IVAO Canada > Controllers > Guidelines

General 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

  1. Active controllers should be able to use all functions of IvAc, and have read the manual thoroughly. In Canada we make heavy use of the co-ordination functions in IvAc, so a good understanding of these functions is recommended.

  2. All controllers must maintain their ATIS with the following information:
    - Position name (Full name, not ICAO code. e.g. 'Québec Terminal', not CYQB_APP)
    - Voice channel (if applicable)
    - Weather / runway information / TA/TL (if applicable)
    - Link to the charts pages of the website (ca.ivao.aero/charts) in the remarks section.
    - When multiple controllers are serving one airport (i.e. CYWG_GND, TWR and APP) the positions must co-ordinate their ATIS to show the same letter.

  3. The language used for aviation in Canada is english, except in the Montreal FIR where french should also be made available whenever possible.

  4. All controllers must use standard Canadian phraseology at all times. Quick reference guides in both English and french are available in the downloads section of the site.

  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 the FIR chief, or AOC if there is no chief.

  6. Controllers are required to have all applicable charts available while on duty (for centre controllers this can be quite a bunch) If you aren't inclined to print out the entire CAP having the chart index page open on a second monitor, or in the background will do. (be sure to have a browser that supports PDF plug-ins)

  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, unless you prefer using the paper flight strips available in the downloads section.

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

  9. Altitudes
    All altitudes are above sea level (ASL) in feet.
    • Transition Level: FL180 (exceptions in Northern Canada)
    • Transition Altitude: 18'000 feet.
    • Altimeter settings are in inches mercury and standard setting is 29.92

  10. 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 (below FL180) Level Airspace.
    d) Code 2000 - IFR flights in High (FL180 and above) Level Airspace.

  11. Speed restrictions
    Do not exeed 250 Knots indicated below 10,000 feet ASL. Below 3000 feet AGL and within 10 NM of a controlled airport do not exeed 200 KT 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.

  12. 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.)

  1. QNH
    Altimeter settings are in inches mercury and standard setting is 29.92

  2. 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.

  3. Charts
    Charts for every airport in Canada are available on the FIR home pages, or from the quick link in the main menu. We strongly recommend you use them.

In addition to the above controllers are required to meet the requirements set out in the position SOPs, which can be found one item down in the menu on the left.

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 Canadian procedures.