Canadian Aviation Regulations (SOR/96-433)

Instrument Approaches

• 602.127 (1) Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate air traffic control unit, the pilot-in-command of an IFR aircraft shall, when conducting an approach to an aerodrome or a runway, ensure that the approach is made in accordance with the instrument approach procedure.

• (2) No pilot-in-command of an IFR aircraft shall commence an instrument approach procedure unless the aircraft altimeter is set to an altimeter setting that is usable at the aerodrome where the approach is to be conducted.

• (3) No pilot-in-command of an IFR aircraft shall conduct a landing following an instrument approach unless, immediately before landing, the pilot-in-command ascertains, by means of radiocommunication or visual inspection,

  • (a) the condition of the runway or surface of intended landing; and

  • (b) the wind direction and speed.

Contact Approach — Authorization

602.127.1 A pilot-in-command shall not conduct a contact approach unless authorized by the appropriate ATC unit.

Contact Approach — Conditions

• 602.127.2 (1) Before requesting authorization to conduct a contact approach, the pilot-in-command of an IFR aircraft shall

  • (a) ensure that the aircraft is being operated clear of cloud and that flight visibility is not less than one mile;

  • (b) establish visual contact with the surface of the earth; and

  • (c) determine that they are able to proceed to the aerodrome of intended landing while complying with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b).

• (2) When conducting the contact approach, the pilot-in-command shall

  • (a) avoid entering any restricted airspace;

  • (b) comply with the requirements of paragraphs (1)(a) and (b); and

  • (c) immediately advise the appropriate ATC unit if they are unable to complete the contact approach.

Visual Approach — Authorization

602.127.3 A pilot-in-command shall not conduct a visual approach unless authorized by the appropriate ATC unit.

Visual Approach — Conditions

• 602.127.4 (1) Before requesting authorization to conduct a visual approach, the pilot-in-command of an IFR aircraft shall

  • (a) ensure that they are operating the aircraft in VMC;

  • (b) establish visual contact with the aerodrome of intended landing; and

  • (c) determine that they are able to proceed to the aerodrome of intended landing while complying with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b).

• (2) Before accepting authorization to conduct a visual approach, the pilot-in-command shall

  • (a) ensure that they are operating the aircraft in VMC;

  • (b) establish visual contact with the aerodrome of intended landing or with the aircraft from which they must maintain visual separation; and

  • (c) determine that they are able to

    • (i) proceed to the aerodrome of intended landing in VMC,

    • (ii) maintain visual separation from, and avoid the wake turbulence of, a preceding aircraft, if instructed to do so, and

    • (iii) conduct the approach in accordance with any instructions issued with the authorization.

• (3) When conducting the visual approach, the pilot-in-command shall

  • (a) ensure that they are operating the aircraft in VMC;

  • (b) avoid entering any restricted airspace; and

  • (c) immediately advise the appropriate ATC unit if they are unable to complete the visual approach.

Landing Minima

• 602.128 (1) No pilot-in-command of an IFR aircraft shall conduct an instrument approach procedure except in accordance with the minima specified in the Canada Air Pilot or the Restricted Canada Air Pilot.

• (2) No pilot-in-command of an IFR aircraft shall, unless the required visual reference necessary to continue the approach to land has been established,

  • (a) in the case of a CAT I or CAT II precision approach, continue the final approach descent below the decision height; or

  • (b) in the case of a non-precision approach, descend below the minimum descent altitude.

• (3) Where the pilot-in-command of an IFR aircraft conducting an instrument approach does not establish the required visual reference referred to in subsection (2), the pilot-in-command shall initiate a missed approach procedure

  • (a) in the case of a CAT I or CAT II precision approach, at decision height; and

  • (b) in the case of a non-precision approach, at the missed approach point.

• (4) Despite anything in this Division, no pilot-in-command of an IFR aircraft shall conduct a precision approach to CAT II or CAT III minima unless

  • (a) the flight crew has received the training specified in the Manual of All Weather Operations (Categories II and III); and

  • (b) the aircraft is operated in accordance with the procedures, the equipment requirements and the limitations specified in the manual referred to in paragraph (a).

Approach Ban — General

• 602.129 (1) This section does not apply in respect of aircraft operated under Part VII.

