Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Requirements Concerning Operations in Night Visual Flight Rules (NVFR)

PURPOSE

This Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circular (CBAAC) is intended to bring to the attention of Air Taxi operators the requirements for operations in Night Visual Flight Rule (NVFR) flight.

BACKGROUND

Following a fatal accident, concerns have been raised about the operation of aircraft in NVFR. The accident aircraft was operating in uncontrolled airspace. Other company pilots who spoke to Transportation Safety Board (TSB) investigators were not familiar with the NVFR requirement to fly an established route.

Transport Canada (TC) wishes to ensure that all NVFR operators understand the obstacle clearance requirements and weather minima for NVFR.

ACTION

Canadian Aviation Regulation (CAR) 602.115 requires a visibility of three miles for NVFR flight. Furthermore, CAR 703.27(a) prohibits enroute NVFR at less than 1000 feet above the highest obstacle. NVFR must be conducted along air routes or routes specifically established by the air operator and designed in accordance with Commercial Air Service Standard (CASS) 723.34. The Company Operations Manual (COM) must include information and direction pertaining to NVFR operations. CASS 723.105(1)(j) refers.

Air operators who choose to develop their own NVFR routes will have to submit their proposals to TC in the normal manner.

The generic operations manual for Air Taxi operators will be corrected in the revision that is currently underway to include all pertinent information concerning NVFR operations.

CONCLUSION

Company operations manuals must contain all the information required by the CASS regarding NVFR operations, and pilots must be aware of, and operate in accordance with, the NVFR procedures contained in the COM.

M.R. Preuss
Director
Commercial & Business Aviation