1.2 General Operating & Flight Rules

The General Operating and Flight Rules of the CARs that pertains to hang gliders follow. In this section, regulations that apply to all aircraft will use the word aircraft, regulations that apply to all gliders will use the word gliders, and regulations that apply specifically to hang glider will use the term hang glider. These distinctions may be important in the exam.

Personal Fitness & Conduct

Reckless or Negligent Operation of Aircraft (CAR 602.01)

You cannot operate an aircraft in such a reckless or negligent manner as to endanger the life or property of any person.

Fitness of Flight Crew Members (CAR 602.02)

You cannot pilot a hang glider if you have any reason to believe, that you are suffering or are likely to suffer from fatigue, or if you are otherwise unfit to perform properly as a pilot.

Alcohol and Drugs (CAR 602.03 and 602.04)

1. You cannot pilot an aircraft:

   1. within twelve hours after consuming an alcoholic beverage;
   2. while under the influence of alcohol; or

   3. while using any drug that impairs your faculties to the extent that the safety of the aircraft or of passengers on board the aircraft is endangered in any way.

2. You cannot take up a passenger that is intoxicated.

Built-up Areas & Minimum Distances

Overflight of Built-up Areas or Open-Air Assemblies of Persons during Take-offs, Approaches and Landings (CAR 602.12)

1. Except at an airport, heliport or military aerodrome, you cannot conduct a take-off, approach or landing in an aircraft over a built-up area or over an open-air assembly of persons, in a manner that is likely to create a hazard to persons or property.

2. Except at an airport, heliport or military aerodrome, you cannot conduct a take-off, approach or landing in an aircraft over a built-up area or over an open-air assembly of persons unless that aircraft will be operated at an altitude from which, in the event of an engine failure or any other emergency necessitating an immediate landing, the aircraft can land without creating a hazard to persons or property.

Note

The horizontal boundaries of a built-up area are defined in CAR 602-14 below.

Take-offs, Approaches and Landings within Built-up Areas of Cities and Towns (CAR 602.13)

1. Except if otherwise permitted under this section, section 603.66 or Part VII, you cannot conduct a take-off, approach or landing in an aircraft within a built-up area of a city or town, unless that take-off, approach or landing is conducted at an airport, heliport or a military aerodrome.

2. You may conduct a take-off or landing in an aircraft within a built-up area of a city or town at a place that is not located at an airport, heliport or a military aerodrome where

   1. the place is not set apart for the operation of aircraft;

   2. the flight is conducted without creating a hazard to persons or property on the surface; and

   3. the aircraft is operated for the purpose of a police operation that is conducted in the service of a police authority, or for the purpose of saving human life.

Minimum Altitude and Distances (CAR 602.14)

1. Except when conducting a take-off, approach or landing, you cannot operate an aircraft over a built-up area or over an open-air assembly of persons unless the aircraft is operated at an altitude from which, in the event of an emergency necessitating an immediate landing, it would be possible to land the aircraft without creating a hazard to persons or property on the surface, and, in any case, at an altitude that is not lower than

   1. for aeroplanes, 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle located within a horizontal distance of 2,000 feet from the aeroplane,

   2. for balloons, 500 feet above the highest obstacle located within a horizontal distance of 500 feet from the balloon, or

   3. for an aircraft other than an aeroplane or a balloon, 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle located within a horizontal distance of 500 feet from the aircraft; and

2. Other than a built-up area or over an open-air assembly of persons, you cannot operate an aircraft at a distance less than 500 feet from any person, vessel, vehicle or structure.

Collision, Towing & Other Operating Restrictions

Avoidance of Collision (CAR 602.21)

You cannot operate an aircraft in such proximity to another aircraft as to create a risk of collision.

Towing (CAR 602.22)

No person can operate an aeroplane that is towing an object unless the aeroplane is equipped with a tow hook and release control mechanism.

Note

This CAR applies directly to the aerotowing of hang glider as the tug must meet this regulation.

Dropping of Objects (CAR 602.23)

You cannot drop an object from an aircraft in flight if it creates a hazard to people or property.

Formation Flight (CAR 602.24)

You cannot fly in formation with other aircraft except by pre-arrangement between:

1. the pilot of that other aircraft; or

2. where the flight is conducted within a control zone, the pilot of the other aircraft and the appropriate air traffic control unit.

Aerobatic Manoeuvres - Prohibited Areas and Flight Conditions (CAR 602.27)

1. You cannot conduct any aerobatic flight:

   1. if you are endangering or likely to be endangering air traffic;
   2. over any urban or other populous areas;

   3. in controlled airspace or within any air routes designated as such by the Minister except in accordance with the written authorization of the Minister.

2. You cannot conduct any aerobatic flying unless you are alone in the aircraft, or you are a flying instructor authorized by regulations to give dual aerobatic instruction.

Forest Fire Aircraft Operating Instruction (CAR 601.15)

You cannot fly a hang glider:

1. over a forest fire area, or over any area that is located within five nautical miles of a forest fire area, at an altitude of less than 3,000 feet AGL; or

2. in any airspace that is described in a NOTAM issued in respect to operating restriction in an area where there is a forest fire.