Aerobatic manoeuvre rules
Aerobatic manoeuvre (CAR 101.01): any change in aircraft attitude, not incidental to normal flying, that produces:
- bank angle greater than 60 degrees
- abnormal attitude
- abnormal acceleration
Five conditions bar it outright (CAR 602.27):
| Prohibited | Unless |
|---|---|
| Over a built-up area or open-air assembly of persons | - |
| Flight visibility less than 3 statute miles | - |
| Below 2,000 ft AGL | special flight operations certificate (CAR 602.27(d); CAR 603.65(f) operation, certified under CAR 603.67) |
| In airspace requiring radio contact with air traffic services | ATS unit advised aerobatic manoeuvres will be conducted |
| In Class A, B, or C airspace or a Class D control zone | prior coordination between pilot-in-command and the ATC unit providing service there |
- Otherwise not prohibited. Example: Class F advisory airspace, visibility 3 SM or more.
Passenger aboard during aerobatic manoeuvre (CAR 602.28): PIC must meet both conditions.
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1. Experience | 10 h dual instruction in aerobatic manoeuvres, or 20 h conducting them |
| 2. Recency | At least 1 h conducting aerobatic manoeuvres in preceding 6 months |
Trap: experience (10/20 h) and recency (1 h/6 months) are separate; both required.
References
- CAR 101.01 (definition: aerobatic manoeuvre)
- CAR 602.27 (aerobatic manoeuvres: prohibited areas and flight conditions)
- CAR 603.65(f), 603.67 (SFOC for aerobatics below 2,000 ft AGL)
- CAR 602.28 (aerobatic manoeuvres with passengers)