RAC

RAC—RULES OF THE AIR AND AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES

Explanation of Changes Effective—March 20, 2025

  • Editorial and format changes made throughout TC AIM.
  • Blue highlights indicate changes.
  • RAC 4.3 – Traffic Circuits — Controlled Aerodromes: Updated for clarity.
  • RAC 4.5.2 – Traffic Circuit Procedures — Uncontrolled Aerodromes: Updated for clarity.

Table of Contents: RAC—RULES OF THE AIR AND AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES

  • 1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

    • 1.1 Air Traffic Services
      • 1.1.1 Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Information Services
        • Airport control service: provided by airport TWRs, to aircraft and vehicles on the manoeuvring area of an airport and to aircraft operating in the vicinity of an airport.
        • Area control service: provided by ACCs to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Controlled Visual Flight Rules (CVFR) flights operating within specified control areas.
        • Terminal control service: provided by ACCs to IFR and CVFR flights operating within specified control areas.
        • Terminal control service: an additional service provided by IFR units to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft operating within Class C airspace.
        • Alerting service: notifies appropriate organizations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue services.
        • Altitude reservation service: provides mission planning support for altitude reservations (ALTRVs) and other military activities.
        • AMIS: provided by ACCs for the collection, processing, and dissemination of aircraft movement information for use by air defence units.
        • Flight information service: provided by ATC units to assist pilots by supplying information concerning known hazardous flight conditions.
          • VFR flights will be provided with information concerning:
            • severe weather conditions along the proposed route of flight;
            • changes in the serviceability of navigation aids;
            • conditions of airports and associated facilities; and
            • other items considered pertinent to safety of flight.
          • Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flights will be provided with information concerning:
            • severe weather conditions;
            • weather conditions reported or forecast at destination or alternate aerodromes;
            • changes in the serviceability of navigation aids;
            • condition of airports and associated facilities; and
            • other items considered pertinent to the safety of flight.
          • Flight information messages are intended as information only.
          • The pilot is responsible for making the final decision concerning any suggestion.
          • ATS surveillance equipment is frequently used in the provision of information concerning hazards.
          • Pilots may assist ATC by providing pilot reports of severe weather conditions they encounter.
          • ATC will provide pilots intending to operate through chaff areas with all available information relating to proposed or actual chaff drops.
          • Information concerning bird activity will be provided to aircraft operating in the area concerned.
      • 1.1.2 Flight Advisory and Information Services: provided by FICs and FSSs.
        • 1.1.2.1 Flight Information Centres (FICs):
          • Pilot briefing service: the provision of meteorological and aeronautical information to assist pilots in pre-flight planning.
          • FISE: the exchange on the FISE frequency of information pertinent to the en-route phase of flight. Air traffic information is not provided.
          • Aeronautical broadcast service: the broadcast on the FISE frequency, and on 126.7 MHz, of SIGMET, urgent PIREP and information concerning fuel dumping operations.
          • VFR flight plan alerting service: the notification of RCCs and provision of communications searches when an aircraft on a VFR flight plan or flight itinerary becomes overdue and needs SAR aid.
          • Flight regularity message service: the relay by FICs of messages between an aircraft in flight and the aircraft operating agency, and vice versa.
        • 1.1.2.2 Flight Service Stations (FSSs):
          • AAS: the provision of information pertinent to the arrival and departure phases of flight at uncontrolled aerodromes and for transit through an MF area.
