AIR LAW - TOPICS
Aerodromes
Airspace
Canadian Airspace
Rules of the Air
Air Traffic Rules and Procedures
AERODROMES
Aerodrome: any area of land or water designed
for the arrival , departure, movement and
servicing of aircrafts and includes buildings,
installations and equipment situated there.
Airport: any aerodrome in which a certificate is in
force.
Aerodromes may be classified as for public use,
private use, registered or military.
AERODROMES
Aerodromes must have a certificate if:
• It is located near a built up area or town
• It is used by air carriers as a main base or for
scheduled passenger carrying service
• If the Minister feels it is in the public interest
AERODROMES
Movement Area: the parts of an aerodrome or
airport used for the surface movement of
aircraft.
Manoeuvring Area: the parts of an aerodrome or
airport used for take off and landing and the
movement of aircraft.
Apron: the area intended for loading and
unloading of passengers and cargo, the
refuelling, servicing, maintenance and parking
of the aircraft, and the movement of aircraft
and vehicles for the above mentioned tasks.
AERODROMES
Runway Numbering
Runway numbers are for convenience and
identification.
Runway numbers are assigned due to its
magnetic bearing in the Southern Domestic
Airspace and true bearing in the Northern
Domestic Airspace, rounded off to the nearest
10. We eliminate the last 0 for convenience.
Runway numbers are displayed at the approach
end of each runway.
AERODROMES
AERODROMES
A runway running East and West would have 09
on the approach end of the runway orientated
090. The opposite end would be numbered
27 due to its bearing of 270.
Larger aerodromes may have more than one
runway running in the same orientation. In this
case the runway would be assigned a left or a
right designator. Ex. 09R and 09L. Three
runways would be 09R, 09C (for center) and
09L.
AERODROMES
Runway Markings
Cones or pyramid shaped markers line unpaved
runways.
Evergreen trees line snow covered runways
(more for Northern Canada)
Paved runways have painted lines.
AERODROMES
Runway markings
Centerline: white columns lining the middle of
the runway.
Threshold: white lines running across the
approach ends.
Displaced threshold: a threshold moved up
because the beginning of the runway may be
unsuitable for landing.
AERODROMES
AERODROMES
AERODROMES
Taxiway markings
Centerline: yellow line to indicate the center of
the taxiway.
Hold lines: Yellow solid and dotted lines running
across the taxiway to indicate where an
aircraft is to hold short of the runway.
AERODROMES
AERODROMES
Unserviceable Markings
A large ‘X’, either white for a runway or yellow for
a taxiway, at least 20 feet in length, displayed
at each en of the runway or taxiway indicates
that the runway or taxiway is unserviceable
(closed).
AERODROMES
Wind Indicators
Windsock:
• Elongates as wind speed increases
• Straight windsock = 15kt wind or more
• Sock on 30 downslope is a 6kt wind
• Fluctuation wind sock is gusty conditions
AERODROMES
Wind Indicators
Tetrahedron: known as a wind T. Designed like
an arrow with the small end pointing into the
wind. Will only display wind direction and not
speed.
AERODROMES
Aerodrome Lighting
AERODROMES
For operations conducted at night we need lights
at aerodromes.
Two parallel lines of white lights line the runways
and need to be visible from at least 2 miles
away.
Runway threshold lights will be green, while the
end of the runway will be red.
AERODROMES
Taxiway edges are lined with blue lights.
Airport beacons are white lights that rotate at a
constant speed, flashing every 2 to 3 seconds
and are visible for 10 miles on a clear night.
Obstruction lights are red lights used to mark tall
building or towers that may be flight hazards.
These lights may be steady or flashing, or have
a white strobe light with them.
AERODROMES
If an aerodrome is permanently closed, the
operator will have all the markers and
markings removed from the aerodrome.
Red flags or cones will be installed along the
boundary of any unserviceable movement
areas.
AERODROMES
The Circuit
AERODROMES
The Circuit
Upwind: the area opposite to the downwind leg.
Crosswind: lies across the center of the landing
area to the downwind leg.
Downwind: the leg opposite to the direction of
landing, which is parallel to and a half mile
from the runway.
AERODROMES
The Circuit
Base: leg perpendicular to landing, flown after
the downwind leg.
Final: last leg, the approach to the runway.
AERODROMES
NORDO: NO RaDiO. Aircraft is not capable of
communicating via the radio.
