Understanding Commercial Approach Ban for Canadian Operators

Canada’s approach ban rules are more complicated under commercial operations than in general aviation. In this post I hope to explain how to interpret the approach ban for commercial operators, with and without an Operations Specification (ops spec).

When you are ready you can try this interactive Commercial Approach Ban Quiz

Quick Review

Commercial operators in Canada fall under Part VII of the Canadian Aviation Regulation (CARs). CAR 700.10 explains that for an aircraft to conduct an approach the required visibility must meet what is set out in the Canadian Air Pilot (CAP). If the visibility for the runway of intended use is lower than what is required, the approach can not be started and/or must be discontinued unless:

• the aircraft has passed the Final Approach Fix (FAF) inbound, or is on the final approach course where there is no FAF
• the aircraft is on a training flight and the pilot in command (PIC) has informed air traffic control (ATC) that a missed approach will be conducted at or prior to decision altitude/height or minimum descent altitude
• the runway visual range (RVR) is fluctuating above and below the required value
• the ground visibility is fluctuating above and below the required value
• the pilot observes the visibility along the approach and runway that meets the value in the CAP
• the aircraft is operating under an ops spec

Interpreting Visibility

In commercial aviation we follow this order:

1. RVR
   • runways with RVA A & B, RVR A is used
   • runways with RVA A unserviceable can use RVA B
2. runway visibility
3. ground visibility (aerodromes south of the 60th parallel of north latitude)
   

It is important to note the difference between runway visibility and ground visibility.

runway visibility: means the distance along a runway over which a person can see and recognize a visibility marker or lights having an intensity of more or less 1,000 candelas

ground visibility: in respect of an aerodrome, means the visibility at that aerodrome as contained in a weather observation reported by:

• an air traffic control unit
• a flight service station
• a community aerodrome radio station
• an AWOS used by the Department of Transport, the Department of National Defence or the Atmospheric Environment Service for the purpose of making aviation weather observations

• a radio station that is ground-based and operated

  by an air operator

Commercial Operators (No Ops Spec)

Always refer to the most current CAP. Visit NAV CANADA’s site to download the most current CAP GEN for free: here.

When flying towards an aerodrome, after selecting the approach of choice, refer to the advisory visibility on the CAP. This value is published in statute miles and RVR, or just statute miles. In the example approach plate, the pilots have selected the NDB 24. The advisory visibility from the plate is 1-3/4. Looking in the CAP GEN under approach ban for commercial operators “MINIMUM VISIBILITY – AEROPLANES – NON-PRECISION, APV, OR CAT I” you can see that with an Advisory Visibility of 1-3/4 there must be a visibility of 1-1/2 or >6000 RVR runway visibility to commence the approach.

Commercial Operators (With Ops Spec)

A Commercial Operator who is authorized under their operating certificate with an ops spec may apply low limits to approach ban. For details regarding what is required for these lower limits, refer to the CARs: Air Taxi: 703.41, Commuter: 704.37, Airline 705.48. (See Important Reminders About Ops Specs below)

When flying towards an aerodrome, after selecting the approach of choice, refer to the advisory visibility on the CAP. This value is published in statute miles and RVR, or just statute miles. In the example approach plate, the pilots have selected the NDB 24. The advisory visibility from the plate is 1-3/4. Looking in the CAP GEN under approach ban for commercial operators “MINIMUM VISIBILITY – AEROPLANES – 703/704/705 OPS SPEC – NON-PRECISION, APV, OR CAT I” you can see that with an Advisory Visibility of 1-3/4 there must be a visibility of 1 or 5000 RVR runway visibility to commence the approach.

Important Reminders About Ops Specs

When flying under an ops spec you must comply with the conditions set out in the CARs: Air Taxi: 703.41, Commuter: 704.37, Airline 705.48. The CARs stipulate crew, aircraft equipment, type of approach and runway equipment requirements. For example, in a 705 operation, in order to use the ops spec for an ILS without a HUD (Head Up Display), the following conditions apply:

• authorized on the operator’s certificate
• use pilot-monitored-approach procedures (PMA) or both pilots are authorized to fly CAT II approaches
• the aircraft has:
  • a flight director and autopilot capable of flying an approach to 200′ AGL or lower or
  • a flight director capable of flying an approach to 200′ AGL or lower and the pilots use PMA
• the runway is equipped with serviceable high- intensity approach lighting, high-intensity runway centreline lighting and high-intensity runway edge lighting

In this example, if these conditions can not be met the ops spec can not be applied and the crew must use visibility requirements for operators with no ops spec.

Air Taxi 703.41

Commuter 704.37

Airline 705.48

Low Visibility Operations (LVOP)

Remember to consider the level of service for a particular runway. In low visibility operations a runway may have a level of service greater than the approach ban visibility. Level of service is found in the Canada Flight Supplement under runway data.

Approach Ban for United States

There is no calculations to consider. The approach ban is based on the advisory visibility published on the approach plate. So, if the plate says 1-1/4, the approach ban is 1-1/4.

Conclusion

It is important to understand the standard visibility requirements that would allow you to conduct an approach. If your commercial operation has an ops spec it is important to understand the conditions, remembering also that there are differences between Air Taxi, Commuter and Airline. Always reference the most current version of the CARs, and CAP.

More Information and Sources

• Canadian Aviation Regulations (http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/regserv/cars/menu.htm)
• Canada Air Pilot (http://products.navcanada.ca/Subscription-Products/Electronic-Publications-Download-Subscriptions?search=cap+gen)