          • VCS: the provision, at locations where AAS is provided, of instructions to control the movements of vehicles, equipment and pedestrians on manoeuvring areas of uncontrolled aerodromes.
        • 1.1.2.3 Flight Information Centres (FICs) and Flight Service Stations (FSSs):
          • RAAS: the provision, via RCO, of information pertinent to the arrival and departure phases of flight and for transit through an MF area.
          • VAS: the provision, via RCO, of information and advisories concerning the movements of vehicles, equipment and pedestrians on manoeuvring areas at designated uncontrolled aerodromes.
          • Alerting service: the notification of appropriate organizations regarding aircraft in need of SAR services.
          • Emergency assistance service: the provision of aid to a pilot when in an emergency, or potential emergency situation.
          • NOTAM information service: the collection and dissemination of NOTAM, RSC, and CRFI information by the flight service specialist.
          • Weather observation service: the observation, recording and dissemination of surface weather information for aviation purposes.
        • 1.1.2.4 International Flight Service Station (IFSS)
          • An aeronautical station that provides a communications service for international air operators; Gander is the only IFSS in Canada.
      • 1.1.3 Arctic Territories
        • Serviced by Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Quebec FICs, which provide FISE and emergency communication to aircraft operating in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and in the vicinity of the ADIZ.
      • 1.1.4 Military Flight Advisory Unit (MFAU)
        • DND operates MFAU which provide flight information services that enhance flight safety and efficiency.
        • MFAU provide en route flight information, airport advisory, ground control, field condition reports, flight planning, alerting service, navigation assistance, NOTAM, PIREPs, and weather reports.
        • An MFAU may be used to accept and relay VFR and IFR position reports and ATC clearances.
    • 1.2 Services Other Than Air Traffic Services (ATS)
      • 1.2.1 Universal Communications (UNICOM)
        • A UNICOM is an air-ground communications facility operated by a private agency to provide PAS service at uncontrolled aerodromes.
        • An AU is an air-ground communications service that can provide approach and landing information to IFR pilots.
      • 1.2.2 Airport Radio/Community Aerodrome Radio Station
        • APRT RDO/CARS service is provided by observer-communicators (O/C) who are trained to conduct aviation weather observations and radio communications to facilitate aircraft arrivals and departures.
        • Services provided by APRT RDO/CARS include the following:
          • Emergency Service
          • Communication Service
          • Weather Observation Service
          • Flight Plan/Flight Information Service
          • Monitoring of Equipment/NAVAIDs
      • 1.2.3 Private Advisory Stations (PAS)—Controlled Airports
        • Aeronautical operators may establish their own private facilities at controlled airports for use in connection with company business.
      • 1.2.4 Apron Advisory Service
        • Apron advisory service at most controlled airports is provided by ATS. However, some large airports are providing advisory service on aprons through a separate apron management unit staffed by airport or terminal operator personnel.
    • 1.3 Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS)
      • Continuous broadcasting of recorded information for arriving and departing aircraft on a discrete VHF/UHF frequency.
      • Its purpose is to improve controller and flight service specialist effectiveness and to relieve frequency congestion by automating the repetitive transmission of essential but routine information.
    • 1.4 Use of Term “Ceiling and Visibility OK (CAVOK)”
      • The term “CAVOK” may be used in air-ground communications when transmitting meteorological information to arriving aircraft.
      • CAVOK refers to the simultaneous occurrence of the following meteorological conditions at an airport:
        • no cloud below 5 000 feet, or below the highest minimum sector altitude, whichever is higher, and no cumulonimbus;
        • a visibility of 6 SM or more; and
        • no precipitation, thunderstorms, shallow fog, or low drifting snow.
    • 1.5 ATS Surveillance Service
      • 1.5.1 General
        • The use of ATS surveillance increases airspace utilization by allowing ATC to reduce the separation interval between aircraft.
      • 1.5.2 Procedures
