1.1 Canadian Domestic Airspace Structure (NDA, SDA, SPR, ASR, Class A–G)

• Canadian Domestic Airspace Structure:

• SDA (Magnetic tracks)
• NDA (True tracks)

• Must file an IFR flight plan and receive clearance before entering controlled airspace.
• Alternate Requirements: When weather at the destination is below 800-2 or 600-2 (precision/non-precision).
• IFR is permitted in Class G, but pilots are responsible for separation and obstacle clearance

Part IV - Recency, Validity and Privilege Requirements (401.05)

• Recency Requirment to act as PLC/SIC (Co-pilot):

• Have flown as PIC/SIC in the last 5 years or, Completed a flight review + written exam.

• For IFR use, within:

• 6 months: 6 hours IFR + 6 approaches
• 24 months: IPC, IFR flight test, or PPC with IFR component

• Study and Reference Guide for written

Part IV - Instrument Rating Groups – Privileges

Part IV - Air Traffic (601.31)

• Compliance with ATC Clearances:
• You must follow ATC clearance unless:

• Amended by ATC
• Emergency
• Unsafe to comply

Part IV - Altitude Compliance (601.73, 601.121, 601.123,602.34)

• Must fly at or above:

• MEA - Ensures obstacle clearance + NAVAID reception along the entire route
• MOCA - Provides obstacle clearance but guarantees navigation signal coverage only within 22 NM of a VOR.
• MOA - Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude
• 1,000’ AGL (non-mountainous), 2,000’ AGL (mountainous) if no published minimums

• Must not operate under VFR:

• Provides safe vertical clearance from obstructions
• Less than 1,000 ft AGL over built-up areas
• Unless in accordance with exceptions (e.g., takeoff/landing/emergency).

• IFR Cruising Direction & Altitudes:

• 000°–179° = Odd thousands (FL190, FL210...)
• 180°–359° = Even thousands (FL200, FL220...)

Part IV - IFR Position Reports (601.127,602.35 )

• Position Reports – IFR Controlled Airspace
• Must report when:

• Entering / leaving holds
• Reaching/Leaving clearance limit
• Missed approach
• VOR changeover point (when required)

• Sample Position

• Aircraft Identification – (e.g., Piper Arrow GVBV)
• Position – Name of the fix or waypoint (e.g., BOOTH Intersection)
• Time Over the Fix – (e.g., 1523 Zulu)
• Altitude – Current cruising altitude (e.g., 8000 feet)
• Estimated Time to Next Fix – (e.g., ETA JAKKU at 1545 Zulu)
• Next Fix After That – (e.g., Next fix after JAKKU is ALDER)

Part IV - Communications Failure (602.36)

• If 2-way comms fail in IFR

• Squawk 7600
• Maintain last assigned clearance
• Follow filed flight plan after clearance limit/time|Descend for approach and land as close to ETA as possible

Part VI - General Operating and Flight Rules - 601.71, 601.77, 601.137

• Pre-flight Information, Fuel, alternative, weather minima, Instrument Approaches, Landing Minima, Two-way Radio, Take-off Minima

Oxygen Requirements 601.88, 605.32

Operational and Emergency Equipment Requirements

Flight Preparation, Flight Plans and Flight Itineraries

Operations at or in the Vicinity of an Aerodrome

Instrument Flight Rules

602.126 Take-off Minima

• Takeoff in lower visibility requires specific CAP takeoff minima authorization or opertor approval
• Take off Minima - Canada (CARs602.126)

• 

Radiocommunications - IFR Departure Clearance Readback

• Clearance Limit – Destination (e.g., Cleared to Calgary)
• Departure Procedure (SID if applicable) – (e.g., Vancouver 4 departure)
• Route of Flight – (e.g., Flight planned route)
• Initial Altitude & Expectation – (e.g., Maintain 5000, expect FL190 in ten)
• Transponder Code – (e.g., Squawk 4321)

Aircraft Requirements - 605.18,605.30,401.47,401.48

• Power-driven Aircraft – IFR, De-Icing or Anti Icing,

Air Traffic Services

Air Traffic Services

Air Traffic Services

Route and flight Planning

6.Fuel requirements – aeroplanes, helicopters

• Fly to the destination aerodrome;
• Execute an approach and a missed approach;
• Fly to and land at the alternate aerodrome;
• Then fly for an additional 45 minutes at normal cruising speed.

