The recent change of an alert area in Southwestern Ontario
temporarily into a restricted area for rocket firing caused some confusion
amongst local pilots. Those who checked the NOTAMs were puzzled as to what was
happening to their normal practice area. Those who didn’t check the NOTAMs got a
bit too close to the rockets or, in some cases recently, were violated for being
in restricted airspace.
A little investigation dug up the story on what is happening at CYA 525 when it
becomes CYR 525 one or two days a month. The area is being used by the North
American Propulsion and Aerospace Society. They are authorized by Transport
Canada to use the temporary restricted area for the firing of rockets for sport,
research and experiments. Sport rocketry? That’s right! Some of these large,
high-powered rockets are fired by the rocket world’s equivalent of Private
Pilots. These are not little model rockets, but may be up to 100 lbs and reach
Mach 2. In the same way that Private Pilots are well qualified to fly planes,
these rockets are launched by people with specific qualifications and licences
for this type of rocketry. As airplane pilots we have to share the air with
other users. Each of these rocket-firing areas is approved by Transport Canada
and NOTAMed just when in use.
Pilots are cautioned that these types of rockets are being used all over Canada,
in designated restricted areas, opened intermittently by NOTAM. Because these
rockets are usually fired far away from airports the NOTAMS often list the areas
under the Flight Information Region (FIR), and not under any airport headings.
Ensure that when you ask for NOTAMS during a briefing from the FIC, that you ask
for the FIR NOTAMS as well as departure and destination aerodromes. You can also
check the NOTAMs on Nav Canada's website at
www.flightplanning.navcanada.ca When
the areas are not in use the restricted area will be turned back to other users.
Missing checking the NOTAMs before you go flying could result in a violation or
worse if you have an encounter with a large, fast-moving rocket.