must be Rockwell Collins (formerly ARINC) greater clarity than spoken very high frequency (VHF) or high
or Société Internat iona le de Télécommu nicat ions frequency (HF) radio communications, so the risk of error is
Aéronautiques (SITA) data link subscribers. A list of airports significantly decreased. Other advantages associated with CPDLC
offering DCL service can be found in AIP Canada GEN 3.4. include:
(a) reducing voice channel congestion in busy airspace;
(b) providing direct controller‑pilot communications (DCPC)
in airspace where it was not previously available on voice
channels;
(c) facilitating air traffic control (ATC) communications with
flight crews whose first language is not English;
87
(d) reducing flight crew input errors, by allowing the loading (c) the aircraft registration and/or aircraft address (as entered
of information from specific uplink messages into other in Item 18, preceded by REG and/or CODE, of the ICAO
aircraft systems, such as the flight management system (FMS) flight plan); and
or aircraft radios; (d) the departure and destination aerodromes, when required
(e) allowing the flight crew to request complex route clearances, (as entered in Items 13 and 16 of the ICAO flight plan).
which the controller can respond to without having to Canadian ATS facility identif iers can be found in
manually enter a long string of coordinates; AIP Canada GEN 3.4.
(f) reducing flight crew workload by supporting automatically
transmitted reports when a specific event occurs, such as 3.13 CURRENT/NEXT DATA AUTHORITIES
reaching the new flight level on an altitude change clearance;
and Aircraf t can display two controller-pilot data link
communications (CPDLC) air traffic service (ATS) facility
(g) reducing controller workload by providing automatic flight connections at any time, but only one can be active. The ATS
plan updates when specific downlink messages (and facility with which an aircraft has an active connection is the
responses to some uplink messages) are received. current data authority, sometimes displayed to the flight crew
CPDLC messages consist of a set of message elements, most of as CURRENT ATC. The ATS facility with the inactive connection
which correspond to radiotelephone phraseology. CPDLC is referred to as the next data authority. Under normal
message elements that are sent to an aircraft are referred to as circumstances, the current data authority will initiate a transfer
COM
uplink messages, or UM, whereas message elements that are sent to an adjacent data link-capable ATS facility when the aircraft
by the aircraft are downlink messages, or DM. There are two approaches the appropriate boundary. These transfers are
types of CPDLC implementations: future air navigation normally automatic and no flight crew action is required.
systems (FANS) 1/A and aeronautical telecommunications
network (ATN) based CPDLC.
4.0 GROUND-BASED RADIO
Operational procedures for CPDLC can be found in NAVIGATION AIDS
AIP Canada GEN 3.4 and ENR 7.5.5 for use of CPDLC in the
ICAO NAT Region.
4.1 GENERAL
3.12 AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES FACILITIES Ground-based radio navigation systems available for use in
NOTIFICATION (AFN) Canada include: distance measuring equipment (DME),
The first step for automatic dependent surveillance (ADS) or instrument landing system (ILS), localizer (LOC), non-directional
controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC) is the air beacon (NDB), precision approach radar (PAR), tactical air
traffic services facilities notification (AFN), sometimes known navigation aid (TACAN), VHF omnidirectional range (VOR),
as the air traffic control (ATC) logon process; it is typically and a combination of VOR and TACAN (VORTAC).
initiated by the flight crew. The purpose of the AFN is to provide
air traffic service (ATS) with the data link applications supported 4.2 ACCURACY, AVAILABILITY AND
by the aircraft system and the unique identification of the aircraft. INTEGRITY OF GROUND-BASED
This allows ATS to correlate the logon information with the NAVIGATION AIDS
flight plan on file, ensure that messages are sent to the correct Aviation navigation systems must meet stringent accuracy,
aircraft, and make certain that any subsequent reports and/or availability and integrity requirements as specified in the
messages update the correct flight plan. This exchange of data International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Annex 10.
link context is needed prior to any CPDLC or ADS connection.
Measures to improve availability include:
An AFN is needed when the aircraft does not already have a
connection, such as when the aircraft is preparing for departure, (a) Electronic means—The provision of alternate or redundant
or when the aircraft is planning to enter an area where ADS and circuitry for the electronic elements of the navigation
CPDLC services are available after transiting an area where aid (NAVAID).
those services were not available. (b) Emergency back‑up power—All instrument landing
To perform an initial logon request, the flight crew enters into system (ILS) and VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) facilities
the data link equipment: for which NAV CANADA has responsibility, as well as
distance measuring equipment (DME) and tactical air
(a) the four-character International Civil Aviation navigation aid (TACAN) associated with these facilities,
Organization (ICAO) facility identifier for the ATS unit are provided with emergency power. Additionally, many
that the logon request will be sent to; non-directional beacons (NDBs) are provided with
(b) the aircraft identification (as entered in Item 7 of the ICAO emergency power.
flight plan);
88
Measures to maintain accuracy and integrity of the navigation the NAVAID when the observation was made and the time and
signals include: date of the observation.
(a) Executive monitoring—An electronic means in which the
system checks its critical parameters. In the event of an 4.4 INTERFERENCE WITH AIRCRAFT
out-of-tolerance condition, it either changes to an auxiliary NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT
back-up equipment or shuts the system down if there is no Some portable electronic devices can interfere with aircraft
redundancy or if the redundant circuit has also failed. This communications and radio navigation systems. The radiation
monitoring is continuous. produced by frequency modulation (FM) radio receivers and
(b) Periodic maintenance—NAVAIDs are periodically tested television broadcast receivers falls within the instrument landing
by qualified technologists. system (ILS) localizer (LOC) and VHF omnidirectional
range (VOR) frequency band, while the radiation produced by
(c) Flight inspection—In-flight inspections of ILS, VOR and amplitude modulation (AM) radio receivers falls within the
DME are carried out by specially equipped aircraft on a frequency range of automatic direction finder (ADF) receivers.
regular basis to ensure that standards are met. This radiation could interfere with the correct operation of ILS,
During periods of routine or emergency maintenance, or when VOR and ADF equipment. Pilots are therefore cautioned against
a NAVAID is identified as not meeting the required performance permitting the operation of any portable electronic device on
standard, it is temporarily removed from service and a NOTAM board their aircraft during takeoff, approach and landing.
is issued to advise pilots of the deficiency. The removal of the
After extensive testing, Industry Canada has concluded that the
COM
transmitted NAVAID identification can also warns pilots that
switching on or use of handheld electronic calculators can cause
the facility may be unreliable even though it may still transmit
interference to airborne ADF equipment in the 200 to 450 kHz
a navigation signal. Under these circumstances the facility should
frequency range when the calculator is held or positioned within
not be used. Similarly, prior to commissioning, a new facility
5 ft of the loop or sense antenna, or lead-in cable installation of
(particularly VOR or ILS) may transmit with or without
the system. Pilots, especially of small aircraft and helicopters,
identification. In such cases, a NOTAM would identify that the
are therefore cautioned against allowing the operation of
facility is unavailable and not to be used for navigation.
calculators on board their aircraft while airborne.
The end result of these combined efforts is a safe and reliable
air navigation system which meets the established standards. 4.5 VHF OMNIDIRECTIONAL RANGE (VOR)
Nevertheless, prior to using any NAVAID, pilots should do the
following: The VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) is a ground-based,
short-distance navigation aid (NAVAID) which provides
(a) Check NOTAMs prior to flight for information on NAVAID continuous azimuth information in the form of 360 usable radials
outages. These may include scheduled outages for to or from a station. It is the basis for the very high frequency (VHF)
maintenance or calibration. For remote aerodromes, or airway structure. It is also used for VOR non-precision instrument
aerodromes w it h communit y aerodrome radio approaches.
station (CARS), it is recommended that pilots contact the
CARS observer‑communicator (O/C) or the aerodrome (a) Frequency band—VORs in Canada operate on assigned
operator prior to flight to determine the condition of the channels spaced at 0.05 MHz (50 kHz) increments within
aerodrome, availability of services and the status of the frequency range 112.0 to 117.95 MHz.
NAVAIDs. The implication for users is that, in airspace serviced solely by
(b) Ensure that on-board navigation receivers are properly VOR, aircraft equipped with older VOR receivers which cannot
tuned and that the NAVAID identifier is aurally confirmed. be tuned to two decimal places (e.g. 115.25 MHz) may not be
able to operate under instrument flight rules (IFR). Of course,
(c) Visually confirm that the appropriate indicator displays are area navigation (RNAV), where approved for use, may enable
presented. operation under IFR.
Receivers with integrated distance measuring equipment (DME)
4.3 PILOT REPORTING OF ABNORMAL
(i.e. VOR/DME receivers) normally select the associated DME
OPERATION OF GROUND-BASED
“Y” channel automatically, while stand-alone DME receivers
NAVIGATION AIDS (NAVAIDS)
display the “X” and “Y” channels separately.
Pilots are responsible for reporting any navigation aid (NAVAID)
(b) Range—VOR reception is subject to line-of-sight restrictions
failure or abnormality to the appropriate air traffic service (ATS)
and range varies with aircraft altitude. Subject to shadow
facility. If it is not practical to report while airborne, a report
effect, reception at an altitude of 1 500 ft above ground
should be filed after landing.
level (AGL) is about 50 NM. Aircraft operating above
Reports should contain the nature of the abnormal operation 30 000 ft normally receive VOR at a distance of 150 NM
detected by the pilot and the approximate magnitude and or more.
direction of any course shift (if applicable). The magnitude may
be either in miles or degrees from the published bearing. Reports
should also include the approximate distance of the aircraft from
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(c) Identification—Identification is accomplished by means of (b) Classification—NDBs are classified by high, medium or low
a three-letter location indicator keyed in Morse code at power output as follows:
regular intervals. (i) “H” power output is 2 000 W or more;
(d) VOR courses—Theoretically, an infinite number of courses (ii) “M” power output is from 50 W to less than 2 000 W;
(radials) are radiated from a VOR station; however, in actual and
practice, 360 radials are usable under optimum conditions.
(iii) “L” power output is less than 50 W.
The accuracy of course alignment for published VOR radials is
±3˚. Unpublished radials are not required to meet a particular (c) Accuracy—NDB systems are flight checked to an accuracy
standard of accuracy and may be affected by siting difficulties. of at least ±5˚ for an approach and ±10˚ for en route. However,
Any significant anomalies in published radials sent out from much larger errors are possible due to propagation
VOR serving an aerodrome will be published in the Canada disturbances caused by sunrise or sunset, reflected signals
Flight Supplement (CFS). from high terrain, refraction of signals crossing shorelines
at less than 30˚ and electrical storms.
4.5.1 VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Receiver
Checks 4.7 DISTANCE MEASURING
EQUIPMENT (DME)
Where RNAV routes have not been published, VOR remains the
primary NAVAID for use in Canada. It is important that the Distance measuring equipment (DME) functions by means of
two-way transmissions of signals between the aircraft and the
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accuracy of the aircraft equipment be checked in accordance

with principles of good airmanship and aviation safety. DME site. Paired pulses at a specific spacing are sent out from
the aircraft and are received by the ground station. The ground
While standard avionics maintenance practices are used for station then transmits paired pulses back to the aircraft on a
checking aircraft VOR receivers, dual VOR equipment may be different frequency. The time required for this signal exchange
checked by tuning both sets to the same VOR facility and noting is measured in the airborne DME unit and is translated into
the indicated bearings sent to that station. A difference greater distance (nautical mile [NM]) from the aircraft to the ground
than 4˚ between the aircraft’s two VOR receivers indicates that station. Distance information received from DME is slant range
one of the aircraft’s receivers may be beyond acceptable tolerance. distance and not actual horizontal distance. Accuracy of the
In such circumstances, the cause of the error should be investigated DME system is within ±0.5 NM or three percent of the distance,
and, if necessary, corrected before the equipment is used for an whichever is greater.
IFR flight.
DME is collocated with most Canadian VHF omnidirectional
range (VOR) installations (VOR/DME) and with many instrument
4.5.2 Airborne VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR)
landing system (ILS) and localizers (LOCs). In some cases, DME
Check
are also collocated with non‑directional beacons (NDBs) to
Aircraft VOR equipment may also be checked while airborne provide improved navigation capability.  For collocated sites, a
by flying over a landmark located on a published radial and single keyer is used to key both the VOR/ILS/LOC and the DME
noting the indicated radial. Equipment which varies more than with the three-letter location indicator. The VOR/ILS/LOC
±6˚ from the published radial should not be used for transmits three consecutive indicator codes in a medium pitch
IFR navigation. of 1 020 Hz followed by a single DME indicator code transmitted
on the DME frequency (ultrahigh frequency [UHF]) and
4.6 NON-DIRECTIONAL BEACON (NDB) modulated at a slightly higher pitch of 1 350 Hz. In the event
that synchronization from the VOR/ILS/LOC should fail, the
Non-directional beacons (NDBs) combine a transmitter with DME identification will be transmitted independently.
an antenna system providing a non-directional radiation pattern
within the low frequency (LF) and medium frequency (MF) The DME system is in the UHF band and therefore is limited
bands of 190–415 kHz and 510–535 kHz. NDBs are the basis of to line-of-sight reception with a range similar to that of a VOR.
the LF/MF airway and air route system. In addition, they function Most DME “X” and “Y” channels are paired with VOR and LOC
as marker beacons for instrument landing system (ILS) as well frequencies. As a result, the receiving equipment in most aircraft
as non‑precision approach (NPA) aids for NDB instrument provide automatic DME selection through a coupled VOR/ILS
approaches. receiver. Otherwise, the DME interrogator must be selected to
the paired VOR or LOC frequency. Distance information from
(a) Identification—Identification consists of two or three letter an independent tactical air navigation aid (TACAN) facility can
or number indicators keyed in Morse code at regular be obtained by selecting the appropriate paired VOR frequency.
i nter va ls. (Pr ivate N DBs consist of a let ter/ (In that case, only DME information is being received; any
number combination.) apparent radial information must be ignored.) The DME paired
frequency and channel number are published in the Canada
Flight Supplement (CFS) and on instrument flight rules (IFR)
en route charts in the navigation data box for all TACAN and
DME installations.
90
By convention, those frequencies requiring only one decimal the approach. LOCs operate in the 108.1–111.9 MHz frequency
place (e.g. 110.3 MHz) are known as “X” channels and those range. The LOC may be offset up to 3° from the runway heading
associated with two decimal places are designated as “Y” channels and still publish as a straight-in procedure; however, the amount
(e.g. 112.45 MHz). of offset will be published as a note on the approach plate. LOC
alignment exceeding 3° of the runway heading will have an “X”
4.8 TACTICAL AIR NAVIGATION (TACAN) as the first letter of the indicator, whereas LOCs and back courses
with an alignment of 3° or less will have an “I” as the first letter.
Tactical air navigation aid (TACAN) is a navigation aid (NAVAID)
used primarily by the military for en route, non‑precision The normal, reliable coverage of ILS LOCs is 18 NM within 10°
approaches (NPAs) and other military applications. It provides of either side of the course centreline and 10 NM within 35° of
azimuth in the form of radials and slant distance in nautical the course centreline.
miles (NM) from the ground station. The system operates in the LOC and glide path identification is transmitted on the LOC
ultrahigh frequency (UHF) range with the frequencies identified frequency in the form of a two-letter or letter-number indicator
by channel number. There are 126 channels. preceded by the letter “I” (e.g. IOW).
TACAN users may obtain distance information from a distance
measuring equipment (DME) installation by selecting the TACAN 4.10.2 Glide Path (GP)
channel that is paired with the VHF omnidirectional range (VOR)
The glide path transmitter operates within the frequency range
frequency. This TACAN paired channel number is published in
of 329.3 to 335 MHz. The frequency is paired with the associated
the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) for every VOR/DME facility.
COM
LOC frequency in accordance with ICAO standards. The glide
CAUTION: path is adjusted to a published approach angle (typically 3°) and
Only DME information is being received by the TACAN avionics. a beam width of 1.4°. The antenna array is located approximately
Any apparent radial information obtained through the TACAN 1 000 ft from the approach end of the runway and offset
avionics from a VOR/DME facility can only be false signals. approximately 400 ft from the runway centreline. As the glide
path is formed by reflecting the transmitted signal off the ground,
the beam-forming area in front of the glide path antenna can
4.9 VHF OMNIDIRECTIONAL RANGE be negatively affected by heavy snow buildup. Airports have
AND TACTICAL AIR NAVIGATION snow-clearing plans in effect for this area as the snow must
AID (VORTAC) remain below the allowable design depth for proper glide path
A number of tactical air navigation aids (TACANs), supplied by operation.
the Department of National Defence (DND), are collocated with At some of the larger airports, an ILS is installed at each end of
VHF omnidirectional ranges (VORs) to form facilities called a runway. Consequently, an approach may be designed to either
VORTACs. end of the runway. The two systems are interlocked so that only
This facility provides VOR azimuth, TACAN azimuth and slant one ILS can operate at any time.
distance from the site. Components of a VORTAC operate
Figure 4.1—Typical ILS Installation
simultaneously on paired frequencies so that aircraft distance
measuring equipment (DME) avionics, when tuned using the
paired VOR frequency, will obtain distance information from
the DME component of the TACAN. An aircraft must be equipped
with a VOR receiver to use VOR, appropriate equipment to use
DME, or TACAN equipment to use TACAN (azimuth and DME).
4.10 INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM (ILS)

The instrument landing system (ILS) is designed to provide an
aircraft with a precision final approach with horizontal and
vertical guidance to the runway. The ground equipment consists
of a localizer (LOC), a glide path transmitter, a non-directional
beacon (NDB), and a distance measuring equipment (DME) fix
or an area navigation (RNAV) fix to denote the final approach
fix (FAF). See Figure 4.1 for a typical ILS installation.
4.10.1 Localizer (LOC)
The LOC provides the pilot with course guidance to the runway
centreline. When the LOC is used with the glide slope, it is called
an ILS. The LOC is adjusted to provide an angular width typically
between 3° and 6°, depending on runway length. The transmitter
antenna array is located at the far end of the runway away from
91
4.10.3 Non-directional Beacon (NDB) (c) RVR equipment—For CAT II operations, two RVRs: one
located adjacent to the runway threshold (touchdown or
Low-power NDB transmitters are sometimes located on the
RVR A), and one located adjacent to the runway mid-point
LOC, 3.5 to 6 mi. from the runway threshold. If it is not possible
(mid-point or RVR B). For CAT III operations, three RVRs:
to install an NDB, a DME fix or RNAV fix may be used instead
one located adjacent to the runway threshold (touchdown
to form the FAF. In some cases, an en route NDB is located on
or RVR A), one located adjacent to the runway mid-point
a LOC so that it may serve as a terminal as well as an en route
(mid-point or RVR B), and one located at the stop-end (rollout
facility. As a general rule, NDBs transmit a two- or three-letter
or RVR C) of the runway (ref. ICAO Annex 3, 4.6.3.4).
indicator. The FAF provides a fix to which the pilot can navigate
for the transition to the ILS. (d) Power source—Airport emergency power (primary electrical
source for all essential system elements), commercial power
4.10.4 Instrument Landing System (ILS)/Distance available within one second as backup.
Measuring Equipment (DME)
4.10.7 Caution Regarding Use of Instrument
At some locations, a DME paired with the ILS provides distance
Landing System (ILS)
information to define the IAF and MAP. At other locations,
VOR/DME, which are available either on the airport or aligned (a) Low clearance indications—Course interference is negligible
with the appropriate runway, will be used to provide distance when aircraft are flown within 6° on either side of the course
information for the transition to the ILS. centreline. Actual anomalies are typically noted on the
applicable approach charts. However, failure of certain
COM
4.10.5 Instrument Landing System (ILS) elements of some multi-element LOC antenna array systems
Categories can cause false courses or low clearances* beyond 6° from
the centreline that are not detected by the LOC monitoring
(a) Operational CAT I—Operation down to a minima of 200 ft DH system. This could result in a premature cockpit indication
and an RVR of 2 600 ft with a high probability of success. of approaching or intercepting an on-course centreline. For
(When RVR is not available, 1/2 SM ground visibility is this reason, a coupled approach should not be initiated until
substituted.) the aircraft is established within 6° of the LOC centreline.
(b) Operational CAT II—Operation down to a minima below It is also essential to confirm the LOC on-course indication
200 ft DH and an RVR of 2 600 ft, to as low as 100 ft DH by reference to the aircraft’s heading and other NAVAIDs
and an RVR of 1 200 ft, with a high probability of success. (such as an ADF bearing or RNAV track) before commencing
final descent. Any abnormal indications experienced within
(c) Operational CAT III—CAT III minima will be prescribed 35° of the published centreline of an ILS LOC should be
in the carrier’s operating specifications, in the operator’s reported immediately to the appropriate ATS facility.
operations manual, or in the CAP.
*A low clearance occurs whenever there is less than full-scale
deflection of the omnibearing selector or CDI at a position
4.10.6 Category II/III Instrument Landing
where a full-scale deflection should be displayed outside of
System (ILS)
6° from the LOC centreline.
CAT II/III ILS enable pilots to conduct instrument approaches
(b) LOC false course—False course captures may occur when
to lower weather minima by using special equipment and
the pilot prematurely selects APPROACH MODE from
procedures in the aircraft and at the airport.
either HDG or LNAV MODE. Some ILS receivers produce
The following airport systems must be fully serviceable to meet lower than expected course deviation outputs in the presence
CAT II/III standards: of high modulation levels of the LOC-radiated signal. This
can occur even when both the ground transmitter and the
(a) Airport lighting—A lighting system which includes:
airborne receiver meet their respective performance
(i) approach lights; requirements. The reduced course deviation can, in turn,
(ii) runway threshold lights; trigger a false course capture in the AFCS. False course
(iii) touchdown zone lights; captures can occur at azimuths of anywhere from 6° to 35°
(iv) centreline lights; but are most likely to occur in the vicinity of 6° to 10° azimuth
(v) runway edge lights; from the published LOC course. A false capture is deemed
(vi) runway end lights; to have occurred when the AFCGS allows the LOC to switch
(vii) all stop bars and lead-on lights; from ARMED to CAPTURED even though the omnibearing
(viii) essential taxiway lights. selector or CDI has not moved and is still at full-scale
(b) ILS components—Including: deflection.
(i) LOC; In order to minimize the possibility of a false course capture
(ii) glide path transmitter; during an ILS approach, pilots should use raw data sources
(iii) NDB, DME or RNAV fix. to ensure that the aircraft is within 6° of the correct LOC
course prior to initiating a coupled approach. The following
cockpit procedures are recommended:
92
(i) APPROACH MODE should not be selected until the Some CAT I and II ILS facilities that have the signal
aircraft is within 18 NM of the threshold and is characteristics to support AFCGS operations to CAT I and
positioned within 6° of the inbound ILS course. II minima, as applicable, may not have the requisite signal
(ii) In addition, pilots should: characteristics to support autoland operations.
NAV CANADA maintains a list indicating which facilities
(A) ensure that the ADF bearing (associated with
are suitable for autoland practice. The list is available here:
the appropriate NDB site) or RNAV track for
<https://www.navcanada.ca/en/flight-planning/
the runway is monitored for correct orientation;
communication-navigation-and-surveillance.aspx/#e4970
(B) be aware when the raw data indicates that the
b9b30a240fd99eaa339c4316d66>.
aircraft is approaching and established on the
correct course; and Flight crews are reminded to exercise extreme caution
(C) be aware that, should a false course capture whenever ILS signals are used beyond the minima specified
occur, it will be necessary to deselect and re-arm in the approach procedure and when conducting autolands
APPROACH MODE in order to achieve a on any category of ILS when critical area protection is not
successful coupled approach on the correct assured by ATC. Pilots must be prepared to immediately
LOC course. disconnect the autopilot and take appropriate action should
unsatisfactory AFCGS performance occur during these
(c) EMI—The effect of EMI, particularly on ILS LOC system
operations.
integrity, is becoming increasingly significant. In built-up
areas, power transformer stations, industrial activity, and (e) Glide path fluctuations—While an aircraft is navigating on
COM
broadcast transmitters have been known to generate the ILS, fluctuations may occur when other aircraft or
interference that affects LOC receivers. The effect is difficult vehicles are moving through the glide path critical area,
to quantify as the interference may be transitory, and certain causing interference with the signal. In some cases, the
LOC receivers are more susceptible than others to EMI. If aircraft automation/autopilot may follow momentary
the LOC goes off the air, the “off” flag may remain out of fluctuations, causing the aircraft to pitch or roll. ATS will
sight or the flag and CDI may give erratic or erroneous protect the glidepath signal when:
indications. It is even possible that normal on-course cockpit (i) The ceiling is less than 1 000 ft or visibility is less
indications may continue. Under normal circumstances, than 3 miles, or both; and
ATS will advise pilots conducting an approach if there is
equipment failure. (ii) The arriving aircraft is inside the FAF on an ILS
approach.
(d) Automatic landing (autoland) operations—The
commissioning, periodic flight inspection, and maintenance The ILS critical areas are not protected when aircraft are
of the ILS facility serving a CAT III runway include an outside the FAF. Futhermore, except for CAT II/III
analysis of the ILS LOC signal throughout the rollout to operations, localizer signal protection is not applied when
confirm that the ILS facility will support CAT III operations. a preceding aircraft passes over or through the critical area
The successful outcome of any ILS autoland depends on while taking off, landing, or executing a missed approach
the performance of the aircraft’s AFCGS and the ILS LOC on the same or another runway. Pilots must be aware of ILS
and glide path signals. The course structure and the integrity signal interference threats as well as flight display indications
of an ILS can be compromised when protection of the ILS and autopilot functionality during manual or fully coupled
critical areas is not assured. The LOC is particularly sensitive ILS approaches.
due to its larger signal volume in the aerodrome area. Surface In situations where protection of the ILS signal is not required
and airborne traffic as well as vehicles that are crossing or but a pilot wishes to conduct autoland or practise low-
parked in these critical areas can create a deflection in or a visibility procedures, the pilot must advise the controller
disturbance to the ILS signal. An ILS CAT III signal is only of these intentions early enough so that the controller can
protected by ATC when low visibility procedures are in either protect the ILS critical area or advise the pilot that,
effect at that aerodrome. due to traffic, ILS critical area protection is not possible. If
It has been common practice for operators of appropriately ILS critical area protection is not possible, the controller
equipped and certified aircraft to conduct AFCGS autoland will use the phrase “ILS CRITICAL AREA NOT
operations at CAT I, II, or III facilities when weather PROTECTED”. It then becomes the pilot’s responsibility to
conditions are above the appropriate minima to satisfy continue the chosen approach mode.
maintenance, training, or reliability program requirements. Pilots should review Transport Canada’s Manual of All
A portion of these autolands may also need to be conducted Weather Operations for an understanding of ILS critical
on CAT I ILS facilities, or on CAT II/III ILS facilities when and sensitive areas.
low visibility procedures are not in force. In the case of a
CAT I ILS facility, for example, the ILS should be of CAT II NOTE: At uncontrolled airports, aircraft manoeuvring on the
signal quality without necessarily meeting the associated ground may enter ILS critical areas during taxi, takeoff, or
CAT II reliability and availability criteria for backup landing.
equipment and automatic changeover of facility performance.
93
(f) Glide path false course—The normal antenna pattern of jointly by the departments of Defense and Transportation, that
glide path installations produces a false glide path angle at is comprised of representatives from several other departments
two and three times the set angle (e.g. at 6° and 9° for a to ensure that civil users’ requirements are considered in the
typical 3° published glide path angle). management of the system. Title 10 of the U.S. Code, Section 2281,
ATC procedures in terminal areas are designed to maintain assigns the Secretary of Defense statutory authority to sustain
aircraft at an altitude that provides a normal rate of descent and operate GPS for military and civil purposes. This statute
and a suitable position to capture the published glide path directs the Secretary of Defense to provide civil GPS service on
signal. Following the instrument procedures carefully will a continuous, worldwide basis, free of direct user fees.
ensure both an approach with a stable rate of descent and The design GPS constellation contains 24 GPS satellites, orbiting
the complete avoidance of a false glide path. Failure to adhere the earth twice a day at an altitude of 10 900 NM (20 200 km).
to instrument procedures (e.g. remaining at an altitude They are arranged in six separate orbital planes, with four satellites
higher than published) could result in positioning the aircraft in each; this gives complete global coverage. There are
in a false glide path created by the radiated lobe. approximately 32 operational satellites; however, at any given
In order to minimize the possibility of false glide path capture time, one or more may be decommissioned or be out of service
during an ILS approach, pilots should verify the rate of temporarily for maintenance.
descent and the altitude at the FAF to ensure that the aircraft All GPS orbits cross the equator at a 55° angle, so it is not possible
is on the published glide path. to see a GPS satellite directly overhead when north of 55° N or
south of 55° S latitude. This does not affect service in polar areas
COM
adversely; in fact, on average, more GPS satellites are visible at