RONLY: Receive ONLY. Aircraft can receive
messages, but not transmit. Aircraft can rock
wings to acknowledge an instruction.
Light signals are used to communicate with
NORDO aircraft.
AERODROMES
Light Signals to Aircraft on the Ground
Flashing Green: Cleared to Taxi
Steady Green:
Cleared to Take Off
Flashing Red:
Taxi clear of runway in use
Steady Red:
Stop
Flashing White: Return to starting point on
airport.
Blinking Runway Lights: Vehicles and
Pedestrians are to vacate the runway
immediately.
AERODROMES
Light Signals to Aircraft in the Air
Steady Green:
Cleared to Land
Steady Red or Red Flare: Do NOT Land. Continue
in the circuit. Gentle turns only.
Flashing Green: Return for landing.
Flashing Red:
Airport unsafe. Do NOT Land
Red Pyrotechnical: Do not land for the time being
Alternating Red and Green (US): Danger. Be on
Alert.
AIR LAW
Airworthiness
It is the pilots responsibility to ensure that Canadian
registered aircraft are fit and safe prior to being
flown.
Flight Permit: issued for experimental and specific
purpose
Certificate of Airworthiness: signifies that the aircraft
conforms to TC recognized design standards.
Annual Airworthiness Info Report: certifies that
airworthiness info is correct.
AIR LAW
Documentation
The following are required on board all aircraft:
•
Journey Log (if landing at another aerodrome)
•
Certificate of Airworthiness
•
Insurance
•
Personal Licences, Radio Licence and Medicals
•
Pilot Operating Handbook
•
Certificate of Registration
Remember: JAILOR
AIRSPACE
Canadian Domestic Airspace: All Airspace over
the Canadian Land Mass and the Canadian
Arctic and certain areas over the high seas.
Canadian Domestic Airspace is divided into two
areas:
1. Northern Domestic Airspace
2. Southern Domestic Airspace
AIRSPACE
Northern Domestic Airspace: Airspace in close
proximity to the North Pole. Due to the Earths
magnetic field the compass is unreliable in
this airspace. In general, this airspace is
above the territories.
Southern Domestic Airspace: Airspace in the
south, which is most areas of Canada. In
general, this airspace is above the provinces.
AIRSPACE
Altimeter Setting Region: Aircraft altimeter will
be set to the nearest aerodrome. Same
geographical areas as the Southern Domestic
Airspace.
Standard Pressure Region: Northern Domestic
Airspace region and all airspace 18000 feet
and above. Altimeter is set to 29.92”Hg.
AIRSPACE
Sparsely Settled Areas: Geographical areas of
Canada with few settlements. Flight in such
sparsely settled areas requires special
precautions and procedures because of
limited navigation facilities, severe weather
conditions, limited weather information,
limited fuel supplies and limited servicing
facilities.
AIRSPACE
High level airspace: All Canadian Domestic
Airspace 18000 feet and above.
High level airspace is divided into three regions:
1. Southern Control Area
2. Northern Control Area
3. Arctic Control Area
AIRSPACE
Southern Control Area: same airspace as the
southern domestic airspace. All traffic at and
above 18000 feet is controlled.
Northern Control Area: the area from the northern
limits of the SCA to the 72˚N parallel. All traffic at
and above FL230 (23000 feet) is controlled.
Arctic Control Area: the area north of the NCA to the
north pole. All traffic at and above FL270 (27000
feet) is controlled.
AIRSPACE
Low Level Airspace: All Canadian Airspace below
18000 feet. Not all of this low level airspace is
controlled.
CANADIAN AIRSPACE
Class A Airspace
Only IFR flights are permitted in this airspace.
ATC separation provided to all aircraft.
All Controlled airspace between FL180 and
FL060.
All flights require an ATC clearance to enter.
Aircraft must be IFR equipped and the pilot must
be IFR rated.
Mode C Transponder Required.
CANADIAN AIRSPACE
Class B Airspace
IFR and cVFR flights only.
ATC separation provided to all traffic.
All Controlled Low Level Airspace between
12500 and 17999 feet ASL.
ATC Clearance required to enter.
Aircraft must be capable of two way radio
contact.
Mode C Transponder required.
CANADIAN AIRSPACE
Class C Airspace
Controlled Airspace where both IFR and VFR
aircraft are permitted.
Controlled Low Level Airspace from the surface
to 12500 feet.
ATC Clearance required.
