On compte sept différentes classifications de l'espace aérien intérieur canadien. L'imposition d'une classification à une structure d'espace aérien détermine les règles d'exploration qui y seront appliquées, le niveau de service ATC qui y sera assuré et, dans certains cas, les exigences en matière de communications et d'équipement.
La structure de l'espace aérien définit les dimensions physiques des subdivisions de l'espace aérien, comme les zones de contrôle (CZ), les régions de contrôle terminal (TCA), les prolongements de région de contrôle (CAE) et les voies aériennes.
Canadian Domestic Airspace (CDA) has seven classifications. The application of any classification to an airspace structure determines the operating rules, the level of ATC service provided within the structure and, in some instances, communications and equipment requirements.
The airspace structure defines the physical dimensions of the elements into which the airspace is divided, such as control zones (CZ), terminal control areas (TCA), control area extensions (CAE) and airways.
What is Class B airspace?
Class B airspace is designated where an operational need exists to provide ATC service to IFR aircraft and to control VFR flights.
Operations may be conducted under IFR or VFR. All aircraft are subject to ATC clearances and instructions. ATC separation is provided between all aircraft. VFR flights are conducted as controlled VFR flights.
Class B airspace dimensions: All low-level controlled airspace above 12,500 feet ASL or at and above the minimum en route altitude (MEA), whichever is higher, up to but not including 18,000 feet ASL, is Class B airspace.
Control zones and associated terminal control areas may also be classified as Class B airspace, starting from the ground.
Notes
1. No person shall operate an aircraft in Class B controlled airspace in VFR flight unless:
(a) the aircraft is equipped with:
(i) radio communication equipment capable of two-way communication with the appropriate ATS facility;
(ii) radio navigation equipment capable of using navigation facilities to enable the aircraft to be operated in accordance with the flight plan; and
(iii) a transponder and automatic pressure-altitude reporting equipment, including ADS-B.
(b) a continuous listening watch is maintained by a flight crew member on a radio frequency assigned by ATC;
(c) except as otherwise authorized by ATC, when the aircraft is over a reporting point a position report is transmitted to the appropriate unit or, when so directed by ATC, to an FSS; and
(d) the aircraft is operated in VMC at all times.
2. A person operating an aircraft on a VFR flight in Class B airspace shall operate the aircraft in VMC at all times. When it becomes evident that flight in VMC will not be possible at the altitude or along the route specified, the pilot shall:
(a) request an ATC clearance that will enable the aircraft to be operated in VMC to the filed destination, or to another aerodrome;
(b) where the person is the holder of a valid instrument rating, request an IFR clearance for flight under the instrument flight rules; or
(c) where the Class B airspace is a control zone, request an authorization for special VFR flight.
3. A person operating an aircraft in Class B controlled airspace in VFR flight who is unable to comply with the requirements of the preceding paragraphs shall ensure that:
(a) the aircraft is operated in VMC at all times;
(b) the aircraft leaves Class B controlled airspace:
(i) by the safest and shortest route, either exiting horizontally or descending, or
(ii) when that airspace is a control zone, by landing at the aerodrome on which the control zone is based; and
(c) an ATC unit is informed as soon as possible of the actions taken pursuant to paragraph (b).
Sur l'extrait de LO en route ci-dessus, les routes T789 et T676 sur fond blanc sont dans l'espace aérien contrôlé. Les informations sur fond orange de la T789 nous indiquent des altitudes minimales en route (MEA) de 12 700 et 14 500 pieds ASL, et celles sur fond rouge de la T676 nous indiquent des MEA à 12 800 et 14 100 pieds ASL. Étant donné que l’espace aérien de classe B comprend tout l’espace aérien contrôlé de niveau inférieur au-dessus de 12 500 pieds ASL ou à partir de la MEA et au-dessus (l’altitude la plus élevée étant retenue) jusqu’à 18 000 pi ASL exclusivement, ces routes sont dans l'espace aérien de classe B jusqu'à 18 000 pieds (après quoi elles se retrouveraient dans l'espace aérien de classe A).
