Course 3 Section 5 - Classification of Canadian Airspace

Question 1

How are vertical divisions of canadian airspace made with reference to?

Answer 1

They are made with reference to SEA LEVEL, not ground level

Question 2

Define the Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA)

Answer 2

the canadian domestic airspace (CDA) includes all the airspace over the canadian land mass, the canadian arctic and the canadian archipelago, and over areas of the high seas within the airspace boundries

Question 3

How is the CDA divided laterally?

Answer 3

into the Northern Domestic Airspace and the Southern Domestic Airspace

Question 4

How is the CDA divided vertically?

Answer 4

High level airspace - 18000 feet ASL and above
Low level airspace - below 18000 feet ASL

Question 5

How is high level airspace divided?

Answer 5

High level airspace is divided into three separate areas of controlled airspace

Southern Control Area (SCA)
- Within the SDA (Southern domestic Airspace) at 18,000 feet ASL and above

Northern Control Area (NCA)
-Within the NDA (Northern Domestic Airspace) at FL230 and above

Arctic Control Area (ACA)
Within the NDA (Northern Domestic Airspace) at FL270 and above

Question 6

How many classes of airspace are there?

Answer 6

Seven
Each class identified (Class A through Class G)

Governed by CAR 601.01 Division I - Airspace Structure, Classification and USE)

Question 7

What is the learning AID for remembering the different types of Airspace?

Answer 7

Class A(ltitude) - Altitude 18,000 or above (IFR Only)

Class B(elow) - Below 18,000, but above 12,500 (IFR and CVFR

Class C(learance) - Clearance Required

Class D(ialogue) - Dialogue required

Class E(asy for VFR) - Easy for VFR (IFR Separation only)

Class F(ancy) - Fancy Airspace (Advisory, Restricted, Danger)

Class G(eneral) - General Aispace (uncontrolled)

Question 8

Class A Airspace

Answer 8

Altitude 18,000 ASL and above (IFR only)

Class A airspace is all controlled high level airspace (IFR only) within the Southern, Northern and Arctic control areas

• Only IFR aircraft are permitted
• All aircraft are subject to ATC clearance and instruction
• ATC separation is provided to all aircraft
• Aircraft must be equipped with a transponder and automatic pressure-altitude reporting equipment

Question 9

Class B Airspace

Answer 9

Below 18,000, but above 12,500 ASL

Class B includes all controlled low-level airspace above 12,500 feet ASL (or above the minimum enroute altitude) and up to BUT NOT INCLUDING 18,000 feet ASL)

• Primarily for IFR, but VFR flights are permitted
• All aircraft are subject to ATC clearance and instruction
• ATC separation is provided to all aircraft
• VFR aircraft must have specific equipment on board (dealt with in that other flashcard)

Note: Associated terminal control areas may also be classified as Class B

Question 10

Class C Airspace

Answer 10

Class C

Clearance Required

Control Zones and associated terminal control areas may be designated as Class C airspace.
Because these areas vary in size, Class C dimensions vary across Canada

-Both IFR and VFR flights are permitted
-VFR flights require an ATC clearance to enter class C airspace
-ATC separation is provided to all IFR aircraft
-All aircraft are provided with air traffic information
-ATC will provide conflict resolution between IFR and VFR flights as necessary, and between VFR flights upon request, after traffic information has been provided
-VFR flights must have specific equipment on board (see other flashcard)
-Class C airspace becomes class E airspace if the appropriate ATC unit is not in operation

Pilots are expected to know where Class C airspace is and proceed accordingly

Question 11

Class D Airspace

Answer 11

Dialogue Required

Control Zones and associated terminal control areas may also be designated as Class D airspace

-Both IFR and VFR flights are permitted
-VFR flights do not require ATC clearance to enter class D airspace provided they have the required equipment
-VFR flights must establish two-way communication with the appropriate ATC agency prior to entering class D airspace
-ATC separation is provided to all IFR aircraft
-All aircraft are provided with air traffic information
-ATC provides conflict resolution between IFR and VFR flights, and between VFR flights upon request (equipment permitting)
-Class D airspace becomes Class E airspace if the appropriate ATC unit is not in operation

The dimensions vary in the same way as Class C airspace. Pilots are expected to know where the Class D airspace is and proceed accordingly

Question 12

Class E Airspace

Answer 12

Easy for VFR

All airports that are serviced by flight service stations have Class E airspace around them. Class E airspace exists where there is an operation need for controlled airspace, but the requirements for Class A, B, C or D airspace are not met.

• Both IFR and VFR aircraft are permitted
• ATC separation is provided only to IFR aircraft
• All aircraft, including VFR aircraft, must be equipped with a transponder and automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment in areas designated as transponder airspace

The dimensions vary in the same way as class C and D airspace. Pilots are expected to know where class E airpsace is and proceed accordingly

*** Class C and D airspace both become class E airspace when the associated ATC unit ceases operation

*** Low-level airways, control area extensions, transition areas, and control zones may all be classified as Class E airspace

Question 13

Class F Airspace

Answer 13

Fancy Airspace

Class F is special use airspace.