5.0 AREA NAVIGATION (RNAV) high latitudes since receivers can track satellites on the other
Area navigation (RNAV) is a method of navigation which permits side of the pole.
aircraft operation on any desired flight path within the coverage GPS positioning is based on precise timing. Each satellite has
of navigation aids (NAVAIDs) or within the limits of the capability four atomic clocks on board, guaranteeing an accuracy of one
of self-contained NAVAIDs, or a combination of these. billionth of one second, and broadcasts a digital PRN code that
Existing navigation systems which provide an area is repeated every millisecond. All GPS satellites start generating
navigation (RNAV) capability include the global navigation the same code at the same time. Code matching techniques
satellite system (GNSS), VHF omnidirectional range (VOR)/ establish the time of arrival difference between the generation
distance measuring equipment (DME) (RHO-THETA), DME- of the signal at the satellite and its arrival at the receiver. The
DME (RHO-RHO), inertial navigation system (INS) and inertial speed of the signal is closely approximated by the speed of light,
reference system (IRS). with variations resulting from ionospheric and atmospheric
effects modeled or directly measured and applied. The time of
5.1 GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE arrival difference is converted to a distance, referred to as a
SYSTEM (GNSS) pseudorange, by computing the product of the time of arrival
difference and the average speed of the signal. The satellites also
The global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is a worldwide broadcast orbit information (ephemeris) to permit receivers to
position and time determination system that includes one or calculate the position of the satellites at any instant in time.
more satellite constellations, aircraft receivers and system
integrity monitoring, augmented as necessary to support the Normally, SVNs are sequential (i.e. SVN 68 was the sixty-eighth
required navigation performance for the intended operation. satellite launched), but PRN codes are assigned to a position in
the constellation, and are numbered PRN 1 to 24 (with a maximum
of 32).
5.2 GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE
SYSTEM (GNSS) CONSTELLATIONS A receiver normally needs four pseudoranges to calculate a
three-dimensional position and to resolve the time difference
Currently, there are two complete navigation satellite constellations between receiver and satellite clocks. In addition to position and
in orbit: the U.S. global positioning system (GPS) and the Russian time, GPS receivers can also calculate velocity—both speed and
global orbiting navigation satellite system (GLONASS). The U.S. direction of motion.
and Russia have offered these systems as the basis of a global
navigation satellite system (GNSS) that is free of direct user GPS accuracy depends on transit time and signal propagation
charges. Additional constellations are being developed by the speed to compute pseudoranges. Therefore, accurate satellite
European Union (Galileo), and by China (BeiDou). Instrument clocks, broadcast orbits, and computation of delays as the signals
flight rules (IFR) certified GNSS receivers manufactured in pass through the ionosphere are critical. The ionosphere, which
North America use only the GPS constellation, but plans are is a zone of charged particles several hundred kilometres above
underway to expand that ability. the Earth, causes signal delays that vary from day to night and
by solar activity. Current receivers contain a model of the nominal
5.2.1 Global Positioning System (GPS) day/night delay, but this model does not account for variable
solar activity. For applications requiring high accuracy, GPS
The GPS constellation was developed by the U.S. military; but needs an augmentation system to correct the computed transit
since 1996, it has been managed by an executive board, chaired time to compensate for this delay.
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Another key to GPS accuracy is the relative position of satellites and availability requirements for aviation. There are currently
in the sky, or satellite geometry. When satellites are widely spread, three types of augmentation:
geometry and accuracy are better. If satellites are clustered in a
(a) aircraft-based augmentation system (ABAS);
small area of the sky, geometry and accuracy are worse. Currently,
GPS horizontal and vertical positions are accurate to 6 m and (b) satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS); and
8 m, respectively, 95% of the time. (c) ground-based augmentation system (GBAS).
The GPS satellite constellation is operated by the U.S. Air Force
from a control centre at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado. 5.3.1 Aircraft-Based Augmentation
A global network of monitor and uplink stations relays information System (ABAS)
about the satellites to the control centre and sends messages,
RAIM and FDE functions in current IFR-certified avionics are
when required, to the satellites.
considered ABAS. RAIM can provide the integrity for the
If a problem is detected with a satellite, it is commanded to send en route, terminal, and NPA phases of flight. FDE improves the
an “unhealthy” status indication, causing receivers to drop it continuity of operation in the event of a satellite failure and can
from the position solution. Since detection and resolution of a support primary-means oceanic operations.
problem take time, and this delay is unacceptable in aviation
RAIM uses extra satellites in view to compare solutions and
operations, augmentation systems are used to provide the level
detect problems. It usually takes four satellites to compute a
of integrity required by aviation.
navigation solution, and a minimum of five for RAIM to function.
COM
The GPS constellation status is available at <http://www.navcen. The availability of RAIM is a function of the number of visible
uscg.gov/?Do=constellationStatus>. satellites and their geometry. It is complicated by the movement
of satellites relative to a coverage area and temporary satellite
5.2.2 Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite outages resulting from scheduled maintenance or failures.
System (GLONASS) If the number of satellites in view and their geometry do not
GLONASS is a global satellite constellation, operated by the support the applicable alert limit (2 NM en route, 1 NM terminal
Russian Aerospace Defence Forces, that provides real-time and 0.3 NM NPA), RAIM is unable to guarantee the integrity
position and velocity determination for military and civilian of the position solution. (Note that this does not imply a satellite
users. The satellites are located at an altitude of 19 100 km and malfunction.) In this case, the RAIM function in the avionics
at an inclination of the orbital planes of 64.8° to the equator. will alert the pilot, but will continue providing a navigation
solution. Except in cases of emergency, pilots must discontinue
The GLONASS constellation status is available at using GNSS for IFR navigation when such an alert occurs.
<https://www.glonass-iac.ru/en/sostavOG/>.
A second type of RAIM alert occurs when the avionics detects
a satellite range error (typically caused by a satellite malfunction)
5.2.3 Galileo Navigation Satellite System
that may cause an accuracy degradation that exceeds the alert
Galileo is Europe’s GNSS constellation, which will provide a limit for the current phase of flight. When this occurs, the avionics
highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under alerts the pilot and denies navigation guidance by displaying
civilian control. The fully deployed Galileo system will consist red flags on the HSI or CDI. Continued flight using GNSS is
of 24 operational satellites plus six in-orbit spares, positioned in then not possible until the satellite is flagged as unhealthy by
three circular medium Earth orbit (MEO) planes at an altitude the control centre, or normal satellite operation is restored.
of 23 222 km, and at an inclination of the orbital planes of 56°
Some avionics go beyond basic RAIM by having an FDE feature
to the equator.
that allows the avionics to detect which satellite is faulty, and
The Galileo constellation status is available at <https://www. then to exclude it from the navigation solution. FDE requires a
gsc-europa.eu/system-status/Constellation-Information>. minimum of six satellites with good geometry to function. It
has the advantage of allowing continued navigation in the
5.2.4 BeiDou Navigation Satellite System presence of a satellite malfunction.
BeiDou is the Chinese navigation satellite system. It consists of Most first generation avionics do not have FDE and were designed
two separate satellite constellations: a limited test system that when GPS had a feature called SA that deliberately degraded
has been operating since 2000 and a full-scale global navigation accuracy. SA has since been discontinued, and new generation
system that is currently under construction. SBAS-capable receivers (TSO‑C145a/C146a) account for SA
being terminated. These receivers experience a higher RAIM
The BeiDou constellation status is available at <www.csno-tarc. availability, even in the absence of SBAS messages, and also have
cn/en/>. FDE capability.
For avionics that cannot take advantage of SA being discontinued,
5.3 AUGMENTATION SYSTEMS
average RAIM availability is 99.99% for en-route and 99.7% for
Augmentation of the global positioning system (GPS) constellation NPA operations for a 24-satellite GPS constellation. FDE
or the global orbiting navigation satellite system (GLONASS) availability ranges from 99.8% for en route to 89.5% for NPA.
constellation is required to meet the accuracy, integrity, continuity Avionics that can take advantage of SA having been discontinued
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have virtually 100% availability of RAIM for en route and 99.998% Vertical guidance provides safer stabilized approaches and
for NPA; FDE availability ranges from 99.92% for en route to transition to visual for landing. This represents one of the
99.1% for NPA. These figures have been computed for mid- principal benefits from SBAS service. The other is lower approach
latitudes, and are dependent on user position and also on which minima at certain airports, as a result of greater lateral accuracy.
satellites are operational at any given time. RAIM and FDE
The first SBAS, the U.S. FAA’s wide area augmentation
availability is typically even better at high latitudes, since the
system (WAAS), was commissioned in 2003. Europe has built
receiver is able to track satellites on the other side of the North Pole.
a compatible system called EGNOS (European geostationary
The level of RAIM or FDE availability for a certain airspace at navigation overlay service) which was approved for aviation use
a certain time is determined by an analysis of satellite geometry, in August 2010. Japan and India also have similar systems to
rather than signal measurement. This is why it can be predicted augment GNSS: MSAS (MTSAT satellite-based augmentation
by receivers or with PC-based computer software. The difference system) and GAGAN (GPS and GEO augmented navigation),
between the two methods is that the receivers use the current respectively.
constellation in their calculations while the PC software can use
WAAS messages are currently being broadcast by three
a constellation definition that takes into account scheduled
geostationary satellites located on the equator at 107.3°W, 116.8°W
satellite outages.
and 133°W.
Most TSO‑C129a avionics also accept signals from an aircraft
altitude encoder. This is called baro-aiding, and it essentially 5.3.3 Ground-Based Augmentation
reduces the number of satellites required by one, thus further System (GBAS)
COM
increasing the availability of RAIM and providing an additional

measure of tolerance to satellite failures. GBAS, also known as LAAS, sends corrections directly to GBAS-
capable receivers from a ground station at an airport.
With proper integration, IRS and INS can augment/enhance
GNSS navigation. This system allows “coasting” through periods GPS receivers with antennas at surveyed surface locations provide
of low availability. measurements used to generate and broadcast pseudorange
corrections. Aircraft receivers use the corrections for increased
accuracy, while a monitor function in the ground station assures
5.3.2 Satellite-Based Augmentation
the integrity of the broadcast. GBAS provides service over a
System (SBAS)
limited area, typically within 30 NM of the ground station.
SBAS uses a network of ground-based reference stations that
GBAS is not yet available in Canada.
monitor navigation satellite signals and relay data to master
stations, which assess signal validity and compute error
corrections. The master stations generate two primary types of
5.4 DOMESTIC INSTRUMENT FLIGHT
messages: integrity, and range corrections. These are broadcast
RULES (IFR) APPROVAL TO USE
to SBAS-capable GNSS receivers via GEO satellites in fixed
GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE
orbital positions over the equator. The SBAS GEO satellites also
SYSTEM (GNSS) AND SATELLITE-
serve as additional sources of navigation ranging signals.
BASED AUGMENTATION
SYSTEM (SBAS)
The integrity messages provide a direct validation of each
The global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and satellite-based
navigation satellite’s signal. This function is similar to RAIM,
augmentation system (SBAS) approved for instrument flight
except that the additional satellites required for RAIM are not
rules (IFR) use in Canada are listed in AIP Canada ENR 4.3,
necessary when SBAS integrity messages are used. The integrity
Table 4.3.
messages are available wherever a GEO satellite signal can
be received. GNSS capability may be provided by a panel-mount receiver or
by a flight management system (FMS) that uses the appropriate
The range corrections contain estimates of the errors introduced
sensor.
into the range measurements as a result of ionospheric delays,
and satellite ephemeris (orbit) and clock errors. Ionospheric Avionics are required to meet appropriate equipment standards
delay terms are critical for correction messages, and are also the and, equally important, the avionics installation must be approved
most challenging to characterize. First, each reference station by Transport Canada (TC) to ensure proper avionics integration
measures the ionospheric delay for each visible satellite. These and display.
observations are sent to the master station, where they are
Handheld and other visual flight rules (VFR) receivers do not
combined, and used to generate a model of the ionosphere, which
support integrity monitoring, nor do they comply with other
is then transmitted to the receivers via the GEO satellite. The
certification requirements; therefore, they cannot be used for
accuracy of the model is dependent on the number and placement
IFR operations.
of the reference stations providing observations of ionospheric
delays. Holders of air operator certificates (AOCs) issued under Part VII
of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and private operator
By compensating for these errors, SBAS-capable GNSS receivers
certificates issued under CAR 604 are required to be authorized
can compute the position of the aircraft with the accuracy
to conduct GNSS instrument approach operations in instrument
necessary to support flight operations with vertical guidance.
meteorological conditions (IMC).
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5.4.1 Domestic En Route and Terminal GNSS-based RNAV approaches are designed to take full advantage
Operations of GNSS capabilities. A series of waypoints in a “T” or “Y” pattern
eliminates the need for a procedure turn. The accuracy of GNSS
In practice, pilots can use GNSS for guidance most of the time.
may result in lower minima and increased capacity at the airport.
If an integrity alert occurs while en route, the pilot can then
Because GNSS is not dependent on the location of a ground-
continue by using conventional aids, diverting if necessary from
based aid, straight-in approaches are possible for most runway
the direct routing, notifying ATS of any changes to the flight
ends at an airport.
and obtaining a new clearance, as required.
In Canada, RNAV (GNSS) approach charts may depict up to
When using GNSS to maintain a track in terminal operations,
five sets of minima:
the avionics shall be in terminal mode and/or the CDI shall be
set to terminal sensitivity. (Most avionics set the mode and (a) LPV;
sensitivity automatically within 30 NM of the destination airport, (b) LP;
or when an arrival procedure is loaded.)
(c) LNAV/VNAV;
When using GNSS to navigate along VHF/UHF or LF/MF
airways, ground-based NAVAID reception is not an issue. This (d) LNAV; and
means that pilots using GNSS for navigation can file or request (e) CIRCLING.
an altitude below the MEA, but at or above the MOCA, to avoid
The LP and LNAV minima indicate an NPA, while the LNAV/
icing, optimize cruise altitude, or in an emergency. However, an
VNAV and LPV minima refer to APV approaches (RNAV
COM
ATS clearance to fly at a below-MEA altitude could be dependent
approaches with vertical guidance). However, the actual terms
on issues such as radiocommunication reception and the base
“NPA” and “APV” do not appear on the charts because they are
of controlled airspace. In the rare case of a RAIM alert while en
approach categories not related to specific procedure design
route below the MEA, and out of range of the NAVAID, pilots
criteria. In Canada, the depiction of the five sets of minima is
should advise ATS and climb to continue the flight using alternate
similar to the way that an ILS approach may show landing minima
means of navigation.
for ILS, LOC and CIRCLING.
GNSS avionics typically display the distance to the next
The approach chart may indicate a WAAS channel number. This
waypoint. To ensure proper separation between aircraft, a
is used for certain types of avionics and permits the approach
controller may request the distance from a waypoint that is
to be loaded by entering the number shown.
not the currently active waypoint in the avionics; it may even
be behind the aircraft. Pilots must be able to obtain this All approaches must be retrieved from the avionics database,
information quickly from the avionics. Techniques vary by and that database must be current. While it is sometimes
manufacturer, so pilots should ensure familiarity with this acceptable to use pilot-generated waypoints en route, this is not
function. permitted for approach procedures.
At times outside ATS surveillance coverage, pilots may be cleared
by ATS to a position defined by a latitude and longitude. As these 5.4.2.1 Area Navigation (RNAV) Approaches with
are usually outside the range of traditional NAVAIDs, there is Lateral Guidance Only
no means to cross check that the coordinates have been entered Avionics for LNAV approaches do not define a vertical path
accurately. Pilots must be particularly careful to verify that the through space; as such, each approach segment has a minimum
coordinates are correct. altitude below which the pilot may not descend.
GPS (TSO‑C129/C129a Class A1, B1, B3, C1 or C3) and WAAS
5.4.2 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)- (TSO‑C145a/C146a, any class) avionics are both able to provide
Based Area Navigation (RNAV) Approach the lateral guidance required for these approaches.
Procedures
Without vertical guidance, pilots are required to remain at or
Prior to the advent of GNSS, only two types of approach and above the MDA unless a visual transition to landing can be
landing operations were defined: precision approach and NPA. accomplished, or to conduct a missed approach at the MAWP,
Definitions have now been added for APV to cover approaches typically located over the runway threshold.
that use lateral and vertical guidance, but that do not meet the
requirements established for precision approaches. WAAS and some GPS TSO‑C129/C129a avionics may provide
advisory vertical guidance when flying approaches without
GNSS-based approaches are charted as “RNAV (GNSS) RWY LNAV/VNAV or LPV minima. It is important to recognize that
XX.” The “(GNSS)” before the runway identification indicates this guidance is advisory only and the pilot is responsible for
that GNSS must be used for guidance. Pilots and controllers respecting the minimum altitude for each segment until a visual
shall use the prefix “RNAV” in radio communications transition to land is commenced.
(e.g. “CLEARED TO THE VANCOUVER AIRPORT RNAV
RUNWAY ZERO FOUR APPROACH”). Pilots using TSO‑C129/C129a avionics should use the RAIM
prediction feature (including known satellite outages obtained
by NOTAM at KGPS) to ensure that approach-level RAIM will
be supported at the destination or alternate airport for the ETA
(±15 min). This should be done before takeoff, and again prior
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to commencing a GNSS-based approach. If approach-level RAIM at lower temperatures. To compensate for these temperature
is not expected to be available, pilots should advise ATS as soon effects, some avionics allow input of the temperature at the
as practicable and state their intentions (e.g. delay the approach, airport and apply temperature compensation to the vertical path
fly another type of approach, proceed to alternate). angle so that the baro‑VNAV vertical path is not biased as a
function of temperature. Unfortunately, not all systems have
5.4.2.2 Vertical Guidance on Area Navigation (RNAV) similar capabilities to compensate for temperature effects, and
Approaches pilots need to understand their system’s capabilities.
LNAV/VNAV and LPV describe approaches with vertical When temperature compensation is not or cannot be applied
guidance. These deliver the safety benefits of a stabilized approach through the FMS, pilots shall refer to a temperature limit, referred
and, in many cases, improve airport accessibility. to as TLim, published on the approach chart. This limiting
temperature protects a baro-VNAV’s final segment vertical path
Aircraft with TSO‑C145a/C146a (WAAS Class 2 or 3) or
only (it does not protect any of the published minimum IFR
TSO‑C115b (multi-sensor FMS) avionics, may fly RNAV (GNSS)
altitudes on the chart). Below this temperature, the uncompensated
approaches to LNAV/VNAV minima with vertical guidance in
vertical path generated by the FMS will not provide the required
a similar manner to the way they fly an ILS approach: with both
obstacle protection. Therefore, when the temperature is below
a lateral CDI and a VDI. The lateral guidance must be based on
the published TLim, an aircraft with an uncompensated baro-
GPS or WAAS. The vertical guidance may be based on WAAS,
VNAV system shall not fly an RNAV approach to LNAV/VNAV
or on barometric inputs (baro‑VNAV), depending on the
minima. TLim will be a function of the reduced obstacle clearance
approach and the aircraft equipage.
COM
resulting from flying an uncompensated VPA and will vary

