Altimeter Setting and Operating Procedures

Reference AIM RAC 2.11 and 2.12

ALTIMETER SETTING REGION

CAR 602.35 

• Departure: altimeter setting at aerodrome, or if not available the elevation of the aerodrome
• Enroute: altimeter setting of nearest station along route
• Arrival: altimeter setting at destination

STANDARD PRESSURE REGION

CAR 602.36

• Departure: altimeter setting at aerodrome, or if not available the elevation of the aerodrome
• Enroute: immediately prior to reaching the intended flight level, set 29.92
• Arrival: altimeter setting at destination
• Holding: once descending below lowest flight level of hold, altimeter setting at destination

TRANSITION BETWEEN REGIONS

CAR 602.37

• the simplest way to think about this is to always change the altimeter in the standard pressure region, whether it is a lateral or vertical transition

Formation, Aerobatics, and jumping out of a perfectly good airplane

I flew skydivers one summer.  It's hard to say it was a job... more like a volunteer position.  But I never jumped myself.  Oh yes, I think it would be fun and thrilling, but it's also quite risky and I was content to remain in the aircraft (especially since I was the pilot!)

CAR 602.25 Entering or Leaving an Aircraft in Flight

• need permission of PIC
• PIC shall not permit unless
• leaving using a parachute
• CAR 702.19 (helicopter ops)
• CAR 603.02 (special aviation event certificate) or CAR 603.67 (special flight operations certificate)

CAR 602.26 Parachute Descents

• prohibited in controlled airspace / air routes, and over built-up areas and open-air assemblies unless you have a special flight operations - parachuting certificate as per CAR 603.37

This takes us into the realm of airshows, and while they are not the only place where formation flight and aerobatics take place, this would be a good time to talk about such activities.  This is also covered in AIM RAC 1.11.

CAR 603.01 Certificate Requirements for Special Aviation Events

• cannot conduct a special aviation event unless you comply with the provisions of a special flight operations certificate - special aviation event

CAR 602.24 Formation Flight

• PICs must make arrangements beforehand
• if in a control zone, PICs must coordinate with ATC

CAR 602.27 Aerobatic Maneuvewrs - Prohibited Areas and Flight Conditions

• No person operating an aircraft shall conduct aerobatic manoeuvres
• over a built-up area or an open-air assembly of persons;
• in controlled airspace, except in accordance with a special flight operations certificate issued pursuant to section 603.67;
• when flight visibility is less than three miles; or
• below 2,000 feet AGL, except in accordance with a special flight operations certificate issued pursuant to section 603.02 or 603.67.

CAR 602.28 Aerobatic Maneuvers with Passengers

• PIC must have:
• at least 10 hours dual instruction conducting aerobatics or 20 hours conducting aerobatics
• at least 1 hour conducting aerobatics in the previous 6 months

Alcohol and Drugs

CAR 602.03 Alcohol and Drugs - Crew Members

• 8 hours bottle to throttle
• Zero tolerance for impaired flying

Alcohol consumption can increase the susceptibility of an individual to hypoxia.  Remember, there is no magic cure for removing alcohol from your bloodstream.  Such a reduction can only be attained over the passage of time.  

CAR 602.04 Alcohol and Drugs - Passengers

• cannot drink your own alcohol (must be served / provided by operator)
• operator must not serve if passenger is already impaired by drugs/alcohol to extent as to be a safety hazard
• operator must not allow a person with impaired faculties to board aircraft
• exception: passenger has been administered drug for medical reasons and is under supervision

Clean Aircraft Concept

Reference AIM AIR 2.12 Flight Operations in Winter

Wing contamination is serious business.  Ice with the thickness and texture of sandpaper on the surfaces of an aircraft could decrease lift by 30% and increase drag by 40%.  As ice accumulates on a wing, the stalling speed increases and the angle at which the wing will stall decreases.

Clean Aircraft Concept:

• refers to take-off being prohibited when frost, snow or ice is adhering to any critical surface of the aircraft

Critical Surfaces refers to:

• wings
• control surfaces
• propellers
• horizontal stabilizers
• vertical stabilizers
• upper surface of fuselage in the case of aircraft with rear-mounted engines

CAR 602.11 Aircraft Icing

• no person shall attempt to conduct a take-off in an aircraft that has frost, ice, or snow adhering to any of its critical surfaces
• exception: frost on underside of wing caused by cold-soaked fuel (refer to manufacturer's instructions)
• take-off in icing conditions
• Part 705: PIC (or person designated by operator) must inspect immediately prior to take-off (or operator has established aircraft inspection program)
• Part VII other than subpart 5: operator has established aircraft inspection program  
• report observed ice to PIC (or designated person) so they can inspect
• PIC must inform other crew members of intention to de-ice/anti-ice

Don't get a speeding ticket!

I remember back when I first started flying the Toronto - Montreal route, we were on the descent into Montreal and ATC was asking us to keep the speed up.  And while we could give them about 280 kts for a while, it was also our responsibility to "not get a speeding ticket," as Captain K reminded me. 

CAR 602.32 Airspeed Limitations
(a) max 250 KIAS below 10 000 ft
(b) max 200 KIAS below 3 000 ft within 10 NM of a controlled aerodrome (unless otherwise authorized by ATC)

Of course, there are exceptions: if you have a special flight operations certificate (i.e. for an airshow); or if your minimum safe airspeed for that flight configuration is greater, the aircraft shall be operated at the minimum safe airspeed.

CAR 602.33 Supersonic Flight
Put simply, it's not allowed. 

While we're here, we should cover en-route speeds as well. 

AIM RAC 8.3 Mach Number / True Airspeed - Clearances and Reports
(1) Assigned Mach numbers shall be adhered to within 0.01 Mach.  If unable, ATC is to be informed when the clearance is issued (this is also stated in AIM RAC 12.1)
(2) If TAS is intended to change by more than 5%, advise ATC as soon as practicable.

How about holds?

AIM RAC 10.7 Holding Procedures - Speed Limitations
(a) propeller: 175 KIAS (climbing: normal speed subject to 602.32)
(b) civil turbojet: 230 KIAS up to 14 000; 265 KIAS above 14 000 (climbing: 310 KIAS subject to 602.32)

Shuttle Climbs/Descents

AIM RAC 10.9 Shuttle Procedure
Shuttles are not the same as climbs/descents in a hold, even though the patterns are similar.  There may be a limit published on the instrument procedure chart, otherwise use the normal climb/descent speed for the aircraft type and airspace classification, subject to 602.32.

And one final note...

AIM RAC 9.7.3 Speed Adjustment - Radar Controlled Aircraft
Pilots complying with a speed adjustment are expected to maintain a speed within 10 KIAS of the specified speed.  The issuance of an approach clearance normally cancels a speed adjustment.  Once again, all aircraft are still subject to CAR 602.32.