• (2) For the purposes of subsection (4), the RVR with respect to an aeroplane is less than the minimum RVR if

  • (a) where the RVR is measured by RVR “A” and RVR “B”, the RVR measured by RVR “A” for the runway of intended approach is less than 1,200 feet or the RVR measured by RVR “B” for the runway of intended approach is less than 600 feet; or

  • (b) where the RVR is measured by only one of RVR “A” and RVR “B”, the RVR for the runway of intended approach is less than 1,200 feet.

• (3) For the purposes of subsection (4), the RVR with respect to a helicopter is less than the minimum RVR if

  • (a) where the RVR is measured by RVR “A” and RVR “B”, the RVR measured by RVR “A” for the surface of intended approach is less than 1,200 feet; or

  • (b) where the RVR is measured by only one of RVR “A” and RVR “B”, the RVR for the surface of intended approach is less than 1,200 feet.

• (4) Where the RVR is reported to be less than the minimum RVR set out in subsection (2) or (3), as applicable, no person shall continue an instrument approach in an IFR aircraft unless

  • (a) at the time the RVR report is received, the aircraft has passed the FAF inbound or, where there is no FAF, the point where the final approach course is intercepted;

  • (b) the aircraft is on a training flight where a landing is not intended and the appropriate air traffic control unit is informed that a missed approach procedure will be initiated at or above the decision height or minimum descent altitude, as appropriate;

  • (c) the RVR is varying between distances less than and greater than the minimum RVR;

  • (d) the RVR is less than the minimum RVR, and the ground visibility at the aerodrome where the runway is located is reported to be at least one quarter of a mile; or

  • (e) the pilot-in-command of the aircraft is conducting a precision approach to CAT III minima.

• (5) No pilot-in-command of an IFR aircraft shall commence a non-precision approach, an APV or a CAT I or CAT II precision approach to an airport where low-visibility procedures are in effect.

Approach Ban — CAT III Precision

• 602.130 (1) This section does not apply in respect of aircraft operated under Part VII.

• (2) No person shall continue a CAT III precision approach in an IFR aircraft beyond the FAF inbound or, where there is no FAF, the point where the final approach course is intercepted, unless the RVR reported is equal to or greater than the minimum RVR specified in the Canada Air Pilot in respect of the runway or surface of intended approach for the instrument approach procedure conducted.

Runway Visibility

• 602.131 (1) When no reading from RVR “A” or RVR “B” for the runway of intended approach is available, runway visibility is assessed

  • (a) by a pilot holding an instrument rating and in the manner set out in section 622.131 of Standard 622 — Pilot Assessment of Runway Visibility Standards of the General Operating and Flight Rules Standards; or

  • (b) by a person qualified in accordance with section 804.26 and in the manner set out in section 804.25.

• (2) The assessment of runway visibility is valid only for a period of 20 minutes after it is established.

[602.132 reserved]

Division VIII — Radiocommunications

Language Used in Aeronautical Radiocommunications

602.133 English and French are the languages of aeronautical radiocommunication in Canada.

Request for Air Traffic Services

602.134 Any person operating an aircraft who wishes to receive air traffic services referred to in section 801.24 in English or French shall make their request known to the appropriate ATS unit by means of an initial radiocommunication in English or French.

602.135 [Reserved, SOR/2019-119, s. 35]

[602.135 Reserved]

Continuous Listening Watch

602.136 Subject to sections 602.137 and 602.138, where an aircraft is equipped with radiocommunication equipment, the pilot-in-command shall ensure that

• (a) a listening watch is maintained on the appropriate frequency; and

• (b) where communications are required, communication is established with an air traffic services unit or community aerodrome radio station, as applicable, on that appropriate frequency.

Two-way Radiocommunication Failure in IFR Flight

• 602.137 (1) Where there is a two-way radiocommunication failure between the controlling air traffic control unit and an IFR aircraft that is in or has received a clearance to enter controlled airspace, the pilot-in-command shall

  • (a) maintain a listening watch on the appropriate frequency for control messages or further clearance and acknowledge receipt of any such messages, if possible, by any means available;

  • (b) set the transponder to code 7600; and

  • (c) attempt to establish communications with any air traffic services facility or other aircraft, inform the facility or aircraft of the difficulty and request it to relay the information to the last air traffic control unit with which communications had been established.