Aircraft with WAAS Class 3 avionics may fly RNAV (GNSS) from approach to approach. For avionics systems that have the
approaches to LPV minima in a similar manner. In this case, capability to correctly adjust the VPA for temperature deviations,
both the lateral and vertical guidance are based on WAAS. the published TLim does not apply if the pilot enables the
temperature compensation.
The nominal final approach course vertical flight path angle for
LNAV/VNAV and LPV approaches is 3°, avoiding the step-down In short, regardless of whether or not the FMS (or other automated
minimum altitudes associated with traditional NPAs. means) provides temperature compensation of the vertical path,
and whether or not the actual reported airport temperature is
The LNAV/VNAV and LPV minima depict a DA, which requires
within the temperature limit for the procedure, pilots are
the pilot to initiate a missed approach at the DA if the visual
responsible for correcting the temperature of all minimum
reference to continue the approach has not been established. 
published IFR altitudes on the approach, including the DA.
5.4.2.3 Area Navigation (RNAV) Approaches with
Vertical Guidance Based on Barometric 5.4.2.4 Area Navigation (RNAV) Approaches with
Vertical Navigation (Baro‑VNAV) Vertical Guidance Based on Wide Area
Augmentation System (WAAS)
Multi-sensor FMSs that meet TSO‑C115b have been certified
RNAV (GNSS) approaches with vertical guidance based on
since the late 1980s to provide guidance for a stabilized final
WAAS require a Class 2 or 3 (for LNAV/VNAV minima) or
approach segment during NPAs. The vertical guidance for these
Class 3 (for LPV minima) TSO‑C145a WAAS receiver, or a
systems has been derived from a barometric altitude input; hence,
TSO‑C146a sensor interfaced to appropriate avionics.
these approaches are known as baro‑VNAV approaches. This
equipment has typically only been installed on transport category RNAV (GNSS) approaches with vertical guidance based on
aeroplanes. The information provided by these systems is advisory WAAS are entirely dependent on the WAAS signal. WAAS meets
only, and pilots are required to respect all minimum altitudes, essentially the same navigation performance requirements
including step-down altitudes, since NPAs are not specifically (accuracy, integrity and continuity) as ILS, and pilots can expect
designed to take advantage of baro‑VNAV capability. guidance to be similar to that provided by an ILS, with some
improvement in signal stability over ILS.
With the publication in Canada of RNAV (GNSS) approaches
with vertical guidance, suitably-equipped aircraft may fly WAAS avionics continuously calculate horizontal and vertical
baro‑VNAV approaches to the LNAV/VNAV minima published protection levels during an approach and will provide a message
on these approach plates. The standard for equipage is a multi- to the crew if alert limits for the procedure are exceeded, similar
sensor FMS that meets TSO‑C115b and is certified in accordance to the way in which ILS monitors shut down an ILS signal when
with FAA AC 20-138C or equivalent. The FMS must use GNSS its accuracy does not meet the required tolerances.
sensor input, but does not require a WAAS-capable receiver to
Although the WAAS integrity monitor is very reliable, good
fly to LNAV/VNAV minima. Pilots must note that the vertical
airmanship nevertheless dictates that pilots verify the FAWP
path defined by baro‑VNAV is affected by altimeter setting
crossing altitude depicted on approach plates with LNAV/VNAV
errors. For this reason, baro‑VNAV is not authorized unless a
and LPV minima, in the same way that the glide path check
local field altimeter setting is available.
altitude is used when flying an ILS approach. Large altitude
Non-standard atmospheric conditions, particularly temperature, deviations could be an indication of a database error or otherwise
also induce errors in the baro‑VNAV vertical path. A nominal undetectable incorrect signal.
3° glide path will be steeper at warmer temperatures and shallower
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5.5 FLIGHT PLANNING Pilots should flight plan based on the assumption that the services
referred to in a NOTAM will not be available. However, once
NOTAM on ground-based navigation aid (NAVAID) outages
they arrive at the aerodrome, they may discover that a service
are of direct use to pilots because if a NAVAID is not functioning,
is in fact available, in which case they may use the approach
the related service is not available. With the global positioning
safely if they so choose.
system (GPS) and wide area augmentation system (WAAS), the
knowledge of a satellite outage does not equate to a direct When LPV, LP and WAAS-based LNAV/VNAV are not available,
knowledge of service availability. The procedures for determining pilots may fly the LNAV procedure to the published MDA, as
service availability are different for GPS (TSO‑C129/C129a) and this will almost always be available to pilots using WAAS avionics.
WAAS (TSO‑C145a/C146a) avionics, and are explained in the Since LNAV procedures will be used when LPV and
next subsections. LNAV/VNAV are not available, pilots should ensure that they
maintain their skills in flying these approaches.
5.5.1 Global Positioning System (GPS) NOTAM
NOTE:
NOTE: WAAS NOTAM information is not applicable to users of
This section applies only to operators using TSO‑C129/C129a TSO‑C129a avionics.
avionics.
NOTAM examples can be found in the Canadian NOTAM
Research has shown minor differences among avionics’
computations of RAIM availability, making it impractical to Operating Procedures, available here: <https://www.navcanada.
ca/en/aeronautical-information/operational-guides.aspx>.
COM
develop a GPS RAIM NOTAM system that will work reliably
for all receivers. Because of this, and since IFR GPS approval
requires aircraft to be equipped with traditional avionics to be 5.5.3 Negative W Notation
used when RAIM is unavailable, NOTAM information on GPS Normally, WAAS-based approaches will only be designed and
RAIM availability is not provided in Canada. Canadian FICs published where the nominal availability of the required service
can supply NOTAM on GPS satellite outages by querying the is greater than 99%.
international NOTAM identifier KGPS. (This information is
also available at <www.notams.faa.gov>.) The availability of However, there may be aerodromes on the fringe of WAAS
RAIM can then be computed from the satellite availability coverage areas, for which an LPV, LP, or WAAS-based LNAV/
information by entering the expected outages into PC-based VNAV approach is published because of local demand by
RAIM prediction software provided by some avionics operators. In the event that an approach is located in a region
manufacturers or through direct entry into the GNSS receiver of marginal WAAS availability, pilots will be alerted to this fact
or FMS computers that support this function. by a negative “W” (white on a black background) on the
approach plate.
GNSS avionics also contain such a model, and this allows pilots
to determine if approach-level RAIM will be supported (available) Pilots should flight plan as though LPV, LP and WAAS-based
upon arrival at destination or at an alternate. The calculation LNAV/VNAV will not be available at these aerodromes; however,
typically uses current information, broadcast by the satellites, if the service is available, it may be used safely at the pilot’s
identifying which satellites are in service at that time. However, discretion.
unlike the software that is based on the NOTAM data, this
prediction does not always take into account scheduled satellite 5.5.4 Space Weather
outages.
The source of space weather is the sun, which releases streams
Operators using TSO‑C129/C129a avionics who wish to take of charged particles made up of energized electrons and protons.
advantage of an RNAV (GNSS) approach when specifying a
Two types of solar phenomena can have a major impact on GNSS:
destination or alternate airport must check KGPS NOTAM to
coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and coronal holes. Coronal mass
verify the status of the constellation.
ejections are gigantic amounts of electrified gas or plasma
launched into space that can have a major influence, typically
5.5.2 Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) reaching the Earth within 1–3 days. Coronal holes are regions
NOTAM of open magnetic field lines where high-speed streams of plasma
A NOTAM will be issued whenever the FAA advises can flow out from the sun. If conditions are right when these
NAV CANADA that LPV, LP and WAAS-based LNAV/VNAV particles reach the Earth, geomagnetic storms can occur.
service is unavailable for a period of more than 15 min. The At the Earth’s surface, geomagnetic storms are characterized by
NOTAM is issued for the FIR and will read either: a K-level index that ranges from 0–9. Storms having little effect
(a) LPV, LP AND WAAS-BASED LNAV/VNAV APCH NOT would range from 0–3, while those with moderate effects would
AVBL (and may include a description of the affected area, be 4–7, and strong storms with a lot of impact would be > 7. The
if WAAS messages issued by a particular WAAS satellite Canadian Space Weather Forecast Centre (CSWFC) monitors,
are not available); or analyzes and forecasts space weather. Based on solar observations,
it can predict when the particles will reach the Earth, and forecast
(b) WAAS UNMONITORED (indicating that WAAS messages the expected geomagnetic activity that will result. More detailed
may not be available across the entire service area).
99
measurements are made using space weather monitoring satellites, augmentation system (WAAS) avionics, and can therefore be
which provide information approximately 30 min before the cleared by air traffic service (ATS) on direct routings while
particles reach the Earth. en route, in terminal areas, and for global navigation satellite
system (GNSS) based approaches.
Canada has three zones of geomagnetic activity: the polar cap,
the auroral zone and the subauroral zone. The highest geomagnetic
activity and greatest disturbances are observed in the auroral 5.7 AVIONICS DATABASES
zone. Changes in electron density, due to space weather activity, Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) avionics used for
can change the speed at which radio waves travel, introducing instrument flight rules (IFR) flight require an electronic database
a “propagation delay” in the GNSS signal through the ionosphere. that can be updated, normally on 28- or 56-day cycles. The
The propagation delay can vary from minute to minute, and updating service is usually purchased under subscription from
these intervals of rapid change can sometimes last for several avionics manufacturers or database suppliers.
hours, especially in the polar and auroral regions. Changing
propagation delays cause errors in the determination of the range. Database errors do occur, and should be reported to the avionics
database supplier. It is good practice to verify that retrieved data
ABAS, SBAS and GBAS use different techniques to correct for is correct, and it is mandatory to do so for approach data.
ionospheric delays. ABAS uses simple models implemented in Verification can be accomplished either by checking waypoint
the receiver software that are adequate for en route navigation coordinates or by checking bearings and distances between
through non-precision approach phases of flight, but are not waypoints against charts.
adequate for any type of approach during which vertical guidance
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is provided. SBAS provides ionospheric delay corrections derived 5.8 USE OF GLOBAL NAVIGATION
from measurements at a set of reference stations distributed over SATELLITE SYSTEM (GNSS) IN LIEU OF
a wide area. GBAS provides corrections for the combined effects GROUND-BASED AIDS
of various sources of ranging errors, including ionospheric delays.
The corrections provided by SBAS and GBAS are much more See AIP Canada ENR 4.3.
accurate that those calculated by ABAS, because they are derived
in real-time from actual measurements, and are therefore 5.9 AREA NAVIGATION (RNAV)
adequate for approach procedures with vertical guidance. APPROACHES AT
GNSS provides navigation either using unaugmented GNSS and ALTERNATE AERODROMES
RAIM or FDE, or using SBAS corrections. The availability and Pilots may take credit for an area navigation (RNAV) approach
continuity of GNSS en route and NPA services are very robust at an alternate aerodrome as outlined in the Canada Air
against ionospheric delays caused by geomagnetic storms. This Pilot (CAP).
robustness is primarily due to the relatively wide alert limits
Taking credit for RNAV approaches at an alternate aerodrome
associated with en route and non-precision approach operations.
for instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan filing purposes is
SBAS augmentation makes APV possible by ensuring real-time possible because the availability of receiver autonomous integrity
monitoring of core constellation satellites and ionospheric delays. monitoring (RAIM) or wide area augmentation system (WAAS)
APV operations require accurate ionospheric corrections, as integrity is normally very high. However, when satellites are out
well as relatively narrow integrity bounds, and these bounds of service, availability could decrease. Consequently, it is necessary
may be widened during periods when the ionosphere is severely to determine satellite status to ensure that the necessary level of
disturbed, in order to account for the increased variability of integrity will be available. The procedures for this are explained
ionospheric delays, while ensuring the integrity of the position in the next two sections.
solutions for all users. APV service is very robust in mid- and
high-latitude regions, and losses of service due to ionospheric 5.9.1 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
effects are expected to occur less than 1% of the time. Interruptions Approaches—Global Positioning
of APV service may occur during severe geomagnetic storms System (GPS) (TSO‑C129/C129a) Avionics
and affect portions of the service area for short periods of time.
In rare cases, extremely severe geomagnetic storms may even The status of the GPS constellation may be obtained through
cause temporary loss of APV service over large portions of the the FAA by contacting a NAV CANADA FIC and requesting
SBAS service area for several hours. During pre-flight planning, the international NOTAM file KGPS.
pilots can consult Canadian Space Weather Forecast Centre A procedure that meets the requirement to ensure that approach-
products to determine if APV service for their flight may be level RAIM will be available for TSO‑C129/C129a avionics is as
affected. See: <www.spaceweather.gc.ca/index-en.php>. follows.
(a) Determine the ETA at the proposed aerodrome.
5.6 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR)
FLIGHT PLAN EQUIPMENT SUFFIXES (b) Check the GPS NOTAM file (KGPS) for a period of 60 min
before and after the ETA. If not more than one satellite
On an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan, the letter “G” outage is predicted during that period, then this procedure
in Item 10 (equipment and capabilities) indicates that the aircraft is satisfied. If two or more satellites are anticipated to be
has IFR-approved global positioning system (GPS) or wide area unserviceable during the ETA ±60-min period, then it is
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necessary to determine if approach-level RAIM will be telephones and Wi-Fi networks. Of primary concern is the
available, taking into account the reduced availability proliferation of radiocommunication jammers designed to defeat
resulting from the outages. This may be accomplished by vehicle tracking and fee-collecting systems. Depending on signal
using commercially-available dispatch RAIM prediction strength, these jammers can also prevent communication related
software, acquiring a current almanac, and manually to 9‑1‑1 and emergency services, while inadvertently and
deselecting those satellites for the times described in the unknowingly, in most cases, inhibiting aircraft in the vicinity
NOTAM. overhead from receiving GNSS signals.
The RAIM availability requirement is satisfied if the resulting In the event of suspected interference or other problems with
prediction indicates that RAIM will be unavailable for a total GNSS, pilots should advise air traffic service (ATS), and, if
of 15 min or less during the ETA ±60-min period. necessary, revert to using traditional aids for navigation. Pilots
It may be possible to change the alternate or adjust the departure are also requested to complete a GNSS Anomaly Report Form,
time (and hence the ETA) and re-run the prediction to find a available at <https://www.navcanada.ca/en/flight-planning/
time for which the required RAIM availability is achieved, or flight-planning-and-reporting.aspx/#b0c94be7e7554546ad8d8
simply to find a time when fewer than two satellite outages 5fa44fa7385>, or equivalent, in order to assist in the identification
are predicted. and elimination of sources of interference or degradation of the
navigation signal.
5.9.2 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
Approaches—Wide Area Augmentation
5.11 PROPER USE OF GLOBAL NAVIGATION
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System (WAAS) Avionics
SATELLITE SYSTEM (GNSS)
Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) offers a great
Operators using WAAS avionics (TSO-C145a/C146a) can verify
opportunity to improve aviation safety and efficiency. Many
that an approach is expected to be available by:
pilots are benefiting from the advantages of GNSS as a principal
(a) checking NOTAM that apply to the FIR to ensure that no navigation tool for instrument flight rules (IFR) flight or for
widespread WAAS outages have occurred, and then visual flight rules (VFR) operations. To ensure safety, pilots
(b) checking the WAAS horizontal and vertical service status, must use GNSS properly. Here are some safety tips:
available at <https://www.nstb.tc.faa.gov/index.htm>, to (a) use only IFR-certified avionics for IFR flights because hand-
predict if the desired approach line of minima is available held and panel-mount VFR do not provide the integrity
given the current ionospheric conditions. needed for IFR operations;
In the event of a widespread outage of WAAS, poor WAAS (b) for IFR flight, use a valid database for approach—a new one
horizontal or vertical performance due to current ionospheric is required every 28 or 56 days;
conditions, or an aerodrome outside the GEO coverage area, the
(c) verify that all procedures that could be required are present
pilot may need to determine if approach-level RAIM, as computed
in the database prior to flight to remote or small aerodromes—
by a WAAS receiver, will be available. In this case, the pilot may
data storage limitations have resulted in some manufactures
use the procedure described in COM 5.9.1 for TSO‑C129/C129a
omitting certain data from the avionics database;
avionics. This will provide a safe, although conservative,
indication of the availability of LNAV. (d) do not become an approach designer—approach designers
require special training and specific tools, and there are
5.10 GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE many levels of validation before an approach is commissioned.
SYSTEM (GNSS) VULNERABILITY— Furthermore, the receiver autonomous integrity
INTERFERENCE AND monitoring (R AIM) level and course deviation
ANOMALY REPORTING indicator (CDI) sensitivity will not be appropriate if an
approach is not retrieved from the avionics database;
Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are used in many
applications: financial, security and tracking, transportation, (e) never fly below published minimum altitudes while in
agriculture, communications, weather prediction, scientific instrument conditions. Accidents have resulted from pilots
research, etc. Because it is used for such a wide range of civilian relying too much on the accuracy of GNSS;
purposes, when somebody wishes to disable one GNSS-based (f) use VFR GNSS receivers only to supplement map reading
system, their actions can also disrupt other, unrelated systems. in visual conditions, not as a replacement for current charts;
Jamming, directed at non-aviation users, could affect aircraft
(g) position hand-held receivers and related cables carefully in
operations. Over the past few years, Innovation, Science and
the cockpit to avoid the potential for electromagnetic
Economic Development Canada has encountered several cases
interference (EMI), and to avoid interfering with aircraft
of illegal importation, manufacturing, distribution, offering for
controls. Handheld units with valid databases could be
sale, possession and use of radiocommunication jamming devices,
useful in an emergency if IFR unit failed; and
all of which are prohibited under the Radiocommunication Act.
Many jamming devices are manufactured for the purpose of (h) resist the urge to fly into marginal weather when navigating
disrupting the functioning of GNSS receivers, cellular networks VFR. The risk of becoming lost is small when using GNSS,
and low-power communication devices, such as cordless but the risk of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) increases
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in low visibility. VFR charts must also be current and updated above, or required navigation performance (RNP), which has
from applicable NOTAMs, and should be the primary an additional functional requirement for on-board performance
reference for avoiding alert areas, etc. Some VFR receivers monitoring and alerting. The RNP system relies upon the
display these areas, but there is no guarantee that the capability of the on-board navigation system to monitor, in real
presentation is correct, because there is no standard for time, the achieved navigation performance and to alert the flight
such depictions. crew when the specified minimum performance appropriate to
a particular operation cannot be met. This additional functionality
5.12 VHF OMNIDIRECTIONAL provided by RNP allows the flight crew to intervene and take
RANGE (VOR)/DISTANCE MEASURING appropriate mitigation actions if necessary. On-board performance
EQUIPMENT (DME) (RHO-THETA) monitoring and alerting allows RNP operations to provide an
SYSTEM additional level of safety and capability over RNAV operations.
The capability of on-board area navigation (RNAV) computer All future RNAV will identify performance requirements through
systems which utilize VHF omnidirectional range (VOR)/distance the use of navigation specifications rather than defining required
measuring equipment (DME) signals varies considerably. The equipage of specific navigation sensors (VHF omnidirectional
computer electronically offsets a VOR/DME station to any desired range [VOR], automatic direction finder [ADF], etc.). These
location within reception range. The relocated position is known navigation specifications are expressed in terms of accuracy,
as a waypoint and is defined by its bearing and distance from integrity, availability, continuity, and functionality needed for
the station. Waypoints are used to define route segments and the proposed operation.
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the computer provides steering guidance to and from waypoints. Accuracy: In the context of PBN, accuracy is the capability of
the navigation system to maintain the computed position within
5.13 DISTANCE MEASURING a specified distance (lateral navigation accuracy) of the actual
EQUIPMENT (DME-DME [RHO-RHO]) position 95 percent of the time.
SYSTEM
Integrity: Integrity is the level of confidence that can be placed
DME-DME is a system which combines distance measuring in the information received from the navigation system. Normally
equipment (DME) receivers with a microprocessor to provide defined as a percentage probability to satisfy the assurance
an area navigation (RNAV) capability. The system has the location condition (i.e. 10-5), it includes the ability of an RNP system to
of the DME facilities in its database. Measuring the distance provide timely and valid warnings to users when the system
from two or more of these stations can provide a positional fix. must not be used for the intended operation or phase of flight.
The system provides a means of entering waypoints for a random
Availability: Availability is stated as a percentage of time the
route and displays navigation information such as bearing,
navigation system can perform its function. It should provide
distance, cross-track error and time-to-go between two points.
reliable navigation information and present it to the crew,
autopilot or other system managing flight of the aircraft.
6.0 PERFORMANCE-BASED Continuity: Continuity refers to the ability of a navigation system
NAVIGATION (PBN) to provide its service without interruption. It should do so with
the specified level of accuracy and integrity throughout the
intended period of operation, assuming that it was available at
6.1 GENERAL
the start of the operation.
Performance-based navigation (PBN) is not a stand-alone concept.
Functionality: A set of functions or capabilities associated with
Rather, along with communications, surveillance, and air traffic
PBN operations. Examples could include course deviation scaling
management (ATM), it is one of the four strategic enablers that
and radius to fix (RF) capability.
support an overall airspace concept. An airspace concept may
be described as a master plan or vision for a particular section
of airspace, which aims to improve safety, increase capacity and 6.2 KEY ELEMENTS OF PERFORMANCE-
efficiency, and mitigate negative environmental impacts. BASED NAVIGATION (PBN)
PBN is intended to enable more repeatable, reliable and predictable Performance-based navigation (PBN) consists of three main
flight tracks as well as smaller route containment areas to increase elements: navigation aid (NAVAID) infrastructure, navigation
operational efficiency. In the simplest form, it is area specifications and navigation applications. These elements,
navigation (RNAV) based on performance requirements for described in detail further on, must be present to have a fully
aircraft operating along an air traffic service (ATS) route, on an incorporated PBN concept.
instrument approach procedure (IAP) or within designated
airspace. Under the PBN concept, RNAV is defined as a method
of navigation that permits aircraft operation on any desired
flight path within the coverage of ground-based or space-based
navigation aids (NAVAIDs) or within the limits of the capability
of self-contained aids (inertial navigation). Area navigation
systems can take two forms: RNAV, which is the basic definition
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6.2.1 Navigation Aid (NAVAID) Infrastructure that what is needed to meet a navigation specification in one
State may vary from that of another.
The NAVAID infrastructure that contributes to an RNAV system
may consist of ground-based, space-based or on-board NAVAIDs The following chart depicts all of the navigation specifications
that support or provide positioning capabilities. System types and their intended operational domain as outlined in ICAO’s
are as follows: Performance-based Navigation (PBN) Manual (Doc 9613).
(a) Ground infrastructure, which includes commissioned VORs Table 6.1—Navigation Specification Designations
and DMEs. (NDBs do not provide the specific range and
RNAV Specifications RNP Specifications
azimuth information with accuracy necessary to be used
in an RNAV system). Oceanic En route and Oceanic En route and
and Remote Terminal and Remote Terminal
(b) Authorized GNSS space-based infrastructure (satellite Navigation Navigation Navigation Navigation
constellations) such as: GPS, the European Union’s Galileo, Applications Applications Applications Applications
the Russian GLONASS, etc. RNAV 10* RNAV 5 RNP 4 RNP 2
(c) SBASs that correct for variance in the GNSS satellite signals RNAV 2 RNP 2 RNP 1
RNAV 1 A-RNP
in order to provide greater accuracy and/or signal quality,
*Formerly RNP APCH
e.g. WAAS.
referred to as RNP AR
(d) GNSS GBASs that provide navigation and precision approach RNP 10 APCH
service in the vicinity of the host airport, e.g. LAAS, GBAS RNP 0.3
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landing system (GLS), etc.
(e) Certified INS or inertial reference units (IRU), which support 6.2.3 Navigation Application
on-board capability. Navigation application is the application of a navigation
specification and supporting NAVAID infrastructure to specific
6.2.2 Navigation Specifications routes, procedures and/or defined airspace volumes.
A navigation specification is used as the basis for airworthiness
and operational approval. It details the performance required 6.3 NAVIGATION SPECIFICATIONS
of an RNAV or RNP system in terms of accuracy, integrity, EXPANDED
availability, continuity, required navigation functionalities and
NAVAIDs, and any requirements placed on the flight crew. 6.3.1 Area Navigation (RNAV) 10
Having a published navigation specification on Canadian routes
and procedures will ensure compliance with common aircraft RNAV 10 was historically designated as RNP 10. It requires
equipage and training that will result in assurance of track aircraft be equipped with at least two independent long range
conformance. There are two main types of navigation navigation systems; any combination of INS/inertial reference
specifications: RNAV and RNP. unit (IRU) or GNSS meet the RNAV 10 requirements. During
operations in airspace or on routes designated as RNAV 10, the
An RNAV specification is based on an RNAV system and would lateral total system error must also be within ±10 NM for at least
be denoted by RNAV(X). An RNP navigation specification is 95 percent of the total flight time. For normal operations, cross-
based on an RNP system and is denoted by RNP(X). track error/deviation should be limited to plus or minus one-half
In the examples above, “(X)” indicates the lateral navigation of the navigation accuracy associated with the route (i.e. 5 NM).
accuracy, in nautical miles, to be maintained 95 percent of the Brief deviations from this standard (e.g. overshoots or undershoots)
flight time by the population of aircraft operating within the are allowable during and immediately after route turns, up to a
airspace, route or procedure. For RNP specifications, it is also maximum of one times the navigation (i.e. 10 NM).
possible to have advanced RNP (A-RNP) and approach navigation Canadian RNAV 10 operations requirements are defined in
specifications that cover all segments of an instrument approach. AC 700-006—Required Navigation Performance 4 (RNP 4) and
They are denoted as RNP APCH (RNP approach) or RNP AR Required Navigation Performance 10 (RNP 10) Airspace and the
APCH (RNP authorization required approach). associated Special Authorization RNP 10.
A navigation specification identifies not only a lateral accuracy
figure but also functional and aircrew requirements. Therefore,
certification for one type of navigation specification does not
imply automatic qualification for a less stringent specification,
and an RNP specification doesn’t necessarily enable an RNAV
specification.
ICAO has developed guidance on a range of navigation
specifications. It is the responsibility of each State to determine
which navigation specifications would be most applicable within
their airspace concept with regards to current regulations and
NAVAID infrastructure. For this reason it is important to note
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6.3.2 Area Navigation (RNAV) 5 6.3.5 Required Navigation Performance (RNP) 2