Route and flight Planning

7. Weather requirements – take-off, landing, alternate

• Ensure that the destination's forecasted weather from one hour before to one hour after your ETA meets the required minima: a ceiling of at least 1,000 feet above the FAF altitude and visibility of at least 3 statute miles

Departure Procedures

• Single-engine aircraft require 1 SM visibility for IFR takeoff (unless otherwise published).
• Multi-engine aircraft may take off with ½ SM visibility.
• Takeoff alternates are required when the departure airport is below landing minima, not just because visibility is low.
• Takeoff Minima: Based on aircraft category; RVR 1200 or greater required in most cases, and check the airport’s published IFR takeoff minima in the CAP GEN and departure charts.

En Route Procedures

Intercept

• Use a 30°-45° intercept angle when joining a VOR radial for efficient tracking.
• CDI full deflection means you are far off-course—use an intercept heading.
• Inbound radial means flying opposite to the radial’s bearing (270° radial = 090° inbound).
• Avoid excessive corrections—small adjustments help maintain course accuracy.

• 

En Route Procedures

1. Position reports

• Position Reports: Required in non-radar environments and for altitude changes.

En Route Procedures

4. Altitude Limitations – MEA, MOCA, MRA, GASA

• 

Holding Procedures

Holding clearance, Entry, Standard holding pattern, Non-standard holding pattern, Timing, Speed limitations, DME, Shuttle

• Holding Entries:Direct, Parallel,Teardrop
• Adjusting for Wind: Apply correction on outbound leg to maintain position.
• Always check NOTAMs and approach plates for any published holding pattern variations

• 
• 

• Holding Pattern Part 1
• Holding Pattern Part 1
• Holding Pattern Part 1

Approach Procedures

Approach Categories

• Approach categories are based on VREF (reference landing speed) or 1.3 × VS0 (stall speed in landing configuration), whichever is higher.
• Precision Approaches: ILS/PAR, provide both lateral and vertical guidance.
• Non-Precision Approaches: VOR/NDB/LOC/RNAV, provide lateral guidance only.

• 
• 

Approach Procedures

An LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance) approach:

• Is an RNAV (GNSS) approach
• Uses WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System)
• Provides both lateral and vertical guidance
• Uses a DA (Decision Altitude), like an ILS
• But is not classified as a precision approach under ICAO

• 

Approach Procedures

Missed Approach

• Initiate at DA (Decision Altitude) for precision or MDA + MAPt for non-precision.
• At DA/MDA, if you do NOT have the required visual reference, you MUST go missed.
• Never descend below DA/MDA unless Runway or runway markings, Runway Lights and approach lights sytem visible.
• RVR is reported and it's below the minimum required, do not pass FAF

• 

Approach Procedures

Approach Ban

• ATC clearance does NOT override the approach ban.
• Approach categories are based on VREF (reference landing speed) or 1.3 × VS0 (stall speed in landing configuration), whichever is higher.
• Precision Approaches: ILS/PAR, provide both lateral and vertical guidance.
• Non-Precision Approaches: VOR/NDB/LOC/RNAV, provide lateral guidance only.
• Approach bans are based on visibility (RVR), NOT ceiling.
• You cannot continue an approach past the FAF if reported RVR is below minimums.
• Cannot continue below MDA/DH unless required visual references are in sight.
• You may continue if the RVR improves above minimums before reaching the FAF.
• Exceptions apply for certain aircraft with specific approach equipment (e.g., CAP GEN exemptions).
• Circling Approach: Requires maintaining visual reference with the airport.
• Approach Ban, a pilot must not continue an approach below the DA or MDA
• When:

CAP GEN Definitions

Emergencies

Low / High Pressure and Impact

• Definition

• Air Movement (Surface)

• Vertical Airflow

• Flight Planning Alert

• Altimeter Setting Caution

• Altitude/Separation Risk

• Fuel Consumption

• Aircraft Performance (Climb)

