Canadian airspace classes, charts and navigation for drone pilots
Classes A to G, Class F restricted and advisory areas, forest fire restrictions, VNC and VTA charts, the Canada Flight Supplement, UTC and basic navigation.
Checked against the rules in force on 2026-10-01Canadian airspace is divided into seven classes, A to G. For drone pilots the key question is simple: is it controlled? Basic pilots may fly only in uncontrolled airspace. Controlled airspace needs an Advanced certificate, an RPAS declared for it, and permission from NAV CANADA.
The classes
- Class A starts at FL180 in the south; drones need special approval.
- Class B starts at 12,500 ft.
- Class C and Class D surround busier airports, usually from the surface to about 3,000 ft AGL. When the tower closes they usually become Class E.
- Class E is controlled airspace for IFR traffic; control zones often reach the surface.
- Class F is special use airspace. CYR areas are restricted: you need the user agency's permission. CYA areas are advisory: you may fly without permission, but expect low aircraft.
- Class G is uncontrolled and is the normal home of basic operations.
Exact limits are in the Designated Airspace Handbook, updated every 56 days. The NRC Drone Site Selection Tool colours areas: red for no-fly, orange where permission is needed, yellow for caution.
Forest fires and NOTAMs
No aircraft, including micro-drones, may fly below 3,000 ft AGL within 5 NM of a forest fire area unless authorized. The Minister can also restrict any airspace by NOTAM.
Charts and the CFS
- VNC charts are 1:500,000; VTA charts are 1:250,000 and cover the busiest airspace.
- The Canada Flight Supplement lists aerodromes, frequencies and operators and is updated every 56 days. Water aerodromes are in a separate supplement.
Navigation basics
- Latitude measures north or south; longitude measures east or west of Greenwich. One minute of latitude is one nautical mile (1,852 m).
- Track is the path over the ground; heading is where the aircraft points. The difference is drift caused by wind.
- Magnetic variation is the angle between true and magnetic north. Going from true to magnetic, add west variation and subtract east.
Time
Canadian aviation uses UTC (Z) on a 24-hour clock. Eastern Standard Time is UTC minus 5 hours (minus 4 in daylight time), Central minus 6 (minus 5), Mountain minus 7 (minus 6), Atlantic minus 4 (minus 3) and Newfoundland minus 3½ (minus 2½). Daylight time runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
Sources: TC AIM RPA 3.2.3 · TC AIM GEN 1.5 · TP 15263 sec. 5
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In which airspace may a pilot with a basic operations certificate fly?
Which time standard is used in Canadian aviation operations?
On a chart you see an area labeled CYR followed by three numbers. What is it?
Lines of latitude (parallels) are used to measure position
A forest fire is burning nearby. Without permission, where may you NOT fly your drone?
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