RNAV 5 is an en route navigation specification and may also be RNP 2 is intended for en route application, primarily in areas
used for initial STAR or ending SID segments, where the leg where there is sparse or no ground NAVAID infrastructure,
segments are beyond 30 NM from an aerodrome. RNAV 5 limited or no ATS surveillance, and low- to medium-density
operations are based on the use of RNAV equipment that traffic. Use of RNP 2 in continental applications requires a lower
automatically determines aircraft position in the horizontal continuity requirement than use in oceanic or remote applications.
plane using inputs from one or a combination of the following In oceanic or remote applications, the target traffic is primarily
types of position sensors: transport category aircraft operating at high altitude, whereas
continental applications may include a significant percentage
(a) VOR/DME
of other aircraft.
(b) DME/DME
(c) INS or IRS RNP 2 requires the use of certified GNSS receivers. Operators
(d) GNSS are required to have the means to predict the availability of GNSS
fault detection (e.g. ABAS RAIM) to support operations along
VOR/DME- and DME/DME-based RNAV 5 have limited
an RNP 2 route. The AIP Canada will indicate when a prediction
opportunities in Canadian airspace because of the required
capability is required and an acceptable means to satisfy that
numbers and geometry of ground-based aids to provide robust
requirement.
infrastructure. Introduction of RNAV 5 in Canadian airspace
applications is of low value since current RNPC airspace Operational requirements for RNP 2 (Continental) are defined
in AC 700-38—Performance-based Navigation (PBN) — EnRoute
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requirements already require performance that exceeds RNAV 5

when conducting RNAV. and the associated Special Authorization RNP 2 (Continental).
RNP 2 (Oceanic/Remote) has additional requirements over those
Operational requirements are defined in AC 700-015—En Route
for RNP 2 Continental, but they have not yet been defined in a
Area Navigation Operations RNAV 5 (Formerly B-RNAV) and
Canadian AC. A separate AC will be published when RNP 2
the associated Special Authorization RNAV 5.
(Oceanic/Remote) operations are implemented in Canadian-
controlled airspace.
6.3.3 Area Navigation (RNAV) 1 and RNAV 2
RNAV 1 and RNAV 2 operations are based on the use of the 6.3.6 Required Navigation Performance (RNP) 1
same aircraft receivers as those required for RNAV 5. Additional
The RNP 1 navigation specification is intended to be applied on
aircraft functionality and NAVAID infrastructure requirements
SIDs and STARs within 30 NM of the aerodrome where the
are needed to meet the more demanding performance of RNAV 1
surveillance services are limited or do not exist and/or a ground-
and RNAV 2. This navigation specification is applicable to all
based RNAV infrastructure is not practical. The STARs provide
routes, inside or outside of controlled airspace, SIDs and STARs.
a means to connect the en route structure to a variety of approach
It also applies to IAP leg segments up to the FACF. RNAV 1 and
procedures, including RNP approach (RNP APCH), RNP
RNAV 2 routes are expected to be conducted in a surveillance
authorization required approach (RNP AR APCH) and ILS.
environment with DCPC. In Canada, RNAV 1 has some potential
Application of RNP 1 enables the use of RF leg segments in
for terminal RNAV use for SIDs and STARs in areas where
applications such as the STAR, transition to the approach or
multiple DME pairs are available.
approach initial segments.
Operational requirements are defined in AC 700-019—Terminal
Position integrity bounding for RNP 1 can currently only be
and En Route Area Navigation Operations (RNAV 1 and 2) and
met using certified GNSS receivers. The GNSS receivers may be
the associated Special Authorization RNAV 1 and RNAV 2.
a part of a stand-alone navigation system or one of the sensors
in a multi-sensor system. Where GNSS is an input as part of a
6.3.4 Required Navigation Performance (RNP) 4 multi-sensor system, the aircraft’s position source must use
RNP 4 is intended for oceanic or remote airspace where a robust GNSS positions exclusively during RNP 1 operations. During
ground-based navigation infrastructure is not available. Aircraft operations in airspace or on routes designated as RNP 1, the
must have at least two fully serviceable independent long range lateral total system error must be within ±1 NM for 95 percent
navigation systems (LRNS) listed in the flight manual; both of the total flight time. For normal operations, cross-track error/
must be operational at the point of entry into RNP 4 airspace. deviation should be limited to plus or minus one half of the
Position integrity bounding can currently only be met using navigation accuracy associated with the procedure. Brief
certified GNSS receivers. The GNSS receivers may be part of a deviations from this standard during and immediately after
stand-alone navigation system or one of the sensors in a multi- turns, up to a maximum of one times the navigation accuracy
sensor system. Where GNSS is an input as part of a multi-sensor are allowable.
system, the aircraft’s position source must use GNSS positions For RNP 1 routes, pilots must use a lateral deviation indicator,
exclusively during RNP 4 operations. flight director, or autopilot in lateral navigation mode. Pilots of
Canadian operational requirements are defined in AC 700- aircraft with a lateral deviation display must ensure that lateral
006—Required Navigation Performance 4 (RNP 4) and Required deviation scaling is suitable for the navigation accuracy associated
Navigation Performance 10 (RNP 10) Airspace and the associated with the route/procedure.
Special Authorization RNP 4.
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Canadian RNP 1 operational requirements are defined in AC 700- For further information on A-RNP, refer to ICAO’s Performance-
025—Required Navigation Performance 1 (RNP 1) and the based Navigation (PBN) Manual (Doc 9613), Volume II, Part C,
associated Special Authorization RNP 1. Chapter 4. Canadian operational approval of A-RNP is not
currently in place; therefore, no AC or Special Authorization
6.3.7 Required Navigation Performance (RNP) 0.3 has been issued.
RNP 0.3 was developed in response to the helicopter community’s

6.3.9 Required Navigation Performance
desire for narrower IFR obstacle-free areas to allow operations
Approach (RNP APCH)
in obstacle-rich environments and to allow simultaneous, non-
interfering operations in dense terminal airspace. While this RNP approach (RNP APCH) is the ICAO navigation specification
specification has been defined primarily for helicopter designation for procedures currently published in Canada as
applications, it does not exclude the application to fixed-wing “RNAV (GNSS)” and authorized under Special Authorization
operations where demonstrated performance is sufficient to RNP APCH. They include approach operations with minima
meet the functional and accuracy requirements of this specification designated as “LNAV”, “LNAV/VNAV”, “LP” and “LPV”.
for all phases of flight.
Currently, integrity bounding for an RNP APCH can only be
This specification requires the use of certified GNSS receivers; met using certified GNSS receivers. The GNSS receivers may be
its implementation is not dependent on the availability of SBAS. part of a stand-alone navigation system or one of the sensors in
DME/DME-based RNAV systems are not capable of consistently a multi-sensor system.
providing RNP 0.3 performance, and RNP 0.3 operations through
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Canadian-specific RNP APCH requirements are published in
application of DME/DME-based navigation is not currently
AC 700-023—Required Navigation Performance
viable. Operators are required to have the means to predict the
Approach (RNP APCH) and the associated Special
availability of GNSS fault detection (e.g. RAIM) to support
Authorization RNP APCH.
RNP 0.3 operations. The on-board RNP system, GNSS avionics,
air navigation service provider (ANSP) or other entities may
provide a prediction capability. The AIP Canada will indicate 6.3.10 Required Navigation Performance
when a prediction capability is required and an acceptable means Authorization Required Approach (RNP
to satisfy that requirement. Owing to the high availability of AR APCH)
RNP 0.3 performance available to SBAS receivers, prediction RNP authorization required approach (RNP AR APCH)
will not be required where the navigation equipment can make procedures can be built with various levels of RNP lateral
use of SBAS augmentation and the planned operation will be containment values on the initial, intermediate, final and missed
contained within the service volume of the SBAS signal. approach segments. There are increasingly demanding aircraft
Operational requirements are currently defined in ICAO’s certifications and operational approvals required when RNP
Performance-based Navigation (PBN) Manual (Doc 9613), values lower than 0.3 NM are applied in any of the segments.
Volume II, Part C, Chapter 7, but have not yet been defined in These approaches will be published in pertinent publications as
a Canadian AC; therefore, no Special Authorization is available. “RNAV (RNP)”.
As with all the other RNP navigation specifications, RNP AR
6.3.8 Advanced Required Navigation APCH position integrity bounding can only be met by utilizing
Performance (A-RNP) certified GNSS receivers. There are numerous other aircraft
equipment and functional requirements needed to meet the
This is the only navigation specification that enables operations
more demanding performance requirements. They can be found
under other associated navigation specifications. When advanced
in AC 700-024—Required Navigation Performance Authorization
RNP (A-RNP) is certified, the following other navigation accuracy
Required Approach (RNP AR APCH) and Special Authorization
and functional requirements are met in navigation specifications:
RNP AR APCH.
RNAV 5, RNAV 2, RNAV 1, RNP 2, RNP 1, and RNP APCH.
Some other functional elements are optional, such as RNP
scalability, higher continuity, FRT, and baro‑VNAV. However, 6.4 FIXED RADIUS PATHS
RF leg capabilities are a requirement. Typically, with conventional navigation, turns had a large range
A-RNP has a very broad operational application; for operation of dispersion (some aircraft turned tight, others had wider turns)
in oceanic or remote airspace, on the continental en route depending on aircraft speed, turn anticipation, bank angle and
structure, as well as on arrival and departure routes and roll rate. Fixed radius paths standardize turns and provide a
approaches. Operations would rely solely on the integrity of the predictable, repeatable and accurate ground track throughout
RNP system without a reversionary capability to conventional a turn. Using required navigation performance (RNP), aircraft
means of navigation since a conventional infrastructure may can have a smaller area of containment throughout a turn,
not be available. The advantage of utilizing a designation of allowing greater flexibility to design procedures that avoid terrain,
A-RNP for a flight operation is the combined performance and noise sensitive areas, restricted airspace or other arrival paths
functionality of a range of navigation specifications encompassing to nearby airports in a complex airspace structure. There are
all phases of flight. two types of fixed radius paths that may be used: radius to fix (RF)
path terminator and fixed radius transitions (FRT).
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While complex flight paths can now be designed and displayed 6.6 NAVIGATION ERROR COMPONENTS
as the active route, the aircraft must have the capability to
The inability to achieve the required lateral navigation accuracy
accurately follow the defined path. Pilots are familiar with flying
may be due to navigation errors related to aircraft tracking and
turns at a constant airspeed and angle of bank which enables a
positioning. These errors produce a path that is offset horizontally
circular flight path to be flown with reference to the air mass
from the desired path. The following are sources of error for
and are trained to manually compensate for the presence of wind
area navigation (RNAV) systems:
if necessary. Pilots now need to understand that the RNP system
will fly an exact circular flight path over the ground. Groundspeed Where:
and the angle of bank must be adjusted throughout the turn by (a) Desired path is the path over the ground that the aircraft
the automatic flight control system to maintain that circular is expected to fly.
flight path and in some cases these may be limiting factors for
maintaining the specified turn radius. (b) Defined path is the reference path computed by the flight
plan management function of the RNAV system.
6.4.1 Radius To Fix (RF) Path Terminator (c) Estimated position is provided by the navigation function
The RF path terminator, referred to as an RF leg, is a specific of the RNAV system.
fixed-radius curved path in a terminal or approach procedure. (d) True position is the aircraft’s actual position over the ground.
An RF leg is defined by a constant radius originating from the
centre fix, the arc starting fix, the arc ending fix, and the turn Path definition error (PDE): The difference between desired and
direction. Only RNP systems are capable of flying RF legs, by defined paths which reflects errors in the navigation database,
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providing precise and positive course guidance along a curved computational errors in the RNAV system and display errors.
track, with the same containment value that would be achieved PDE is usually very small and often assumed to be negligible.
in a straight leg segment. In addition, the distance travelled from Flight technical error (FTE): The difference between estimated
beginning to end of the turn will remain constant for every position and defined path. It relates to the ability of an air crew
aircraft. This allows longitudinal separation to be maintained or autopilot to fly along a defined path. Any display errors, such
throughout the turn for aircraft travelling at the same speed. as a course deviation indicator (CDI) centering error, may cause
Operational approval to use RF legs in conjunction with other FTE. FTE is usually the largest error component of the total
RNP navigation specifications can be found in AC 700-027— system error (TSE).
Radius to Fix (RF) Path Terminator and Special Authorization Navigation system error (NSE): The difference between true and
RF Leg. Additional authorization is not required for RNP AR estimated position. The NSE is defined during navigation system
APCH or A-RNP as RF capability is already mandatory in these certification.
two Special Authorizations.
TSE: The difference between true position and desired position.
6.4.2 Fixed Radius Transition (FRT) This error is equal to the sum of the vectors of the PDE, FTE
and NSE.
An FRT is used as an enabler to apply closer route spacing along
turns in the en route structure. An FRT is intended to define Any of the errors mentioned above would affect the ability of
the transition between airways where separation is required in the aircraft to meet the required lateral navigation accuracy. If
the turns. Having smaller containment areas in turns allows for the on-board performance monitoring system cannot guarantee,
higher traffic density with closer spaced routes. The RNP system with sufficient integrity, that the position meets the RNP defined
supporting FRT is capable of providing the same track-keeping in a navigation specification, an alert will be issued to the crew.
accuracy in the turn as in the straight line segment. An RNP
Figure 6.1—Lateral Navigation Errors
system seamlessly joins associated route segments.
Desired path
Operational approval is not currently available in Canada. For Path definition error (PDE)
f u r t he r i n for m at ion on F RTs , re fe r to IC AO’s Defined path
Total system error (TSE)
Performance-based Navigation (PBN) Manual (Doc 9613), Flight technical error (FTE)

Volume II, Part C, Appendix 2.
Estimated position
6.5 INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION

Navigation system error (NSE)
ORGANIZATION (ICAO) FLIGHT PLAN True position
COMPLETION
Pilots should review the planned route of flight to determine
t hat a rea nav igat ion (R NAV)/requ ired nav igat ion
performance (RNP) requirements, the aircraft, and the operator
are approved for the desired route. Performance-based
navigation (PBN) compliant aircraft should enter the appropriate
equipment code in Item 10 of the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) flight plan. A corresponding indication
of RNAV and/or RNP capabilities must be entered in Item 18.
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7.0 SURVEILLANCE SSR is used in the following applications:

(a) En route control—SSR is a long-range radar with a range of
Surveillance enables air traffic control (ATC) to increase airspace
200 NM or more. It transmits on 1 030 MHz and receives
use by allowing a reduction in aircraft-to-aircraft and aircraft-
the transponder reply on 1 090 MHz. SSR is the main source
to-obstacle separation. In addition, surveillance permits an
of en route (airway/area navigation [RNAV] route)
expansion of flight information services such as traffic information
surveillance and is not normally combined with primary
and navigation assistance. There are four types of surveillance
surveillance radar (PSR).
systems currently used by ATC: primary surveillance radar (PSR),
secondary surveillance radar (SSR), automatic dependent (b) Terminal control—Terminal surveillance radar (TSR) uses
surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) and multilateration (MLAT). long-range SSR equipment similar to en route control and
may be used in conjunction with a short-range PSR.
7.1 PRIMARY SURVEILLANCE For a map of SSR coverage in Canada, see AIP Canada ENR 1.6,
RADAR (PSR) Figure 1.6.2, Secondary Surveillance Radar Coverage.
Primary surveillance radar (PSR) computes target positions by
determining the range and azimuth of transmitted and reflected 7.2.1 Code Assignment
radio frequency energy. It is a passive surveillance system and In the CFS and the CWAS, Section B, “Aerodrome/Facility
therefore does not rely on information transmitted from the Directory”, the table for an aerodrome may have a subheading PRO,
aircraft. which may contain information on special procedures for code
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Primary radar is used in the following applications: assignment established at the aerodrome.
(a) Terminal surveillance radar (TSR)—In general, a short-range
PSR (80 NM) operating on 1 250 to 1 350 MHz complements 7.3 AUTOMATIC DEPENDENT
secondary surveillance radar (SSR) for terminal operations. SURVEILLANCE - BROADCAST (ADS-B)
(b) Precision approach radar (PAR)—A high-definition, short- Automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) is a
range PSR operating on 9 000 to 9 180 MHz and is used as surveillance technology that gives controllers the opportunity
an approach aid. PAR provides the controller with altitude, to provide radar-like services. It uses aircraft avionics, satellites
azimuth and range information of high accuracy to assist and/or ground infrastructure to relay a range of aircraft
pilots in executing approaches. While PAR is mainly a parameters to air traffic control (ATC). The system is automatic
military system, it is available at some civilian airports and since no external stimulus is required for operation, and dependent
may be used by civilian pilots. Civil aircraft approach limits because it relies on aircraft avionics to provide surveillance
are published in the Canada Air Pilot (CAP) and the services through broadcast messages.
Restricted Canada Air Pilot (RCAP). NAV CANADA’s ADS-B ground infrastructure consists of ground
(c) Airport surface detection equipment (ASDE)—Surveillance receiver stations, target processors and situation displays. The
of surface traffic is provided at airports where traffic warrants ground stations receive ADS-B signals and transfer the data via
it. ASDE is a high-definition PSR operating on 16 GHz. land line or satellite link to the target processors located within
Tower controllers use ASDE to monitor the position of an area control centre (ACC). Target processors build a track
aircraft and vehicles on the manoeuvring areas of the airport profile based on the aircraft’s unique International Civil Aviation
(runways and taxiways), particularly during conditions of Organization (ICAO) 24-bit identifier. This profile is presented
reduced visibility. to ATC on a situation display to enable surveillance separation
services.
(d) Weather radar—Weather radar is a PSR used by the
Meteorological Service of Canada to monitor for hazardous For a map of ADS-B coverage in Canada, see AIP Canada ENR 1.6,
weather conditions. Figure 1.6.3, Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast
Coverage.
For a map of PSR coverage in Canada, see AIP Canada ENR 1.6,
Figure 1.6.1, Primary Radar Coverage.
7.3.1 Aircraft Equipment
7.2 SECONDARY SURVEILLANCE On-board aircraft equipment is responsible for gathering a range
RADAR (SSR) of flight parameters and compiling them into the ADS-B message,
which is then transmitted through the Mode S transponder on
Secondary surveillance radar (SSR) determines aircraft range
a 1 090 MHz extended squitter (1 090ES). The full range of data
by measuring the interval between transmitting an interrogation
is transmitted once per second, allowing ATC to access real-time
to and receiving a reply from an airborne transponder.
aircraft position information.
SSR is a cooperative surveillance system and does not provide
At a minimum, the following aircraft parameters must be
a position for an aircraft without an operating transponder. SSR
broadcast:
offers significant operational advantages to air traffic
control (ATC), such as increased range, positive identification (a) Airborne position—Position data is generated by a GPS
and aircraft altitude, when the aircraft has an altitude-encoding receiver compliant with TSO-C129, TSO-C145 or TSO-C146.
transponder. A high degree of reliance is placed on the GPS data as it is
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the basis for reduced traffic separation. Therefore, it must (f) NACp—A position quality indicator used by surveillance
be capable of producing a HPL. services to determine if the reported horizontal position
(b) Pressure altitude—This is provided by the on-board encoding meets an acceptable level of accuracy for the intended
altimeter. operation.
(c) Aircraft identity—Each Mode S transponder has a unique If an updated NACp has not been received within the past
address assigned by the State of aircraft registry and known two seconds, the NACp value will be encoded as zero
as the ICAO 24-bit aircraft identifier. It is entered into the indicating “unknown accuracy” and will not be used for
transponder at the time of installation and cannot be surveillance services.
modified by pilots from the flight deck. This address is used (g) SIL—Indicates the probability of the reported horizontal
for aircraft identification and track processing. position exceeding the containment radius defined by the
(d) Flight identification (Flight ID)—A four- to seven-character NIC. Should NAV CANADA receive a SIL value below the
alphanumeric parameter usually entered by the pilot into pre-selected minima, the target will not be passed through
the transponder control panel (if present) or FMS. A flight to ATC as a valid surveillance target.
ID that is an exact replica of the aircraft identification entered (h) SPI—A feature used to positively identify an aircraft. It is
in Item 7 of the ICAO flight plan must be programmed into identical to the “Squawk Ident” feature on a basic transponder.
the transponder or FMS in order to receive ATS surveillance (i) Emergency status—Activation of an emergency transponder
services. It is important that the flight crew verify that the code (7500, 7600 or 7700) will result in a common emergency
flight ID is correct prior to departure as some avionics
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signal being sent as part of an ADS-B message. If an

prevent a change to the flight ID once airborne. Airline emergency transponder code is activated, ATS will receive
aircraft will use the three-letter ICAO airline code. a generic emergency (EMR) indication on their display and
The flight ID has a seven-character maximum and can be may request further information from the flight crew
either: regarding the nature of the emergency.
(i) the aircraft registration mark (CGSCX, N6891DE, NOTE:
90HYT); or Flight ID, SPI and emergency status are the only elements that
(ii) the ICAO airline designator followed by the flight can be modified by the flight crew.
number (ACA020, WJA229, JZA8249).
Errors and discrepancies can arise during flight ID entry 7.3.2 International Civil Aviation
due to confusion over the correct format. Common errors Organization (ICAO) Flight Plan Completion
that arise when entering the flight ID include the use of
leading zeros, hyphens, dashes, spaces or failure to use the ADS-B capable aircraft should enter the appropriate equipment
correct airline designator. Zeros only appear when they are code in Item 10 of the ICAO flight plan.
part of the ICAO flight plan number as in the example
below: 7.3.3 Airworthiness Compliance Requirements
Generic Airlines Flight 371 Any aircraft that emits position information using a 1 090 MHz
Generic Airlines ICAO assigned registration: GNA extended squitter (1 090ES) may be provided surveillance
Flight number: 371 separation services, if they meet the airworthiness compliance
On the ICAO flight plan it is entered as: GNA0371 requirements defined in AIP Canada ENR 1.6.
The flight ID pilot input would be: G N A 0 3 7 1, not
G N A 3 7 1 or G N A 3 7 1 0
(e) NUCp or NIC—Numerical values that identify the quality
of horizontal position data. The GNSS avionics is responsible
for calculating either of these values by using the RAIM
algorithm. These values equate to an Rc, which represents
the uncertainty of the given position data in NM. Typical
NUCp and NIC values range from 0–9 and 0–11 respectively.
They are dynamic since the GPS constellation is constantly
changing. Any detection of poor satellite geometry
diminishes position data integrity, resulting in a reduction
of NUCp or NIC values and a corresponding increase in
Rc. NAV CANADA will accept position data contained in
an ADS-B message with a NUCp value as low as 5 or a NIC
as low as 6. Should the NUCp or NIC value fall below the
minima, the target will not be passed through to ATC as a
valid surveillance target.
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7.3.4 Surveillance Phraseology

