Saturday, November 7, 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, then come back this evening for the next one.
Capt. Mike: Here's today's warm-up. Tap your answer.
Under the Clean Aircraft Concept, the CARs prohibit a take-off in an aeroplane that has frost, ice or snow adhering to
The answer
2any of the aircraft's critical surfaces
Explanation
TC AIM AIR 2.12.2 states: 'CARs prohibit takeoff when frost, ice or snow is adhering to any critical surface of the aircraft', and calls this the Clean Aircraft Concept. The governing rule is CARs 602.11(2): 'No person shall conduct or attempt to conduct a take-off in an aircraft that has frost, ice or snow adhering to any of its critical surfaces.' CARs 602.11(1) defines them: 'critical surfaces means the wings, control surfaces, rotors, propellers, horizontal stabilizers, vertical stabilizers or any other stabilizing surfaces of an aircraft, as well as any other surfaces identified as critical surfaces in the aircraft flight manual.'
Memory tip: Clean aircraft concept: nothing adhering to any critical surface (wings, control surfaces, propeller, stabilizers) at take-off.
Source
CARs 602.11(1), (2); TC AIM AIR 2.12.2; TP 12880E Flight Operations — Aircraft Critical Surface Contamination: clean aircraft concept
Taught in: PPL › Aeronautics General KnowledgeThis question is from the PPL course, which teaches every PPAER subject and drills it like this. Unlock all 7 chapters with their quizzes (105 questions), and 4 full-length PPAER mock exams.
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