        • Before providing ATS surveillance service, ATC will establish identification of the aircraft concerned either through the use of position reports, identifying turns, or transponders.
        • ATC assumes responsibility for terrain (obstacle) clearance when vectoring en route IFR and CVFR flights and for IFR aircraft being vectored for arrival until the aircraft resumes normal navigation.
      • 1.5.3 Air Traffic Service (ATS) Surveillance Traffic Information
        • Traffic permitting, ATC will provide IFR and CVFR flights with information on observed ATS surveillance targets whenever the traffic is likely to be of concern to the pilot.
      • 1.5.4 ATS Surveillance Navigation Assistance to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flights
        • When requested by pilots, ATS surveillance-equipped ATC units will provide assistance to navigation in the form of position information, vectors or track, and ground speed checks.
      • 1.5.5 Obstacle Clearance During Vectors
        • IFR Flights: The pilot of an IFR flight is responsible for ensuring that the aircraft is operated with adequate clearance from obstacles and terrain; however, when the flight is being vectored, ATC will ensure that the appropriate obstacle clearance is provided.
        • VFR Flights: The pilot of a VFR aircraft remains responsible for maintaining adequate clearance from obstacles and terrain when the flight is being vectored by ATC.
      • 1.5.6 Misuse of Vectors
        • Pilots have, on occasion, for practice purposes, followed ATS surveillance instructions issued to other pilots, without realizing the potential hazard that accompanies such action.
      • 1.5.7 Canadian Forces Radar Assistance
        • The Canadian Forces can provide assistance in an emergency to civil aircraft operating within the ADIZ.
      • 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)
        • Certain FSSs are equipped with an ATS surveillance display to aid the flight service specialist in monitoring the aircraft traffic situation and to enhance the accuracy of traffic information provided in AAS or RAAS.
    • 1.6 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Clearances, Instructions and Information
      • Whenever pilots receive and accept an ATC clearance, they shall comply with the clearance.
      • CAR 602.31 permits pilots to deviate from an ATC instruction or clearance in order to follow TCAS or ACAS RAs.
    • 1.6.1 Inability to Issue Clearance
      • ATC clearances are based on known traffic conditions and aerodrome limitations which affect the safety of aircraft operations.
      • There are two distinct phrases used when unable to issue ATC clearances:
        • AT YOUR DISCRETION
        • UNABLE TO ISSUE CLEARANCE
    • 1.7 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Service Priority
      • 1.7.1 Normal Conditions: ATC provides control service on a first-come, first-served basis.
      • 1.7.2 Special Conditions: Flight priority is provided to:
        • an aircraft that is known or believed to be in a state of emergency;
        • a MEDEVAC flight;
        • aircraft participating in SAR missions;
        • military aircraft.
        • an aircraft carrying Her Majesty the Queen, the Governor General, the Prime Minister, heads of state, or foreign heads of government.
      • 1.7.3 Minimum Fuel Advisory
        • The term MINIMUM FUEL describes a situation where the aircraft’s fuel supply has reached a state where the flight is committed to land at a specific aerodrome and no additional delay can be accepted.
    • 1.8 Collision Avoidance—Right of Way (Canadian Aviation Regulations [CARs])
      • 602.01 Reckless or Negligent Operation of Aircraft
      • 602.19 Right-of-Way – General
      • 602.20 Right-of-Way – Aircraft Manoeuvring on Water
      • 602.21 Avoidance of Collision
      • 602.24 Formation Flight
    • 1.9 Aerobatic Flight (Canadian Aviation Regulations [CARs] 602.27 and 602.28)
      • 602.27 Aerobatic Manoeuvres – Prohibited Areas and Flight conditions
      • 602.28 Aerobatic Manoeuvres with Passengers
    • 1.10 Conservation
      • 1.10.1 Fur and Poultry Farms
        • Avoid overflying these farms below 2 000 ft AGL.
      • 1.10.2 Protection of Wildlife
        • Pilots must not fly at an altitude of less than 2 000 ft AGL when in the vicinity of herds of wildlife animals or above wildlife refuges/bird sanctuaries.
      • 1.10.3 National, Provincial and Municipal Parks, Reserves and Refuges
        • Overflights should not be conducted below 2 000 ft AGL.

