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Air Law

Topics for Tonight

Canadian Aviation Regulations and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
Important Legal Definitions
Right-of-Way and Collision Avoidance Rules
General Operating Rules
Aircraft Equipment and Safety Requirements
Flight Plans and Itineraries

Readings

From the Ground Up, pages 107 - 119
AIM – Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Services (RAC), pages 179 – 247 and 300 - 308)

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Canadian Aviation Regulations

A legislative act passed by the Parliament of Canada pertaining to operation of aircraft in Canada.
Can be found online at:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/

Each part deals with a particular topic.

Examples:

Licensing of pilots. (CAR 400s)
Aircraft Airworthiness. (CAR 500s)
Operating and Flight Rules (CAR 600s)
General Operating Rules. (AIM)
Etc...

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Aeronautical Information Manual

Does a good job of explaining a lot of the CARS.
Is provided free to licenced pilots plus regular updates and amendments.
Most important section for now: RAC.
Helpful hints

Read carefully the difference between “should” and “shall.”
Study it for your PSTAR exam.
Study it for your Transport Canada written exam.

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Definitions

PILOT-IN-COMMAND

Most often referred to as “PIC.”
The pilot responsible for the operation and safety of an aircraft while in flight.
Rule #1: The PIC is NEVER relieved of responsibility for safety or for any safety-related issue!
Also known as the “Captain” of the aircraft.

AGL

Above Ground Level. How high you are above the ground.

ASL

Above Sea Level. How high you are above mean sea level.

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And More Definitions...

Aircraft

Any machine capable of deriving support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air.

Aeroplane

A power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft, deriving its lift in flight from aerodynamic reactions on surfaces that remain fixed under given conditions of flight.

Aerodrome

Any area of land or water or other supporting surface used or designed, prepared, equipped or set apart for the arrival, departure, movement and servicing of aircraft. It includes any buildings, installations and equipment in connection therewith.

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Yet More Definitions...

Airport

An aerodrome in respect of which a certificate is in force testifying to the fact that it meets the safety standards for airport certification.

Controlled Airspace

Any airspace defined in which Air Traffic Control services are provided.

Uncontrolled Airspace

Airspace within which Air Traffic Control has neither the authority nor the responsibility to control air traffic.

Final to runway 32.

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Final Page of Definitions!

ATC

Air Traffic Control.

Air Traffic Control Clearance

is an authorization from air traffic control to proceed within controlled airspace under specific conditions.
is identified by some form of the word “clear.”
must be complied with once accepted by the pilot, unless the pilot is unable, in which case ATC should be notified as soon as possible.

Air Traffic Control Instruction

is a directive issued by ATC for air traffic control purposes.
must be complied with by the pilot once received unless unable for safety reasons, in which case you should comply as best as possible under the circumstances and notify ATC as soon as possible.
READ IT BACK!

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Visual and Instrument Flight Rules

VFR means you fly with positive visual reference to the surface of the earth at all times and in Visual Meteorological Conditions.
IFR means Instrument Flight Rules. It has a different set of rules, allowing flight in instrument or visual meteorological conditions. To fly IFR, you require

A valid IFR rating,
An aircraft that is equipped for IFR flight,
IFR clearance.

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Right of Way

CARS 602.19, AIP RAC 1.11
When two aircraft are converging at approximately the same altitude, the aircraft that has the other on its right shall give way, except:

Power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft shall give way to gliders, airships, and balloons.
Airships shall give way to gliders and balloons;
Gliders shall give way to balloons.
Power-driven aircraft shall give way to other aircraft seen to be towing gliders or other objects or carrying a slung load.

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Still more on Right of Way

The pilot of an aircraft approaching an aerodrome for landing shall give way to aircraft at lower altitudes that are also approaching the aerodrome for landing.

The pilot of the aircraft at the lower altitude mentioned above shall not overtake or cut in front of an aircraft at a higher altitude that is in the final stages of an approach to landing.

And regardless of everything else, an aircraft in an emergency situation has right of way over absolutely everything.

