Canadian airspace is classified similarly to the standard ICAO airspace classes, but there are a few major differences. Airspace is managed by Transport Canada and detailed information is available in the Designated Airspace Handbook which is published every two months by Natural Resources Canada. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations, develops the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. ... The Department of Transport, also referred to as Transport Canada, is the department within the government of Canada which is responsible for developing regulations, policies and services of transportation in Canada. ... The Department of Natural Resources, also referred to as Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), is a department of the government of Canada responsible for natural resources, energy, minerals and metals, forests, earth sciences, mapping and remote sensing. ...

Canadian Domestic Airspace

This diagram shows the three Canadian Control Areas, and the altitudes at which Class A airspace begins in each. The Arctic and Northern Control Areas are in the Northern Domestic Airspace, while the Southern Control Area is in the Southern Domestic Airspace.

The Canadian Domestic Airspace includes all of Canada and extends out over the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans. It is broadly divided into the Northern Domestic Airspace (NDA) and the Southern Domestic Airspace (SDA). The Pacific Ocean (from the Latin name Mare Pacificum, peaceful sea, bestowed upon it by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan) is the worlds largest body of water. ... The Arctic Ocean, located mostly in the north polar region, is the smallest of the worlds five oceans, and the shallowest. ...

There are three main differences between the two areas. Most importantly, the NDA is designated as a "standard pressure" region while the SDA is a "altimeter setting" region. This means that pilots operating in the SDA will calibrate their altimeter to atmospheric pressure according to information available at airports and through weather services. Conversely, in the NDA, pilots calibrate their altimeters to 29.92 inches of mercury regardless of the actual atmospheric pressure. This is done because weather information is not available for all areas of the far north, so it is better that all pilots use a standard setting in order to avoid collisions. Temperature and air pressure can vary from one place to another on the Earth, and can also vary in the same place with time. ... An altimeter is an active instrument used to measure the altitude of an object above a fixed level. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Mercury, Hg, 80 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 12 (IIB), 6, d Density, Hardness liquid 13. ...

Another major difference between the NDA and SDA is that magnetic declination is not used in the NDA. Because the magnetic north pole is in the NDA, magnetic declinations are very large; sometimes even 180°! This is further complicated by the fact that magnetic north moves approximately 200 miles (320 km) in an elliptical path every day. For these reasons, "true" headings are always used in the NDA while magnetic headings are frequently used in the SDA for convenience. The magnetic declination (or magnetic variation) at any point on the earth is an angle that must be added or subtracted in converting between two kinds of directional information: the direction of the needle on a magnetic compass located there, and the direction of the earths lines of longitude. ... A North Pole is the northernmost point on any planet. ...

The final difference between the NDA and the SDA has to do with the location of Class A airspace in each region. This is explained in more detail below.

Airspace Classes

There are seven classes of airspace in Canada, and each is designated by a letter (A through G).

• Class A airspace exists exclusively between FL180 and FL600. In the SDA, it begins at 18,000. However, in the NDA it does not. The NDA is divided into to Control Areas: the Arctic Control Area (ACA) and the Northern Control Area (NCA). In the NCA, Class A airspace extends upwards from FL230, and FL 280 in the ACA. The airspace between FL180 and the beginning Class A airspace is designated Class G airspace.
  • For entry into Class A airspace, an aircraft needs a functional Mode C transponder and an IFR clearance.

• Class B airspace exists between 12,500 ft. and 18,000 ft. everywhere in Canada. Occasionally, Class B airspace exists in other locations, though this is unusual.
  • For entry into Class B airspace, an aircraft needs a functional Mode C transponder and either an IFR or a CVFR (Controlled VFR) clearance.

• Class C airspace is usually a control zone for a large airport. These areas have a 10 nautical mile radius and a height of 3,000 ft. AAE.
  • For entry into a Class C control zone, an aircraft needs a functional Mode C transponder and an ATC clearance.

• Class D airspace is usually a control zone for smaller airports or aerodromes that has a 5 nautical mile radius and a height of 3,000 ft. AAE. Airports in extremely busy airspace may have only a 3 nautical mile radius control zone.
  • For entry into a Class D control zone, an aircraft needs to contact ATC. Some Class D control zones require transponders, and NORDO flight is not permitted at night in a Class D zone.

• Class E airspace is used for low-level flight routes and for aerodromes with very little traffic. ATC is available, but is not required. Some Class D control zones change to Class E at night if the control tower shuts down.
  • Any aircraft may fly in Class E airspace.

• Class F airspace is restricted. Any Class F zone will be designated either CYR, CYD, or CYA. CYR stands for restricted, CYD means danger (usually used for CYR areas over international waters), and CYA stands for advisory. CYA zones will also have a letter identifying the type of activity in the zone: A - aerobatics, F - aircraft testing, H - hang gliding, M - military, P - parachuting, S - soaring, T - training.
  • For entry into a CYR or CYD zone, an aircraft needs the permission of the operating authority. Pilots may enter CYA zones at their discretion, but are encouraged to avoid them unless taking part in the activity.

• Any airspace that is not designated is Class G airspace. This airspace is uncontrolled, and ATC is not usually available (though exceptions are made).
  • Any aircraft may fly in Class G airspace.

In aviation, a flight level is the nominal altitude of an aircraft referenced to a standard pressure datum, as opposed to the real altitude above mean sea level. ... In telecommunication, the term transponder (sometimes abbreviated to XPDR or TPDR) has the following meanings: An automatic device that receives, amplifies, and retransmits a signal on a different frequency. ... Instrument flight rules (IFR) allow an aircraft to be flown in weather conditions that do not meet the minimum requirements for visual flight rules (VFR). ... A nautical mile is a unit of distance, or length, as physical scientists like to call it. ... Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs) at Schiphol Airport Air traffic control (ATC) services are provided by ground based controllers responsible for directing aircraft on the ground and in the air to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow is maintained. ... NORDO, short for No Radio, is an aviation term for flights that have experienced a radio communications failure. ... Soon after aircraft were invented, pilots realised that they could be used as part of a flying circus to entertain people or impress others in what was termed aerobatics. ... Hang gliding is one of the windsports. ... Skydiver about to land Parachuting, or skydiving, is a recreational activity, competitive sport and method of deployment of military personnel (and occasionally, firefighters). ...

Other Important Features

Some control zones have unique procedures because of terrain or air traffic demands. These procedures are published in the Canada Flight Supplement. Another important feature of Canadian airspace is the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) that surrounds North America. In the United States an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) is a portion of airspace where identification and location of aircraft is necessary for national defense. ... World map showing location of North America A satellite composite image of North America North America is the third largest continent in area and in population after Eurasia and Africa. ...

References

• Designated Airspace Handbook (http://aero.nrcan.gc.ca/english/ATS_dah_e.html)