CARS mentioned in the ABC

The 12 CARS mentioned in the Aviations Basics Course

CAR 101.01

CAR 101.01 Definitions:

1. Precision Approach: means an instrument approach by an aircraft using azimuth and glide path information.

2. Non-precision approach: means an instrument approach by an aircraft using azimuth information only.

3. Ground visibility: refers to the visibility at an aerodrome as reported by:

• An air traffic control unit

• A flight service station

• A community aerodrome radio station

• An automated weather observation system (AWOS) used by the Department of Transport, the Department of National Defence, or the Atmospheric Environment Service

• A ground-based radio station operated by an air operator

4. Flight visibility: refers to the visibility forward from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight.

CAR 602.96 (3)

CAR 602.96 (3) Operating at or in the Vicinity of an Aerodrome:

According to CAR 602.96 (3), the pilot-in-command of an aircraft operating at or in the vicinity of an aerodrome shall:

a) Observe aerodrome traffic for the purpose of avoiding a collision.

b) Conform to or avoid the pattern of traffic formed by other aircraft in operation.

c) Make all turns to the left when operating within the aerodrome traffic circuit, except where

right turns are specified by the Minister in the Canada Flight Supplement or where

otherwise authorized by the appropriate air traffic control unit.

d) Where the aerodrome is an airport, comply with any airport operating restrictions

specified by the Minister in the Canada Flight Supplement1.

e) Where practicable, land and take off into the wind unless otherwise authorized by the

appropriate air traffic control unit2.

f) Maintain a continuous listening watch on the appropriate frequency for aerodrome control

communications or, if this is not possible and an air traffic control unit is in operation at

the aerodrome, keep a watch for such instructions as they may be issued by visual

means by the air traffic control unit.

g) Where the aerodrome is a controlled aerodrome, obtain from the appropriate air traffic

control unit, either by radio communication or by visual signal, clearance to taxi, take off

from or land at the aerodrome.

CAR 602.105

CAR 602.105 Noise Abatement:

According to CAR 602.105, no person shall operate an aircraft at or in the vicinity of an

aerodrome except in accordance with the applicable noise abatement procedures and noise

control requirements specified by the Minister in the Canada Air Pilot or Canada Flight

Supplement, including the procedures and requirements relating to:

a) Preferential runways

b) Minimum noise routes

c) Hours when aircraft operations are prohibited or restricted

d) Arrival procedures

e) Departure procedures

f) Duration of flights

g) The prohibition or restriction of training flights

h) VFR or visual approaches

i) Simulated approach procedures

j) The minimum altitude for the operation of aircraft in the vicinity of the aerodrome

CAR 602.114

CAR 602.114 Minimum Req for VFR:

There are minimum visual condition requirements for VFR flights in controlled airspace as

outlined in CAR 602.114:

• The aircraft must be operated with visual reference to the surface.

• Flight visibility must be at least 3 miles.

• The aircraft’s distance from any cloud must be at least 500 feet vertically and 1 mile horizontally.

• When the aircraft is operated in a control zone:

o Ground visibility must be at least 3 miles.

o The aircraft must be at least 500 feet above the ground, except during takeoff or landing.

CAR 602.117

CAR 602.117 Special VFR Conditions:

Required Conditions for Special VFR Flight

In conditions below the minimum visual requirements for VFR flights but above IMC, CAR 602.117 states that an aircraft may be operated in special VFR flight (SVFR) within a control zone if:

• Flight visibility is 1 mile or greater, for aircraft other than helicopters

• Flight visibility is 1/2 mile or greater, for helicopters

• The aircraft is operated clear of clouds and with visual reference to the surface at

all times

• When reported, ground visibility is not less than 1 mile for fixed-wing aircraft or 1⁄2 mile for helicopters

Note: For aircraft other than helicopters, nighttime SVFR operations are limited to landings only.

CAR 602.121

CAR 602.121 IFR Conditions:

During a VFR flight, pilots may encounter instrument meteorological conditions (IMC): visual conditions that require them to fly using instrument flight rules (IFR) rather than visual checkpoints. Generally, IMC refers to less than 1 mile of visibility.

CAR 602.121 states that a pilot-in-command must operate according to IFR if they are flying in IMC in any airspace class. This means that if a pilot encounters IMC during a VFR flight, they must exit the area or fly under IFR, if they and the aircraft are rated to do so.

CAR 602.21

CAR 602.21: No person shall operate an aircraft in such proximity to another

aircraft as to create a risk of collision.

CAR 602.19

CAR 602.19 Right of Way Collision:

To avoid collisions, there are several right-of-way rules in CAR 602.19 that apply when aircraft

are converging in flight.

Two Aircraft at the Same Altitude

When two aircraft are converging at approximately the same altitude, the pilot-in-command of the aircraft that has an aircraft on its right must give way, with the following exceptions:

• A power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft must give way to airships, gliders, and balloons

• An airship must give way to gliders and balloons

• A glider must give way to balloons

• A power-driven aircraft must give way to aircraft that are towing gliders or other objects, as well as helicopters carrying a slung load

Two Aircraft Approaching Head-On

When two aircraft are approaching head-on, or close to head-on, the pilot-in-command of each aircraft must alter its heading to the right.

