✈️ New Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) Detected
AIC: AIC 022/2025
Published: 2025-11-13
Effective: 2025-11-27
Affected Location: Vancouver International Airport (CYVR)
🧠 What Changed (Summary)
NAV CANADA advises modifications to several Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs) serving Vancouver International Airport (CYVR), effective 27 November 2025. Changes include adjusted lateral routing (wider downwind legs), revised altitude and speed constraints, and the introduction of vertical guidance to support Continuous Descent Operations (CDO) and alignment with future RNP-AR and Established on RNP (EoR) initiatives. A new CYPRESS arrival is introduced. The LIONN ARR will be NOTAM’d unauthorized until 22 January 2026, with CANUCK ARR used instead for aircraft otherwise required to file LIONN.
- Effective date: 27 Nov 2025
- Modified STARs: GRIZZ, ISLAND, SHARK, CANUCK, WHISTLER, DUXUM, LIONN, SOUND
- Key changes: adjusted lateral routing (wider downwind legs); revised altitude and speed constraints
- New procedure: CYPRESS ARR
- Vertical guidance added to support CDO; designed to align with upcoming RNP-AR approaches and EoR standard
- Until coordination is complete, ATC may assign altitudes at or above certain published constraints (examples provided in AIC)
- LIONN ARR (RWY 26L/R) NOTAM’d unauthorized until 22 Jan 2026; file/expect CANUCK ARR instead
✈️ General Aviation Impact (Highlighted)
Airspace / Procedures:
- If operating IFR into CYVR, review the updated STAR lateral routing plus revised altitude/speed constraints prior to the 27 Nov 2025 effective date.
- Expect possible ATC altitude assignments ‘at or above’ certain published constraints while transition work is ongoing (AIC provides examples for GRIZZ EIGHT and SHARK FOUR).
- Do not plan to use LIONN ARR while it is NOTAM’d unauthorized (until 22 Jan 2026); expect CANUCK ARR instead if you would normally file LIONN.
Operational Notes:
- CDO/vertical guidance changes may alter descent planning and energy management; anticipate updated restrictions on arrival clearance.
- The AIC notes alignment with future RNP-AR procedures planned for early 2026; details of those future procedures are not provided in the excerpt.
VFR Impact:
- Primarily an IFR procedure change (STARs). VFR pilots operating near CYVR should be aware arrival track changes may shift where IFR traffic is sequenced (e.g., wider downwind legs), potentially affecting traffic patterns and see-and-avoid expectations in the vicinity.
🔗 Official Source
(official NAV CANADA document)
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