In the excerpt from an LO en route chart above, the T789 and T676 routes on a white background are in controlled airspace. The information on an orange background for T789 indicates minimum en route altitudes (MEAs) of 12,700 and 14,500 feet ASL, and the information on a red background for T676 indicates MEAs of 12,800 and 14,100 feet ASL. Given that Class B airspace includes all controlled lower-level airspace above 12,500 feet ASL or from the MEA and above (whichever is higher) up to but not including 18,000 feet ASL, these routes are in Class B airspace up to 18,000 feet (after which they would be in Class A airspace).
What is Class C airspace?</h2>
Class C airspace is a controlled airspace within which both IFR and VFR flights are permitted, but VFR flights require a clearance from ATC to enter. ATC separation is provided between all aircraft operating under IFR. Conflict resolution is provided, when necessary, to resolve possible conflicts between VFR and IFR aircraft. All aircraft will be provided with traffic information. Conflict resolution between VFR aircraft can be provided upon request, after VFR aircraft are provided with traffic information. Runway separation is provided between all aircraft.
Traffic information is issued to advise pilots of known or observed air traffic which may be in proximity to their aircraft’s position or intended route of flight warranting their attention. Conflict resolution is defined as the resolution of potential conflicts between IFR and VFR aircraft and between VFR aircraft that are identified and in communication with ATC.
Airspace classified as Class C becomes Class E airspace when the appropriate ATC unit is not in operation.
Class C airspace dimensions: Terminal control areas and associated control zones may be classified as Class C airspace and can extend from the ground up to 12,500 feet above sea level (ASL). These areas usually have a 10 NM radius.
The actual Class C airspace dimensions will vary from one airport to another for various operational reasons. It is therefore of utmost importance to consult the VTA or VNC chart for a given airport before flying into it.
A person operating an aircraft in VFR flight in Class C airspace shall ensure that:
(a) the aircraft is equipped with:
(i) radio communication equipment capable of two-way communication with the appropriate ATC unit, and
(ii) a transponder and automatic pressure-altitude reporting equipment, and
(b) a continuous listening watch is maintained by a flight crew member on a radio frequency assigned by ATC.
A person wishing to operate an aircraft that is not equipped with functioning communication and transponder equipment for VFR flight in Class C airspace may, during daylight hours and in VMC, enter Class C airspace provided that permission to enter and operate within the airspace is obtained from ATC prior to the operation being conducted.
Sur l'extrait de VNC ci-dessus, deux informations nous intéressent :
- L'indication sur fond orange « CZ "C" 2500 (2400) » et sa délimitation indiquent la présence d'une zone de contrôle de classe C allant jusqu'à 2 500 pieds ASL (2 400 pieds AGL);
- L'indication sur fond rouge donne la fréquence sur laquelle communiquer dans la zone de contrôle de classe C entre la surface et 2 500 pieds ASL (la tour de Victoria sur 119,7 MHz), et celle sur laquelle communiquer dans la zone terminale de classe C au-dessus de 2 500 pieds ASL jusqu'à 12 500 pieds ASL (le terminal de Victoria sur 127,8 MHz).
In the VNC excerpt above, two pieces of information are of interest to us:
- The “CZ "C" 2500 (2400)” indication on an orange background and its delineation indicate the presence of a Class C control zone up to 2,500 feet ASL (2,400 feet AGL).
- The indication on a red background provides the communication frequency within the Class C control zone between the surface and 2,500 feet ASL (Victoria Tower on 119.7 MHz), and the communication frequency within the Class C terminal area above 2,500 feet ASL up to 12,500 feet ASL (Victoria Terminal on 127.8 MHz).
What is Class D airspace?
Class D airspace is a 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. ATC separation is provided only between IFR aircraft. Aircraft will be provided with traffic information. Equipment and workload permitting, conflict resolution will be provided between VFR and IFR aircraft, and upon request between VFR aircraft. Runway separation is provided between all aircraft.
Airspace classified as Class D becomes Class E airspace when the appropriate ATC unit is not in operation.
Class D airspace dimensions: A terminal control area and associated control zone could be classified as Class D airspace. Class D airspace typically extends from the ground up to 3,000 feet above aerodrome elevation (AAE) over a radius of 5 NM (and 7 NM at larger airports).
The actual Class D airspace dimensions will vary from one airport to another for various operational reasons. It is therefore of utmost importance to consult the VTA or VNC chart for a given airport before flying into it.