Flight through ADS-B airspace is very similar to radar surveillance
airspace with regard to common radio communication
phraseology. However, pilots will not be advised when transitioning
between ADS-B surveillance airspace and a radar coverage area.
Common radar and surveillance phrases are listed below.
Table 7.1—Surveillance Phraseology
Radar Phraseology Surveillance Phraseology

RADAR SERVICE TERMINATED (non-radar routing if SURVEILLANCE SERVICE TERMINATED (routing if
required). required).
RADAR SERVICE TERMINATED DUE TO (reason). SURVEILLANCE SERVICE TERMINATED DUE TO

(reason).
SECONDARY RADAR OUT OF SERVICE. ADS-B SURVEILLANCE OUT OF SERVICE DUE TO

(reason).
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MODE CHARLIE NOT VALIDATED. PRESSURE ALTITUDE NOT VALIDATED.
MODE CHARLIE IS INVALID. PRESSURE ALTITUDE IS INVALID.
RADAR SERVICE TERMINATED. RESUME POSITION SURVEILLANCE SERVICE TERMINATED.

REPORTS. RESUME POSITION REPORTS.
(aircraft ident) RADAR IDENTIFIED (aircraft ident) IDENTIFIED (position if required).

(position if required).
(aircraft ident) RADAR IDENTIFICATION LOST. (aircraft ident) IDENTIFICATION LOST.
IF ABLE, CHANGE YOUR FLIGHT ID TO (flight ID).
IF YOU READ (appropriate instructions), IF YOU READ (appropriate instructions),

then — (action) then — (action) OBSERVED. WILL CONTINUE
OBSERVED. WILL CONTINUE RADAR CONTROL. SURVEILLANCE CONTROL.
(aircraft ident) READING YOU ON SEVEN SEVEN ZERO

ZERO.
CONFIRM THE NATURE OF YOUR EMERGENCY.
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7.4 MULTILATERATION (MLAT) Pilots should adjust transponders to STANDBY while taxiing

for takeoff, to ON (or NORMAL) as late as practicable before
Multilateration (MLAT) increases air traffic service (ATS)
takeoff, and to STANDBY or OFF as soon as practicable after
situational awareness of aircraft and vehicles on the ground
landing. In practice, transponders should be turned on only
allowing them to safely manage ground movements, including
upon entering the active runway for departure and turned off
in low visibility operations, by providing full surveillance coverage
as soon as the aircraft exits the runway after landing. Some
of runways, taxiways and terminal apron areas. MLAT uses a
airports have implemented surface surveillance services using
system of strategically placed ground stations to send interrogations
multilateration (MLAT). MLAT relies on transponder returns;
and receive replies from Mode A, C or S transponders. It functions
therefore, pilots of transponder-equipped aircraft should leave
on a principle known as time difference of arrival (TDOA),
their transponders in the transmit mode at all times when on
where the system calculates the difference in transponder
the manoeuvring area. Pilots should ensure that the transponder
response time at multiple ground receivers and compares the
code issued by ATC is selected before switching the transponder
results to determine a position. Usually three receiving units are
out of STANDBY. In the event that no code has been issued by
required to obtain a horizontal position.
ATC, transponder Code 1000 should be selected.
7.4.1 Code Assignment In the event of a transponder or automatic pressure altitude

reporting equipment (Mode C) failure during a flight when its
In the CFS and the CWAS, Section B, “Aerodrome/Facility use is mandatory, an aircraft may be operated to the next airport
Directory”, the table for an aerodrome may have a subheading of intended landing; it may, thereafter, complete an itinerary or
PRO, which may contain information on special procedures for
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go to a repair base, if authorized by ATC.

code assignment established at the aerodrome.
ATC may, upon receiving a written request, authorize an aircraft
Aircraft that have a technical limitation that might inhibit the not equipped with a functioning transponder or Mode C to
transmission of a transponder code (such as weight on wheels operate in airspace where its use is mandatory. The purpose of
switch deactivation) must report this condition to ATS and this advanced request is to enable ATC to determine if the
obtain an APREQ before commencing ground operations. operation of the aircraft can be handled in the airspace at the
time requested without compromising the safety of air traffic.
8.0 TRANSPONDER OPERATION Approval may be subject to conditions and limitations deemed
necessary to preserve safety. Pilots must obtain approval before
entering airspace where it is mandatory to be equipped with a
8.1 GENERAL functioning transponder and automatic pressure altitude
Transponders substantially increase the capability of ATS reporting equipment. This includes aircraft proposing to take
surveillance to detect aircraft. The use of automatic pressure off from an airport located within that airspace.
altitude reporting equipment (Mode C) enables controllers to
quickly determine where potential conflicts could occur. Proper 8.2 TRANSPONDER REQUIREMENTS
transponder operating procedures and techniques provide both CAR 605.35 outlines the transponder operating rule, as well as
visual flight rules (VFR) and instrument flight rules (IFR) aircraft the circumstance in which operation with an unserviceable
with a higher degree of safety. In addition, proper use of transponder is permitted. It also outlines the procedures to
transponders with Mode C capability results in reduced follow in order to operate an aircraft without a transponder and
communications and more efficient service. automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment within
When pilots receive air traffic control (ATC) instructions transponder airspace. CAR 601.03 states that “transponder
concerning transponder operation, they shall operate transponders airspace consists of:
as directed until they receive further instructions or until the (a) all Class A, B and C airspace as specified in the Designated
aircraft has landed, except in an emergency, communication Airspace Handbook; and
failure or act of unlawful interference.
(b) any Class D or E airspace specified as transponder airspace
ATC surveillance units are equipped with alarm systems that in the Designated Airspace Handbook.”
respond when an aircraft is within ATS surveillance coverage
and the pilot selects the emergency, communication failure, or This includes all Class E airspace extending from 10 000 ft above
act of unlawful interference transponder code. It is possible to sea level (ASL) up to and including 12 500 ft ASL within radar
unintentionally select these codes momentarily when changing coverage, as shown in Figure 8.1.
the transponder code. To prevent unnecessary alarm activation, Pilots of instrument flight rules (IFR) aircraft operating within
pilots should avoid inadvertent selection of 7500, 7600 or 7700 controlled or uncontrolled high-level airspace should adjust
when changing the code if either of the first two digits to be their transponder to reply on Mode A, Code 2000 and on Mode C,
selected is a seven. For example, when changing from Code 1700 unless otherwise instructed by air traffic control (ATC).
to Code 7100, first change to Code 1100 (and NOT Code 7700)
NOTE:
and then change to Code 7100. Do not select STANDBY while
Pilots instructed to squawk a discrete code should not adjust
changing codes as this will cause the target to be lost on the ATS
their assigned transponder code when informed that ATS
surveillance situation display.
surveillance is terminated. The termination of ATS surveillance
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service does not necessarily constitute direction to change to NOTES:

Code 2000. 1. When climbing above 12 500 ft ASL, a VFR pilot should
Figure 8.1—Transponder Airspace select Code 1200 until departure from 12 500 ft ASL at
which point Code 1400 should be selected. When descending
from above 12 500 ft ASL, a VFR pilot should select Code 1200
upon reaching 12 500 ft ASL. Pilots of aircraft equipped
with a transponder capable of Mode C automatic altitude
reporting should adjust their transponder to reply on Mode C
when operating in Canadian airspace unless otherwise
assigned by an ATS unit.
TRANSPONDER AIRSPACE
MANDATORY IN CLASS E AIRSPACE 2. Pilots of gliders that are equipped with a transponder should
BETWEEN 10 000 AND 12 500 FT ASL
WITHIN RADAR COVERAGE adjust the transponder to reply on Mode A, Code 1202 at
all times, unless otherwise directed by air traffic
control (ATC). If their transponder is capable, pilots should
use Mode C as well.
8.5 PHRASEOLOGY
Air traffic services (ATS) personnel will use the following
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phraseology when referring to transponder operation.
SQUAWK (code)—Operate transponder on designated code in
Mode A.
SQUAWK IDENT—Engage the indentification (IDENT) feature
of the transponder.
NOTE:
8.3 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) A pilot should operate the IDENT feature only when requested
OPERATIONS IN OTHER LOW-LEVEL by an ATS unit.
AIRSPACE
SQUAWK MODE CHARLIE—Activate Mode C with automatic
During instrument flight rules (IFR) flight in controlled low-
altitude reporting.
level airspace other than that described earlier, adjust the
transponder to reply on Mode A, Code 1000, and on Mode C (if STOP SQUAWK MODE CHARLIE—Turn off automatic altitude
available), unless otherwise instructed by air traffic control (ATC). reporting function.
If an IFR flight plan is cancelled or changed to a visual flight RESET TRANSPONDER—Reset the transponder and transmit
rules (VFR) flight plan, the transponder should be adjusted to the SQUAWK (code) currently assigned. This phraseology may
reply on the appropriate VFR code, as specified in the following be used if the target or identity tag data is not being displayed
paragraphs, unless otherwise instructed by ATC. as expected.
To enhance the safety of IFR flight in uncontrolled low-level REPORT YOUR ALTITUDE—This phraseology may be used
airspace, pilots are encouraged to adjust their transponders to when it is necessary to validate altitude readouts by comparing
reply on Mode A, Code 1000 and Mode C (if available), unless the readout value with the altitude reported by the aircraft. An
otherwise instructed by ATC. altitude readout is considered valid if the readout value does not
differ from the aircraft-reported altitude by more than 200 ft;
8.4 VISUAL FLIGHT RULES (VFR) it is considered invalid if the difference is 300 ft or more.
OPERATIONS
NOTE:
During visual flight rules (VFR) flight in low-level airspace, the
Readout values are displayed in 100‑ft increments.
pilot should adjust the transponder to reply on the following
unless otherwise assigned by an air traffic services (ATS) unit: SQUAWK STANDBY – SQUAWK (code)—The present position
(a) Mode A, Code 1200 for operation at or below 12 500 ft above symbol (PPS) disappears or changes to a primary surveillance
sea level (ASL); or radar (PSR) symbol after the aircraft is instructed to change its
transponder to STANDBY; the PPS reappears or changes back
(b) Mode A, Code 1400 for operation above 12 500 ft ASL.
to a secondary surveillance radar (SSR) symbol after the aircraft
Upon leaving the confines of an airspace for which a special is requested to return the transponder to normal operation.
code assignment has been received, the pilot is responsible for
changing to the code shown in (a) or (b), unless they are assigned
a new code by an ATS unit.
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8.6 EMERGENCIES Specifically, the ICAO definition of a fully compliant ACAS II

(see ICAO Annex 10, Volume 4, Chapter 4) is equivalent to
In the event of an emergency and if unable to establish
TCAS II software version 7.1. Additional guidance and information
communication immediately with an air traffic control (ATC)
on ACAS may be found in Transport Canada (TC) Advisory
unit, a pilot wishing to alert ATC to the emergency situation
Circular (AC) 700-004.
should adjust the transponder to reply on Code 7700. Thereafter,
communication should be established with ATC as soon as NOTE:
possible and the transponder should be operated as directed by For the purposes of the Transport Canada Aeronautical
ATC. Information Manual (TC AIM), the term TCAS will be used
and, where necessary, a specific software version will be identified
8.7 COMMUNICATION FAILURE for clarity.
In the event of a communication failure, the pilot should adjust TCAS equipment alerts flight crews when the path of the aircraft
the transponder to reply on Code 7600 to alert air traffic is predicted to potentially collide with that of another aircraft.
control (ATC) of the situation. This does not relieve the pilot of A TCAS-equipped aircraft interrogates other aircraft in order
the requirement to comply with the appropriate communications to determine their position. TCAS is designed to operate
failure procedures for instrument flight rules (IFR) flight. independently of air traffic control (ATC) and, depending on
the type of TCAS, will display proximate traffic and provide
8.8 UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE traffic advisories (TAs) and resolution advisories (RAs).
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Canada, along with other nations, has adopted a special secondary (a) TAs provide information on proximate traffic and indicate
surveillance radar (SSR) transponder code (7500) for use by the relative positions of intruding aircraft. TAs are intended
pilots of aircraft subjected to an act of unlawful interference. to assist flight crew in visual acquisition of conflicting traffic
Air traffic control (ATC) does not assign this code (7500) unless and to prepare pilots for the possibility of an RA.
the pilot informs ATC of an act of unlawful interference in
progress. (b) RAs are divided into two categories: preventative advisories,
which instruct the pilot to maintain or avoid certain vertical
Selection of the code activates an alarm system and points out speeds; and corrective advisories, which instruct the pilot
the aircraft on situation displays. If the controller doubts that to deviate from the current flight path (e.g. “CLIMB” when
an aircraft is the subject of an act of unlawful interference (as the aircraft is in level flight).
could occur when a code change was requested and the act of
There are two types of TCAS:
unlawful interference code appeared rather than the assigned
code), the controller will say, “CONFIRM SQUAWK SEVEN (a) TCAS I is a system, which includes a computer and pilot
FIVE ZERO ZERO”. If the pilot answers yes, the controller will display(s), that provides a warning of proximate traffic (TA)
alert the ATC system. If the pilot replies no, the controller will to assist the pilot in the visual acquisition of intruder aircraft
re-assign the proper code. If the pilot does not reply, the controller and in the avoidance of potential collisions (it does not
will take this as confirmation that the use of Code 7500 is provide RAs).
intentional. If, after using Code 7500, an aircraft changes to (b) TCAS II is a system, which includes a computer, pilot
Code 7700 or transmits a message including the phrase display(s), and a Mode S transponder, that provides both
“TRANSPONDER SEVEN SEVEN ZERO ZERO”, this indicates TAs and vertical plane RAs. RAs include recommended
that the aircraft is threatened by grave and imminent danger escape manoeuvres, only in the vertical dimension, to either
and requires immediate assistance. increase or maintain existing vertical separation between
aircraft.
9.0 TRAFFIC ALERT AND NOTE:
COLLISION AVOIDANCE There is currently no TCAS equipment capable of providing
SYSTEM (TCAS) AND RAs in the lateral direction.
AIRBORNE COLLISION The following paragraphs and table describe the TCAS levels of
AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (ACAS) protection versus aircraft equipage.
(a) Intruder aircraft without transponders are invisible to TCAS-
9.1 GENERAL equipped aircraft and thus TAs or RAs are not provided.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) uses the (b) Intruder aircraft equipped with only a Mode A transponder
term airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS). The term are not tracked or detected by TCAS II, because TCAS II
traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) refers to the does not use Mode A interrogations. Mode A transponder
system developed in the United States by the Federal Aviation aircraft are invisible to TCAS-equipped aircraft.
Administration (FAA). These terms are generally interchangeable. (c) Intruder aircraft equipped with a Mode C transponder
Care needs to be taken when comparing ICAO definitions of without altitude input will be tracked as a non-altitude
ACAS II with the North American definition of TCAS II. replying target. Neither a data tag nor a trend arrow will be
112
shown with the traffic symbol. These aircraft are deemed (c) TSO-C119c (associated with software version 7.1)—Version 7.1
to be at the same altitude as own aircraft. was released to address reversal logic issues and flight crew
(d) In an encounter between two TCAS II-equipped aircraft, misinterpretation of “ADJUST VERTICAL SPEED, ADJUST”
their computers will communicate using the Mode S aural annunciation. In International Civil Aviation
transponder data link, which has the capability to provide Organization (ICAO) terminology, this is also referred to
complementary RAs (e.g. one climbing and one descending). as ACAS II.  
Table 9.1—TCAS Levels of Protection

NOTES:
1. In Amendment 85 to ICAO Annex 10, Volume IV, Chapter 4,
Own Aircraft Equipment published in October 2010, ICAO has mandated that all
TCAS I TCAS II new ACAS installations after January 1, 2014 be compliant
with version 7.1 and that all ACAS units shall be compliant
Intruder Non-transponder- Not tracked Not tracked and with version 7.1 after January 2017. Transport Canada (TC)
Aircraft equipped or Mode A and not not displayed
Equipment transponder only displayed has not initiated any rulemaking based on these ICAO
requirements.
Mode C or Mode S TA TA and vertical
transponder RA 2. Be advised that if you operate in ICAO member countries
after the abovementioned dates you will have to be equipped
TCAS I TA TA and vertical with software version 7.1.
RA
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Within some member states of the European Union and within
TCAS II TA TA and
coordinated
European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) airspace, equipage
vertical RA with TCAS II software version 7.1 will be required earlier than
the ICAO mandated dates.
9.2 TRANSPORT CANADA (TC) The TSO for Mode S transponders is TSO-C112 or CAN-
REGULATIONS ON TRAFFIC ALERT TSO-C112.  The following table and associated notes summarize
AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE the TCAS/ACAS requirements for CAR Part VII air operators.
SYSTEM (TCAS)/AIRBORNE COLLISION
AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (ACAS)
The Technical Standard Order (TSO) for TCAS I is TSO-C118
or CAN-TSO-C118.
The TSO for TCAS II/ACAS II is TSO-C119 or CAN-TSO-C119.
The original release of TSO-C119 was associated with software
version 6.0. Since then, the following updates to TSO-C119 have
been released:
(a) TSO-C119a (associated with software version 6.04a)—
Version 6.04a was released to address nuisance alerts which
were occurring at low altitudes and during low-level
manoeuvres, and to address a problem with the altitude
crossing logic.
NOTE:
This version is the minimum requirement for operations in
Canada when outside of reduced vertical separation
minimum (RVSM) airspace.
(b) TSO-C119b (associated with software version 7.0)—Version 7.0

was released to address numerous enhancements to collision
avoidance algorithms, aural annunciation, and resolution
advisory (RA) displays as well as changes to reduce repetitive
nuisance traffic advisories (TAs) on RVSM routes in slow
closure situations.
NOTE:
Software version 7.0 is the minimum required for all CARs 702,
703, 704 and 705 aeroplanes when operating inside of RVSM
airspace.
113
Table 9.2—TCAS/ACAS Requirements for CAR Part VII Air Operators
CAR TCAS I* TCAS II**
702.46 Not required Required for turbine-powered aeroplanes of MCTOW

exceeding 15 000 kg (33 069 lb). (See notes 1 and 2
below.)
703.70 Minimum required for aeroplanes of MCTOW Not required but acceptable outside of RVSM airspace.
exceeding 5 700 kg (12 566 lb) outside of RVSM Required when operating in RVSM airspace. (See note 1
airspace. (See note 1 below.) below.)
704.70 Minimum required for aeroplanes of MCTOW Required for turbine-powered aeroplanes of MCTOW
exceeding 5 700 kg (12 566 lb) outside of RVSM exceeding 15 000 kg (33 069 lb). (See note 1 below.)
airspace. (See note 1 below.)
705.83 Minimum required for non-turbine-powered Required for turbine-powered aeroplanes. (See note 1
aeroplanes outside of RVSM airspace. (See note 1 below.)
below.)
* Equivalent to CAN-TSO-C118
** CAN-TSO-C119a (version 6.04a) outside of RVSM airspace or CAN-TSO-C119b
(version 7.0) inside of RVSM airspace and Mode S transponder CAN-TSO-C112
NOTES:
COM
1. TCAS II (CAN-TSO-C119b [software version 7.0] or more recent) and Mode S

