• Definitions
• Responsibility for Special Aviation Events
• Regulations and Standards
• Special Flight Operations Certificate
• Event Management
• Participant and Aircraft Eligibility/Qualifications
• Distances and Altitudes from Spectators
• Weather Conditions
• Participant Briefing
• Parachuting
• The International Council of Air Shows
• Who to Contact for More Information

Definitions

Special aviation events in Canada consist of airshows, balloon festivals, aerobatic competitions, low level air races and fly-ins. An air show is an aerial display or demonstration before an invited assembly of persons by one or more aircraft. The air show sponsor is the person or agency responsible for the organization and conduct of a special aviation event. A participant is a special aviation event performer, which includes flight crews, flight crew support staff, parachutists and ground performers, such as pyrotechnic teams and announcers.

Responsibility for Special Aviation Events

Recreational Aviation and Special Flight Operations is the division within Transport Canada’s Civil Aviation directorate which is responsible for authorizing and monitoring special aviation events. We are also responsible for amending and developing policies, standards and regulations that promote safety in the conduct of special aviation events.

Regulations and Standards

Subpart 603, Division I of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and Subpart 623, Division I, Chapter One of the Special Flight Operations Standards deals with Special Aviation Events. In order to conduct a special aviation event, authorization in the form of a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC), is required. The certificate will outline general and specific conditions that must be complied with by the sponsor and participants of the event.

Special Flight Operations Certificate

A Special Flight Operations Certificate is issued to the air show sponsor once they have demonstrated the ability to conduct the air show in accordance with the requirements of the Special Flight Operations Standards. The sponsor is responsible for submitting an application to the appropriate Regional Aviation Licensing office at least 60 days prior to the proposed date of the event. The application must contain such information as: relevant names and phone numbers, dates and location of the event, identification of the aircraft and air safety support facilities, and a detailed site diagram of the event site. At least 10 days prior to the event, the sponsor must send in information pertaining to pilot documents, aerobatic manoeuvres, flight authorities, emergency procedures, and air display traffic control procedures. For more detailed information on the issuance of a Special Flight Operations Certificate, refer to section 623.02 of the CARs.

Event Management

The sponsor of the airshow has the overall responsibility to ensure that the event is conducted in such a way that the safety of persons and property on the ground is not jeopardized. They are responsible for the structure and assigning of the event management, emergency facilities and procedures, crowd control and air display traffic control.

The sponsor shall ensure that procedures have been developed and published and that facilities, equipment, and personnel are in place to respond to anticipated emergencies, including aircraft accidents or medical emergencies involving the spectators.

The sponsor is additionally responsible for the provision of adequate facilities and personnel to ensure that the crowd is properly controlled, giving attention to designated spectator areas, aircraft and vehicle parking, fencing barriers, emergency entrances, access lanes and exits, public address system and site cleanliness. Details are contained in section 623.05 of the CARs.

Participant and Aircraft Eligibility/Qualifications

In order to participate in an airshow, certain conditions must be met relating to both the aircraft and the pilot participant (section 623.06). Sponsors must ensure that appropriate authority has been granted to these aircraft operators in order to be eligible to participate in the event.

Distances and Altitudes from Spectators

Section 623.07 of the CARs sets standards for minimum safety distances and minimum altitudes that must be maintained between aircraft in flight and designated spectator areas, unofficial spectator areas, built-up areas and occupied buildings during the air show. Outlined in detail are the requirements for manoeuvres toward the crowd and manoeuvres along flight lines.

The airspace at the airshow site where the participating aircraft perform, called the flying display area, will vary in size depending on the aircraft type, speed and the manoeuvres that the pilots intend to perform at the event. The sponsor is required to assume control of this area to ensure that non-essential persons are kept clear. This section of the CARs also contains the flight line distance requirements based on aircraft speed categories.

Unless specified otherwise, aircraft flown at a speed less than 156 knots must be flown at an altitude of 300 feet above ground level or above. For aircraft flown at a speed more than 156 knots, the minimum altitude above ground level is 500 feet. There are also specific safe distances, for take-off and landing purposes, between the aircraft and the spectators that must be observed.

Some aircraft operations, including those pertaining to powered parachute demonstrations, helicopter agility manoeuvres, take-off and landing areas, low altitude performances, and events conducted at night, operate under special conditions. These special conditions must be contained in the Special Flight Operations Certificate. It is the sponsor’s responsibility to request authorization for these special types of operations.

Flights over designated spectator areas is prohibited. Certain restrictions apply to flights over unofficial spectator areas and over built-up areas adjacent to flying display areas. Please refer to section 623.07 for more information on safe distances and altitudes.

Weather Conditions

The minimum weather conditions for conducting an airshow are a ceiling of 1500 feet above ground level and a ground visibility of 3 miles. Under certain conditions, these minima may be adjusted. More details are available under section 623.08 of the CARs.

Participant Briefing

Prior to the airshow, there must be a safety briefing at which all aspects of the flying, ground and emergency procedures of the proposed event should be reviewed. The briefing should be conducted in such a way that every performer and event personnel in charge of the air, ground and emergency operations has a clear understanding of their responsibilities and the procedures to be followed in both the normal or emergency situations that may occur during the course of the event. Each participant must read the SFOC and sign a participant’s statement (see section 623.09).

Parachuting

Parachute descents at an air show must receive prior authorization in accordance with section 603.37. Where parachuting by other than military personnel is part of the airshow, the application may be made by the sponsor of the event on behalf of the parachutists.

The International Council of Air Shows

The International Council of Airshows (ICAS) was created in 1968 to safeguard and promote air shows and air show professionals. An association of air show producers, performers and support service providers, ICAS is dedicated to air show safety, professionalism, showmanship and economic viability.

If you need any information pertaining to air show issues and procedures that is not related to the Canadian Aviation Regulations, such as air show planning, organizing or marketing, you may contact:

President
International Council of Airshows Inc.
481 N. Frederick Avenue, Suite 405
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Telephone: (301) 519-6800
Facsimile: (301) 519-6869

Who to Contact for More Information

If you require information on policies or issues surrounding airshows, please contact us at:

Transport Canada
Recreational Aviation and
Special Flight Operations (AARRD)
Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks Street, 6th Floor,
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N8

Telephone: (613) 990-1034
Facsimile: (613) 990-6215

E-mail: Recavsf@tc.gc.ca
Website: www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/general/recavi/menu.htm

Transport Canada is responsible for the conduct of civil aircraft only. Canadian military aircraft and foreign military aircraft while in Canada, operate under the authority of the Department of National Defence, and are not subject to the Canadian Aviation Regulations. If you require information pertaining to Canadian military performances or performances by foreign military aircraft, you may contact:

1 Canadian Air Division - HQ (1 CAD-HQ)
Box 17000, Station Forces
Winnipeg, MB
R3J 0T0

Telephone: (204) 833-2500 Ext. 5206
Facsimile: (204) 833-2637

Additional information on the organization and administration of airshows may be obtained by contacting your local Transport Canada Regional General Aviation Office.