Airspeed Restrictions CAR 602.32

[Climb_Power]

Airspeed Limitations
602.32
(1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall
(amended 2010/11/10; previous version)
(a) operate an aircraft at an indicated airspeed of more than 250 knots if the aircraft is below 10,000 feet ASL; or
(amended 2010/11/10; previous version)
(b) operate an aircraft at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots if the aircraft is below 3,000 feet AGL within 10 nautical miles of a controlled aerodrome unless authorized to do so in an air traffic control clearance.
(amended 2010/11/10; previous version)
(2) A person may operate an aircraft at an indicated airspeed greater than the airspeeds referred to in subsection (1) if the aircraft is being operated in accordance with a special flight operations certificate - special aviation event issued pursuant to section 603.02.
(amended 2010/11/10; previous version)
(3) If the minimum safe airspeed for the flight configuration of an aircraft is greater than the airspeed referred to in subsection (1), the aircraft shall be operated at the minimum safe airspeed.
(amended 2010/11/10; previous version)

Previous version - 602.32 - 1996/10/10
602.32 (1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall operate an aircraft below 10,000 feet ASL at an indicated airspeed of more than 250 knots.

(2) No person shall operate an aircraft below 3,000 feet AGL within 10 nautical miles of a controlled airport at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots unless authorized to do so in an air traffic control clearance.

(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), a person may operate an aircraft at an indicated airspeed greater than the airspeeds referred to in subsections (1) and (2) where the aircraft is being operated on departure or in accordance with a special flight operations certificate - special aviation event issued pursuant to section 603.02.

(4) Where the minimum safe speed for the flight configuration of an aircraft is greater than the speed referred to in subsection (1) or (2), the aircraft shall be operated at the minimum safe speed.

After re-reading the new CAR regarding airspeed limitations I see that not only have they removed the exemption on departure for 250 below 10000', exceeding 200 below 3000 (within 10nm) is not authorized either.

Now if say in YEG we're to fly a Vnap A or B, and due to fuel savings elect to fly the B, raising flaps at 1000', our minimum safe speed flaps up may be well above 200 KIAS. If we had flown the Vnap A procedure we could have stayed below 200 KIAS until above 3000'. Does subsection (3) ("If the minimum safe airspeed for the flight configuration of an aircraft is greater than the airspeed referred to in subsection (1), the aircraft shall be operated at the minimum safe airspeed.") authorize us to fly the Vnap B procedure or must we fly the A?

Thanks in advance.

[ahramin]

You can fly the B.

[Climb_Power]

OK, I was hoping for a little more clarity. If you are allowed to fly the B, exceeding 200 KIAS what part of the reg allows that?

unless authorized to do so in an air traffic control clearance.


You are cleared to fly the SID and can choose to fly either the A or B. Does that on its own allow you to exceed 200 KIAS?

There is also this:

If the minimum safe airspeed for the flight configuration of an aircraft is greater than the airspeed referred to in subsection (1), the aircraft shall be operated at the minimum safe airspeed.

I'm just looking for a definitive answer or reference as this seems open to interpretation. I don't see why the "on departure" exemption was removed for 200 below 3000' at all.

[ahramin]

The on departure exemption was removed to keep the speed at 250 below 10 000'. It was never intended to modify the 10 nm 3000' rule.

If you fly a VNAP B, you will retract flaps and slats before 3000'. If you do so and your VLS (or whatever you use for minimum safe speed) is above 200, subsection 4 covers you.