  • 2.0 AIRSPACE – REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

    • 2.1 General: details regulations and procedures specific to categories, areas, and zones of Canadian Airspace.
    • 2.2 Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA): all airspace over the Canadian land mass, the Canadian Arctic, Canadian Archipelago and those areas of the high seas within the airspace boundaries.
      • 2.2.1 Northern Domestic Airspace (NDA): runway heading is given in true and true track is used to determine cruising altitude for direction of flight in lieu of magnetic track.
    • 2.3 High- and Low-Level Airspace
      • Low-level airspace: all of the airspace below 18 000 ft ASL
      • High-level airspace: all airspace from 18 000 ft ASL and above.
      • 2.3.1 Cruising Altitudes and Flight Levels Appropriate to Aircraft Track
        • Given under General Provisions of cruising altitudes and flight levels
    • 2.4 Flight Information Regions (FIRs)
      • Flight Information Region (FIR) is an airspace of defined dimensions extending upwards from the surface of the earth, within which flight information service and alerting services are provided.
    • 2.5 Controlled Airspace
      • Controlled airspace is the airspace within which air traffic control service is provided and within which some or all aircraft may be subject to air traffic control.
      • 2.5.1 Use of Controlled Airspace by Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flights: due to the speeds of modern aircraft and difficulty visually observing other aircraft at high altitudes the “see and be seen” principle isn't absolute.
      • 2.5.2 Aircraft Speed Limit Order:
        • Below 10 000 ft ASL: not more than 250 KIAS
        • Below 3 000 ft AGL within 10 NM of a controlled airport: not more than 200 KIAS
    • 2.6 High-Level Controlled Airspace SCA, NCA, and ACA
      • SCA: 18 000 ft ASL and above
      • NCA: FL 230 and above
      • ACA: FL 270 and above
    • 2.7 Low-Level Controlled Airspace
      • 2.7.1 Low-Level Airways: extends upward from 2 200 ft AGL up to, but not including, 18 000 ft ASL
      • 2.7.2 Control Area Extensions: designated around aerodromes where the controlled airspace provided is insufficient to permit the required separation between IFR arrivals and departures and to contain IFR aircraft within controlled airspace.
      • 2.7.3 Control Zones: designated around certain aerodromes to keep IFR aircraft within controlled airspace during approaches and to facilitate the control of VFR and IFR traffic.
      • 2.7.4 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Over-the-Top: A person may operate an aircraft VFR over-the-top (VFR OTT), provided certain conditions are met. Those conditions include weather minima, aircraft equipment and pilot qualifications.
      • 2.7.5 Transition Areas: established when it is considered advantageous or necessary to provide additional controlled airspace for the containment of IFR operations.
      • 2.7.6 Terminal Control Areas: established at high volume traffic airports to provide an IFR control service to arriving, departing and en route aircraft.
    • 2.8 Airspace Classification: Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA) is divided into seven classes, each identified by a single letter—A, B, C, D, E, F or G.
      • 2.8.1 Class A Airspace: designated where an operational need exists to exclude VFR aircraft.
      • 2.8.2 Class B Airspace: designated where an operational need exists to provide ATC service to IFR aircraft and to control VFR flights.
      • 2.8.3 Class C Airspace: controlled airspace within which both IFR and VFR flights are permitted, but VFR flights require a clearance from ATC to enter.
      • 2.8.4 Class D Airspace: controlled airspace within which both IFR and VFR flights are permitted, but VFR flights must establish two-way communication with the appropriate ATC unit prior to entering the airspace.
      • 2.8.5 Class E Airspace: designated where an operational need exists for controlled airspace but does not meet the requirements for Class A, B, C, or D.
      • 2.8.6 Class F Airspace: airspace of defined dimensions within which activities must be confined because of their nature, and within which limitations may be imposed upon aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities.
      • 2.8.7 Class G Airspace: airspace that has not been designated Class A, B, C, D, E or F, and within which ATC has neither the authority nor the responsibility to exercise control over air traffic.
    • 2.9 Other Airspace Divisions
      • 2.9.1 Altitude Reservation: An altitude reservation is airspace of defined dimensions within controlled airspace reserved for the use of a civil or military agency during a specified period.
      • 2.9.2 Temporary Flight Restrictions—Forest Fires: The Minister may issue a NOTAM restricting flights over a forest fire area to those operating at the request of the appropriate fire control authority.
      • 2.9.3 Flight Operations Over or in the Vicinity of Nuclear Power Plants: Pilots are reminded that overflights of nuclear power plants shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of CAR 602.14(2)
      • 2.9.4 Military Operations Areas: Military operations areas (MOA) consist of airspace of defined dimensions established to segregate certain military activities from IFR traffic and to identify for VFR traffic where these activities are conducted.
    • 2.10 Altimeter Setting Region: airspace of defined dimensions below 18 000 feet ASL. (CAR 602.35)
    • 2.11 Standard Pressure Region: includes all airspace over Canada at or above 18 000 feet ASL. (CAR 602.36)
    • 2.12 Mountainous Regions: Designated mountainous regions are areas of defined lateral dimensions, specified in the Designated Airspace Handbook, above which special rules concerning minimum IFR altitudes to ensure obstacle clearance (CAR 602.124) apply.
    • 2.13 Emergency Communications and Security: The rules for operating within the Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) are specified in CAR 602.145 – ADIZ

