Canadian Aviation Regulations (SOR/96-433)

[602.107 to 602.113 reserved]

602.114 No person shall operate an aircraft in VFR flight within controlled airspace unless

• (a) the aircraft is operated with visual reference to the surface;

• (b) flight visibility is not less than three miles;

• (c) the distance of the aircraft from cloud is not less than 500 feet vertically and one mile horizontally; and

• (d) where the aircraft is operated within a control zone,

  • (i) when reported, ground visibility is not less than three miles, and

  • (ii) except when taking off or landing, the distance of the aircraft from the surface is not less than 500 feet.

602.115 No person shall operate an aircraft in VFR flight within uncontrolled airspace unless

• (a) the aircraft is operated with visual reference to the surface;

• (b) where the aircraft is operated at or above 1,000 feet AGL

  • (i) during the day, flight visibility is not less than one mile,

  • (ii) during the night, flight visibility is not less than three miles, and

  • (iii) in either case, the distance of the aircraft from cloud is not less than 500 feet vertically and 2,000 feet horizontally;

• (c) where the aircraft is not a helicopter and is operated at less than 1,000 feet AGL

  • (i) during the day, flight visibility is not less than two miles, except if otherwise authorized in an air operator certificate or a private operator certificate,

  • (ii) during the night, flight visibility is not less than three miles, and

  • (iii) in either case, the aircraft is operated clear of cloud; and

• (d) where the aircraft is a helicopter and is operated at less than 1,000 feet AGL

  • (i) during the day, flight visibility is not less than one mile, except if otherwise authorized in an air operator certificate or a flight training unit operator certificate — helicopter,

  • (ii) during the night, flight visibility is not less than three miles, and

  • (iii) in either case, the aircraft is operated clear of cloud.

602.116 Notwithstanding paragraphs 602.114(a) and 602.115(a), an aircraft may be operated in VFR OTT flight during the cruise portion of the flight during the day if

• (a) the aircraft is operated at a vertical distance from cloud of at least 1,000 feet;

• (b) where the aircraft is operated between two cloud layers, the vertical distance between the layers is at least 5,000 feet;

• (c) flight visibility at the cruising altitude of the aircraft is at least five miles; and

• (d) the weather at the aerodrome of destination is forecast to have a sky condition of scattered cloud or clear and a ground visibility of five miles or greater with no forecast of precipitation, fog, thunderstorms or blowing snow, and those conditions are forecast to exist

  • (i) where the forecast is an aerodrome forecast (TAF), for the period from one hour before to two hours after the estimated time of arrival; and

  • (ii) where an aerodrome forecast (TAF) is not available and the forecast is an area forecast (FA), for the period from one hour before to three hours after the estimated time of arrival.