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Cruising Altitude Orders

VFR - Even thousand + 500

IFR - Even thousand

VFR - Odd thousand + 500

IFR - Odd thousand

WEST

(180 - 359)

EAST

(0 - 179)

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Collision Avoidance

Where an aircraft is required to give way to another aircraft, the pilot of first mentioned aircraft shall not pass over or under, or cross ahead of, the other aircraft unless doing such would not create the risk of collision.

DON’T CUT PEOPLE OFF!

When two aircraft are approaching head-on or approximately so and there is a risk of collision, the pilot of each aircraft shall alter heading to the right.
The PIC of an aircraft with right of way shall take whatever measures are necessary to avoid a collision if the risk of one becomes apparent.

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Cruising Altitude Orders

Apply when aircraft are flown above 3000 AGL.
The orders are based on

Magnetic track in Southern Domestic Airspace.
True track in Northern Domestic Airspace.

“Track” means

The projection on the earth’s surface of the path of an aircraft.
True track is direction with respect to true north.
Magnetic track is direction with respect to magnetic north.

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Minimum Altitudes

BUILT-UP AREAS

Not lower than 1000 feet above the highest obstacle within 2000 feet horizontally of the aircraft unless conducting an approach, takeoff or landing at an aerodrome.

OTHER AREAS

Not less than a distance of 500 feet from any person, vehicle, vessel or structure unless conducting an approach, takeoff, or landing at an aerodrome.

AERODROMES

Unless conducting an approach, takeoff or landing at an aerodrome, or cleared or directed by ATC, not less than a height of 2000 feet above the aerodrome.

GJFE in the Grand Canyon.

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Formation Flight

CARS 602.24

No person shall operate an aircraft in formation with other aircraft except by pre-arrangement between

the pilots-in-command of the aircraft; or
where the flight is conducted within a control zone, the pilots-in-command and the appropriate air traffic control unit.

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Aerobatics

CARS 602.27 (2019-06-14)
No person shall conduct aerobatic maneuvers

over a built-up area;
over an open-air assembly of persons;
at an altitude where recovery cannot be accomplished at an altitude above 2000 feet AGL;
with passengers on board unless

the PIC has met specific conditions;

in any class of airspace that requires

contact with ATS unless ATS advised;

and/or

in Class A, B or C airspace or Class D

CZs unless coordinated with ATS;

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Conservation

AIP RAC 1.15
Chrome yellow and black strips painted on pylons or roofs are used to indicate a fur farm.
Avoid flying over fur farms at altitudes below 2000 AGL.
Avoid flying over herds of moose, reindeer, caribou, deer, etc., at altitudes below 2000 AGL.

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Seat Belts

CARS 605.22 - 605.28
Everyone on board an aircraft shall wear a seat belt when

the aircraft is taking off or landing;
the aircraft is moving on the surface;
at any other time as judged to be appropriate by the PIC.

The only person not required to wear a seat belt is an infant.

CARS definition: An infant is a person under two years of age.

The PIC must wear a seat belt at all times!

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Oxygen Requirements

No supplemental oxygen required if flying below an altitude of 10 000 feet ASL.
May fly above 10 000 feet ASL in an unpressurized aircraft for a period of not more than 30 minutes without supplemental oxygen.
Flight above 13 000 feet ASL in an unpressurized aircraft without supplemental oxygen is prohibited.

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Definition of Night and Day

Night in Canada is

any time when the centre of the sun’s disc is more than 6 degrees below the horizon, but not less than 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

Day in Canada is

any time that is not night.

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Aircraft Requirements for Day VFR

CARS 605.14

Altimeter.
Airspeed Indicator.
Magnetic Compass.
Checklists and Emergency Equipment.
Engine Instruments.

Tachometer, oil pressure gauge, oil or coolant temperature gauge.
Way of determining fuel in each tank and (if required) position of the landing gear while seated at controls.

