By Bruce Russel GVA028 June 28, 2009
Hundreds of private and commercial aircraft fly safely across the North Atlantic every day. For many modern aircraft, the journey is considered normal operation.
With its strong winds and icing conditions however, the North Atlantic can be a challenging environment for light and small aircraft. This is particularly true for single engine aircraft, or multi-engine aircraft that would be unable to fly should one of its engines fail, or when an additional fuel tank must be installed to provide sufficient fuel capacity for the aircraft to reach its destination.
It is extremely unlikely that you will be able to conduct a flight across the Atlantic and remain in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) for the entire flight.
Checklist of Specific Safety Requirements
Any aircraft leaving Canadian domestic airspace and entering airspace over the high seas, including the North Atlantic, must meet specific safety requirements. Amongst other requirements, a single engine aircraft or a twin-engine aircraft that cannot maintain flight with one engine must meet the following conditions:
- The pilot in command must hold a pilot license endorsed in an Instrument Rating.
- The aircraft must be equipped with the required instruments for flight in Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions.
- The aircraft must be equipped with, or have on board, a high frequency radio.
- The aircraft must carry adequate survival equipment such as a survival suit, a life raft, flares and other safety equipment as identified in the regulations.
- The aircraft must be equipped with an appropriate Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT).
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An aircraft operated under an IFR flight plan on a transoceanic flight shall carry an amount of fuel that is sufficient to allow the aircraft 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 forty-five (45) minutes, and in addition, carry contingency fuel equal to at least ten (10) percent of the fuel required to complete the flight to the destination aerodrome.
Ferry Flight Permits
Aircraft that have the fuel capacity to fly to their destination and carry the mandatory fuel reserves as specified above are not required to obtain a ferry permit or install temporary ferry tanks. This is considered normal operation of an aircraft.
Aircraft equipped with a temporary ferry fuel tank(s) require a special ferry flight permit from Canada to fly over the North Atlantic. This is often necessary to allow certain aircraft to carry sufficient fuel and reserves to reach its destination.
The installation of ferry tanks can be simulated in MS Flight Simulator by making temporary adjustments to the aircraft's fuel capacity in the "aircraft.cfg" file. No adjustments should be made to the aircraft's Empty Weight or Gross Weight because you could upset the aircraft's basic handling characteristics.
Aircraft crossing the North Atlantic on a Ferry Permit may only carry the required number of crew members; no passengers. For most General Aviation single engine and light twin engine aircraft this means only the pilot-in-command will be on board.
The permit limits the flight to specific departure and arrival points, specifies maximum allowable weight, and includes restrictions on air speed and manoeuvring. There are provisions in place to prevent aircraft with special flight permits from departing over more densely populated areas, specifically at St. John's and Gander airports in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Education and awareness activities
Canada recommends that pilots obtain adequate training before embarking on a North Atlantic flight, for which safety courses are specifically available. Pilots are also encouraged to consult the North Atlantic International Operations Manual, which provides additional information on flight planning and operations over the North Atlantic.