Reduced/Low Visibility Operations – ATAC AGM, November, 2010

1. Reduced/Low Visibility Operations – ATAC AGM, November, 2010

2. Presentation Overview • How we got here and why • Stakeholder meetings and issues • Current status • Future regulatory changes

3. Impetus for Change • Disconnect between the Part VII standards for air operators authority to conduct operations in reduced/low visibility conditions and the Part III airport equipment/operating procedures to support this level of operation • Publication of Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circular (CBAAC) 0256 Low Visibility Take-off Airport Requirements on 31 Jul 06 – notification of coming changes

4. Initial Guidance Material • 2-year consultation and development process • 7 Mar 08 – Advisory Circular (AC) 302-001 Publication of the Level of Service with Respect to Departure Below RVR 2600 (1/2 Statute Mile) published • Corresponding Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) GEN change – aerodrome level of service published for each runway

5. First Stakeholder Meeting - 14 Nov 08 • Stakeholder dissatisfaction, especially with implementation timelines and pilot guidance material • Specifically requested a delay in implementation and pilot guidance material in the Canada Air Pilot (CAP) GEN like that for the approach ban • TC management agreed to postpone the national implementation date to 12 Mar 09 (initially planned for 20 Nov 08) • Published revised CFS and CAP GEN material, AC 300-003 Aerodrome Operating Visibility and specific Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on 12 Mar 09

6. Second Stakeholder Meeting – 8 May 09 • Change in major stakeholders (NACC formed) with additional concerns regarding ongoing implementation • Specifically requested: 1. Revised CFS GEN material 2. Revised CAP GEN material 3. New AC on publication of special reduced/low visibility procedures for pilots in the aeronautical publications 4. Conditions for the use of a follow-me vehicle as a permanent exemption (pending regulatory change) (AC 302-004 published 18 Sep 09) 5. Development of a Master FAQ document

7. Third Stakeholder Meeting – 15 Oct 09 • Stakeholders requested an additional meeting to discuss concerns, especially tower visibility and pilot/dispatcher confusion with aerodrome operating visibility and guidance material • During the meeting, the stakeholders presented a proposal to TC for a hierarchy of visibility based on RVR taking precedence • Subsequent to the meeting, TC management agreed to a compromise solution for implementation on 17 Dec 09 • The compromise involved a split between sites with ATC Towers and those without, involving a hierarchy of visibility for sites with towers and, for sites without towers, a hierarchy of visibility for arrivals and the lowest of Aerodrome Visibility (METAR), any reported RVR or the visibility as determined by the pilot for departures

8. Current Status • National implementation on 17 Dec 09 • Current guidance material: 1. AC 302-001 Publication of the Level of Service with Respect to Departure Below RVR 2600 (1/2 Statute Mile) effective 7 Mar 08 2. AC 302-004 Use of a Follow-me Vehicle Service to Support Reduced/Low Visibility Operations effective 18 Sep 09 3. AC-302-005 Runway Guard Light Installation Criteria effective 22 Apr 10 4. AC 302-006 Publication of Special Reduced/Low Visibility Procedures in the appropriate Aeronautical Information Publication(s) effective 17 Dec 09

9. Current Status (continued) • Current guidance material (continued): 5. AC 602-002 Aerodrome Operating Visibility effective 17 Dec 09 6. CBAAC 0256 Low Visibility Take-off Airport Requirements effective 31 Jul 06 7. AC 700-007 Airport Taxi-in/Taxi-out Requirements in Reduced/Low Visibility effective 6 Oct 09 8. Master FAQ document effective 17 Dec 09 9. CFS GEN guidance material effective 17 Dec 09 10. CAP GEN guidance material effective 17 Dec 09 • ACs and associated FAQs available online at: Transport Canada > Air Transportation > Aviation Safety > Management Services > Online Reference Centre > Advisory Circulars (AC)

10. Current Status (continued) The aerodrome operating visibility is defined as follows: At sites with an active Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower: (in accordance with published airport operational procedures) For arrivals and departures, the aerodrome operating visibility is in accordance with the following hierarchy: • Runway Visual Range (RVR) for the runway of intended use • Aerodrome visibility (METAR) • Visibility as determined by the pilot At sites without an active Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower: (outside ATC operating hours, MF, Unicom, CARS, or advisory sites, etc.) For arrivals, the aerodrome operating visibility is in accordance with the following hierarchy: • Runway Visual Range (RVR) for the runway of intended use • Aerodrome visibility (METAR) • Visibility as determined by the pilot For departures, the aerodrome operating visibility is the lowest of the following visibilities: • Aerodrome visibility (METAR) • Any reported RVR • Visibility as determined by the pilot

11. Future Regulatory Changes • CAP GEN, Operating Minima, General, currently states that “CAR 602 specifies take-offs for all Canadian aircraft as being governed by visibility only … and landings by published DH/MDAs only.” • Need to regulate landings as being governed by visibility as well as DH/MDAs • Development of IFR Regulatory Review Project, with “gate to gate” philosophy • Project currently underway, with first presentation to the CARAC Technical Committee anticipated at the Spring 2011 meeting

12. ? Ron Carter E-mail: ron.carter@tc.gc.ca Telephone: 613-998-9855