Radios in Class B, C or D airspace, MF area (unless under 602.97(3)) or ADIZ
(Timepiece must be carried on board for all power driven aircraft (CAR 602.60(1)(f))

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Aircraft Requirements for Night VFR

CARS 605.16
Same as for day VFR, but you also need

Turn and Slip Indicator or Turn Coordinator;
Gyroscopic Direction Indicator (Heading Indicator);
Flashlight for Each Crew Member;
Nav and Anti-Collision Lights;
Landing Light if Carrying Passengers;
Sufficient means of illuminating the instruments.

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Nav Lights

Port (left) wing light -- red.
Starboard (right) wing light -- green.
Tail light -- white.
Port and starboard lights must be visible within 110 degrees each.
Tail light must be visible within 140 degrees of the tail.
All lights must be visible for not less than two miles.
All nav lights (aka position lights) must be functional to fly night VFR!

Port nav light

Strobe light

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Fuel Requirements

Day VFR

Sufficient fuel to get to destination and then to fly at cruise power setting for a period of not less than 30 minutes.

Night VFR

Sufficient fuel to get to destination and then to fly at cruise power setting for a period of not less than 45 minutes.

Of course it is highly recommended you take more...

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Over Water Flights

CARS 602.62. One life jacket is required for every person on board

A single-engine aircraft operating over open water beyond gliding distance from shore;
A multi-engined aircraft incapable of maintaining flight with an engine failed over open water beyond gliding distance from shore unless taking off or landing;
Any aircraft operated beyond 50 nautical miles from shore.

Jacksonville, Florida

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Aircraft Documents

Required documents:

Certificate of Airworthiness,
Certificate of Registration,
Pilot Operating Handbook,
Weight and Balance Report,
Journey Log,
Crew Licenses,
Certificate of Insurance.

Documents not carried on board:

Technical Logs,
Annual Airworthiness Information Report.

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Rules Respecting Alcohol

After consuming alcohol:

You cannot fly for a minimum of twelve hours.
You cannot fly until you have a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.00% and are free from the effects of alcohol.

You must wait until twelve hours or a BAC of 0.00%, whichever takes longer.

24 hours is recommended after drinking anything.
48 hours is recommended after excessive drinking.

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Rules on Medical Treatment and Drugs

CARS 404.06: If any of the following exists and could impair your ability to exercise the privileges of your licence safely you shall not fly:

You are suffering from an illness (physical or mental), injury or disability;
You are taking a drug (On June 3, 2019 Transport Canada announced a new policy stating that flight crew and flight controllers are prohibited from the use of cannabis for at least 28 days before being on duty);
You are receiving medical treatment;
You are in the 30th week of pregnancy or later or have given birth in the previous 6 weeks.

You should not fly if you are taking any drugs.
Consult your Aviation Doctor if in doubt!

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Flight Plans and Itineraries

When flying beyond a radius of 25 nautical miles from the airport of departure, you must file either a flight plan or a flight itinerary.
Both contain information on the intended flight of an aircraft.
Both provide alerting services if aircraft is overdue.

Close or amend a flight plan within 1 hour of the ETA.
Close or amend a flight itinerary within 24 hours of the ETA.

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Flight Plans

Filed with a Flight Service Station, Community Aerodrome Radio Station, or ATC.
May be opened and closed by the local control tower, CARS, or by any FSS.
“Closing” means aircraft has reached destination.
Air Traffic Services knows pertinent details of the aircraft and the intended flight.
A Flight Plan must be filed if

Flying to or from another country,
Flying to or from a military aerodrome,
Flying VFR within class B airspace,
Flying within the Air Defence Identification Zone, or
Flying IFR.

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Flight Itineraries

May be filed with Air Traffic Services or a “responsible person.”
Less information is required for a flight itinerary.
May be filed instead of a flight plan for any flight conducted beyond a 25 nautical mile radius from the point of departure, except for the circumstances outlined previously.

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Some General Things to Remember...

If you get written authorization from the Minister of Transport to do something, it is okay to do it.
The PIC is never relieved of responsibility for the safety of the aircraft!

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Next Class

AIRSPACE

Canadian Domestic Airspace
VFR Weather Minima
Classification of Airspace
Requirements and Procedures
Aerodromes and Airports
Air Traffic Services

READINGS

From the Ground Up, pages 91-107, 115-118, 213-226.

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