Take-off and landing site restrictions in a built-up area
Within a built-up area of a city or town: take-off, approach or landing only at an airport, heliport or military aerodrome (CAR 602.13(1)).
Exception: non-aerodrome site in built-up area (CAR 602.13(2)). ALL THREE must hold:
- Place not set apart for operation of aircraft.
- Flight creates no hazard to persons or property on the surface.
- Purpose is police operation in service of a police authority, or saving human life.
- No other purpose qualifies.
- Fire-fighting and air ambulance (CAR 602.15(1)(c)), aerial application (CAR 602.15(2)(b)(i)): DIFFERENT rule, the CAR 602.15 low-altitude exceptions, not 602.13(2).
Balloon take-off exception (CAR 602.13(3)). Separate from (2):
- Landowner permission for launch site
- No special aviation event underway there
- No written objection from a competent land-use authority, received by the Minister
- Minimum launch-site diameter
Outside airport, heliport or military aerodrome, take-off, approach or landing over a built-up area or open-air assembly of persons (CAR 602.12) has two tests:
| Test | Rule | Cite |
|---|---|---|
| No hazard | Must not be likely to create a hazard to persons or property | 602.12(2) |
| Engine-failure altitude | Altitude must allow landing without hazard to persons or property after engine failure or other emergency needing immediate landing. No height figure given | 602.12(3) |
Trap: "no hazard" alone is not enough; ALL three conditions must hold, and purpose is only police work or saving a life, not any low-risk flight.
References
- CARs 602.13(1)
- CARs 602.13(2)
- CARs 602.13(3)
- CARs 602.15(1)
- CARs 602.15(2)
- CARs 602.12(2)
- CARs 602.12(3)