Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ)
The ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone) is a security zone. Aircraft must be identifiable before entry and while in it. Rules: CAR 602.145, repeated in TC AIM RAC 3.8.
Scope:
- All aircraft; no altitude or speed threshold (CAR 602.145(1); PSTAR 12.01).
- Dimensions: Designated Airspace Handbook (CAR 602.145).
- VFR flight within the ADIZ = DVFR (Defence VFR) (TC AIM GEN 5.1).
Required steps (CAR 602.145):
- File a flight plan or flight itinerary with an ATS unit or community aerodrome radio station before takeoff.
- Position report by radio as soon as possible after takeoff: location, altitude, aerodrome of departure, estimated time and point of ADIZ entry.
- Position report also required before entering under certain conditions, on a DVFR flight plan or defence flight itinerary (TC AIM RAC 5.1).
By departure point:
| Departing from | Rule | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| Outside ADIZ | Flight plan or itinerary also states estimated time and point of ADIZ entry | CAR 602.145(3)(b)(i) |
| Within ADIZ | Position report: location, altitude, aerodrome of departure only. No ADIZ entry estimate | CAR 602.145(3)(c) |
| No facilities to file before takeoff | File flight plan or itinerary by radio after takeoff. VFR aircraft still give estimated time and point of ADIZ entry if applicable | CAR 602.145(4) |
Revise and report estimated time and point of ADIZ entry (CAR 602.145(5)) if not arriving within:
- plus or minus 5 minutes of estimate, at a reporting point, the entry point, or the destination
- 20 NM of the estimated entry point or planned route centreline
Trap: ADIZ is national security identification, not IFR/VFR separation; VFR not exempt, still file and report.
References
- CARs 602.145
- TC AIM RAC 1.1.1