En route NOTAMs and Flight Information Regions

by Jim F. Pengelly, Aircraft Licensing Officer, Transport Canada Ontario Region

While most pilots take the time to check the NOTAMs for their departure, destination and alternate aerodromes, it appears some may be forgetting to check their en route NOTAMs in the flight information region (FIR) summary. Below is an example of what happened when a pilot neglected to check the FIR summary.

In late September 2000, a Transport Canada inspector was monitoring a high-powered rocket launch in Southern Ontario when an aircraft flew through the launch area (about two square nautical miles). Transport Canada had redesignated the Class F advisory airspace (CYA) as Class F restricted airspace (CYR) to permit high-powered rocket launches. The Designated Airspace Handbook was amended by a NOTAM that was issued for the FIR 48 hr. ahead of the activation time specified by the user.

NOTAMs are the means by which changes to information on aeronautical charts or aeronautical information publications are disseminated. They are a pilot’s source of relevant information pertaining to flight operations! (Ref.: MAP 5-1 of the A.I.P.) As the change in airspace designation is considered en route information, the Toronto Flight Service Station (FSS) placed the NOTAM in the CZYZ FIR summary relating to CYA and not specific to the local airport or FSS station.

The aircraft that flew through the restricted area, which is used by two operators in the area, was familiar to the Transport Canada inspector. One of the operators stated that there had been no information about the rocket launch on the airport automatic terminal information service (ATIS) that day, but it was later discovered that it had been published in the general summary of the CZYZ FIR, as mentioned previously.

According to the pilot, the NOTAMs were checked for local VFR operations, but he had not checked the FIR summary. Many pilots not heading in Toronto’s direction do not check the FIR summary, even though it contains crucial information, because they feel it isn’t relevant. This oversight put both the pilot and his passenger at greater risk.

Neglecting the tools and resources present can lead to a dangerous situation with potentially disastrous consequences. Section 602.71 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) states that the pilot-in-command of an aircraft shall, before commencing a flight, be familiar with the available information that is appropriate for the intended flight. This includes the NOTAMs, and all facility-specific and en route information. Consider the consequences of what would happen to an aircraft that catches a four-foot rocket or if a descending rocket with its parachute deployed goes through a propeller or gets caught across the windshield. When checking the NOTAMs, don’t stop at your destination and alternate aerodromes, check your en route information as well.