transponder (CAN-TSO-C112 or more recent) are required for operations in RVSM
airspace.
2. Not required when engaged in or configured for firefighting, aerial spray services,
or aerial survey and operated only in low-level airspace.
It is strongly recommended that foreign operators comply with Canadian air operators planning operations in U.S. airspace are
TCAS equipage requirements as outlined above when operating also advised to review FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 120‑55C—
within Canadian airspace. Air Carrier Operational Approval and Use of TCAS II (as amended).
There are currently no Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) For Canadian air operators planning operations in Europe,
requiring private operators (CAR 604) to be equipped with details of European requirements are available at <https://www.
TCAS. However, private operators are advised that ICAO Annex 6, eurocontrol.int/system/acas>.
Part II, 3.6.9.2 requires that: “All turbine-engined aeroplanes of
a maximum certificated take-off mass in excess of 15 000 kg, 9.4 OPERATIONAL APPROVAL
or authorized to carry more than 30 passengers, for which the
individual airworthiness certificate is first issued after 1 January For Canadian air operators, traffic alert and collision avoidance
2007, shall be equipped with an airborne collision avoidance system (TCAS) operational approval is accomplished through
system (ACAS II).” This means that affected private operators Transport Canada (TC) approval of: pertinent training; checking
flying into ICAO member countries must be equipped with and currency programs; checklists; standard operating
ACAS II. procedure (SOP) operations or training manuals; maintenance
programs; minimum equipment lists (MELs); or other pertinent
documents.
9.3 USE OF THE TRAFFIC ALERT
AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE When planning to equip with TCAS, Canadian air operators
SYSTEM (TCAS) OUTSIDE OF CANADA should consult their TC principle operations inspector early in
their program to permit a timely response. Canadian air operators
Numerous countries have operational regulations which require
may address training, checking and currency individually or as
certain aircraft to be equipped with a traffic alert and collision
part of an integrated program. For example, TCAS/ACAS
avoidance system (TCAS). If you are planning on operating your
qualification may be based on a specific aircraft (e.g. during
aircraft in a foreign country, consult that country’s regulations
A320 transition); may be addressed in conjunction with general
to determine TCAS equipage requirements.
f light crew qualification (e.g. during initial new hire
Canadian air operators must meet the following TCAS indoctrination); or may be completed as dedicated TCAS/ACAS
requirements to operate in U.S. airspace (see Federal Aviation training and checking (e.g. completion of a standardized TCAS/
Administration [FAA] Federal Aviation Regulations [FAR] 129.18): ACAS curriculum in conjunction with a recurrent instrument
flight test [IFT]/pilot proficiency check [PPC]).
(a) TCAS I: Turbine-powered aeroplane with a passenger-seat
configuration, excluding any pilot seat, of 10–30 seats. Federa l Av iat ion Ad minist rat ion (FA A) Adv isor y
(b) TCAS II: Turbine-powered aeroplane of more than 33 000 lb Circular (AC) 120-55C—Air Carrier Operational Approval and
maximum certificated takeoff weight (MCTOW). Use of TCAS II (as amended) provides information with respect
to training, checking and currency in the use of TCAS. The
material therein can be used by operators to assist in defining
their implementation of TCAS.
114
EUROCONTROL has produced and published TCAS training transponder/TCAS unit. Air operators should require all
material and information that are available at <https://www. pilots who use transponders or transponder/TCAS units to
eurocontrol.int/system/acas>. be familiar with the current annunciations used to indicate
that these components have failed or are compromised.
9.5 AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION APPROVAL
(c) Flight crews are reminded to follow the resolution
An acceptable means of demonstrating compliance with the advisories (RAs) promptly and accurately, even though the
appropriate requirements in the Airworthiness Manual, RAs may change in strength and/or reverse. RA commands
Chapter 525 and of obtaining airworthiness approval is to follow do not require large load factors when being followed. Any
the method specified in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) delay in responding to an RA could swiftly erode the ability
Advisory Circular (AC) 20-131A—Airworthiness Approval of to maintain or achieve adequate separation without resorting
Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS II) and to strengthening RAs. For TCAS to provide safe vertical
Mode S Transponders (as amended) for installation of Technical separation, initial vertical speed response is required within
Standard Order TSO-C119a TCAS/ACAS. FAA AC 20-151B— five seconds of the RA. Deviation from commands or second-
Airworthiness Approval of Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance guessing the commands should not occur. An RA prevails
Systems (TCAS II), Versions 7.0 & 7.1 and Associated Mode S over any air traffic control (ATC) instruction or clearance.
Transponders should be followed for installations using TSO-
(d) Flight crews may have to inhibit the RA function under
C119b or TSO-C119c equipment.
certain circumstances per the AFM (e.g. during an engine
9.6 OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS failure).
COM
(a) Where required by regulations to be equipped with traffic (e) The TCAS system may inhibit RAs during certain flight
alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS), flight crews phases, such as at low altitudes. Flight crews need to be
must operate with their TCAS equipment on at all times, aware of when TCAS will not provide a full range of RA
in so far as is consistent with the aircraft flight manual (AFM) commands.
and standard operating procedures (SOPs). This is true even (f) Flight crews should not attempt to manoeuvre solely on the
when operating away from major, high traffic density basis of traffic advisory (TA) information. The TA should
airports. Although TCAS will never be a complete substitute trigger a visual search for traffic and a request to ATC for
for a good lookout, good situational awareness and proper help in determining whether a flight path change is required.
radio procedures, it has proven to be a valuable tool that In the case of a TCAS II TA, the flight crew should prepare
provides information on potential collision hazards. Hence, for a possible RA, following the TA.
flight crews should not deprive themselves of this important
(g) TAs and RAs should be treated as genuine unless the intruder
asset, especially in areas of mixed instrument f light
has been positively identified and assessed as constituting
rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) traffic.
neither a threat nor a hazard.
(b) For a TCAS-equipped aircraft to provide a flight crew with
(h) Flight crews should be aware that, in accordance with the
collision avoidance information, the TCAS unit and the
Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety
transponder must be turned on and the transponder cannot
Board Act, an incident where a risk of collision or a loss of
be selected to STANDBY mode (i.e. powered but not
separation occurs is considered a reportable aviation
transmitting data). If the transponder is not turned on and
incident. Responding to an RA is considered a reportable
responding to interrogations, the aircraft’s TCAS cannot
aviation incident. For more information on this topic, visit
display information about potentially conflicting aircraft
the following links:
nearby nor can it provide instructions to the crew to resolve
impending collision threats. Failure of the TCAS computer (i) AC 700-004: Airborne Collision Avoidance System
unit itself can also occur; however, such a failure only affects Advisory Material; and
the TCAS-equipped aircraft’s ability to detect nearby aircraft. (ii) <www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/aviation/operating-
The aircraft containing the inoperative TCAS unit remains airports-aerodromes/report-incident-airport-safety.
visible to other aircraft as long as its transponder remains html>
operative. The consequences of a TCAS unit failure are
magnified when the transponder is inoperative because not (i) If a TCAS RA manoeuvre is contrary to other critical cockpit
only is TCAS information lost to the affected aircraft, but warnings, then those other warnings are respected per
the aircraft will not be visible to other airborne collision TCAS certification and training (i.e. responses to stall
avoidance systems. Regardless of whether the transponder warning, wind shear and terrain awareness and warning
has failed or the TCAS has become inoperative, a flight systems [TAWSs] take precedence over a TCAS RA, especially
crew’s ability to mitigate the risk of collision is significantly when the aircraft is less than 2 500 ft above ground
degraded if the collision avoidance system becomes level [AGL]).
inoperative and the failure is not quickly and reliably brought (j) Due to interference limiting algorithms, airborne collision
to the crew’s attention. Air operators are encouraged to avoidance system (ACAS) II may not display all proximate
inform pilots who use transponders or transponder/TCAS transponder-equipped aircraft in areas of high density
units that there may not be a conspicuous warning to indicate traffic. Flight crews should not become complacent in their
loss of collision protection resulting from a compromised efforts to search the sky for other aircraft.
115
9.7 PILOT ACTION WHEN DEVIATING FROM 9.8 MODE S TRANSPONDER APPROVAL
CLEARANCES—REGULATIONS AND AND UNIQUE CODES
INFORMATION Along with performing all the functions of Mode A and C
Safety studies have confirmed that the significant safety benefit transponders, Mode S transponders also have a data link
afforded by a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) capability. Mode S transponders are an integral component of
could be seriously degraded by a deficient response to resolution all TCAS II/ACAS II installations.
advisories (RAs). It has also been shown that the safety benefit
For aircraft that are not required to be equipped with TCAS/
of TCAS is eroded when pilots do not follow the flight path
ACAS, there is no requirement to replace existing Mode A or C
guidance provided during an RA.
transponders with Mode S transponders until it becomes
In view of this safety hazard and to optimize the safety benefits impossible to maintain presently installed Mode A or C
of TCAS, the following regulatory provisions have been transponders.
established:
Airworthiness approval must be obtained by Canadian aircraft
CAR 602.31(3) states that: operators who install Mode S transponders. Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular (AC) 20-131A—
“The pilot-in-command of an aircraft may deviate from an air
Airworthiness Approval of Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance
traffic control clearance or an air traffic control instruction to
Systems (TCAS II) and Mode S Transponders (as amended) should
the extent necessary to carry out a collision avoidance manoeuvre,
be used for guidance to obtain airworthiness approval. Canadian
if the manoeuvre is carried out
COM
operators should contact their regional Transport Canada (TC)

(a) in accordance with a resolution advisory generated by an office for approval details.
ACAS; or
At the time of registration, each Canadian aircraft with a Mode S
(b) in response to an alert from a TAWS or a Ground Proximity transponder will receive a unique 24-bit Mode S code assignment,
Warning System (GPWS).” which must be uploaded to the transponder, usually by the
CAR 602.31(4) states that: installer.
“The pilot-in-command of an aircraft shall

9.9 PILOT/CONTROLLER ACTIONS
(a) as soon as possible after initiating the collision avoidance
In order to use a traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS)
manoeuvre referred to in subsection (3), inform the
in the most effective and safest manner, the following pilot and
appropriate air traffic control unit of the deviation; and
controller actions are necessary:
(b) immediately after completing the collision avoidance
(a) Pilots should not manoeuvre their aircraft in response to
manoeuvre referred to in subsection (3), comply with the
traffic advisories (TAs) only.
last air traffic control clearance received and accepted by,
or the last air traffic control instruction received and (b) In the event of a resolution advisory (RA) to alter the flight
acknowledged by, the pilot-in-command.” path, the alteration of the flight path should be limited to
the minimum extent necessary to comply with the RA.
NOTE: Aggressive manoeuvring should not be required since TCAS
By following the RA guidance precisely, the magnitude of the RAs are predicted on ¼ G manoeuvre load factors.
altitude deviation can be minimized. Pilots must ensure that
(c) Pilots should notify, as soon as possible, the appropriate air
the manoeuvre necessary to comply with the RA (climb or
traffic control (ATC) unit of the deviation and of when the
descent) is not maintained after the RA is terminated.
deviation has ended.
There is information available which highlights the importance (d) When a pilot reports a manoeuvre induced by an RA, the
of following RAs. EUROCONTROL has issued numerous controller should not attempt to modify the aircraft flight
airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS) II bulletins path until the pilot reports returning to the terms of the
(see <https://www.eurocontrol.int/system/acas>). ACAS II existing ATC instruction or clearance. Instead, the controller
Bulletin Issue 1— Follow the RA, dated July 2002, describes should provide traffic information as appropriate.
several RA events and the consequences of the flight crew actions
taken. The bulletin is informative and describes the advantages (e) Pilots who deviate from an ATC instruction or clearance
of TCAS/ACAS for collision avoidance when followed correctly. in response to an RA shall promptly return to the terms of
The bulletin also describes the limitations associated with the that instruction or clearance when the conflict is resolved
visual acquisition of traffic and those of air traffic control (ATC) and advise ATC.
situation displays.
Transport Canada (TC) recommends that operators disseminate
this information to pilots for awareness and, where appropriate,
establish suitable pilot training programs to ensure that flight
crews follow RAs promptly and accurately, even when presented
with conflicting avoidance instructions from ATC.
116
9.10 PILOT AND CONTROLLER Iridium offers a constellation of 66 cross-linked satellites at an

PHRASEOLOGY altitude of 780 km. Six orbital planes, with 11 satellites in each
orbital plane, provide global coverage. Additionally, there are a
The current International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
number of spare satellites to replace any in-orbit failures. At that
traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) pilot/
altitude, each satellite covers a circular area 4 500 km in diameter,
controller phraseology is detailed below (see also ICAO Doc 4444,
and is in view for approximately nine minutes to anyone located
12.3.1.2). It should be noted that, for the purpose of phonetic
on the ground.
clarity, the term TCAS is used.
The Inmarsat network uses geostationary earth satellites at an
Table 9.3—TCAS Pilot-Controller Phraseology altitude of 35 786 km. At that altitude above Earth, each satellite’s
footprint covers approximately 120° of longitude at the equator
Circumstances Pilot Controller and stretches to approximately 82° north and 82° south latitude.
The orbital period of each satellite is exactly the same as the
After a flight starts to TCAS RA ROGER
deviate from the ATC rotation period of the Earth, so each satellite appears to remain
clearance or instructions to in the same position.
comply with a TCAS RA.
Japan’s multifunctional transport satellite (MTSAT) functionality
After the response to a CLEAR OF ROGER (or is equivalent to that of Inmarsat, except that the MTSAT
TCAS RA is completed CONFLICT. alternative constellation, centered over Japan, only provides a coverage
and a return to the ATC RETURNING instruction)
clearance or instruction is TO (assigned footprint to Asia and the Pacific Ocean.
COM
initiated. clearance).
After the response to a
TCAS RA is completed
CLEAR OF
CONFLICT.
ROGER (or
alternative
11.0 EMERGENCY AUTOMATION
and the assigned ATC (assigned instruction) SYSTEMS
clearance or instruction has clearance)
been resumed. RESUMED.
After an ATC clearance or UNABLE, ROGER
11.1 AUTOMATED EMERGENCY DESCENT
instruction contradictory to TCAS RA MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
the TCAS RA is received,
From small general aviation aircraft to large air transport category
the flight crew will follow the
RA and inform ATC directly. aircraft, several aircraft manufacturers offer automated
emergency descent management systems. While depressurization
events are extremely rare, these systems can activate when either
10.0 SATELLITE SYSTEMS the cabin pressure drops below predetermined limits or when
pilot-interaction monitors get triggered, and they can automate
certain functions when a rapid descent might be required. After
10.1 GENERAL attempting to alert the flight crew, who may be potentially non-
Satellite systems used for aviation are defined by different orbits: responsive and/or hypoxic, the systems are designed to
low earth orbit (LEO), medium earth orbit (MEO) and automatically engage and descend the aircraft to a safe altitude.
geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO). A special case of GEO is the Once the automated emergency descent management system
geostationary earth orbit (or geosynchronous equatorial orbit), has determined the appropriate minimum sector altitude (MSA)
which is a circular geosynchronous orbit at zero inclination (that or calculated an escape route for the aircraft based on underlying
is, directly above the equator). The altitude of the orbit determines terrain, the autopilot and autothrottle will engage and descend
the surface area of the Earth that can be illuminated by the the aircraft as appropriate. Depending on the configuration,
satellite signal: the higher the orbit, the larger the signal footprint. some aircraft automatically initiate a parallel offset when starting
Propagation losses from satellites at higher orbits are offset by the descent while others could turn to a new heading, such as
the increased complexity of the antenna systems, along with 90° from the current aircraft heading. If the aircraft happens to
higher transmitter power. A LEO satellite’s footprint is smaller, be traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS)/airborne
which means that a higher number of satellites are required to collision avoidance system (ACAS) equipped, and if the onboard
provide seamless coverage, but the antennas are much simpler system can determine that another aircraft is in conflict, the
and have a reduced radio frequency power requirement on the automated emergency descent management system may have
user end. the additional capability of carrying out resolution advisories
during the emergency descent.
10.2 SATELLITE SERVICE PROVIDERS
When beginning the descent, some automated emergency descent
A number of providers offer telephone and data services to the management systems can adjust the transponder code to 7700,
aeronautical market via satellite. Iridium offers a low earth select Emergency/Priority status in the automatic dependent
orbit (LEO) satellite system, while Inmarsat and the Japan surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) subfield, and may even be capable
Meteorological Agency operate geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) of broadcasting messages to air traffic control (ATC) using a
satellite systems. These satellite systems use frequencies reserved digitized voice. These voice broadcasts are typically transmitted
for aeronautical safety services. on the very high frequency (VHF) radio frequency last used by
117
the pilot and/or over the emergency frequency 121.5 MHz. Highly After an emergency automatic landing system has been activated,
automated systems may also be able to send controller-pilot data the transponder code will automatically be changed to 7700 and
link communications (CPDLC) messages to ATC through the Emergency/Priority status in the automatic dependent
datalink. surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) subfield will be selected. Using
a digitized voice, the system may broadcast messages such as
11.2 EMERGENCY AUTOMATIC LANDING the following over the emergency frequency 121.5 MHz, over
SYSTEMS the selected aerodrome tower/mandatory frequency (MF)/
universal communications (UNICOM) frequency, and sometimes
Some light aircraft are equipped with an emergency automatic over the very high frequency (VHF) radio frequency last used
landing system that can perform a completely autonomous by the pilot:
landing in an emergency situation. These systems could be
triggered by automated emergency descent management systems, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, AIRCRAFT
envelope protection systems, or they can even be engaged <REGISTRATION> HAS ACTIVATED AN EMERGENCY
manually by a passenger if the pilot has become incapacitated. AUTOMATIC LANDING SYSTEM. STAND BY FOR
Upon activation, emergency automatic landing systems will INFORMATION.
determine the optimal route to a suitable aerodrome, fly the AIRCRAFT <REGISTRATION>, PILOT
aircraft to a selected runway, and perform a survivable landing. INCAPACITATION, <DISTANCE FROM DESTINATION
Regardless if the aircraft was being operated under visual flight AIRPORT> MILES <DIRECTION FROM DESTINATION
rules (VFR) or instrument flight rules (IFR), once a destination AIRPORT> OF <DESTINATION AIRPORT>,
COM
runway has been determined, the onboard system generates a EMERGENCY AUTOLAND IN <ESTIMATED TIME
path to the final approach fix which avoids terrain, obstacles REMAINING> ON <RUNWAY> AT <DESTINATION
and, depending on aircraft options, even severe weather along AIRPORT>.
the way.
Emergency automatic landing systems select the most suitable NOTE:
runway based on several factors, although these systems normally Not all remote communication facilities (peripheral station [PAL],
prefer airports with control towers since they offer better remote aerodrome advisory service [R AAS], remote
coordination with other traffic as well as emergency services on communications outlet [RCO] and flight information service
the ground. It should be noted that these systems can select en route [FISE] RCO) have 121.5 MHz capability. When an aircraft
suitable runways without consideration of international has activated an emergency automatic landing system, other
boundaries. aircraft operating in the vicinity who are able to hear transmissions
on 121.5 MHz should attempt to relay any emergency messages
Emergency automatic landing systems will normally maintain to an air traffic service (ATS) facility.
straight and level flight for a brief period, allowing air traffic
control (ATC) to identify the activation and begin clearing nearby The autopilot and autothrottle fly the aircraft to the runway and
traffic out of the way. In the event the aircraft is surrounded by can initiate a holding pattern if necessary at the final approach
terrain upon activation, these systems may initiate a straight-line fix to slow the aircraft and prepare for landing, while the
climb or a climb in a present-position holding pattern and then emergency automatic landing systems lower the flaps and landing
continue on to the selected runway once the aircraft is clear of gear at the appropriate time, perform the flare and touchdown,
the terrain. and apply the wheel brakes. Once the aircraft has come to a halt
on the runway, the aircraft should be met by emergency services.
NOTE:
Some emergency automatic landing systems may not automatically
shut down the engines of the aircraft.
After landing, these systems may continue broadcasting messages

such as the following until they are deactivated:
ATTENTION, <DESTINATION AIRPORT> TRAFFIC,
AIRCRAFT <REGISTRATION> DISABLED ON
RUNWAY <RUNWAY>.
The avionics in the aircraft will normally display appropriate
instructions for airport responders to disengage the brakes and
deactivate the emergency automatic landing system so that the
aircraft can be removed from the runway.
118
MET—METEOROLOGY Enquiries relating to regulations and standards for aviation

weather services should be addressed to:
Flight Standards (AARTA)
Transport Canada
1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION Ottawa ON K1A 0N8
Tel.:.....................................................................1-800-305-2059
1.1 GENERAL Fax: ........................................................................613-957-4208
The Minister of Transport is responsible for the development E-mail:.... TC.Flights.Standards-Normesdevol.TC@tc.gc.ca
and regulation of aeronautics and the supervision of all matters
Enquiries related to operational issues, notification requirements,
connected with aeronautics.
and the regulatory compliance of aviation weather services can
The responsibility for the provision of aviation weather services be referred to the TC regional office or by e-mail to <TC.
in Canadian airspace, and any other airspace in which Canada ANSWeatherInfo-InfoMeteoSNA.TC@tc.gc.ca>.
accepts the responsibility for the provision of air traffic
control (ATC) services, has been designated to NAV CANADA 1.1.2 Meteorological Services Available
by the Minister of Transport.
Aviation weather information is available from NAV CANADA
NAV CANADA is responsible for a range of aviation weather FICs. Telephone numbers and hours of service are listed in the
services, some of which are provided to it under a contractual CFS and the CWAS.
agreement with Environment and Climate Change Canada
(ECCC). These services include most civilian aviation weather
1.1.3 Aviation Weather Services
forecasts. NAV CANADA is responsible for determining the
location and frequency of aviation weather observations and (a) Pilot briefing service—The pilot briefing service is provided
forecasts, and for the dissemination of this information for by NAV CANADA FICs to accommodate pilots at the pre-
aviation purposes. flight planning stage and for information updates while
en route. Flight service specialists can access and display a
In addition to the aviation weather services provided by
full range of weather charts, imagery (e.g. satellite, lightning
NAV CANADA, other aviation service providers may offer
and radar) and aeronautical information (such as NOTAM,
weather services in support of operations at local aerodromes
MET
RSC and CRFI). They are qualified to provide briefings,
that have light traffic, are private, and/or are used primarily in
consultation and advice, and to interpret meteorological
support of private industry, such as mining or other
information. (See RAC 3.2 for details).
similar operations.
(b) Aviation weather web site (AWWS)—NAV CANADA’s
The Department of National Defence (DND) arranges for the
aviation weather web site (AWWS), available at <https://
provision of aviation weather services at military aerodromes.
flightplanning.navcanada.ca/>, and collaborative flight
planning system, available at <https://plan.navcanada.ca>,
1.1.1 Meteorological Information offer aviation weather products, NOTAM and the ability
In accordance with Canadian Aviation Regulation (CAR) 804.01(1), to file flight plans. For more information, visit <www.
the majority of standards for aviation weather services are found navcanada.ca>. Pilots operating near the border should note
in International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 3, that U.S. METAR, SPECI and TAF must be obtained through
the Manual of Standards and Procedures for Aviation Weather the Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS), available at
Forecasts (MANAIR), and the Manual of Surface Weather <www.aviationweather.gov/adds/>.
Observation Standards (MANOBS). The two manuals can be (c) Other pilot weather services—In accordance with an
obtained from ECCC’s Web site at <https://www.canada.ca/en/ arrangement with the U.S. National Weather Service, digital
environment-climate-change/services/weather-manuals- upper level wind and temperature forecasts are available to
documentation.html>, while Annex 3 can be obtained from operators in Canada for planning international flights.
ICAO. Revisions to MANOBS and MANAIR took effect on Digital forecasts are also available to the Gander OAC for
December 2, 2021. planning transatlantic flights. Aviation weather flight
Enquiries relating to the provision of aviation weather services documentation is provided, subject to prior notification, as
should be addressed to: determined by the local weather service outlet in consultation
with the operator’s local representative. Operators are
NAV CANADA responsible for notifying NAV CANADA’s aviation weather
Aviation Weather Services services of new requirements. (See MET 1.1.1 for the address.)
151 Slater Street Where indicated in the CAP, altimeter settings in weather
Ottawa ON K1P 5H3 reports from U.S. aerodromes may be used as a RASS.
Tel. (toll-free in North America): ................ 1-800-876-4693
Fax: ....................................................................... 613-563-3426
Fax (toll-free in North America): .................1-877-663-6656
E-mail: ..................................................service@navcanada.ca
119
1.1.4 Weather Service Information conditions considered to be a hazard to aviation are broadcast
immediately to aircraft in the affected area and will be included
When planning a flight, pilots can obtain aviation weather and
in subsequent scheduled weather broadcasts. PIREPs are also
aeronautical information and file a flight plan through a
transmitted under the headings “UACN10” for normal PIREPs
NAV CANADA FIC. (See RAC 3.2 for details).
and “UACN01” or “UUA” for urgent PIREPs. A suggested format
Radio communication should be established with a FIC on a for PIREPs can be found on the back covers of the CFS and the
FISE frequency if in-flight information is required to assist in CWAS. More information on PIREPs can be found in MET 2.0.
making a decision or to terminate a flight, or to alter course
before adverse weather conditions are encountered. 1.1.7 Applicable International Civil Aviation
Pilot requests for initial pilot briefings while airborne are not Organization (ICAO) and World
encouraged because this practice leads to frequency congestion. Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Documents
1.1.5 Weather Information from Air Traffic Whereas ICAO determines the standards and recommended
Service (ATS) practices with respect to meteorological service for international
All aerodromes with operational ATS will provide, on initial air navigation, the WMO determines and reports the
contact or as soon as practicable, the current wind and altimeter internationally agreed upon code formats for the reports and
information unless it is known that the aircraft already has this forecasts. ICAO and WMO documents applicable to aviation
information. ATS procedures require that wind information be meteorology are as follows:
transmitted with landing and take-off clearance only when the (a) ICAO Annex 3—Meteorological Service for International
wind speed is 15 kt or greater. Wind velocity (direction and Air Navigation
speed) data is typically updated every five seconds using a running
(b) WMO Doc 306—Manual on Codes
2-min average. Variations to the wind speed (gusts) and/or wind
direction are based on wind data from the previous 10 min. Most WMO documents can be downloaded, without cost, from
the Internet. WMO documents may also be ordered directly
At aerodromes with an operational ATIS, the full details of the
from the WMO Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. ICAO
most recent METAR or SPECI will be included in the recorded
documents may be purchased from ICAO Headquarters in
message. In rare circumstances, such as during rapidly changing
Montréal. The two relevant addresses are listed below:
MET
weather conditions, this information will be provided directly

by ATS. Where ATIS is not operational, updated current World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
information about weather elements from METAR/SPECI is Sales and Distribution of Publications
available on request. 7bis, avenue de la Paix
P.O. Box 2300
RVR observations are obtained by forward-scatter sensors. CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Observations representative of the touchdown and, where
available, midpoint and roll-out visibility, averaged over 1 min Tel.: .................................................................. +41-22-730-8111
and, based on the light setting in use, are automatically Fax.: .................................................................+41-22-730-8181
displayed in digital form in the local ATS unit. When RVR is Web site:...............................................................www.wmo.int
less than 6 000 ft, the current RVR value for the runway will International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
be given to departing and arriving aircraft and when landing Distribution Sales Unit
information is given to the aircraft on final approach. However, Suite 305
at any time the pilot can request an RVR value during any 999 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard
phase of the approach or landing. Montréal QC H3C 5H7
RVR is included in METARs and SPECIs when it is 6 000 ft or Tel.:........................................................................ 514-954-8022
less for the runway in use and/or the visibility is 1 SM or less. Web site:................................................................ www.icao.int
The RVR is presented in ICAO format and is based on a 10-min
average of the maximum runway light setting. Refer to the Pilots flying outside of North America should consult the
METAR example in MET 8.3 for further details. differences filed by other member states as outlined in
WMO Doc 306 or in the AIP of each country.
1.1.6 Pilot Reports
1.1.6.1 Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPs)

