Aerodromes, airports and others

A recent removal of an aerodrome in British Columbia from the Canada Flight Supplement (See Tony Swain’s “Pacific Perspective” column in this issue of Canadian Flight.) highlights the need for operators of aerodromes to ensure that the information in the CFS is current and correct. Transport Canada requires that someone must be listed as the airport operator. COPA encourages the establishment and development of airports. Landing areas are important for the safety and convenience of pilots and their passengers. Alternate airports are becoming more important as larger airports impose airspace or economic restrictions.
If you have an airport listed in the CFS, please ensure that the information is up-to-date. We would hate to see it disappear from the knowledge base that we enjoy as pilots.
There are three classifications of takeoff and landing areas in Canada: registered aerodromes, certified airports and all the others. 

All the others
An aerodrome means any area of land, water (including the frozen surface) or other supporting surface used, designated, prepared, equipped or set apart for use either in whole or in part for the arrival, departure, movement or servicing of aircraft and includes any buildings, installations and equipment situated thereon or associated therewith. It is estimated that there are over 6,000 aerodromes in Canada. These are mostly private airstrips. The number does not count the lakes and rivers available to float and skiplanes. There are no standards for these “surfaces” and most are not listed in any public document.

Registered Aerodromes
Where reliable information is available, that information may published in the Canada Flight Supplement or the Water Aerodrome Supplement. An aerodrome which is listed and described in the CFS or the WAS is called a “registered aerodrome.” 
To register an aerodrome, the operator contacts the nearest Regional Headquarters of Transport Canada. (These are listed in the Canadian Flight Annual 2001 and on the COPA Web site: www.copanational.org. Click on “COPA Links,” then “Transport Canada.”) On application, the operator is required to provide information on the location, marking, lighting, use and operation of the aerodrome. 
Registered aerodromes are subject to a safety assessment. Registration would be withheld only if Transport Canada assessed the aerodrome and found it unsafe.
The standards for registration are listed in CARs Sections 301.05 to 301.09. There are reasonable requirements for aerodrome markings, warning notices if necessary, a wind direction indicator and lighting (if the aerodrome is to be used at night). 

Why an aerodrome should be registered
Registering an aerodrome is helpful to general aviation. Besides having it appear in the Canada Flight Supplement, it may also be added to aeronautical charts and to aeronautical databases. This helps general aviation pilots plan stops at previously unavailable destinations as well as providing information on emergency landing areas. Registered aerodromes may appear in flight planning and GPS databases, making them readily accessible using the “nearest to” function in many of today’s onboard systems. This feature is perhaps one of the best safety enhancements in recent years. The more aerodromes we have in the database, the better it is for all pilots.
When an aerodrome is registered, certain safety procedures can be identified and any noise-sensitive areas may be highlighted. Registration also provides the owner/operator with the ability to limit access by requiring pilots to seek permission before use.
With registration comes certain responsibilities. Operators are required to keep the information on their aerodromes up-to-date for publication. Operators may also be held liable for any unsafe airport conditions encountered by visiting pilots. Registration also brings an aerodrome under federal law that, among other things, prohibits anyone from obstructing an aerodrome operating area.

Airports
An airport is an aerodrome in respect of which a Canadian aviation document (airport certificate) is in force. There are 700 airports in Canada, each with an airport certificate stating it is in compliance with conditions required for the aerodrome to be certified and used as an airport. All airports are listed and described in either the CFS or the WAS. It is Transport Canada policy that an airport shall be inspected at least once a year by an Aerodrome Standards Civil Aviation Inspector to ensure the airport is operated and maintained in accordance with the conditions specified in the airport certificate. Airport certification is applicable only to aerodromes that are:
a) located within the built-up area of any city or town; or
b) any land aerodrome that is used by an air carrier for a scheduled service for the transport of passengers.

COPA Guide to Private Aerodrome Development
The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association has developed a guide to assist those members interested in developing their own private aerodrome. This information package helps in planning the construction of a land aerodrome for VFR operations. It also includes guidelines to be considered if future airport upgrading leading to certification is anticipated. The guide is available on the COPA Web site: www.copanational.org. Click on “Members only,” then “Aviation Guides.” Hard copies of the guide are available through COPA’s headquarters.