Canadian airspace

Canadian airspace is the region of navigable airspace above the surface of the Earth that falls within a region roughly defined by the Canadian land mass, the Canadian arctic, the Canadian archipelago, and areas of the high seas.[1] Airspace is managed by Transport Canada and detailed information regarding exact dimensions and classification is available in the Designated Airspace Handbook which is published every fifty-six days by NAV CANADA.[2]

Contents

Canadian 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).

There are three main differences between the two areas. Most importantly, the NDA is designated as a "standard pressure" region while the SDA is an "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 (1013 hPa) 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.

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 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).

Airspace classes A through E are controlled. Class F can be controlled or uncontrolled. Class G is always uncontrolled.[1] Airspace is managed by Transport Canada and detailed information regarding exact dimensions and classification is available in the Designated Airspace Handbook which is published every fifty-six days by NAV CANADA.[2]

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.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Due to its location within Canadian Airspace the French islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon Terminal Control Area are  :

N47°19'57.00"N ,55°57'16.00"W to 46°55'53.00" N , 56°07'13.00 " W to clockwise along a circle of 10 miles radius centered on 46°45'47.00"N , 56°10'27.00 W"

46°45'47.00"N ,56°10'27.00"W

References