1.4 Cruising Altitudes & Visual Flight Rules

Cruising Altitudes and Flight Levels

Cruising Altitudes and Cruising Flight Levels (CAR 602.34)

The appropriate cruising altitude or cruising flight level for an aircraft in level cruising flight is determined in accordance with the magnetic track in the Southern Domestic Airspace and the true track in the Northern Domestic Airspace.

1. If VFR: Odd thousand plus 500’ (e.g. 3,500’, 5,500’) when flying on track 000-179 and even thousand plus 500’ (e.g. 4,500’, 6,500’) when on track 180 to 359.

2. If IFR: Odd thousand when flying on track 000-179 and even thousand when on track 180 to 359.

Did you know?

IFR traffic flies at flat thousands, e.g., 3,000’ or 4,000’.

VFR Cruising Altitudes

Altimeter-Setting Procedures

Altimeter-setting and Operating Procedures in the Altimeter-setting Region (CAR 602.35)

1. When an aircraft is operated in the altimeter-setting region (always in the case of hang gliders), you must set the altimeter to the altimeter setting of the aerodrome or, if that altimeter setting is not obtainable, to the elevation of the aerodrome;

2. While in flight, you must set the altimeter to the altimeter setting of the nearest station along the route of flight or, where the nearest stations along the route of flight are separated by more than 150 nautical miles, to the altimeter setting of a station near the route of flight; and

3. Immediately before commencing a descent for the purpose of landing at an aerodrome, you must set the altimeter to the altimeter setting of the aerodrome, if that altimeter setting is obtainable.

Altimeter-setting and Operating Procedures in the Standard Pressure Region (CAR 602.36)

1. When an aircraft is operated in the standard pressure region, you must set the altimeter to the altimeter setting of the aerodrome or, if that altimeter setting is not obtainable, to the elevation of the aerodrome before takeoff;

2. Before reaching the flight level at which the flight is to be conducted, set the altimeter to 29.92 inches of mercury or 1,013.2 millibars; and

3. Immediately before commencing a descent for the purpose of landing at an aerodrome, set the altimeter to the altimeter setting of the aerodrome, if that altimeter setting is obtainable.

Note

This does not apply to HG because the standard pressure region is above 18,000 ft where Class A begins. However, it is examinable.

Visual Flight Rules (VMC Minima)

Minimum Visual Meteorological Conditions for VFR Flight in Controlled Airspace (CAR 602.114)

1. You cannot fly in VFR conditions in controlled airspace unless:

   1. you maintain visual reference to the surface;
   2. flight visibility is not less than three miles;

   3. the distance of the aircraft from cloud is not less than 500 feet vertically and one mile horizontally; and

2. In addition, if you are flying in a control zone, then,

   1. ground visibility cannot be less than three miles, and
   2. except when taking off or landing, you have to be at least 500 feet above the surface.

Minimum Visual Meteorological Conditions for VFR Flight in Uncontrolled Airspace (CAR 602.115)

You cannot fly VFR in uncontrolled airspace unless

1. you maintain visual reference to the surface;

2. If you are at 1,000 feet AGL or above:

   1. during the day, flight visibility is not less than one mile,
   2. during the night, flight visibility is not less than three miles, and

   3. in either case, your distance from cloud is not less than 500 feet vertically and 2,000 feet horizontally;

3. If you are at less than 1,000’ AGL

   1. during the day, flight visibility is not less than two miles,
   2. during the night, flight visibility is not less than three miles, and
   3. in either case, you are clear of cloud.

VFR Weather Minima Cheat Sheet

The VFR rules are repeated in the table below for memorization. Pay special attention to how the rules change based on altitude in uncontrolled airspace.

Airspace / Altitude	Minimum Flight Visibility	Distance from Cloud
Controlled Airspace	3 miles	500 feet vertically, 1 mile horizontally
Control Zone (CZ)	3 miles (ground visibility)	Must remain at least 500 feet above surface (except take-off/landing)
Uncontrolled (At or Above 1,000 feet AGL)	1 mile (day) 3 miles (night)	500 feet vertically, 2,000 feet horizontally
Uncontrolled (Below 1,000 feet AGL)	2 miles (day) 3 miles (night)	Clear of cloud

Note

While hang gliders are restricted to day VFR only, the night visibility requirements are still examinable.