ATC separation provided to all IFR and only on
request if work load permits to VFR.
Aircraft must be capable of two way radio
contact.
Mode C Transponder Required.
CANADIAN AIRSPACE
Class D Airspace
Controlled airspace where both IFR and VFR
traffic is permitted.
Two Way radio communication required to enter.
ATC separation provided to IFR traffic only.
Certain Class D Airspace may require a mode C
transponder.
NORDO aircraft permitted during the day so long
as prior permission is attained by the ATC unit.
CANADIAN AIRSPACE
Class E Airspace
Controlled Airspace which doesn’t require Class
A through D requirements.
IFR and VFR permitted but ATC separation to IFR
only.
No special requirements for VFR traffic.
Certain Class E Airspace may require a mode C
transponder.
CANADIAN AIRSPACE
Class F Airspace
Controlled or uncontrolled airspace.
Advisory or Restricted or Danger Airspace.
Temporary or Permanent.
Avoid this airspace. Prior permission is required
if there is a need to fly through this airspace.
CANADIAN AIRSPACE
Class F Airspace
Restricted Area: Flight is either completely prohibited or
restricted to specific conditions.
Danger Area: Airspace in which activities may constitute
a potential hazard to aircraft.
Alert Area: Area in which a high volume of flying training
or unusual type of aerial activity is carried out. Flight
within these areas is not prohibited but pilots should
exercise extreme caution.
Military Flying Area: High level airspace reserved for
military flying and testing exercises. Civilian aircraft
are not allowed in these areas.
CANADIAN AIRSPACE
Class G Airspace
Airspace which has not already been designated
A through F.
ATC has no authority or responsibility for any
aircraft in this airspace.
Uncontrolled Airspace.
CANADIAN AIRSPACE
Class
Height
VFR
permitted
IFR
permitted
ATC
Clearance
req’d
Transponder
req’d
A
18,000ftFL 600
N
Y
Y
Y
Two
way
radio
req’d
Y
B
12,500ft18,000ft
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
C
D
E
F
G
varies
varies
varies
varies
varies
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
IFR only
If marked
Y
IFR only
If marked
Restricted or advisory area
All uncontrolled airspace (airspace that has not been
designated Class A, B, C, D, E or F).
Y
Y
N
RULES OF THE AIR
The Pilot in Command (PIC) is responsible for the
operation and safety during flight time.
If there is any risk of collision, it is the
responsibility of both PIC to take action to
avoid collision.
When 2 aircraft are converging at approximately
the same altitude, the PIC that of the aircraft
that has the other aircraft on the right shall
give way.
RULES OF THE AIR
Right of Way Rules:
1. Power driven heavier than air aircraft shall
give way to airships, gliders and balloons.
2. Airships give way to gliders and balloons.
3. Gliders give way to balloons
4. Power driven aircraft give way to aircraft
towing gliders, other objects, or a slung load.
RULES OF THE AIR
Right of Way:
Emergency over
Airship over
Balloon over
Power Driven Heavier
Than Air Aircraft
Glider over
RULES OF THE AIR
When 2 aircraft operating at different altitudes are
converging, the PIC of the higher aircraft shall give
way to the lower aircraft.
When 2 aircraft are approaching approximately head
on, each pilot shall alter their heading to the right.
When overtaking an aircraft, the aircraft being
overtaken has the right of way and the aircraft
overtaking shall pass to the right.
RULES OF THE AIR
RULES OF THE AIR
When an aircraft is in flight or manoeuvring on the
surface, the PIC shall give way to the aircraft that
is landing or about to land.
The PIC of an aircraft approaching an aerodrome to
land shall give way to an aircraft at a lower
altitude that is approaching to land.
No person shall attempt a take off or landing in an
aircraft until there is no apparent risk of collision
with any aircraft, person, vessel, vehicle or
structure in the take off or landing path.
AIRCRAFT LIGHTS
Right Wing Green
visible 110 for 2 miles
Left Wing Red
visible 110 for 2 miles
Tail
White
visible 140 for 2 miles
Anti-collision
White or Red
visible 360
FLIGHT PLAN
A VFR flight plan should be filed for flights more
than 25 nm from the departure airport.
Flight plans must be filed for any cross border
flights.
Flight plans should be filed with a Flight Service
Station (FSS).
Flight plans must be closed within 1 hour after
the estimated time of arrival (ETA).