• Takeoff/Landing Conditions

• Ceilings & Visibility

• Weather-Driven Delays

• Enroute Hazards

• Icing Conditions

• Thunderstorm Potential

• Turbulence Zones

• Radio/Nav Issues

• Mountain Flying

• Runway Selection Impacts

• Common Synoptic Feature

• Pilot Decision-Making

Fundamentals of Weather

• Cold fronts are dynamic and cause sudden weather changes.
• Expect strong turbulence, wind shear, and convective cloud development (CB).
• Significant temperature drops and pressure rises occur after frontal passage.
• Precipitation is often heavy, short-lived, and associated with thunderstorms.

Icing

• Avoid icing conditions between -10°C and -20°C in visible moisture.

Turbulence

• Climbing to a higher altitude can help avoid icing layers and turbulence.
• Descending into a low-pressure system is often a bad idea, as icing and turbulence may worsen.
• ATC vectors are useful but may not always be available; altitude selection is the pilot’s responsibility.
• Check GFA (Graphical Area Forecast) and SIGMETs for freezing levels and turbulence advisories.

Turbulence

• Caused by terrain and buildings

Turbulence

• Rising
• warm
• air

Turbulence

• associated with cold fronts

Turbulence

• Wind shear can cause sudden airspeed and altitude loss, making approaches extremely dangerous.
• If wind shear is encountered below 1,000 feet AGL, an immediate missed approach is the safest response.
• Do not attempt to 'power through' severe wind shear—escape the hazard by climbing out of it.
• Low-Level Wind Shear (LLWS) advisories should always be taken seriously, especially during approach.

Turbulence

Thunderstorms

Aviation Weather Reports

Aviation Forecasts

• Provide forecasted/observed weather at airports.

Aviation Forecasts

• Warn about severe weather like thunderstorms, icing, or turbulence.

Weather Maps and Prognostic Charts

Weather Interpretation

Pitot Static System

• Blocked pitot tube → Airspeed increases in climb, decreases in descent.
• Blocked static port → Altimeter freezes, VSI shows no change.
• Blocked Pitot Tube (Drain Hole Open) → Airspeed reads zero
• Blocked Pitot Tube (Drain Hole Closed) → Airspeed acts like an altimeter
• Blocked Static Port → Airspeed, Altimeter, VSI all provide incorrect readings

Pitot Static Instruments

Gyroscopic Systems and Instruments

Magnetic Compass

VOR

• Provides radials; tracking inbound requires a TO indication, outbound requires FROM.

ADF NDB

• Aircraft heading affects needle but not station location.

ILS

GNSS

5. RAIM, Fault Detection & Exclusion

• GPS RAIM: Required for GNSS approaches to ensure signal integrity.
• RAIM (Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring): Checks GPS signal integrity before using RNAV.

Transponder

Other Systems – Basic Principles and Use

1. DME

• Provides slant-range distance (not ground distance).

Other Systems – Basic Principles and Use

2. VORTAC

Other Systems – Basic Principles and Use

5. Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI)

• HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator): Combines heading indicator and VOR/LOC course guidance.

Aviation Physiology

Aviation Psychology

Pilot - Equipment/Materials Relationship

Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT)

• Spatial Disorientation: Occurs when the body’s senses contradict instrument readings; rely on instruments.
• Hypoxia: Lack of oxygen at altitude, leading to impaired decision-making.
• Fatigue: Reduces reaction time and situational awareness.
• Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT): Happens when the aircraft is flown into the ground due to lack of situational awareness.

• Mea, MIA

• 

• IFR Approaches

• 

• Approach Symbols

• 

• AVEF Rule when radio failed

• 

• LPV Quick Comparison

• 

• Airspaces

• 

1. Air Law and Air Traffic Control Procedures (CARs Part VI, VII, AIM RAC)

2. Navigation

3. Meteorology

4. Instruments and Aircraft Systems

5. Flight Planning and IFR Operations

6. Human Factors and Airmanship

7. Personnel Licensing and Training

8. Emergency Procedures and Contingency Handling