• Flight rules for all flights, including VFR flights, are defined by the specialized activities being conducted
• When class F airspace is inactive, the rules of the surrounding airspace apply

This can include restricted military use

Question 14

Class G Airspace

Answer 14

General airspace

Class G is all uncontrolled domestic airspace

All airspace that is not designated as Class A,B,C,D,E, or F is class G

No ATC services are provided. ATC does not have the authority nor the responsibility for control over aircraft in class G airspace
Flight information service (like weather updates) and alerting services are provided
There are no special requirements for VFR flights

***note an aircraft flying at FL200 in northern domestic airspace would be in uncontrolled airspace since the NCA begins at FL230

Question 15

VFR Flight Rules in Class A, E, F, G

Answer 15

Class A - No VFR

Class E - Transponders and automatic pressure-altitude reporting equipment are required in areas designated as “transponder airspace”

Class F - Must follow rules as defined by the specialized activities being conducted

Class G - No special requirements for VFR flights

Question 16

VFR Flight rules in Class B Airspace

Answer 16

-Radio capable of two-way communication
-Transponder
-Automatic pressure-altitude reporting equipment
-Ability to maintain a listening watch on the assigned frequency
-Radio navigation equipment capable of using navigation facilities for the flight plan
-ability to report over a point assigned by ATS
-ability to fly in VFR meteorological conditions
(If conditions change, the pilot needs to either get clearance into VMC conditions, switch to IFR flight if able or leave class B airspace)

Question 17

VFR Flight rules for class C airspace

Answer 17

-Radio capable of two-way communication
-Transponder
-Automatic pressure-altitude reporting equipment
-Ability to maintain a listening watch on the assigned frequency

if an aircraft does not have this equipment a pilot may enter class C airspace during daylight hours with prior authorization

Question 18

VFR Flight rules for class D airspace

Answer 18

-Radio capable of two-way communication
-Transponder
-Automatic pressure-altitude reporting equipment
-Ability to maintain a listening watch on the assigned frequency

If an aircraft does not have this equipment a pilot may enter class D airspace during daylight hours with prior authorization

Question 19

What are the three designations of Class F airspace?

Answer 19

Advisory
Restricted
Danger

Question 20

Class F - Advisory

Answer 20

potentially hazardous activities may be taking place

VFR aircraft should avoid these areas, if possible

IFR flights not permitted unless the pilot has obtained permission

Question 21

Class F - Restricted

Answer 21

Class F restricted airspace is more dangerous than advisory airspace. The activities occurring in this airspace pose serious safety and security risks.

Examples include areas of high military importance and areas where live firing or high speed pilot training is taking place

Although IFR traffic may occassionally cross into advisory areas, aircraft are kept clear of restricted areas by the appropriate lateral or vertical minimum

Question 22

Class F - Danger

Answer 22

Class F danger airspace is airspace of defined dimensions, above international waters, within which activities dangerous to other aircraft might be taking place at specified times

Similar to class F restricted but over international waters

eg, mid air refuelling of military aircraft

Question 23

Class F Airspace - Clearing IFR aircraft

Answer 23

ATC will not clear IFR aircraft through Class F airspace unless it meets ONE OF THREE conditions

• permission has been obtained from the user agency (eg military)
• the aircraft is operating on an altitude reservations approval
• the aircraft has been cleared for contact or visual approach

IFR aircraft will be separated by 500 feet from active Class F airspace or 1000 feet if wake turbulence separation is applicable

Question 24

Class F Coding system

Answer 24

CYA113(A)

CY = country code. CY = Canada

third letter is the category
A: Advisory
R: Restricted
D: Danger

Three digit code is province and area
101-199 BC
201-299 AB
301-399 SK
401-499 MB
501-599 ON
601-699 QB
701-799 Atlantic Provinces
801-899 Yukon
901-999 Northwest territories, Nunavut and Arctic

(Letter) in parenthesis is activity type
(A) - Acrobatic
(F) - Aircraft test area
(H) - Hang gliding
(M) - Military operations
(P) - Parachuting
(S) - Soaring
(T) - Training

Question 25

Class F Coding System in practice

Answer 25

ATS personnel can assist pilots when they are encroaching on Class F airspace by advising them on what is taking place and helping them avoid the specific areas

These may include areas that must always be avoided, like an air force base, or areas where access is temporarily blocked, like acrobatic airspace for an airshow

In the latter case, a notice will be issued describing the location and activity of the airspace

Question 26

ADD MISSING INFO ON AIRSPACE CLASSES!!!!!