  • 3.0 FLIGHT PLANNING

    • 3.1 General
      • The flight planning requirements contained in this Section are based, in part, on the CAR, Part VI, General Operating and Flight Rules.
    • 3.2 Pilot Briefing Service: The pilot briefing service is provided by FICs to assist pilots at the pre-flight planning stage and for information updates en route.
    • 3.3 Aeronautical Information: Aeronautical information (NOTAM, RSC, CRFI, flow control, etc.) is available at ATS units and at certain operations offices.
    • 3.4 Weight and Balance Control
      • 3.4.1 Definitions
      • 3.4.2 Weight Control: It is mandatory to calculate weight and balance accurately for every flight and ensure that they are within the aircraft’s permissible limits.
      • 3.4.3 Balance: Balance refers to the location of the CG along the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. There are forward and aft limits established during certification flight testing; they are the maximum CG positions at which the longitudinal stability requirements can be met.
      • 3.4.4 Operational Requirements
        • It is the responsibility of the PIC of the aircraft to ensure that the weight and balance report of the flight accurately represents the actual load and that the actual load does not exceed the maximum allowable weight limits specified in the AFM for any phase of the flight.
      • 3.4.5 Computerized Systems
        • When a company or operator generates load data from a computerized weight and balance system, the integrity of the output data must be checked at regular intervals.
      • 3.4.6 Segmented Weights
      • 3.4.7 Computation of Passenger and Baggage Weights
      • 3.4.8 Fuel and Oil Weights
    • 3.5 Flight Plans and Flight Itineraries
      • 3.5.1 When Required
        • CAR 602.73 states that no pilot-in-command shall operate an aircraft in VFR flight unless a VFR flight plan or a VFR flight itinerary has been filed, except where the flight is conducted within 25 NM of the departure aerodrome.
      • 3.5.2 Filing (Canadian Aviation Regulation [RAC] 602.75)
      • 3.5.3 Flight Plan Requirements—Flights Between Canada and a Foreign State: A VFR or IFR flight plan must be filed prior to conducting any flight between Canada and a foreign state. If the flight is to any country other than the U.S., an ICAO flight plan must be filed.
      • 3.5.4 Opening a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary
        • A VFR flight plan or flight itinerary should normally be opened with a TWR, an FSS, a FIC or a CARS upon departure to activate the alerting service.
    • 3.6 Changes To The Information In A Flight Plan Or Flight Itinerary
      • 3.6.1 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary: CAR 602.76(3) and (4) specify that a pilot “shall notify as soon as practicable an air traffic control unit, a flight service station, a community aerodrome radio station or the responsible person,” of any change to the:
        • (a) route of flight,
        • (b) duration of the flight; or
        • (c) destination aerodrome.
      • 3.6.2 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary: CAR 602.76(1) and (2) specify that a pilot shall notify as soon as practicable an air traffic control unit, a flight service station, a community aerodrome radio station or a responsible person, as the case may be, of any change to the:
        • (a) the cruising altitude or cruising flight level;
        • (b) the route of flight;
        • (c) the destination aerodrome;
    • 3.7 Composite Flight Plan Or Flight Itinerary—Visual Flight Rules (VFR) And Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
      • A composite flight plan or flight itinerary may be filed that describes part(s) of the route operating under VFR and operating under IFR. All rules governing VFR or IFR apply to that portion of the route of flight.
    • 3.8 Defence Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Plans and Defence Flight Itineraries (Canadian Aviation Regulation [CAR] 602.145): outlines the requirements when operating into or within the Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ).
    • 3.9 Intermediate Stops
      • Intermediate stops may not be included in a single instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan.
    • 3.10 Cross-country Instrument Training Flights: A cross-country instrument training flight is one in which there are no intermediate stops and one or more instrument approaches are made en route.
    • 3.11 Closing a Flight Plan
      • In order to comply with CAR 602.77, an arrival report for a flight plan shall be submitted to an ATC unit, an FSS (or a FIC) or a CARS as soon as practicable after landing.
    • 3.12 Fuel Requirements: amount of fuel to provide for taxiing and foreseeable delays prior to takeoff; meteorological conditions; foreseeable air traffic routings and traffic delays; and landing at a suitable aerodrome in the even to engine failure. .
      • 3.12.1 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight
        • Carry an amount of fuel that is sufficient to allow the aircraft when operated during the day to fly to the destination aerodrome and then to fly for 30 minutes at normal cruising speed, or when operated at night, to fly to the destination aerodrome and then to fly for 45 minutes at normal cruising speed.
      • 3.12.2 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flight
        • Carry an amount of fuel sufficient to fly to fly to and execute an approach and a missed approach at the destination aerodrome, to fly to and land at the alternate aerodrome, and then to fly for a period of 45 minutes if propeller-driven, or 30 mins if turbojet or helicopter
    • 3.13 Requirements for Alternate Aerodrome — Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Flight: no pilot-in-command shall operate an aircraft in IFR flight unless the IFR flight plan or IFR flight itinerary that has been filed for the flight includes an alternate aerodrome having a landing area suitable for use by that aircraft.
    • 3.14 Completion of Canadian Flight Plans and Flight Itineraries and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Flight Plans
      • 3.14.1 General Completion must be done by inserting data into the appropriate boxes on the form and times in UTC using four digits.
      • 3.14.2 Canadian A Canadian flight plan or flight itinerary must contain aircraft information, flight rules, type of flight, number of aircraft/type, wake turbulence category, equipment, department aerodrome/time and other information to be found in the CFS
      • 3.14.3 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): For the purpose of flight planning, flights between Canada and the continental United States are not classed as “international flights”.
    • 3.15 Contents of a Flight Plan and Flight Itinerary: Item descriptions to be found in the CFS.

