Sep 2012Lesson 3.2

Air Law

Airspace

Reference

From the Ground UpChapter 4.2:The Canadian Airspace SystemPages 98 - 105

Introduction• Canadian airspace is divided into many

regions and areas.

• Pilots must know where these areas are, and what the rules and procedures for them are.

Outline• Domestic Airspace• Altimeter Regions• Airspace Classes

Domestic Airspace• Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA)

– All airspace over Canadian land mass, Canadian Arctic and Archipelago and certain areas over high seas

• Northern Domestic Airspace (NDA)– Close to magnetic north pole– Compass unreliable, therefore true tracks are used

• Southern Domestic Airspace (SDA)– Most of settled Canada in SDA– Magnetic tracks are used

Domestic Airspace

Altimeter Regions• Altimeter Setting Region

– Before take-off, landing and during flight, pilot will set altimeter to nearest aerodrome

– If no altimeter setting, set to elevation– Includes all airspace in SDA below 18,000 ft

• Standard Pressure Region– Altimeter set to 29.92’ Hg– Includes all airspace in NDA– Includes all airspace in SDA above 18,000 ft

Airspace• High Level Airspace

– All airspace 18,000 feet and above– Usually controlled airspace

• Low Level Airspace– All airspace below 18,000– May be controlled or uncontrolled

• Built-Up Areas– Aircraft must stay at least 1000 ft over highest obstacle within 2000

ft radius

• Controlled Airspace– Where an Air Traffic Control service is provided

Airspace Classes• Class A

– Controlled, only IFR permitted– Includes all controlled airspace between 18,000 ft and FL 600

• Class B– Controlled for VFR and IFR– Includes all airspace between 12,500 ft and 18,000 ft

• Class C– Controlled for VFR and IFR– VFR must have clearance to enter, separation may be provided– Becomes Class E when ATC closed

• Class D– Controlled for VFR and IFR– VFR must communicate with tower, separation not provided– Becomes Class E when ATC closed

Airspace Classes• Class E

– Controlled for IFR– Uncontrolled for VFR

• Class F - Advisory– Aircraft can enter with caution, but encouraged not to– Used for gliding, skydiving, etc

• Class F - Restricted– Aircraft must not enter without permission– Used for air shows, military training etc

• Class G– Uncontrolled airspace

Next Lesson

3.3 – Air LawRules of the Air

From the Ground UpChapter 5.1:Rules of the AirPages 107 - 110