3.3 Special Use Airspace (Class F)

Special use airspace (Class F) is airspace of defined dimensions where certain activities must be confined because of their nature, and where limitations may be imposed on aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities.

It can be controlled, uncontrolled, or a combination of both.

When areas of Class F airspace are inactive, they assume the rules of the appropriate surrounding airspace.

1. Advisory vs. Restricted

Class F Advisory (CYA)

“CY” is the Canadian airspace designator, and “A” stands for Advisory. This is airspace where specific, often high-volume or unusual activities are taking place—such as flight training, parachuting, soaring, or military exercises. Non-participating aircraft are encouraged to avoid these areas.

• Rules for HG/PG: A hang glider can enter a CYA (provided it’s allowed to enter the underlying airspace) but must exercise caution.

Class F Restricted (CYR)

This is airspace where the flight of aircraft is heavily restricted for safety or national security reasons. Examples include active fires, military artillery firing ranges, federal prisons, or test facilities.

• Rules for HG/PG: A hang glider cannot enter an active CYR unless authorization has been obtained from the user agency controlling that airspace.

2. Activity Codes

Each restricted and advisory area is uniquely identified. The letter in brackets in the identification (e.g. CYA 326(H)) identifies the activity within the airspace:

• A - Aerobatics
• F - Aircraft test area
• H - Hang gliding
• M - Military operations
• P - Parachuting
• S - Soaring
• T - Training

3. Example on a VNC

Below is one example of a CYA: CYA 516(P) in Southern Ontario.

As you can see, the VNC has all of the conditions associated with the CYA. In this case, the CYA is active for parachuting operations during daylight hours every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays between April 1st and October 31st, from the ground up to 12,500 ASL.

On occasion, it will be active on other days and/or will extend up to 14,000 ASL and that will be promulgated by NOTAM.

Note

There is an aerodrome in the middle of the CYA, which is consistent with parachuting operations. The aircraft has to take off from somewhere, and it is efficient to have the parachutists land where the aircraft takes off from.

Recap - Interactive Airspace Viewer

Aerodromes and Air Navigation (AARN) Airspace Model

Use the class buttons below to view VFR minima and HG/PG-focused operating requirements.

Class AClass BClass CClass DClass EClass FClass G

Class A

VFR minima

• VFR flight is not permitted.
• IFR only.

HG / PG pilot requirements

• HG/PG operations are not permitted in Class A.