  • 4.0 AIRPORT OPERATIONS

    • 4.1 General: Increased traffic congestion, aircraft in climb and descent attitudes, and pilots preoccupied with cockpit duties are some of the factors that increase the accident potential near airports.
    • 4.1.1 Wake Turbulence: Caution should be exercised whenever a flight is conducted anywhere behind and within 1 000 ft below a large aircraft.
    • 4.1.2 Noise Abatement: Pilots and operators must conform to the applicable provisions of CAR 602.105— Noise Operating Criteria, and CAR 602.106— Noise Restricted Runways and the applicable noise abatement procedures published in the CAP.
    • 4.1.3 Preferential Runway Assignments: Air traffic controllers consider runway condition, the effective crosswind component, and the effective tailwind component when selecting preferential runways for noise abatement.
    • 4.1.4 Runway Protected Area: ATC and FSS must hold traffic at least 200 ft from the runway edge, until an aircraft taking off or landing has passed, to ensure the runway protected area will be free of objects.
    • 4.2 Departure Procedures — Controlled Airports
      • Pilots should obtain the ATIS information, if available, prior to contacting either the ground control or tower.
      • At locations where a “clearance delivery” frequency is listed, IFR departures should call on this frequency, prior to requesting taxi authorization.
      • If required, radio checks should be requested on frequencies other than ATC frequencies.
      • Controllers may not be in a position to see all obstructions an aircraft may encounter during push-back or power-back, so clearance for these manoeuvres will not be issued by the tower.
      • Taxi authorization should be requested on the ground control frequency. Authorization must be obtained before leaving a taxi holding position.
      • 4.2.5.1 Oblique Angle Intersection Use
      • 4.2.5.2 Best Practices for Pilots
      • 4.2.6 Taxi Holding Positions
      • 4.2.7 Taxiway Holding Positions During Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Operations
      • 4.2.7.1 Glide Path Signal Protection Procedures
      • 4.2.8 Take-off Clearance: When ready for takeoff, the pilot shall request a take-off clearance and include the runway number. Upon receipt of the take-off clearance, the pilot shall acknowledge it and take off without delay.
      • 4.2.8.1 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Phraseology When a Runway Is Temporarily Shortened Due to Construction
        • The word "shortened" is to be used by tower controllers immediately following runway number for all line-up and take-off clearances
      • 4.2.8.2 Clearance for Aborting a Takeoff
      • 4.2.9 Release from Tower Frequency: Unless otherwise advised by ATC, pilots do not require permission to change from tower frequency once clear of the control zone
      • 4.2.10 Departure Procedures - No Radio (NORDO) Aircraft: the pilot is expected to inform the control tower of their intentions.
      • 4.2.11 Visual Signals: Visual signals used by the tower include a series of green flashes and a steady green, red flashes, red lights, or white lights.
      • 4.2.12 Departure Procedures – Receiver Only (RONLY) Aircraft: the procedures which apply to aircraft without radio also apply to aircraft equipped with receiver only
    • 4.3 Traffic Circuits — Controlled Aerodromes traffic circuit consists of the crosswind leg, downwind leg, base leg and final approach leg.
    • 4.4 Arrival Procedures — Controlled Airports
      • 4.4.1 Initial Contact
        • state receipt of the airport ATIS or request landing instructions.
      • 4.4.2 Initial Clearance
        • ATC shall inform the pilot of runway or taxiway restrictions.
      • 4.4.3 Landing Clearance
        • A pilot must obtain landing clearance prior to landing.
      • 4.4.3.1 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Phraseology When a Runway Is Temporarily Shortened Due to Construction
      • 4.4.4 Taxiing: No taxi clearance is required after landing, except to cross any runway or to taxi back