• (2) Where communications cannot be established with any air traffic services facility, either directly or by relay through an intermediary, the pilot-in-command shall, except where specific instructions to cover an anticipated communications failure have been received from an air traffic control unit, comply with the procedures specified by the Minister in the Canada Air Pilot and the Canada Flight Supplement.

Two-way Radiocommunication Failure in VFR Flight

602.138 Where there is a two-way radiocommunication failure between the controlling air traffic control unit and a VFR aircraft while operating in Class B, Class C or Class D airspace, the pilot-in-command shall

• (a) leave the airspace

  • (i) where the airspace is a control zone, by landing at the aerodrome for which the control zone is established, and

  • (ii) in any other case, by the shortest route;

• (b) where the aircraft is equipped with a transponder, set the transponder to code 7600; and

• (c) inform an air traffic control unit as soon as possible of the actions taken pursuant to paragraph (a).

[602.139 to 602.142 reserved]

Division IX — Emergency Communications and Security

Emergency Radio Frequency Capability

602.143 No person shall operate an aircraft equipped with two-way VHF radiocommunication equipment unless the equipment is capable of providing communication on VHF frequency 121.5 MHz.

Interception Signals, Interception of Aircraft and Instructions to Land

• 602.144 (1) No person shall give an interception signal or an instruction to land except

  • (a) a peace officer, an officer of a police authority or an officer of the Canadian Armed Forces acting within the scope of their duties; or

  • (b) a person authorized to do so by the Minister pursuant to subsection (2).

• (2) The Minister may authorize a person to give an interception signal or an instruction to land if such authorization is in the public interest and is not likely to affect aviation safety.

• (3) The pilot-in-command of an aircraft who receives an instruction to land from a person referred to in subsection (1) shall, subject to any direction received from an air traffic control unit, comply with the instruction.

• (4) The pilot-in-command of an intercepting aircraft and the pilot-in-command of an intercepted aircraft shall comply with the rules of interception set out in the Canada Flight Supplement.

ADIZ

• 602.145 (1) This section applies in respect of aircraft before entering into and while operating within the ADIZ, the dimensions of which are specified in the Designated Airspace Handbook.

• (2) Every flight plan or flight itinerary required to be filed pursuant to this section shall be filed with an air traffic services unit or a community aerodrome radio station.

• (3) The pilot-in-command of an aircraft whose point of departure within the ADIZ or last point of departure before entering the ADIZ has facilities for the transmission of flight plan or flight itinerary information shall

  • (a) before take-off, file a flight plan or flight itinerary;

  • (b) in the case of a VFR aircraft where the point of departure is outside the ADIZ,

    • (i) indicate in the flight plan or flight itinerary the estimated time and point of ADIZ entry, and

    • (ii) as soon as possible after take-off, communicate by radio to an air traffic control unit, a flight service station or a community aerodrome radio station a position report of the aircraft’s location, altitude, aerodrome of departure and estimated time and point of ADIZ entry; and

  • (c) in the case of a VFR aircraft where the point of departure is within the ADIZ, as soon as possible after take-off, communicate by radio to an air traffic control unit, a flight service station or a community aerodrome radio station a position report of the aircraft’s location, altitude and aerodrome of departure.

• (4) The pilot-in-command of an aircraft whose point of departure within the ADIZ or last point of departure before entering the ADIZ does not have facilities for the transmission of flight plan or flight itinerary information shall

  • (a) as soon as possible after take-off, file by radiocommunication a flight plan or flight itinerary; and

  • (b) in the case of a VFR aircraft, indicate in the flight plan or flight itinerary the estimated time and point of ADIZ entry, if applicable.

• (5) The pilot-in-command of a VFR aircraft shall revise the estimated time and point of ADIZ entry and inform an air traffic control unit, a flight service station or a community aerodrome radio station, when the aircraft is not expected to arrive

  • (a) within plus or minus five minutes of the estimated time at

    • (i) a reporting point,

    • (ii) the point of ADIZ entry, or

    • (iii) the point of destination within the ADIZ; or

  • (b) within 20 nautical miles of

    • (i) the estimated point of ADIZ entry, or

    • (ii) the centre line of the route of flight indicated in the flight plan or flight itinerary.