Controller guidelines

General

The purpose of this document is to ensure that quality service is provided at all times in Canadian airspace, and also so that a controller will never find himself submerged, and unable to cope.

It is mandatory for all IVAO members controlling a Canadian position to follow these guidelines. Users who do not comply may be asked to close their position.

The guidelines

When operating in Canada, please observe the following general rules:

  1. Active controllers should be able to use all functions of IvAc, and have read the manual thoroughly.

  2. All controllers must maintain their ATIS with the following information:
    - Position name (Full name, not ICAO code. e.g. 'Ottawa Tower', not CYOW_TWR)
    - Voice channel (if applicable)
    - Weather / runway information / TA/TL (if applicable)
    - No unnecessary remarks in the remarks section

  3. The language used for aviation in Canada is English and must be used at all times, except in the Montreal FIR where service in French can also be provided.

  4. All controllers must use standard Canadian phraseology at all times.

  5. When available, controllers should read and understand the appropriate airport/sector procedures before logging on. If you should have any doubts please don't hesitate to contact a staff member.

  6. Controllers are required to have all applicable charts available while on duty (for centre controllers this can be quite a bunch).

  7. Controllers must make proper use of all datatag labels (F5 = cleared waypoint, F7 = cleared speed, and F8 = cleared altitude) when handing-off to adjacent sectors. We highly recommend you use these functions at all times.

Technical Information

  1. Altitudes
    All altitudes are above sea level (ASL) in feet.
    • Transition altitude: 18 000 feet
    • Transition level: FL180 (except in Northern Canada)

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

  3. 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 flights use the RVSM rules up to FL410. Go to the pilots section of the website for details.
    • VFR Eastbound - Track 000 to 179 degrees- odd thousands plus 500 feet (3500, 5500, etc.)
    • VFR Westbound - Track 180 to 359 degrees- even thousands plus 500 feet (4500, 6500, etc.)

  4. Speed restrictions
    Pilots must not exeed 250 KIAS below 10,000 feet ASL. Below 3000 feet AGL and within 10 NM of a controlled airport, pilots must 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. QNH
    Altimeter settings are in inches of mercury and the standard setting is 29.92 in Hg.

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

In addition to the above controllers are required to meet the requirements set out in the position standard procedures.

Visiting controllers

The Canadian division welcomes all IVAO members regardless of their division to come and control in Canada, but we expect them to comply with all procedures just like any Canadian Air Traffic Controller. Also we recommend you contact our staff (if online) to introduce yourselves. We reserve the right to ask you to close your position if you do not respect the Division procedures. The GCA program is in effect for all FRA restricted ATC positions and oceanic positions, which means you need approval from the division HQ before controlling such a position if you are not a member of the Canadian division. Visit the GCA page in the top menu for details.


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