Pilot Guidelines

General

The purpose of this document is to ensure that pilots follow similar procedures at all times in Canadian airspace.

It is mandatory for all IVAO members flying in Canada to follow these guidelines. Users who do not comply may be asked to close their connection.

Technical Information

1. Frequency
   Whenever practicable 122.8 (in real and if possible 126.7) should be continuously monitored via text mode only in uncontrolled airspace unless another frequency is more appropriate.


2. Altitudes
   All altitudes are above sea level (ASL) in feet.
• Transition Level: FL180 (exceptions in Northern Canada)
• Transition Altitude: 18'000 feet.


3. Squawk codes
   The following codes are allocated for use by pilots, without direction from ATC, for the purposes specified. Use these codes unless ATC instructs otherwise.
   a) Code 1200 - VFR flights at or below 12,500 feet.
   b) Code 1400 - VFR flights between 12,500 feet and FL180.
   c) Code 1000 - IFR flights in Low Level Airspace (below FL180).
   d) Code 2000 - IFR flights in High Level Airspace (FL180 and above).
   e) Code 7700 - Aircraft Emergency.
   f) Code 7600 - Radio Failure.
   g) Code 7500 - Hi jack. This code must NOT be used on the IVAO Network.


4. Speed restrictions
   Do not exeed 250 KIAS below 10,000 feet ASL. Below 3000 feet AGL and within 10 NM of a controlled airport do not exeed 200 KIAS unless authorized to do so in an air traffic control clearance. (3 exceptions are departure, special event, min safe speed). There is no speed restriction below 10'000ft for departing aircraft unless published.


5. Cruising Altitudes / Flight Levels appropriate to aircraft track:
   The appropriate altitude or flight level for an aircraft in level cruising flight is determined in accordance with the semicircular rule (also known as the hemispheric rule) and applies as follows in Canada:
   • IFR Eastbound - Track 000 to 179° - odd thousands (FL 250, 270, etc.)
   • IFR Westbound - Track 180 to 359° - even thousands (FL 260, 280, etc.)
   • VFR Eastbound - Track 000 to 179° - odd thousands plus 500 feet (3500, 5500, etc.)
   • VFR Westbound - Track 180 to 359° - even thousands plus 500 feet (4500, 6500, etc.)
   
   
6. QNH
   Altimeter settings are in inches of mercury and standard setting is 29.92 in Hg.


7. No available ATC
   Intentions are to be broadcast always on text via 122.8 (and in real and if possible - the local traffic frequency MF/UNICOM/ATF) which can be found on the local charts.


8. Charts
   VFR and IFR charts for Canada are available in the Resources section of the top menu. We strongly recommend you use them.

Visiting pilots

The Canadian division welcomes all IVAO members regardless of their division to come and fly in Canada, but we expect them to comply with all procedures just like any Canadian pilot. All pilots flying in Canada must be able to speak English or French when ATC is present. We reserve the right to ask you to close your connection if you do not respect the Division procedures.