FLIGHT ITINERARY
A VFR flight itinerary may replace a flight plan
and should be filed for all flights travelling
more than 25 nm from the departure airport.
The purpose is to detail the pilots planned route
and is to be filed with a responsible person.
Flight Itineraries must be closed within 24 hours
after the ETA.
CRUISING ALTITUDES
Flight altitudes must be followed regardless if a
flight plan/itinerary has been filed.
Altitudes below 18 000 feet are stated in
thousands.
Altitudes above 18 000 feet are referred to a
Flight Levels.
Altitudes are measured from mean sea level
(MSL).
CRUISING ALTITUDES
VFR Cruising Altitudes for flights below 18 000 feet.
Done in accordance with the Magnetic Track in the
SDA and True Track in the NDA.
Starts at 3 000 feet above ground level (AGL) for
VFR and at all altitudes for IFR.
Even (180-359) Westerners think Easterners are
Odd (0-179).
VFR is +500 feet and IFR is +0. If flying West, VFR
would fly 4500, while IFR would fly at 4000 feet.
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC)
Clearance: Authorization by ATC to proceed
within controlled airspace under specific
conditions.
Ask for clarification if unsure of any meaning of
any part of the clearance.
Once a clearance is accepted by you, you are
required to comply with it, unless there is a
safety conflict.
Only read back a clearance if ATC requests it.
ATC
Instruction: a directive issued to control air and
ground traffic.
You are required to comply with and
acknowledge receipt of an ATC Instruction,
which is directed to you, provided the safety of
the aircraft is not jeopardized.
WEATHER MINIMA
Airspace
Flight Visibility
Control Zones
Not less than
and Traffic Zones 3 SM
Other Controlled Not less than
Airspace
3 SM
Uncontrolled
1000ft AGL or
above
Not less than
1 SM (day)
3 SM (night)
Uncontrolled
below 1000ft
AGL
Not less than
2 SM (day)
3 SM (night)
Distance From Cloud
Distance AGL
Horizontally:
1 SM
Vertically:
500ft
Horizontally:
1 SM
Vertically:
500ft
Horizontally:
2000ft
Vertically:
500ft
Vertically:
500ft
Clear of cloud
___________
___________
___________
SPECIAL VFR WEATHER MINIMA
(CONTROL ZONE ONLY)
Aircraft type
Flight Visibility Distance From
(Ground when Cloud
reported)
Aircraft other 1 SM
than helicopter
Helicopter
½ SM
Clear of cloud
Clear of cloud
AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENTS
•
•
•
•
•
•
Checklists or placards which allow operations
within limitations of aircraft
manual/manufacturer documents.
Current aeronautical charts if VFR OTT, night VFR
or IFR
Handheld fire extinguisher
Time piece readily available for each crew
member.
Flashlight if at night
First aid kit
AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENTS – DAY VFR
M-Manifold Pressure Indicator
O-Oil Temperature Gauge
O-Oil Pressure Gauge
F-Fuel Quantity Gauge
A-Altimeter
C-Compass
T-tachometer
A-Airspeed Indicator
R-Radio
DAYLIGHT AND NIGHT
Day: The period in time in any day where the
center of the sun’s disc is less than 6˚ below
the horizon and in any place where the sun
rises and sets daily, maybe considered to be
the period commencing one half hour before
sunrise and one half hour after sunset. From
the beginning of civil twilight to the end of civil
twilight.
DAYLIGHT AND NIGHT
Night: The period in time in any day where the
center of the suns disc is more than 6˚ below
the horizon, or the period commencing one
half hour after sunset and ending one half
hour before sunset. The period between the
end of civil twilight and the beginning of civil
twilight.
AIRCRAFT REQUIREMENTS – NIGHT VFR
F-Fuses
A-Attitude Indicator
T-Turn Coordinator
D-Directional Gyroscopic Indicator (Heading)
I-Illumination for Instruments and a Flashlight
P-Pitot Heat
L-Landing light, anti-collision lights, position lights
O-Outside Air Temperature Gauge
V- Vertical Speed Indicator
OXYGEN EQUIPMENT ORDER
No person shall fly for more than 30 minutes at
an altitude between 10 000 and 13 000 feet
or above 13 000 feet unless there is enough
oxygen available for the entire crew plus 10%
of the passengers and in no case less than
one passenger, and for 2 hours.
TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS
Dangerous Goods shall NOT be carried unless in
accordance with the Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Act.