Pilots are urged to volunteer reports of cloud tops, upper cloud
layers, cruising level wind velocity, and other meteorological
information which may be significant to safe or comfortable
f light conditions. The information is also used by ECCC
meteorologists to confirm or amend aviation weather forecasts.
PIREPs less than one hour old that contain information about
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1.1.8 Differences From International Civil 1.2.3 Weather Services Definitions in Flight
Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 3 Publications
CAR 804.01(1)(a) incorporates by reference standards contained The terminology used in the CFS and the CAP to describe aviation
in ICAO Annex 3. The current version of Annex 3 is Amendment 80, weather services is as follows:
which became applicable on November 4, 2021. In accordance
(a) METAR—METAR and SPECI weather observations taken
with CAR 800.01(2), the incorporation by reference of Annex 3
by a qualified human observer.
as a standard “includes the differences notified to ICAO by the
Government of Canada in respect of the standards specified in (b) METAR AUTO—METAR and SPECI weather observations
that annex.” The full details of these State differences are included taken by a stand-alone AWOS with noted enhancements
in the AIP Canada, as published and disseminated by (see MET 8.5). AWOS located outside of the CLDN coverage
NAV CANADA. area do not receive lightning data and therefore are unable
to report thunderstorm or lightning activity.
1.1.9 Pilot Responsibility Examples of METAR AUTO stations are the NAV CANADA
AWOS and DND AWOS.
Pilots must be aware of the requirements of CAR 602.72: “The
pilot-in-command of an aircraft shall, before commencing a (c) LWIS—An automated weather system which produces an
flight, be familiar with the available weather information that hourly LWIS report containing wind speed and direction;
is appropriate to the intended flight.” temperature; dew point; and altimeter setting only.
(d) AUTO—An automated weather system that does not meet
1.2 METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATION requirements to produce a METAR AUTO, SPECI AUTO
AND REPORTS or LWIS report. These systems can report a variety of
observed weather elements. Contact the aerodrome operator
1.2.1 Type and Frequency of Observations for further information on the specifics of the system. Some
of these systems may have associated VHF transmissions
METARs are coded weather observations that are taken every
of their reports as stated in the CAP or CFS.
hour on the hour at over 200 aerodromes and other locations in
Canada. In addition, SPECIs are issued whenever weather (e) WxCam—Indicates that a NAV CANADA aviation weather
conditions cross specified criteria. For details on how to camera is installed at the site. Still images are transmitted
MET
understand METARs, see MET 8.3. For details on SPECI criteria, to the NAV CANADA AWWS at 10-min intervals.
see MET 8.4. (f) Webcam—Indicates that one or more cameras not belonging
The location of sensors used to determine RVR is specified on to NAV CANADA have been installed at this location.
CAP aerodrome charts. Contact the aerodrome operator for further information
on the specifics of the camera system.
1.2.2 Flight Weather Documentation (g) ALTIMETER—Altimeter setting report observed from two
aircraft altimeters. The private altimeter setting report is a
Pilots must use the most recent weather information available
weather service provided in support of an AU. Contact the
when flight planning and be aware of scheduled weather
aerodrome operator for further information on the service.
information updates. Pilots must also remain vigilant for
pertinent unscheduled weather updates or amendments. (h) WIND—Human assessment of wind speed and direction.
The private wind speed and direction report is a weather
Flight weather documentation should include, as appropriate:
service provided in support of an AU. Contact the aerodrome
the relevant GFAs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, TAFs, METARs, SPECIs,
operator for further information on the service.
PIREPs, and upper wind and temperature forecasts.
(i) LAWO—A visual observation of prevailing tower visibility
There are two distinct methods of reporting cloud bases. It is and tower ceiling made by airport controllers from inside
vital for the pilot to be able to distinguish and recognize which the tower cab in order to provide limited weather information
method of reporting is in use. Heights in METARs and TAFs to support local flight operations. These observations are
are always stated as height above ground level. On the other not intended for transmission, distribution, or use outside
hand, heights in GFAs and PIREPs are normally stated as height the control zone. This information is normally included in
above sea level, since terrain heights are variable over the larger the local ATIS recording and updated as required or passed
area covered. If heights are not ASL in GFAs, this is always verbally to aircraft arriving at, and departing from, the local
highlighted by statements such as “CIGS 2-4 AGL”. airport.
Observed weather information, observations, and forecasts
originating from any non-NAV CANADA weather service, other
than DND, are considered a private meteorological service.
Stand-alone METAR AUTO and LWIS reports are available
during published hours through normal meteorological
information systems. At some sites an automated voice broadcast
121
of the latest observation is available via VHF transmitter. In 1.2.4.2 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Weather Stations
these cases, the frequency is displayed in the COMM entry of Some weather stations are intended exclusively for local use by
the CFS Aerodrome/Facility Directory (e.g. COMM AWOS 124.7, VFR operators. These stations do not meet the requirements of
COMM AUTO 122.025). a usable altimeter setting or of wind reports for IFR procedures.
The hours of coverage for METAR, METAR AUTO, and LWIS These stations are not permitted at aerodromes that have IAPs
reports are given (e.g. METAR 09-21Z). At sites where coverage and they are not published in the CFS. Pilots making use of these
is 24 hr/day, the coverage is listed as H24 (e.g. METAR H24, stations do so at their discretion for VFR. If the reports from
METAR AUTO H24, LWIS H24). such stations are being broadcast as an advisory, the frequency
will be mentioned in the COMM entry of the CFS Aerodrome/
Sites that provide unspecified limited hours of coverage will be
Facility Directory along with an annotation stating that the
listed as ltd hrs (e.g. ALTIMETER ltd hrs). Contact the aerodrome
reports cannot be used for IFR. Some private automated stations
operator for further information on the hours of operation.
may disseminate weather information via the Internet and this
Weather services that are not included in the flight publications information should be for VFR flight advisory use only. Pilots
exist. These are of an unknown performance and can be used should contact the aerodrome operator if they require additional
for VFR flights at the discretion of the pilot. However, unpublished information.
weather services cannot be used in support of instrument flight
procedures. 1.2.5 Automatic Aerodrome Routine
Meteorological Reports (METAR AUTO) and
1.2.4 Automated Weather Observation Limited Weather Information System (LWIS)
Systems (AWOS) Reports
1.2.4.1 Overview 1.2.5.1 Automatic Aerodrome Routine Meteorological

Reports (METAR AUTO)
AWOS, LWIS and AUTO refer to automated equipment used as
a means to provide an aviation weather service. The services METAR AUTO reports are based on NAV CANADA or
that can be provided by these systems are either full METAR AUTO/ DND AWOS systems, which are comprised of a set of
SPECI AUTO or some subset thereof. LWIS provides a basic meteorological sensors, a data processing system, a
group of four elements and issues an hourly report. Operators communications system, and an optional VGSS and VHF
MET
of automated weather stations that are used to support instrument transmitter. In addition, weather cameras are installed at
flight procedures are required to document the characteristics NAV CANADA locations. METAR AUTO reports may be used
of their systems and to provide aircraft operators with suitable to support a TAF at the associated aerodrome.
descriptions, upon request.
METAR AUTO reports depend on either a NAV CANADA- or
AWOS and LWIS operated by NAV CANADA have common DND-developed system or on a commercial system that complies
performance characteristics across the country. A description with TC requirements for aviation use. The applicable standards
of the performance characteristics of these systems can be found are contained in MANOBS.
in MET 8.5.
Observations are distributed in the form of METAR AUTO
The subset of weather elements provided by AUTO may vary reports and must be properly coded and supplemented by
from only one element to almost a full METAR AUTO/ SPECI AUTO reports when SPECI thresholds are crossed. At a
SPECI AUTO. Any automated system that is not capable of minimum, the following are observed and reported:
reporting all the elements required to generate METAR AUTO/
(a) wind (direction, speed and gusts);
SPECI AUTO reports and support any associated TAF should
be referred to as AUTO or LWIS. Some local service providers (b) altimeter setting (these include multiple sensors as a fail-
may refer to their systems as AWOS, but if they do not support safe);
METAR AUTO/SPECI AUTO, then they will be listed as AUTO (c) air temperature;
in the CFS.
(d) dew point;
NOTE: (e) visibility;
The United States uses the term “automated surface observation
system” (ASOS) as the equivalent to Canadian AWOS that provide (f) cloud height;
METAR AUTO reports. Typically, usage of the term AWOS in (g) sky coverage (of detected cloud);
the United States is equivalent to the Canadian LWIS but with
(h) precipitation occurrence and type;
several defined levels of observation capabilities. Further details
regarding performance characteristics and reporting practices (i) fog, freezing fog, haze, blowing snow and mist;
can be found in the FAA’s Aeronautical Information Manual. (j) thunderstorm detection capability; and
(k) icing.
In addition, reports may include RVR when required.
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For more information on METAR AUTO reports, refer to AU service may include the use of two aircraft altimeters to
MET 8.5. observe and report the altimeter setting and the human estimation
of wind speed and direction for the selection of the most into-
1.2.5.2 Limited Weather Information System (LWIS) wind runway. The estimated wind direction and speed are
Reports considered current for a period not exceeding 10 min.
A LWIS comprises automated meteorological sensors, a data At a few AU locations, fully automated systems are used to
processing system, a communication system, and an optional measure atmospheric pressure. This data is used to determine
VGSS with a VHF transmitter. The LWIS collects limited the altimeter setting that is relayed to pilots. In these cases,
meteorological data, produces LWIS reports, and transmits data the reported altimeter setting must comply with the same
to ATS facilities on the hour. The LWIS also transmits data requirements applied to the altimeter component of
updated every minute to the affiliated VGSS and VHF METAR AUTO/SPECI AUTO.
transmitter units. Further details related to AU services are contained in Appendix 4
These systems were developed to meet a defined level of service of MANOBS.
requirement for NAV CANADA. Any weather information provided by a UNICOM, as opposed
Any LWIS used for civil aviation purposes must comply with to an AU, is not usable for instrument procedures; alternative
TC requirements, including siting, maintenance, and quality uses are entirely at the pilot’s discretion.
control, and be equipped with sensors to report, at a minimum,
the following: 1.2.8 Runway Visibility Assessment
(a) wind (direction, speed, and gusts); At aerodromes where RVR is not provided, qualified persons
(b) altimeter setting (these include multiple sensors as a fail- may, in accordance with the runway visibility assessment
safe); standards referenced in CAR 804, provide an assessment of
runway visibility. Instrument-rated pilots may also provide such
(c) air temperature; and assessments in accordance with CAR 602.131.
(d) dew point. A runway visibility assessment is valid for only 20 min after it
Wind direction is reported in degrees true except for the VGSS, has been established.
MET
which reports wind direction in degrees magnetic in SDA.
Except for the DND stations in the High Arctic that do not 1.3 METEOROLOGICAL FORECASTS AND
provide dew point information, any automated system that CHARTS
reports fewer elements than the standard four required for an
1.3.1 Flight Information Centre (FIC) Hours of
LWIS should be referred to as an AUTO. For more information
Service and Telephone Numbers
on LWIS, please refer to MET 8.5.
All FICs provide 24-hr service. FIC telephone numbers are
1.2.6 Automatic (AUTO) Reports provided in the CFS. Pilots dialing the common toll-free number
1-866-WXBRIEF (992-7433) will automatically be routed to the
The term AUTO is used to describe all other automated aviation FIC serving the area from which the call is being made.
weather reports that have demonstrated compliance with TC
requirements and are usable for IFR flight. However, they have
1.3.2 World Area Forecast System (WAFS)
a wide variety of performance characteristics and may be referred
Charts
to locally by different labels, most often as AWOS. Contact the
airport operator for more information on the characteristics of WAFS aviation weather charts are disseminated as required.
local systems. These include prognostic significant weather charts for the North
Pacific, the Caribbean and northern South America, the North
1.2.7 Weather Services in Support of Approach Atlantic, Canada and the United States.
Unicom (AU)
1.3.3 Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs)
Weather information is not usable for instrument procedures
unless it complies with the requirements of CAR 804, including TAFs are prepared for approximately 200 aerodromes across
MANOBS incorporated by reference, or a related national Canada. TAFs are limited to aerodromes for which METAR and
exemption. SPECI reports are available. The forecasts are generally prepared
four times daily with periods of validity up to a maximum of
An approach UNICOM (AU) is an air-ground communications
30 hr. See MET 7.0 for more information on TAFs, including
service that can provide approach and landing information to
where and when they are issued, their periods of validity and
IFR pilots. The service provider is required to ensure that
decoding instructions.
requirements detailed in Appendix 4 of MANOBS are met for:
TAFs are issued in TAF code, with amendments as required.
(a) meteorological instruments and observational methods
used; and
(b) personnel qualifications and training.
123
1.3.4 Aerodrome Advisory Forecasts data can be used for several hours before or after the stated valid
time. This is indicated by the text “FOR USE” followed by the
Aerodrome advisories are forecasts that are issued in TAF format
time range. For example, “FOR USE 21 – 06” means that this
except that ADVISORY is added immediately after the period
particular forecast may be used for a 9-hr period from 21Z to 06Z.
of validity group. They are issued in place of a TAF in the following
circumstances: During flight planning, care must be exercised to ensure that
the correct FD forecast is selected and the associated “FOR USE”
(a) Offsite—the forecast is based on observations that have been
coverage is appropriate for the time of the proposed flight.
taken off site, more than 1.6 NM from the aerodrome centre,
and are not considered to be representative of weather Forecasts in digital form of the winds and temperatures aloft
conditions at the aerodrome; (FB), an improvement over FD forecasts, are now available over
(b) Observation incomplete—the forecast is based on observations the phone. FB forecasts are updated four times per day. Over the
which have regularly missing or incomplete data; or next couple of years, FB forecasts will gradually replace FD
forecasts for most flight planning purposes. Further information
(c) No specials—the forecast is based on observations from a is available in the MANAIR, which can be found on ECCC’s
station with a limited observing program that does not Web site. Forecasts of upper winds and temperatures are also
issue SPECIs. available in chart form.
In each case, after the period of validity group, the advisory
forecast will be labelled with the word ADVISORY and the 1.3.8 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Weather
appropriate qualifier (OFFSITE, OBS INCOMPLETE, or Assistance
NO SPECI).
ATC will issue information on significant weather and assist
pilots in avoiding weather areas when requested. However, for
1.3.5 Coastal Weather reasons of safety, an IFR flight must not deviate from an assigned
Float plane operators can also obtain coastal marine weather on course or altitude/flight level without a proper ATC clearance.
HF and VHF FM frequencies from some Canadian Coast Guard When weather conditions encountered are so severe that an
stations. Frequencies and time of broadcast are contained in two immediate deviation is determined to be necessary, and time
Canadian Coast Guard Publications: Radio Aids to Marine will not permit approval by ATC, the pilot’s emergency authority
Navigation (Pacific and Arctic) and Radio Aids to Marine may be exercised. However, when such action is taken, ATC
MET
Navigation (Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg should be advised of the flight alteration as soon as practicable.
and Arctic). These two publications are published annually and When a pilot requests clearance for a route deviation or for an
are available on the Canadian Coast Guard Web site. ATC vector and ATC operational boundaries have to be
crossed,the controller must evaluate the air traffic situation in
1.3.6 Graphic Area Forecasts (GFAs) the affected area and coordinate with other controllers before
and AIRMET replying to the request.
GFAs are issued as a series of temporally adjusted weather charts It should be remembered that the controller’s primary function
for CDA and distributed on a routine or on-request basis. These is to provide safe separation between aircraft. Any additional
forecasts are prepared four times daily for seven regions across service, such as weather avoidance assistance, can only be
the country with a validity period of 12 hr and an IFR outlook provided to the extent that it does not detract from the primary
for a further 12 hr. See MET 4.0 for issue, periods of validity and function. Also note that the separation workload for the controller
decoding instructions. Once issued, a SIGMET or AIRMET generally increases when weather disrupts the usual flow of
message automatically amends the current and relevant GFA. traffic. ATC surveillance limitations and frequency congestion
A full description of AIRMET can be found in MET 5.0. are also a factor in limiting the controller’s capability to provide
additional services.
1.3.7 Upper Level Wind and It is important, therefore, that the request for a deviation or
Temperature Forecasts (FD) vector be forwarded to ATC as far in advance as possible. Delay
Alphanumeric upper level wind and temperature forecasts (FDs) in submitting it may delay or even preclude ATC approval or
are routinely prepared for 142 sites in Canada. FD forecasts are require that additional restrictions be placed on the clearance.
produced by a super-computer model of the atmosphere called Pilots should respond to a weather advisory by requesting: a
a NWP model, which is run twice per day at 00Z and 12Z after deviation off course and stating the estimated number of miles
collecting and analyzing weather observation data from around and the direction of the requested deviation; a new route to avoid
the world. the affected area; a change of altitude; or vectors around the
affected areas.
FD forecasts based on the 12Z NWP model run on the fifth day
of the month would include the following text in front of the The following information should be given to ATC as early as
forecast data: “FCST BASED ON 051200 DATA”. The text “DATA possible when requesting clearance to detour around
VALID 060000” in the FD forecast indicates that the temperature weather activity:
and wind velocity data is forecast to be most representative of (a) proposed route and extent of detour (direction and distance);
conditions at 00Z on the sixth day of the month. FD forecast
(b) flight conditions (IMC or VMC); and
124
(c) whether or not the aircraft is equipped with a functioning ECCC and DND operate a series of weather radars across Canada
cockpit weather radar. that provide frequent reports of precipitation echo tops and
The assistance that might be given by ATC will depend upon precipitation reflectivity. Radar images are updated approximately
the weather information available to controllers. Owing to the every 10 min for individual radars. A colour composite radar
often transitory nature of severe weather situations, the controller’s product, which depicts either echo tops or precipitation reflectivity,
weather information may be of only limited value if based on is also available on NAV CANADA’s Aviation Weather Web Site
weather observed on radar only. Frequent updates by pilots, (AWWS), from the Flight planning section at <www.navcanada.
giving specific information as to the area affected, altitudes, ca/EN/products-and-services/Pages/flight-planning.aspx>. Over
intensity and nature of the severe weather, are of considerable the next few years, the weather radar network will be improved
value. Such PIREPs receive immediate and widespread to offer better images and updates every 6 minutes. During the
dissemination to aircrew, dispatchers and aviation forecasters. upgrades, radars will be unavailable and information from
neighbouring radars will need to be used.
1.3.9 Supplementary Information Detailed and real time information from the CLDN is available
to the FICs and ACCs, which are both able to provide verbal
1.3.9.1 Weather Radar
descriptions to pilots.
Weather radars typically present a display of precipitation within

150 NM of the facility site; storms of considerable height and
intensity can be seen at greater ranges. However, it should be
noted that these radars cannot detect turbulence. The turbulence
associated with a very heavy rate of rainfall will generally be
significantly more severe than that associated with light rainfall.
1.3.9.2 ECCC/DND Weather Radar Network
Figure 1.1—ECCC/DND Weather Radar Network
MET
WWW
XPG
WHK WHN
XSS XRA XME

XSI XSM
WTP
WUJ XBE
XBU XAM
XWL
XFW XDR XLA WMB
XNI XMB
WGJ XNC CHIPMAN
WVY VILLEROY XGO
WBI WMN
XFT
WSO WKR
Legend
1.4 IN-FLIGHT METEOROLOGICAL or by voice broadcasts on designated frequencies, normally high

INFORMATION (VOLMET) frequency (HF).
In-flight meteorological information (VOLMET) is meteorological Information on the content, issue times and transmitter
information for aircraft in flight, particularly over the high seas. frequencies for North Atlantic (NAT) VOLMET broadcasts is
VOLMET contains aerodrome routine meteorological given in the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS), Section D, Radio
reports (METARs) and aerodrome forecasts (TAFs) for selected Navigation and Communications.
aerodromes and may be provided either by data link (D-VOLMET)
125
2.0 PILOT WEATHER 2.1.1 Pilot Weather Report (PIREP) Example

