Canadian Airspace Classes A to G Explained

The seven classes at a glance

Sources: CARs 601.02 to 601.09 and 605.35(1); TC AIM RAC 2.8.1 to 2.8.7. A VFR aircraft without a radio may enter Class C or D during daylight in VMC if it receives authorization from the ATC unit before entering (CARs 601.08(2) and 601.09(2)).

In the figure, fly the aircraft up and out from a busy airport. The class it lands in, and what that class asks of you, change as it crosses each boundary.

The rules, word for word

The CARs set the classes in Part VI, Subpart 1 (Airspace). These are the provisions a VFR pilot meets most often.

The class decides, not the name

A control zone, a terminal control area (TCA) and an airway are names for shapes of airspace. The rules come from the class each one is given. TC AIM RAC 2.8: "the air traffic services available and the rules for flight within a high-level airway, a terminal control area (TCA), or a control zone (CZ) depend on the class of airspace within all or part of the defined area."

So a control zone may be Class B, C, D or E, and a TCA may be one class in one part and another higher up. Check the class on the chart, not the name.

One thing does not follow the class: weather minima. TC AIM RAC 2.8: "Weather minima are specified for controlled or uncontrolled airspace, not for each class of airspace." Classes A to E are controlled; G is not. Those minima are on their own page: VFR weather minima in Canada.

Where each class is found

• Class A begins at the base of high-level controlled airspace, or 700 ft AGL, whichever is higher, and goes up to and including FL 600 (TC AIM RAC 2.8.1). High-level controlled airspace starts at 18,000 ft ASL in the Southern Control Area, FL 230 in the Northern and FL 270 in the Arctic (TC AIM RAC 2.6).
• Class B is all low-level controlled airspace above 12,500 ft ASL or at and above the MEA, whichever is higher, up to but not including 18,000 ft ASL. Control zones and their TCAs may also be Class B (TC AIM RAC 2.8.2).
• Class C may be a terminal control area and its control zone (TC AIM RAC 2.8.3).
• Class D can be a terminal control area and its control zone (TC AIM RAC 2.8.4).
• Class E may be a low-level airway, a control area extension, a transition area, or a control zone without an operating control tower (TC AIM RAC 2.8.5).
• Class F is designated in the Designated Airspace Handbook and shown on the charts (TC AIM RAC 2.8.6).
• Class G is whatever has not been designated A to F. In it, ATC "has neither the authority nor the responsibility to exercise control over air traffic", though ATS units still give flight information and alerting service (TC AIM RAC 2.8.7).

When the tower closes, Class C and Class D airspace become Class E (CARs 601.08(3) and 601.09(3)).

Class F: restricted and advisory

Class F is airspace where an activity is confined, and it can be controlled, uncontrolled or both (CARs 601.02; TC AIM RAC 2.8.6). Its chart code tells you which kind it is. CY means Canada, then R for restricted, A for advisory or D for danger, then three digits for the area (TC AIM RAC 2.8.6.1).

• Restricted (CYR): "No person shall operate an aircraft in Class F Special Use Restricted airspace unless authorized to do so by the person specified for that purpose in the Designated Airspace Handbook" (CARs 601.04(2)). TC AIM RAC 2.8.6.4 calls that person the user agency.
• Advisory (CYA): not closed to you. Pilots not taking part "may enter advisory areas at their own discretion; however, extra vigilance is recommended" (TC AIM RAC 2.8.6.3). A letter in brackets after the number gives the activity, such as (P) for parachuting or (T) for training.

Unless otherwise specified, the rules of the surrounding airspace apply in Class F, active or not (TC AIM RAC 2.8.6).

Where candidates lose marks

• C is a clearance, D is contact. Being in two-way contact with a Class C unit is not a clearance to enter. In Class D, two-way contact before entering is what the rule asks for.
• Class B takes VFR traffic, but only with an ATC clearance, as controlled VFR. Class A is the class with no VFR.
• Class E is controlled airspace. No permission is needed to enter it VFR, but the controlled-airspace weather minima apply.
• A closed tower turns C or D into E, not into G.
• The transponder follows the class: always in A, B and C, and in D or E only where the airspace is specified as transponder airspace (CARs 601.03).
• Class F advisory is not prohibited, and restricted is open with authorization. Both can be active or not.

Practice

These are Transport Canada's own PSTAR questions, reproduced word for word from 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, with the Department's permission. The keys agree with Transport Canada's published answer key; the explanations are TC Exam Prep's.

1. Question 1 of 4

   VFR flight within Class B airspace is permitted

   1for all aircraft except gliders and balloons.2in accordance with an ATC clearance.3if the pilot holds a Class B Airspace Endorsement.4only when the flight visibility is 5 miles or better.

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2. Question 2 of 4

   VFR cross-country pilots wishing to cross through any part of a Class C Control Zone should

   1monitor the Approach Control frequency.2advise ATC of their intentions and obtain a clearance.3advise the associated FSS.4conform with circuit direction at that airport.

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3. Question 3 of 4

   Flight through active Class F airspace with the designator CYR

   1is restricted to military aircraft operating under the authority of the Minister of National Defence.2will be approved only for aircraft on IFR flight plans under positive radar control.3may be undertaken only by aircraft equipped with two-way radio communication and a transponder.4is permitted only in accordance with permission issued by the user agency.

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4. Question 4 of 4

   Which statement is correct with regard to “advisory airspace”?

   1Only military aircraft may enter advisory airspace depicted on aeronautical charts.2A transient aircraft entering active advisory airspace shall be equipped with a serviceable transponder.3Aircraft need to be equipped with a two-way radio to enter active advisory airspace.4Non-participating VFR aircraft are encouraged to avoid flight in advisory airspace during active periods specified on aeronautical charts and NOTAM.

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