Wednesday, October 21, 2026 · Morning warm-up
Capt. Mike's Question of the Day.
Two questions for the Transport Canada pilot written exams every day: a morning warm-up and an evening Captain's Challenge. Each one answered, explained and cited, free. Tap your answer to see how you did.
This is a past question.The latest question
Capt. Mike: Here's the question I asked that day. Tap your answer.
An ATC instruction
Question 10.01 of TP 11919E, Department of Transport, Canada; reproduced with the Department's permission.
TC's answer
1must be complied with when received by the pilot providing the safety of the aircraft is not jeopardized.
Explanation
CARs 602.31(1)(a): the PIC shall "comply with and acknowledge, to the appropriate air traffic control unit, all of the air traffic control instructions directed to and received by the pilot-in-command". RAC 1.6: "Pilots shall comply with and acknowledge receipt of all ATC instructions directed to and received by them, provided the safety of the aircraft is not jeopardized." An instruction takes effect when you receive it. You don't accept or refuse it the way you can with a clearance.
Memory tip: Instruction: comply when received. Clearance: comply once accepted.
Source
CARs 602.31; TC AIM (October 1, 2026) RAC 1.6 Air Traffic Control (ATC) Clearances, Instructions and Information.
Question 10.01 of TP 11919E, Study and Reference Guide: Student Pilot Permit or Private Pilot Licence for Foreign and Military Applicants, Aviation Regulations (7th ed., December 2022), Department of Transport, Canada; reproduced with the Department's permission. The keyed answer agrees with Transport Canada's published answer key (December 2022); the explanation is TC Exam Prep's.
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