Two Hot Air Balloons

When two balloons at different altitudes are converging, the pilot-in-command of the balloon at the higher altitude must give way.

An Aircraft Being Overtaken by Another Aircraft

An aircraft that is being overtaken has the right-of-way. The pilot-in-command of the overtaking aircraft, whether climbing, descending or in level flight, must alter the heading of their aircraft to the right until they have entirely passed and are clear of the other aircraft, regardless

of any subsequent change in relative position.

When an aircraft gives right-of-way, the pilot-in-command must not pass over, pass under or cross ahead of the other aircraft, unless passing or crossing at a distance that will not create a risk of a collision.

Right-of-Way and Landing

Several right-of-way rules apply specifically to landing situations at smaller uncontrolled airports:

• When an aircraft is in flight or manoeuvring on the surface, the pilot-in-command will give way to an aircraft that is landing or about to land.

• The pilot-in-command of an aircraft that is approaching an aerodrome to land will give way to any aircraft at a lower altitude that is also approaching the aerodrome to land.

• The pilot-in-command of an aircraft at a lower altitude will not overtake or cut in front of an aircraft at a higher altitude that is in the final stages of an approach to land.

• No person will attempt or conduct a takeoff or landing until there is no apparent risk of collision with any aircraft, person, vessel, vehicle, or structure in the take-off or landing path.

At controlled airports, the tower controller determines the use of the runway for landing or

takeoff as well as the landing sequence.

Right-of-Way on the Water

When aircraft are operating on the water as float planes, they must follow the following right-of-

way rules:

• If an aircraft has another vessel or aircraft on its right, the pilot-in-command must give way.

• When an aircraft is approaching another aircraft or vessel head-on, or close to head-on, the pilot-in-command will alter its heading to the right.

• The pilot-in-command of an aircraft that is overtaking another aircraft or a vessel on the water will alter its heading to keep well clear of the other aircraft or the vessel.

CAR 602.22

CAR 602.22 Towing:

As part of their operations, VFR pilots flying airplanes may tow a variety of objects, such as non-motorized aircraft (also known as gliders) or advertising banners.

Towing an object creates additional risks. Drag is significantly increased, and the centre of gravity is changed. Both these factors can have a serious impact on flight characteristics. To minimize these risks, CAR 602.22 states that no person can operate an airplane that is towing an object unless the airplane is equipped with a tow hook and release-control mechanism.

CAR 602.24

CAR 602.24 Formation Flight:

Formation flight is the coordinated flight of two or more aircraft under the direction of a flight

leader in a designated lead aircraft. Essentially, the group operates as a single aircraft with

regards to navigation and air traffic control procedures.

According to CAR 602.24, no pilot can operate an aircraft in formation with other aircraft unless there is pre-arrangement between:

• The pilots-in-command of the aircraft

• The pilots-in-command and the appropriate air traffic control unit, when the flight is conducted within a control zone

CAR 602.26

CAR 602.26 Parachute Descent:

CAR 602.26 describes rules for parachute descents. A pilot-in-command may allow a person to conduct a parachute descent from the aircraft if the person complies with the provisions of a special flight operations certificate.

Without written authorization from the Minister of Transport, the pilot-in-command cannot allow a person to conduct a parachute descent from the aircraft:

• In or into controlled airspace or an air route

• Over or into a built-up area

• Over or into an open-air assembly of people

Because airspace is divided both laterally and vertically, a parachute jump requires coordination among affected ATS units.

CAR 602.27

CAR 602.27 Aerobatic Manoeuvres:

An aerobatic manoeuvre is one where a change in the attitude of an aircraft results in:

• A bank angle greater than 60 degrees

• An abnormal attitude

• An abnormal acceleration relative to normal flying

Aerobatic manoeuvres are inherently more dangerous than normal flight.

As described in CAR 602.27, a pilot cannot conduct aerobatic manoeuvres:

• Over a built-up area or an open-air assembly of people

• When flight visibility is less than 3 miles

• Below 2000 feet above ground level, unless the pilot possesses a special flight operations certificate

• In any class of airspace that requires radio contact with air traffic services, unless the unit providing air traffic services is advised that aerobatic manoeuvres will be conducted

• In Class A, B, or C airspace or Class D control zones without prior co-ordination between the pilot-in-command and the air traffic control unit for that airspace

CAR 602.34

CAR 602.34 Appropriate Altitude:

Appropriate Altitudes

According to Canadian Aviation Regulations CAR 602.34, the pilot of an aircraft must ensure

that the aircraft operates at a cruising altitude or flight level appropriate to the aircraft track

(the aircraft’s direction of flight), unless the pilot is assigned another altitude or flight level by

an air traffic control unit.

This rule applies for all VFR aircraft operating above 3000 feet above ground level (AGL) and

for all IFR aircraft.