Canadian Aviation Regulations

602.34 (1) The appropriate cruising altitude or cruising flight level for an aircraft in level cruising flight is determined in accordance with

• (a) the magnetic track, in the Southern Domestic Airspace; and

• (b) the true track, in the Northern Domestic Airspace.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the pilot-in-command of an aircraft shall ensure that the aircraft is operated at a cruising altitude or cruising flight level appropriate to the track, as set out in the table to this section, unless the pilot-in-command is assigned another altitude or flight level by an air traffic control unit and the aircraft is operated in level cruising flight

• (a) at more than 3,000 feet AGL, in VFR flight; or

• (b) in IFR flight.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply where an aircraft is operated for the purpose of aerial survey or mapping and the following conditions are met:

• (a) the pilot-in-command of the aircraft contacts the appropriate air traffic control unit as far in advance as possible of the proposed flight;

• (b) the pilot-in-command of the aircraft provides, as far in advance as possible of the proposed take-off time of the aircraft, to any air traffic control unit that so requests, a topographical map at either a 1:500 000 or a 1:1 000 000 scale of the area to be surveyed or mapped, with proposed tracks and planned entry and exit points clearly delineated on the map;

• (c) the pilot-in-command of the aircraft files a flight plan or flight itinerary with an air traffic control unit as far in advance as possible of the proposed take-off time of the aircraft;

• (d) the flight plan or flight itinerary referred to in paragraph (c) specifies the area to be surveyed or mapped

  • (i) by reference to the relevant maps of the National Topographic System,

  • (ii) by reference to the geographic co-ordinates of the area, or

  • (iii) where required by an air traffic control unit, by reference to the air photograph block reference grid map provided by the air traffic control unit; and

• (e) where the aircraft is operated in controlled airspace, it is operated in accordance with an air traffic control clearance.