A person operating an aircraft in VFR flight in Class D airspace shall ensure that:
(a) the aircraft is equipped with:
(i) radio communication equipment capable of two-way communication with the appropriate ATC unit, and
(ii) where the Class D airspace is specified as transponder airspace, a transponder and automatic pressurealtitude reporting equipment; and
(b) a continuous listening watch is maintained by a flight crew member on a radio frequency assigned by ATC.
A person operating an aircraft in VFR flight that is not equipped with the required radio communication equipment may, during daylight hours in VMC, enter Class D airspace, provided that permission to enter is obtained from the appropriate ATC unit prior to operating within the airspace.
Sur cet extrait de VNC, l'indication sur fond orange « CZ "D" 3000 (2900) » et sa délimitation indiquent la présence d'une zone de contrôle de classe D allant jusqu'à 3 000 pieds ASL (2 900 pieds AGL).
In this VNC excerpt, the “CZ "D" 3000 (2900)” indication on an orange background and its delineation indicate the presence of a Class D control zone up to 3,000 feet ASL (2,900 feet AGL).
Sur l'extrait de VNC ci-dessus, on distingue trois extensions de l'espace aérien de classe E :
- Une première débutant à 700 pieds AGL (en jaune);
- Une seconde débutant à 1 600 pieds AGL (en orange);
- Une troisième débutant à 8 000 pieds ASL (en rouge).
Ces trois espaces aériens de classe E s'étendent jusqu'à leur limite : 12 500 pieds ASL.
In the VNC excerpt above, three Class E airspace extensions are distinguished:
- The first starting at 700 feet AGL (in yellow)
- The second starting at 1,600 feet AGL (in orange)
- The third starting at 8,000 feet ASL (in red)
These three Class E airspaces extend up to their limit: 12,500 feet ASL.
Au Canada, chaque espace réglementé et de service consultatif s’est vu attribuer un code d’identification constitué de quatre parties :
- Partie a) : L’indicatif national « CY »;
- Partie b) : La lettre R pour une zone réglementée, la lettre A pour une zone de service consultatif ou la lettre D pour une zone dangereuse;
- Partie c) : Un numéro à trois chiffres qui identifie la zone concernée;
- Partie d) : Dans le cas des zones de service consultatif, une lettre placée entre parenthèses après les trois chiffres indique le type d’activité en cours dans la zone concernée :
(A) – Voltige
(F) – Essais d’aéronefs
(H) – Vol libre
(M) – Opérations militaires
(P) – Parachutisme
(S) – Vol à voile
(T) – Entraînement
Each restricted and advisory airspace within Canada has been assigned an identification code group, which consists of four parts:
- Part (a): The nationality letters CY;
- Part (b): The letter R for restricted area, the letter A for advisory area, or the letter D for danger area;
- Part (c): A three-digit number that identifies the area;
- Part (d): In the case of advisory areas, a letter in parentheses after the three-digit number that indicates the type of activity within the area, as follows:
(A) – Acrobatic
(F) – Aircraft Test
(H) – Hang Gliding
(M) – Military Operations
(P) – Parachuting
(S) – Soaring
(T) – Training
Sauf indication contraire, toutes les altitudes sont inclusives.
All altitudes will be inclusive, unless otherwise indicated.
Sur ces extraits de VTA, VNC et LO en rouge, nous constatons la présence de plusieurs genres d'espaces aériens de classe F :
- Les zones de service consultatif (CYA) sont en jaune. Les lettres entre parenthèses indiquent les activités dans la zone (A pour voltige, F pour essais d'aéronefs, H pour vol libre, M pour opérations militaires, P pour parachutisme, S pour vol à voile, et T pour entraînement);
- Les zones réglementées (CYR) sont en rouge.
In these excerpts from VTA, VNC and LO in red, we can see several types of Class F airspace:
- Advisory service areas (CYA) are coloured in yellow. The letters in brackets indicate the activities in the zone (A for acrobatic, F for aircraft test area, H for hang gliding, M for military operations, P for parachute dropping, S for soaring, and T for training).
- Restricted areas (CYR) are coloured in red.
Sur une LO en route, un fond vert indique que l'espace aérien est un espace aérien de classe G. L'espace aérien au-dessus des trois aérodromes de l'extrait de LO ci-dessus est donc un espace aérien de classe G.
On a LO en route chart, green shaded areas indicate that the airspace is Class G airspace. Therefore, the airspace containing the three aerodromes in the excerpt of the LO chart above is Class G airspace.