On May 12, the airspace changed in the B.C. lower mainland. COPA has been extensively involved in the negotiations concerning this complicated airspace.
Essentially, the Boundary Bay control zone changed from Class D to Class C and took on an irregular shape with a section added to the east, and the Vancouver control zone changed with the floor being lower down to the water out to 12 miles to the west.
Normally, the effective date of airspace changes coincide with publication dates so that all publications reflect the changes. In this case, the VFR Terminal Airspace (VTA) chart was updated after the effective date of the change and Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) was updated but both publications have errors in them.
All of the changes and corrections are covered by NOTAMs, but it has become very complicated to decipher all of the information contained in the NOTAMs. It would be unreasonable to expect pilots to plot all of the data in the NOTAMs but it is required by law to put it in this form whenever the Designated Airspace Handbook is updated. So, to help understand all of the changes and corrections to what has been issued so far, COPA has coordinated with NAVCANADA the following highlights of incorrect publications and where to find the best depictions of the changes. The following is not meant to replace a proper pre-flight planning exercise, including a thorough check of the NOTAMs and a call to the FIC if there is any doubt.
Vancouver VTA: There are several errors on the Vancouver VFR Terminal Airspace (VTA) chart, 29th edition April 2005, so it has been revoked. Previous versions are also out of date because they are missing some significant changes that came into effect on May 12.
Anyone who has purchased the 29th edition can send it to NAV CANADA for a replacement. As of the writing of this article, a release date has not been established but NAV CANADA is negotiating with their chart producer NRCAN for an expedited production schedule.
Use the VTPC charts in the CFS, effective May 12, for current airspace depictions.
CFS: The obstacle clearance circle on the Boundary Bay (CZBB) airport diagram (page B-62 of the CFS, effective May 12) should read CZ “C” 3NM TO 1500 SHAPE IRREGULAR instead of CZ “D” 3NM TO 1500 (see the diagram). The rest of the charts associated with CZBB accurately reflect the airspace change.
CFS: The written description of Vancouver Terminal Control Area, starting at the bottom of page C-17 in the Planning Section of the CFS effective, May 12, is incorrect. A NOTAM contains the correct information.