VFR Cruising Altitudes in Canada

The rule in one table

Sources: the table to CARs 602.34, columns I to IV; TC AIM RAC 2.3.1, Table 2.1. The altitudes are ASL. This part of the table covers 18,000 ft and below; above it, the table lists flight levels.

VFR always sits 500 ft off the IFR thousands for the same track. TC AIM Table 2.1 puts controlled VFR (CVFR) in the IFR column, on the whole thousands.

In the figure, step the track from 179° to 180° and watch the whole ladder change.

The rule, word for word

Subsections (1) and (2) make the rule. Subsection (3), not quoted here, exempts aerial survey and mapping flights that meet its conditions. Nothing in subsections (1) and (2) depends on the class of airspace.

Track, not heading

The rule is entered with track, your path over the ground. Heading is where the nose points, and in a crosswind the two differ.

Say you hold a heading of 185° magnetic with a wind from the west that drifts you 8° to the left. Your track is 177° magnetic. That is in the 000° to 179° half, so the VFR altitudes are odd thousands plus 500 ft, even though the heading is in the other half.

Magnetic in the south, true in the north

In the Southern Domestic Airspace you use magnetic track. In the Northern Domestic Airspace you use true track (CARs 602.34(1)). TC AIM RAC 2.2.1 gives the reason: in the north, "true track is used to determine cruising altitude or flight level for direction of flight in lieu of magnetic track. This is due to the diminishing horizontal component of the earth's magnetic field in proximity to the magnetic North Pole and its effects on magnetic compass systems."

The two can put the same flight in different halves of the table. A true track of 170° with 15° of westerly variation is a magnetic track of 185°:

• In the Northern Domestic Airspace you use 170° true: odd thousands plus 500 ft.
• In the Southern Domestic Airspace you would use 185° magnetic: even thousands plus 500 ft.

TC AIM RAC 2.2.1, Figure 2.1, shows where the two meet; the Designated Airspace Handbook delineates them (CARs 101.01).

More than 3,000 ft above the ground

The VFR rule applies only in level cruising flight more than 3,000 ft AGL (CARs 602.34(2)(a)). The threshold is measured from the ground, but the altitudes in the table are ASL.

Over terrain at 4,000 ft ASL, the rule starts above 7,000 ft ASL. Cruise at 6,500 ft ASL there and you are only 2,500 ft above the ground, so the table does not set your altitude. The other rules, such as the minimum altitudes of CARs 602.14, still apply.

It also governs only level cruising flight. Climbs and descents are not cruising flight, and an altitude assigned by an air traffic control unit takes precedence over the table (CARs 602.34(2)).

Where candidates lose marks

• Exactly 180° is in the 180° to 359° half: even thousands. Exactly 000° (360°) is in the 000° to 179° half: odd thousands.
• 3,000 ft is AGL, not ASL. Work out your height above the terrain before deciding the rule applies.
• Controlled airspace does not switch the rule off. Only an altitude assigned by ATC does.
• Heading is not track, and in the Northern Domestic Airspace true track is used, not magnetic.
• 3,500 ft is the lowest VFR altitude in the 000° to 179° column, not the height where the rule starts. The table has no VFR altitude at 1,000 or 2,000 ft.
• The +500 is VFR only. Whole thousands belong to IFR and controlled VFR.

Practice

Original questions in the style of the Transport Canada written exams. Tap an answer to see why it is right or wrong.

1. Question 1 of 4

   You are VFR in level cruise in the Southern Domestic Airspace, over terrain below 1,000 ft ASL. Your true track is 185° and the variation is 10°E. Which altitude complies with CARs 602.34?

   17,000 ft ASL27,500 ft ASL36,500 ft ASL48,500 ft ASL

   Tap an answer to check it.

2. Question 2 of 4

   You are VFR in level cruise in the Northern Domestic Airspace, over terrain near 2,000 ft ASL. Your true track is 170°; with 15°W variation, your magnetic track is 185°. Which altitude is appropriate?

   19,000 ft ASL210,000 ft ASL38,500 ft ASL49,500 ft ASL

   Tap an answer to check it.

3. Question 3 of 4

   The terrain under your whole route lies between 2,700 and 2,800 ft ASL. You cruise VFR at 5,500 ft ASL on a magnetic track of 240° in the Southern Domestic Airspace. What does CARs 602.34 require?

   1You must climb to 6,500 ft ASL to comply.2The rule does not apply at less than 3,000 ft AGL.3You must descend to 4,500 ft ASL to comply.4The rule applies, because 5,500 ft ASL is above 3,000 ft.

   Tap an answer to check it.

4. Question 4 of 4

   Which statement about the VFR cruising altitude rule is correct?

   1Below 18,000 ft ASL it applies in climbs and descents too.2An altitude assigned by ATC takes precedence over it.3It applies only in controlled airspace.4Exactly 180° is flown at odd thousands plus 500 ft.

   Tap an answer to check it.

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