REPORTS (PIREPS) Example:
UACN10 CYXU 032133 YZ UA /OV YXU 090010 /TM 2120
2.1 GENERAL /FL080 /TP PA31 /SK 020BKN040 110OVC /TA ‑12 /WV
030045 /TB MDT BLO 040 /IC LGT RIME 020‑040 /RM
A pilot weather report (PIREP) is a report pertaining to current NIL TURB CYYZ‑CYHM
weather conditions encountered by aircraft in flight. A PIREP
is extremely useful to other pilots, forecasters, dispatchers and Table 2.1—PIREP Example
weather briefers as it provides up-to-the-minute weather
information to supplement what is received from meteorological PIREP
observing stations. In addition, a PIREP is an invaluable data EXAMPLE DECODED EXAMPLE
source for aviation meteorologists because it either confirms an
existing forecast or highlights the requirement for an amendment. UACN10 Message Type: Regular PIREP. Urgent
A PIREP may also be the only information available regarding PIREPs are encoded as UACN01 or UUA.
areas between reporting stations, particularly those areas whose
CYXU Issuing office: London FIC.
topography may produce localized weather phenomena (e.g.
hills or expanses of water). Urgent PIREPs are issued for 032133 Date/Time of Issue: 3rd day of the month,
atmospheric conditions that are an immediate hazard for all at 2133Z.
aviation users.
YZ FIR: Toronto.
Pilots are encouraged to file brief reports of weather conditions
If the PIREP extends into an adjacent FIR,
when giving position reports, especially reports of any significant both FIRs will be indicated.
atmospheric phenomena. They are also encouraged to report
conditions that differ significantly from those that were forecast. UA /OV YXU Location: London VOR 090˚ radial,
090010 10 NM. PIREP location will be reported
PIREPs that contain critical information on low clouds, reduced
with reference to a NAVAID, airport
visibility, icing, and convective activities such as wind shear,
or geographic coordinates (latitude/
squall line, turbulence, thunderstorms and cumulonimbus clouds longitude).
are especially useful. PIREPs of hazardous conditions may trigger
MET
the issuance of significant meteorological information (SIGMET). /TM 2120 Time of PIREP: 2120Z
For timely distribution, PIREPs should be filed with a flight /FL080 Altitude: 8 000 ft ASL. Altitude may also
information centre (FIC) via an en route frequency or a toll-free be reported as “DURD” (during descent),
call to a FIC after landing. PIREPs received by flight service “DURC” (during climb) or “UNKN”
personnel are immediately disseminated on meteorological (unknown).
communications circuits and provided to other air traffic /TP PA31 Aircraft Type: Piper Navajo (PA31).
service (ATS) units and the Canadian Meteorological Aviation
Centres (CMAC). /SK 020BKN Sky Cover: First layer of cloud based at
040 110OVC 2 000 ft with tops at 4 000 ft ASL. Second
Controllers, flight service specialists and community aerodrome layer of cloud based at 11 000 ft ASL.
radio station (CARS) observer/communicators (O/Cs) may
/TA ‑12 Air Temperature: ‑12ºC.
request reports from pilots regarding specific weather conditions
or weather conditions encountered during en route, climb-out /WV 030045 Wind Velocity: Wind direction 030°
or approach phases. true, wind speed 45 kt. Wind direction
The Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) contains the toll-free FIC reported by pilots in degrees magnetic will
subsequently be converted to degrees true
telephone numbers in the Flight Planning entry of each listed for inclusion in PIREP.
aerodrome. The recommended contents of a PIREP are listed
in the Planning section and on the exterior back cover of the /TB MDT Turbulence: Moderate turbulence below
BLO 040 4 000 ft ASL.
CFS (hard copy).
/IC LGT RIME Icing: Light rime icing (in cloud) between
020‑040 2 000 ft ASL and 4 000 ft ASL.
/RM NIL Remarks: No turbulence encountered
TURB CYYZ- between Toronto and Hamilton.
CYHM
NOTE:
Supplementary information for any of the PIREP fields may be
included in the remarks (RM) section of the PIREP.
126
2.2 CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE (CAT)
2.2.1 General
CAT remains a problem for flight operations, particularly above
15 000 ft. The best information available on this phenomenon
is still obtained from PIREPs, since a CAT forecast is generalized
and covers large areas. All pilots encountering CAT conditions
are requested to urgently report the time, location, flight level
and intensity (light, moderate, severe, or extreme) of the
phenomena to the facility with which they are maintaining radio
contact. (See the Turbulence Reporting Criteria Table, MET 2.2.2)
A more complete description of CAT and recommended pilot
actions can be found in AIR 2.10.
2.2.2 Turbulence Reporting Criteria
Table 2.2—Turbulence Reporting Criteria
INTENSITY AIRCRAFT REACTION REACTION INSIDE AIRCRAFT
Turbulence that momentarily causes slight, erratic changes in

altitude and/or attitude (pitch, roll, yaw). Occupants may feel a slight strain
Report as “light turbulence”. against seat belts or shoulder straps.
Unsecured objects may be displaced
LIGHT OR
slightly. Food service may be
Turbulence that causes slight, rapid and somewhat rhythmic conducted and little or no difficulty is
bumpiness without appreciable changes in altitude or attitude. encountered in walking.
Report as “light chop”.
MET
Turbulence that is similar to light turbulence but of greater
intensity. Changes in altitude and/or attitude occur but the
aircraft remains in positive control at all times. It usually causes Occupants feel definite strains
variations in indicated airspeed. Report as “moderate turbulence”. against seat belts or shoulder straps.
MODERATE
OR Unsecured objects are dislodged.
Turbulence that is similar to light chop but of greater intensity. Food service and walking are difficult.
It causes rapid bumps or jolts without appreciable changes in
aircraft altitude or attitude. Report as “moderate chop”.
Turbulence that causes large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or Occupants are forced violently
attitude. It usually causes large variations in indicated airspeed. against seat belts or shoulder straps.
SEVERE
Aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Unsecured objects are tossed about.
Report as “severe turbulence”. Food service and walking impossible.
The terms “occasional”, “intermittent” and “continuous” are High-level turbulence (normally above 15 000 ft ASL) not
used to describe reported turbulence. Turbulence is considered associated with cumuliform clouds, including thunderstorms,
occasional when it occurs less than 1/3 of the time, intermittent should be reported as CAT preceded by the appropriate intensity
when it occurs 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and continuous when it or chop type.
occurs more than 2/3 of the time.
Pilots should report location(s), time (UTC), intensity, whether 2.3 WIND SHEAR (WS)
in or near clouds, altitude, type of aircraft and, when applicable, Intense down drafts, typically associated with thunderstorms,
the duration of turbulence. Duration may be based on time produce strong vertical and horizontal wind shear (WS)
between two locations or over a single location. All locations components that are a hazard to aircraft in the approach, landing,
should be readily identifiable. or take-off phase of flight (see AIR 2.8). Since ground-based
Examples: instruments that measure WS have not been installed at Canadian
1. Over REGINA 1232Z, moderate turbulence, in cloud FL310, aerodromes, the presence of such conditions can normally be
B737. deduced only from pilot weather reports (PIREPs). Aircraft
equipped with Reactive Wind Shear Systems (RWSs) can provide
2. From 50 NM EAST of WINNIPEG to 30 NM WEST of pilots with guidance to conduct a WS escape manoeuvre. Aircraft
BRANDON 1210 to 1250Z occasional moderate chop, FL330, with Predictive Wind Shear Systems (PWSs) may allow pilots
AIRBUS 320. to avoid or minimize effects of WS (see RAC 6.1).
127
Aircrews capable of reporting the wind and altitude, both above 2.5 VOLCANIC ASH
and below the shear layer, from flight management systems (FMSs)
Flight operations in volcanic ash are hazardous (see AIR 2.6).
are requested to do so. Pilots without this equipment should
Pilots may be the first line of volcanic eruption detection in more
report WS by stating the loss or gain of airspeed and the altitude
remote areas. Pilots may be able to provide valuable information
at which it was encountered. Pilots unable to report WS in terms
about the spread of volcanic ash from an eruption; ash can rapidly
of this specific information should do so in terms of its general
rise to altitudes above 60 000 ft and exist at hazardous
effect on the aircraft.
concentrations up to 1 000 NM from the source. Volcanic ash
is not detectable on radar. If an eruption or ash cloud is detected,
2.4 AIRFRAME ICING an urgent pilot weather report (PIREP) should be filed with the
Report icing to air traffic service (ATS) and, if operating nearest air traffic service (ATS) unit.
instrument flight rules (IFR), request a new routing or altitude A volcanic ash forecast chart is produced when required (see
if icing will be a hazard. Provide the aircraft identification, type, MET 13.0).
location, time (Coordinated Universal Time [UTC]), intensity
of icing, type, altitude or flight level, and indicated airspeed. See
2.6 PILOT ESTIMATION OF SURFACE WIND
the suggested format on the back cover of the Canada Flight
Supplement (CFS). Surface wind direction and speed is information critical to
effective pilot decision-making for takeoff and landing.
The following describes icing and how to report icing conditions:
Where neither wind measuring equipment nor a wind direction
Table 2.3—Icing Intensity indicator (see AGA 5.9) is available, the wind direction and speed
can be estimated by observing smoke, dust, flags or wind lines
INTENSITY ICE ACCUMULATION on bodies of water.
Trace Ice becomes perceptible. The rate of Pilots on the ground may estimate wind speed and direction by
accumulation is slightly greater than the using anything that is free to be moved by the influence of the
rate of sublimation. It is not hazardous, wind. The descriptions in the Beaufort Wind Scale found in
even though de-icing or anti-icing
equipment is not used, unless encountered Table 2.5 have been found to be particularly useful and are widely
for an extended period of time (over 1 hr). used.
MET
Light The rate of accumulation may create Wind direction can also be estimated accurately by simply facing
a problem if flight is prolonged in this the wind. Such estimates should only be provided to the nearest
environment (over 1 hr). eight points (i.e. north, northeast, east) of the compass. The best
Moderate The rate of accumulation is such that estimate is obtained by standing in an open area clear of
even short encounters become potentially obstructions. Should this not be possible, estimation errors may
hazardous, and use of de-icing or anti-icing be so significant that pilots using the information should exercise
equipment or diversion is necessary. caution. The direction and speed of low-lying clouds can be an
indicator of surface winds but should also be used with caution
Severe The rate of accumulation is such that
de-icing or anti-icing equipment fails to
because of the possibility of wind shear near the surface.
reduce or control the hazard. Immediate Pilots who relay reports of winds based on estimation should
diversion is necessary. ensure that the intended user of the information is aware that it
is based on estimation so that appropriate precautions can be taken.
Table 2.4—Icing Types
Icing Types
Rime ice Rough, milky, opaque ice formed by
the instantaneous freezing of small
supercooled water droplets.
Clear ice Glossy, clear, or translucent ice formed
by the relatively slow freezing of large
supercooled water droplets.
Mixed ice Both rime and clear icing occurring at the
same time.
128
Table 2.5—Beaufort Wind Scale
Speed Average Specification for estimating Specification for estimating

Descriptive Beaufort
Range wind over sea (probable wave height in
Term Force (kt) wind over land
(kt) metres*)
Less than
Calm 0 — Smoke rises vertically. Sea is like a mirror (0).
1
Direction of wind shown Ripples with the appearance of scales are
Light Air 1 1–3 2 by smoke. formed, but without foam crest (0.1).
Wind felt on face; leaves Small wavelets, still short but more pro
Light
Breeze
2 4–6 5 rustle; ordinary vane moved nounced; crests have a glassy appearance
by wind. and do not break (0.2 to 0.3).
Leaves and small twigs Large wavelets; crests begin to break; foam of

Gentle
Breeze
3 7–10 9 in constant motion; wind glassy appearance; perhaps scattered white
extends light flag. horses (0.6 to 1).
Moderate Raises dust and loose

Small waves becoming longer; fairly frequent
4 11–16 14 paper; small branches are
white horses (1 to 1.5).
Breeze moved.
Fresh Small trees in leaf begin to Moderate waves, taking a more pronounced
5 17–21 19 sway; crested wavelets form long form; many white horses are formed,
Breeze on inland waters. chance of some spray (2 to 2.5).
Large branches in motion;

Large waves begin to form; the white foam
Strong whistling heard in telephone
Breeze
6 22–27 25 wires; umbrellas used
crests are more extensive everywhere,
probably some spray (3 to 4).
with difficulty.
Whole trees in motion; Sea heaps up and white foam from breaking
Near Gale 7 28–33 31 inconvenience felt in walking waves begins to be blown in streaks along the
MET
against wind. direction of the wind (4 to 5.5).
Moderately high waves of greater length;
edges of crests begin to break into the
Breaks twigs off trees;
Gale 8 34–40 37 generally impedes progress.
spindrift; the foam is blown in well-marked
streaks along the direction of the wind (5.5 to
7.5).
High waves; dense streaks of foam along the
Slight structural damage
Strong direction of the wind; crests of waves begin to
Gale
9 41–47 44 occurs to roofing shingles,
topple, tumble and roll over; spray may affect
TV antennae, etc.
visibility (7 to 10).
Very high waves with long, overhanging
crests; the resulting foam, in great patches,
is blown in dense white streaks along
Seldom experienced inland;
the direction of the wind; on the whole,
Storm 10 48–55 52 trees uprooted; considerable
the surface of the sea takes on a white
structural damage.
appearance; the tumbling of the sea becomes
heavy and shock-like; visibility affected (9 to
12.5).
Exceptionally high waves (small- and

medium- sized ships might be lost to the view
Very rarely experienced; behind the waves); the sea is completely
Violent
Storm
11 56–63 60 accompanied by covered with long white patches of foam lying
widespread damage. along the direction of the wind; everywhere
the edges of the wave crests are blown into
froth; visibility affected (11.5 to 16).
The air is filled with foam and spray; sea

Hurricane 12 Above 63 completely white with driving spray; visibility
seriously affected (16+).
* Wave height is representative of conditions well away from shore and in deep water when winds of that strength have persisted for an extended period of time. The wave height
figure does not give the maximum wave height nor does it take into account the effects of swell, air temperature or currents.
129
3.0 CANADIAN WEATHER

INFORMATION
3.1 AVIATION FORECASTS AND CHARTS
Table 3.1—Aviation Forecasts and Charts

ITEM AND
APPLICABLE
TYPE TIME ISSUED VALIDITY PERIODS REMARKS
LEVEL
DESIGNATOR
GFA Approximately 0000Z, 0600Z, 1200Z, At or below Graphically depicts forecast weather
30 min before the 1800Z. Each new set 24 000 ft elements affecting flight at a specific time
beginning of the of GFA charts replaces over a particular area.
forecast period the preceding one.
TAF Approximately Forecasts are Surface The TAF is the forecaster’s best
20 min before the generally issued (includes judgment of the most probable weather
beginning of the every 6 hr with clouds at conditions expected to occur at an
validity period validity periods up to levels that can aerodrome, together with their most
a maximum of 30 hr. be seen from probable time of occurrence. It is
Issue and update the surface) designed to meet the pre-flight and in-
periods may vary— flight requirements of flight operations.
check the CFS. Next TAFs are intended to relate to weather
issue time is stated at conditions for flight operations within
the end of each TAF. 5 NM of the centre of the runway
complex, depending on local terrain.
Amended Forecasts will be amended when significant changes in ceiling or visibility occur, or when freezing
Forecast precipitation begins, or is expected to occur, although it was not previously predicted. Amendments are
also issued for significant changes in wind or present weather.
SIGMET A message issued by a MWO to advise pilots of the occurrence or expected occurrence of specified
MET
(WSCN, WCCN, weather phenomena, which may affect the safety of aircraft operations, and the development of those
WVCN) phenomena in time and space.
Upper Level 0330Z* 0500Z–0900Z 3 000 ft Predicts upper winds and temperatures
Wind and 0330Z* 0900Z–1800Z 6 000 ft in numerical form at standard levels for a
Temperature 0330Z* 1800Z–0500Z 9 000 ft given time period and location.
Forecast (FD) 1530Z** 1700Z–2100Z 12 000 ft
2100Z–0600Z 18 000 ft
1530Z**
0600Z–1700Z
1530Z**
0200Z 0500Z–0900Z 24 000 ft Upper level wind and temperature
0200Z 0900Z–1800Z 30 000 ft forecasts are issued by WAFCs.
0200Z 1800Z–0500Z 34 000 ft
1400Z 1700Z–2100Z 39 000 ft
2100Z–0600Z 45 000 ft
1400Z
0600Z–1700Z 53 000 ft
1400Z
Upper Level 12 hr before valid 0000Z FL 240 Depicts forecast wind and temperatures
Forecast Chart time 0600Z FL 340 for the chart level.
—PROG 1200Z FL 390
1800Z FL 450
Significant 12 hr before valid 0000Z FL 100– Charts are for a specific flight level
Weather time 0600Z FL 240 range. They indicate surface positions
Forecast Chart 1200Z FL 250– of lows and highs and any significant
—PROG 1800Z FL 630 weather, such as thunderstorms,
turbulence and mountain waves,
applicable to the chart.
* Based on upper atmosphere observations taken at 000Z.
** Based on upper atmosphere observations taken at 1200Z.
130
Table 3.2—Upper Level Wind and Temperature Forecasts Issued as FB
OBSERVATION TIME APPROXIMATE ISSUE VALID TIME PERIOD OF USE

(UTC) TIME (UTC) (UTC)
(UTC)
0000 0320 0600 0200–0900
0000 0330 1200 0900–1800
0000 0330 0000 1800–0600
0600 0920 1200 0800–1500
0600 0930 1800 1500–0000
0600 0930 0600 0000–1200
1200 1520 1800 1400–2100
1200 1530 0000 2100–0600
1200 1530 1200 0600–1800
1800 2120 0000 2000–0300
1800 2130 0600 0300–1200
1800 2130 1800 1200–0000
3.2 AVIATION WEATHER REPORTS

Table 3.3—Aviation Weather Reports
ITEM AND TYPE

TIME OBSERVED REMARKS
DESIGNATOR
MET
METAR Every hour on the Describes actual weather at a specific location and at a specific time
hour as observed from the ground.
SPECIs are issued when required. METARs are not available 24 hr
a day at all aerodromes; see CFS for observation program schedule.
PIREP/URGENT PIREP As reported Observations of actual conditions reported by pilots during flight.
(UA/UUA)
Volcanic Ash Report As required Describes in graphical format the current and expected ash cloud
(FV) dispersion and densities at various flight levels.
131

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TC-1007083

3. Please direct your TC AIM comments and inquiries to:

TC AIM Co-ordinator (AARTT)

For general Civil Aviation inquires please contact:

Civil Aviation Communications Centre (AARC)

TRANSPORT CANADA AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION

3.0 TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD OF CANADA (TSB)������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 10

7.0 CIVIL AVIATION ISSUES REPORTING SYSTEM (CAIRS)������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 47

10.0 AIRPORT COLLABORATIVE DECISION MAKING (A-CDM)������������������������������������������������������������������������� 77

COM—COMMUNICATIONS, NAVIGATION AND SURVEILLANCE 83

8.3 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations in Other Low-Level Airspace �������������������������������������������������������������������������111

9.0 TRAFFIC ALERT AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM (TCAS) AND

6.0 SIGNIFICANT METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION (SIGMET)������������������������������������������������������������������ 145

8.0 AERODROME ROUTINE METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS (METARs) ���������������������������������������������������������� 156

RAC—RULES OF THE AIR AND AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES 179

1.9 Aerobatic Flight (Canadian Aviation Regulations [CARs] 602.27 and 602.28)������������������������������������������������������������191

7.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES – DEPARTURE PROCEDURES��������������������������������������������������������������������� 252

8.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) – EN ROUTE PROCEDURES �������������������������������������������������������������� 259

9.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR)—ARRIVAL PROCEDURES ��������������������������������������������������������������� 264

10.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) — HOLDING PROCEDURES ������������������������������������������������������������ 290

11.0 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) SPECIAL PROCEDURES������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 293

NAT—NORTH ATLANTIC (NAT) OPERATIONS 313

SAR—SEARCH AND RESCUE 337

MAP—AERONAUTICAL CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS 351

4.0 PROCUREMENT OF AERONAUTICAL CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS ���������������������������������������������������� 357

5.0 CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS ������������������������������������������������������������� 359

LRA—LICENSING, REGISTRATION AND AIRWORTHINESS 361

4.0 AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION, MARKING, REGISTRATION AND INSURANCE ������������������������������������������� 375

6.0 THE TRANSPORTATION APPEAL TRIBUNAL OF CANADA (TATC) ��������������������������������������������������������� 380

RPA—REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT 431

2.0 MICRO REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPAs)—LESS THAN 250 g�������������������������������������������������������� 431

3.0 SMALL REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPAs)—250 g TO 25 kg�������������������������������������������������������������� 432

GEN—GENERAL Prairie and Northern Region

TRANSPORT CANADA REGIONAL OFFICES

Comments on the Air Navigation System Tel.:......................................................................... 613-993-4502

1.1.5 NOTAM 1.4.1 Other Units

Postal Address MEASUREMENT UNITS SYMBOLS

1.4.2 Geographic Reference 1.5.2 Morning and Evening Twilight Charts

Figure 1.2—Beginning of Morning Civil Twilight on Standard Meridian of Time Zone

Figure 1.3—End of Evening Civil Twilight on Standard Meridian of Time Zone

1.5.3 Time Zone 1.7 V–SPEEDS

Table 1.2—Time Zone Local Times V3 Flap retraction speed

Time Zone To Obtain Local Time Va Design safety speed

Vle Landing gear extended speed

Vlo Maximum landing gear operation speed

Vmo /Mmo Maximum operating limit speed

Vmu Minimum unstick speed

Vno Maximum structural cruising speed **

Vne Never exceed speed

Vref Landing reference speed

Vy Speed for best rate of climb

1.7.1 Conversion Tables

Table 1.5—Celsius and Fahrenheit Degrees Temperature Scales

Table 1.6—Conversion Factors 1.7.2 RVR Comparative Scale–Feet to Metres

RVR - FEET RVR - METRES

2.1.2 Refusal to Work in Dangerous Situations 2.2 AVIATION SAFETY ANALYSIS

(b) unsafe runway or aerodrome conditions REGIONAL OFFICES (AIR)

(a) routinely descending below minimum en route altitude or TSB—Western

3.0 TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD OF CANADA (TSB)�� 10

7.0 CIVIL AVIATION ISSUES REPORTING SYSTEM (CAIRS)�� 47

10.0 AIRPORT COLLABORATIVE DECISION MAKING (A-CDM)�� 77

COM—COMMUNICATIONS, NAVIGATION AND SURVEILLANCE 83

8.3 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations in Other Low-Level Airspace ��111

6.0 SIGNIFICANT METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION (SIGMET)�� 145

8.0 AERODROME ROUTINE METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS (METARs) �� 156

RAC—RULES OF THE AIR AND AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES 179

1.9 Aerobatic Flight (Canadian Aviation Regulations [CARs] 602.27 and 602.28)��191

7.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES – DEPARTURE PROCEDURES�� 252

8.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) – EN ROUTE PROCEDURES �� 259

9.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR)—ARRIVAL PROCEDURES �� 264

10.0 INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) — HOLDING PROCEDURES �� 290

11.0 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC) SPECIAL PROCEDURES�� 293

NAT—NORTH ATLANTIC (NAT) OPERATIONS 313

SAR—SEARCH AND RESCUE 337

MAP—AERONAUTICAL CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS 351

4.0 PROCUREMENT OF AERONAUTICAL CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS �� 357

5.0 CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS �� 359

LRA—LICENSING, REGISTRATION AND AIRWORTHINESS 361

4.0 AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION, MARKING, REGISTRATION AND INSURANCE �� 375

6.0 THE TRANSPORTATION APPEAL TRIBUNAL OF CANADA (TATC) �� 380

RPA—REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT 431

2.0 MICRO REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPAs)—LESS THAN 250 g�� 431

3.0 SMALL REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPAs)—250 g TO 25 kg�� 432