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Canadian Aviation Regulations (SOR/96-433)

Regulations are current to 2024-11-11 and last amended on 2023-06-21. Previous Versions

Part III — Aerodromes, Airports and Heliports (continued)

[
  • SOR/2007-87, s. 4
]

Subpart 1 — Aerodromes (continued)

Lighting

  •  (1) Subject to subsection (2), where a runway is used at night, the operator of the aerodrome shall indicate each side of the runway along its length with a line of fixed white lights that is visible in all directions from an aircraft in flight at a distance of not less than two nautical miles.

  • (2) Where it is not practical to provide at an aerodrome the fixed white lights referred to in subsection (1) for reasons such as the lack of an available electrical power source or insufficient air traffic, the operator of the aerodrome may, if a fixed white light is displayed at each end of the runway to indicate runway alignment, use white retro-reflective markers that are capable of reflecting aircraft lights and that are visible at a distance of not less than two nautical miles from an aircraft in flight that is aligned with the centre line of the runway.

  • (3) The lines of lights or retro-reflective markers required by subsection (1) or (2) shall be arranged so that

    • (a) the lines of lights or markers are parallel and of equal length and the transverse distance between the lines is equal to the runway width in use during the day;

    • (b) the distance between adjacent lights or markers in each line is the same and is not more than 60 m (200 feet);

    • (c) each line of lights or markers is not less than 420 m (1,377 feet) in length and contains no fewer than eight lights or markers; and

    • (d) each light or marker in a line of lights or markers is situated opposite to a light or marker in the line of lights or markers on the other side of the runway, so that a line connecting them forms a right angle to the centre line of the runway.

  • (4) Fixed white lights displayed at each end of a runway pursuant to subsection (2) shall be placed so that they are not likely to cause a hazard that could endanger persons or property.

  • (5) Where a taxiway is used at night, the operator of the aerodrome shall indicate each side of the taxiway with a line of fixed blue lights or blue retro-reflective markers placed so that the two lines of lights or markers are parallel and the distance between adjacent lights or markers in each line is not more than 60 m (200 feet).

  • (6) Where a manoeuvring area or part thereof or a heliport is closed, the operator of the aerodrome shall not operate the lights or keep the retro-reflective markers thereon, except as required for maintenance of the lights and markers.

  • (7) Where an aerodrome is used at night, the operator of the aerodrome shall indicate an unserviceable portion of the movement area with fixed red lights, red retro-reflective markers or floodlighting.

  • (8) Where an aircraft parking area at an aerodrome is used at night, the operator of the aerodrome shall indicate the boundary of the area with fixed blue lights or blue retro-reflective markers, placed at intervals not exceeding 60 m (200 feet), or with floodlighting.

  • (9) Subject to subsection (10), where a heliport is used at night for the take-off or landing of helicopters, the operator of the heliport shall illuminate the entire take-off and landing area with floodlights or

    • (a) where the take-off and landing area is rectangular, shall indicate the boundary with no fewer than eight fixed yellow lights, including one light at each corner, placed so that adjacent lights are not more than 13 m (42.5 feet) apart; or

    • (b) where the take-off and landing area is circular, shall indicate the boundary with no fewer than five fixed yellow lights placed so that adjacent lights are not more than 13 m (42.5 feet) apart.

  • (10) Where it is not practical to provide at a heliport the fixed yellow lights referred to in subsection (9) for reasons such as lack of an available electrical power source or insufficient air traffic, the operator of the heliport may use yellow retro-reflective markers that are capable of reflecting aircraft lights and that are visible at a distance of not less than two nautical miles from an aircraft in flight that is aligned with the approach path, if

    • (a) a light source is provided to show the location of the heliport; or

    • (b) where there is only one path for approach and departure, two lights are used to show the approach orientation.

  • (11) Where the lighting required by subsections (1), (2), (5) and (7) to (10) is operated by a radio-controlled system capable of activation from an aircraft, the system shall meet the requirements set out in Schedule II to this Subpart.

  • (12) The operator of an aerodrome may display flare pots to provide temporary lighting for the landing or take-off of aircraft.

Prohibitions

 No person shall

  • (a) walk, stand, drive a vehicle, park a vehicle or aircraft or cause an obstruction on the movement area of an aerodrome, except in accordance with permission given

    • (i) by the operator of the aerodrome, and

    • (ii) where applicable, by the appropriate air traffic control unit or flight service station;

  • (b) tow an aircraft on an active movement area at night unless the aircraft displays operating wingtip, tail and anti-collision lights or is illuminated by lights mounted on the towing vehicle and directed at the aircraft;

  • (c) park or otherwise leave an aircraft on an active manoeuvring area at night unless the aircraft displays operating wingtip, tail and anti-collision lights or is illuminated by lanterns suspended from the wingtips, tail and nose of the aircraft;

  • (d) operate any vessel, or cause any obstruction, on the surface of any part of a water area of an aerodrome that is to be kept clear of obstructions in the interest of aviation safety, when ordered, by signal or otherwise, to leave or not to approach that area by the appropriate air traffic control unit or flight service station or by the operator of the aerodrome;

  • (e) knowingly remove, deface, extinguish or interfere with a marker, marking, light or signal that is used at an aerodrome for the purpose of air navigation, except in accordance with permission given

    • (i) by the operator of the aerodrome, and

    • (ii) where applicable, by the appropriate air traffic control unit or flight service station;

  • (f) at a place other than an aerodrome, knowingly display a marker, marking, light or signal that is likely to cause a person to believe that the place is an aerodrome;

  • (g) knowingly display at or in the vicinity of an aerodrome a marker, marking, sign, light or signal that is likely to be hazardous to aviation safety by causing glare or by causing confusion with or preventing clear visual perception of a marker, marking, sign, light or signal that is required under this Subpart;

  • (h) allow a bird or other animal that is owned by the person or that is in the person’s custody or control to be unrestrained within the boundaries of an aerodrome except for the purpose of controlling other birds or animals at the aerodrome as permitted by the operator; or

  • (i) discharge a firearm within or into an aerodrome without the permission of the operator of the aerodrome.

Fire Prevention

  •  (1) Subject to subsection 301.07(12) and subsections (2) and (3), no person shall, while at an aerodrome, smoke or display an open flame

    • (a) on an apron;

    • (b) on an aircraft loading bridge or on a gallery or balcony that is contiguous to or that overhangs an apron; or

    • (c) in an area where smoking or the presence of an open flame is likely to create a fire hazard that could endanger persons or property.

  • (2) The operator of an aerodrome may, in writing, authorize maintenance or servicing operations on an apron that involve the use, production or potential development of an open flame or that involve the production or potential development of a spark where the operations are conducted in a manner that is not likely to create a fire hazard that could endanger persons or property.

  • (3) The operator of an aerodrome may permit smoking in an enclosed building or shelter located on an apron where such smoking is not likely to create a fire hazard that could endanger persons or property.

 

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