Air Law – Air Traffic Rules & Procedures

O/Cdt. Darcel

“I picked the wrong day to stop teaching Air Law”

MTPsClearances and Instructions Definitions and Flight Rules

VFRIFRSpecial VFRWeather Minima

Flight Plans & Itineraries Cruising Altitudes

Clearances & InstructionsA controller may issue a clearance or

instruction to a/c within the airspace that he controls.Clearances may be read back when received,

and may be issued to authorize specific operations within the controlled airspace. IFR flights require a readback (CARS 602.31) It may be requested for VFR traffic

Instructions must be complied with and acknowledged upon receipt.

Flight RulesVFR

“Visual Flight Rules” Essentially, under this set of rules the pilot assumes

responsibility for traffic and obstacle avoidance at all times, regardless of the conditions

IFR“Instrument Flight Rules”Here, the pilot can partially share

responsibility for traffic and obstacle avoidance when in controlled airspace. Eg, radar vectoring

Flight RulesSVFR

“Special VFR”Clearance issued by the relevant ATC unit for

the a/c to continue to operate within the relevant airspace in conditions that do not meet the published weather minima for VFR flight.

Weather Minima

In order to fly legally, there are a specific set of minimum conditions that must be met.

Composed of visibility and cloud separation criteriaVisibility used is that recorded on the ground.

The following minima apply to VFR flights only.

Weather MinimaBelow 1000’ AGL

Helicopter: 1 SM Visibility Clear of Cloud

Fixed-Wing: 2 SM Visibility Clear of Cloud

NB: At night, minimum visibility is always 3 miles

Weather MinimaAbove 1000’ AGL:

1 SM Visibility2000’ horizontal distance from cloud, 500’

vertical

Controlled Airspace:3 SM Visibility1 mile horizontal separation, 500’ vertical

Within Control Zones, must also remain 500’ AGL

Weather Minima

SVFR Only requires clear of cloud/ 1SM vis (fixed wing)May only be authorized in Control Zones (And at

night, only for landing)

Flight Plans and ItinerariesServe a dual purpose: a) ATC information (eg,

Class C intent for VFR over Winnipeg) b) SAR (when overdue)Required for flights occurring more than 25 nm

from a/d of departureTwo Forms:

Flight Plan: The more rigorous of the two, contains detailed information pertaining to the flight, a/c, and intended route. Overdue after 1 hour

Flight Itinerary: Filed with a responsible person. Overdue after 24 hours

Flight Plans and ItinerariesFlight Plan

Filed with ATCU, Flight Service Station (FSS), or Community Aerodrome Radio Station

Arrival report filed as soon as practicable, but no later than the SAR action time specified in the plan

NB: Is the only type of report valid for international flightFlight Itinerary

May be filed with the same agencies as specified above, or a responsible person

Arrival report filing is same as above, although action time generally longer (~ 24 hours)

Cruising AltitudesFor VFR flight up to and below 18000’, fly

odd/even thousands plus 500’From 18000’ thru 29000’, conform to IFR

traffic and fly whole thousands; directional criteria still apply

From 29000’ and up, the rules change somewhat; the altitudes now increase at 4000’-intervals onlySo, Easterly Headings (0-179) fly FL 290, 330,

370, etc.Westerly Headings (180-359) fly FL 310, 350,

390, etc.

Cruising AltitudesNB. Mandatory above 3000’ AGL