✈️ New Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) Detected
AIC: AIC 001/2026
Published: 2026-01-22
🧠 What Changed (Summary)
NAV CANADA AIC highlights that civilian specialty air combat training (SACT)—aggressive manoeuvring/close proximity operations—cannot be conducted safely in shared airspace, and notes restrictions put in place under Aeronautics Act s.5.1 effective 19 Dec 2025. The excerpt provided includes definitions used for the notice (built-up, sparsely settled, remote areas; SACT operations; tactical navigation training; close formation). Specific geographic/airspace restrictions and conditions are not included in the provided excerpt.
- SACT defined as civil training primarily related to air-to-air and/or air-to-surface combat operations (includes air combat/evasive manoeuvres and simulated weapons delivery).
- Close formation defined as 2+ aircraft under a flight leader where wingmen fly solely by reference to lead aircraft; wingmen cannot effectively maintain lookout—relies on flight lead for “see and avoid.”
- Tactical Navigation Training defined as a SACT activity conducted in Class G/F/E (excluding Class E control zones) involving formation navigation along pre-planned routes, without simulated opponents/weapons/tactical/defensive manoeuvres.
- Area definitions based on Statistics Canada population density thresholds: Built Up Area (>25 persons/km²); Sparsely Settled Area (<25 persons/km²); Remote Area (<5 persons/km²).
- Authority cited: Aeronautics Act s.5.1 allowing the Minister/authorized person to prohibit or restrict aircraft operations for aviation safety/security or public protection.
✈️ General Aviation Impact (Highlighted)
Airspace / Procedures:
- Expect restrictions/conditions to apply to civilian SACT activity as of 19 Dec 2025; consult the full AIC/notice for the exact airspace/area limitations and any exceptions/conditions (not present in excerpt).
- Be alert for increased formation activity and potentially intensive manoeuvring where permitted; maintain heightened traffic scan and use ATS/flight following where available.
Operational Notes:
- If operating in areas that meet the AIC’s population-density definitions (built-up/sparsely settled/remote), verify whether additional limitations apply in the full notice (not included in excerpt).
- Close formation operations reduce collective lookout capability; non-participating VFR traffic should give wide berth where observed/announced.
VFR Impact:
- VFR see-and-avoid risk: SACT/close formation may involve rapid manoeuvring and limited lookout by wingmen; plan to avoid any published SACT areas/routes/altitudes once confirmed in the full AIC.
- Monitor 126.7 MHz and applicable MF/ATF frequencies when transiting areas where tactical navigation training/formation activity may occur; consider altitude/route adjustments to reduce conflict.
🔗 Official Source
🏛️ This summary is generated using automated analysis and may omit important details.
It does not replace the official NAV CANADA AIC. Pilots must review the original notice in full prior to flight.