Written with AI assistance and may contain mistakes. Verify against the official Transport Canada publications before relying on anything here.

Takeoff clearance, aborts, departure instructions and runway use

Take-off clearance: only CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF plus runway number authorizes takeoff (NAV CANADA VFR Phraseology, Takeoff; TC AIM RAC 4.2.8).

Request when ready, holding short of runway. Include runway number.
Acknowledge on receipt. Take off without delay, or tell ATC if unable (RAC 4.2.8).
HOLD after request: proceed no farther until new clearance (TP 1102).
Stay clear of active runway until all pre-take-off checks complete (TP 1102).
Enter runway only if fully prepared to take off as soon as it is clear (TP 1102).

Not a take-off clearance, easy to mistake for one:

Phrase	Meaning	Takeoff?
`LINE UP` / `LINE UP AND WAIT`	Line up on runway only; issued when another aircraft is ahead or for wake turbulence separation	No
Departure instruction	Turn or altitude restriction after departure; read back with call sign	No
`ABORT ABORT`	Controller instruction to reject takeoff; extreme measure only, when no clear alternative (RAC 4.2.8.2)	No (reject)

Pilot may abort on own initiative: emergency procedure when continuing presents grave hazard to aircraft (RAC 4.2.8.2).

Runway use:

Use	Rule
Full length	Request any time
Intersection entry and backtrack	State intentions; get backtrack clearance before entering runway
Partial runway	Pilot requests, or controller suggests (states available length); pilot always responsible for adequate takeoff run length

Controller can never issue a clearance that breaks noise abatement procedures or wake turbulence separation minima.

Trap: treating LINE UP / LINE UP AND WAIT as takeoff permission; only CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF is.

PPL Tester