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NOTAMs

NOTAM FOXTROT 2009/12/01 - FRA (Facility Rating Assignements) revision

A complete revision of the FRAs across the country has been completed. FRAs (Facility Rating Assignements) are the minimum ratings required to control specific ATC positions. For the last years, our FRAs were never changed. After review from IVAO Canada, it was determined that certain minimum ratings were sometimes not appropriate, or too restrictive. Considering the level of traffic we have in Canada, rules were modified to give more flexibility to our student controllers.

Any controller opening an ATC position where he is not FULLY confortable MUST absolutely indicate that he is a student / beginner in his ATIS (Remarks section). Any controller without sufficient knowledge to operate a position who does not have this remark in his ATIS might be disconnected from the network.

Here is a summary of the new rules.

All minimum ratings for area control centres (CTR) are C1.
Minimum ratings for Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa and Québec terminals (APP/DEP) are C1.
Minimum ratings for Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal control towers (TWR) are S3.

All other terminals and control towers don't have any minimum rating. Any controller can control them. PLEASE USE YOUR JUDGMENT. A S1 rated controller should NOT be controlling an APP position.

All ground (GND) and clearance delivery (DEL) positions have no minimum ratings.

Go to FRAs page to have more details on positions. Please note that these rules can again be modified at anytime without prior notice if IVAO Canada realises that some controllers abuse from these new rules resulting in lower quality of ATC service.

NOTAM ECHO 2009/11/19 - MODA system unavailable

This is an urgent NOTAM concerning MODA system that is being used by IVAO Canada for its events. IVAO Canada announces that MODA is unavailable for an unknown period of time.

MODA is used by pilots to see canadian tours details and also to report all their flights. It's also via MODA that IVAO Canada validates pilots legs and issue awards.

System has been unavailable for approximately one week so far and we do not know when it will be available again. At this time, pilots flying our tours can continue but MUST record all flight details and keep them. When MODA comes back, pilots have to submit all these details. If MODA is still not working in the next few weeks, further actions will be announced.

Please go to the following address (forums) to be informed of any further actions.

NOTAM DELTA 2009/05/21 - Reminder: Capital TCU procedures (Montréal)

This is a reminder on procedures for opening Capital TCU. They are already available on our website, Controllers section. Therefore, these procedures should already be applied.

In real life, during night time, only one controller will be controlling Québec and Ottawa areas to reduce the amount of controllers on duty. On IVAO, we apply this procedure at all time, increasing our ATC coverage.

That means: when no controller is online for either Québec or Ottawa Terminal, ATC getting online will assume control for both terminal control areas (TCA) connected as CYQB_APP. If there is already an online ATC at CYQB_APP and you want to go online as CYOW_APP, you are permitted to do so. However, coordination with the other controller is necessary. An important element in that procedure is to make sure you include detailed information in your ATIS. If you are CYQB_APP working alone, make sure you mention that you also control CYOW terminal. In the ATIS, identify yourself as Quebec Terminal, but if pilot calls you inbound for CYOW, your radio callsign will be Ottawa arrivals.

Pilots refusing to comply with ATC instructions must get explanations from ATC, and if it doesn’t solve the problem, a supervisor must be called. User may be disconnected.

Any controller opening Capital TCU must comply with the above procedures. Failure to do so may result in disconnection from network.

See official memo here.

NOTAM CHARLIE 2009/02/04 - Changes on website

During the last month, major changes were done on the website. They are listed below, minor changes are not listed.

Home

  • Home page updated with up to date events;
  • Staff page updated with application for vacant positions policy at the top of the page;
  • Removal of training system, all training requests are now via email;
  • Update on Get started in 5 easy steps (New Members section);
  • Search feature has been replaced by a Google link;
  • Map site updated.

ATC section

  • SOP for FSS position updated;
  • Local procedures were entirely completed for major airports. Many airports only have basic procedures. Please send email if you find errors;
  • Montreal FIR pages were completely translated in French language;
  • New FSS procedures for Mirabel airport (CYMX);
  • Training centre: new online course for ATC/IFR/FSS positions now online;
  • Toronto sector file updated with CYKZ geo data.

Pilot section

  • Standard procedures section has been renamed as Flight rules and pages were completed, including new directives regarding SVFR flight;
  • Pilot phraseology guide created;
  • Training centre replaced by email link to request training.

Special and military operations section

  • SAR documents were published.

Events section

  • Canada Online is now named Canada & USA Online, every saturday at 18z;
  • Events updated.

Resources section

  • Section (menus) updated and new documents available.

Charts section

  • IFR airport charts for major airports were updated with charts effective 20 NOV 2008 - 15 JAN 2009;
  • CFS has been updated completely and is effective 20 NOV 2008 - 15 JAN 2009.

These changes complete the website update. If you find anything wrong, please send an email to our staff. Thanks