Regs for Height above National and Provincial Parks

[LousyFisherman]

Hi All,

I have found a recommendation (not a regulation) on the Parks Canada website about flying 2000 feet or more above a National Park. On the Calgary VNC there is a box indicating no overflights below 2000 feet AGL for one of the BC provincial parks.

I do understand that I cannot land without permission in the National Parks, (Parks Canada again) but I have not found anything about landing in provincial parks although I assume that is also permission required.

My question is where/what are the regulations about overflying parks? Also in the above cases is the 2000 feet AGL above the valley I am flying in or above the mountain top that may be 500 yards to my side, (and is higher than me). Or do I have to stay 2000 feet horizontally from that ?

I have spent alot of time searching for this so if it is in CARS or AIM I apologize!

IFP, I've been as far as Kananaskis and Mount Assiniboine, I'll be over to see you later this month or early October

LF

[Tango01]

RAC 1.14.5 gives a list of national parks which you may not operate. This means that anything that is not outlined there should be good to go. There is nothing on provincial parks. However before taking-off or landing at any park, check with local authorities just in case.

[Big Pistons Forever]

The "C" section of the CFS has a more user friendly list of the National Parks restriction by province. It list some provincial restrictions like the West Coast Gulf Islands noise abatement procedures.

[Hedley]

no overflights below 2000 feet AGL for one of the BC provincial parks

What nonsense. This has nothing to do whatsoever
with safety, and everything to do with not disturbing
the "aura" of some long-haired bearded dope-smoking
tree-hugging volvo-driving al gore-loving freak, who's
so high on peyote he thinks your 172 is a giant gila
monster swooping down from the heavens to devour
what little is left of his frontal lobes

[iflyforpie]

There are some times where you have to use your best judgement IMHO.

Theoretically, since Mt. Assiniboine is in both Banff National Park and Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park and is 11,870 ft high, you would have to fly at 13,870 to cross over it. Of course, going through some of the lower remote passes will allow you to do it at 9,000 or at just over 7000 in Kicking Horse Pass.

Practically, other than flying over the valley floor and settlements, I never use these values (I have done 500 ft AGL over the Bow Valley, with blessings from Parks Canada). Same with cruising altitudes. The window between the ridgelines and cloud ceiling often preclude the use of these--while still allowing for safe VFR flight. As the number of days for crossing the divide are few and far between, I think it is best to take advantage of those days, while using common sense to minimize impact.

IFP, I've been as far as Kananaskis and Mount Assiniboine, I'll be over to see you later this month or early October

Looking forward to it! But I will be on vacation from the 10th of October to the 26th. September is by far the best month for flying the rocks.

volvo-driving

Hey! I resemble that remark! The rest is all true. We can't land float planes on 90% of the lakes around here, yet ATVs, snomobiles, and 4x4s are fine for some reason.



Castle Mountain, from slightly less than 2000ft...

[AEROBAT]

When in doubt fly high enough that your registration isn't visable from the ground.

[peterpan]

I reckon:

1. The 2000' AGL recommendation by Parks Canada, like the 2000' AGL for fur farms and Caribou herds, is a fair enough request that I will oblige so long as it dosen't interfere with my low-level sightseeing or any other flying below 2000'AGL I need or want to do.

2. Legally, you could fly as close as you like to the ground/valley floor/mountain peaks/etc. but not within 500' of any person/vehicle/vessel/structure and not with 1000'AGL (with 2000' Horizontal) of any "built-up area" / "open air assembly" such as Lake Louise or Banff town. No different than outside a National Park.

3. National Parks Aircraft Access Regulations ([url]http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/docs/bib-lib/~/ ... e.ashx/url]) don't mention anything about Banff/Yoho/Jasper/Kootenay so I think they are fair game for taking off and landing. On the other hand, if you landed in a farmer's field (non-emergency) without permission then you could be charged with tresspassing so I guess Parks Canada could do the same. Banff airstrip CYBA and Jasper airstrip CYJA where restricted in the CFS with a PPR last time I checked.... so obviously not allowed.

I've always wondered what counts as "the ground" in the mountains. I guess within 5nm when IFR and whatever you feel like when VFR. The only time I find it matters is when I try to figure out if I legally need to use a VFR cruising altitude (for above 3000'AGL)... is "the ground" the valley floor? the peaks? or within some horizontal distance? I don't think it says anywhere so I just use the tops of the peaks as "the ground" and flying through the valley is below ground level.

Can anyone confirm or correct?

[Hedley]

I remember a couple years back, the radical eco-nazis
in Europe (which is incredibly hostile to general aviation)
was trying to ban gliders over an area, claiming that
the gliders "polluted" the area with their shadows

[LousyFisherman]

RAC 1.14.5 gives a list of national parks

The "C" section of the CFS has a more user friendly l

Thanks guys, that's what I was looking for.

Hedley, I don't think it has anything to do with safety but as it is a wilderness area they make the request for wildlife, just like bird sanctuaries or fur farms. Not unreasonable I think, assuming no motorized vehicles are allowed either.

As for what IFP complains about, no floatplanes, but ATV's, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles are allowed I think that is unreasonable.

Regarding the glider issue I just have to shake my head

When in doubt fly high enough that your registration isn't visable from the ground.

It's a C150. it just won't go that high

The main question was is it a regulation or a recommendation. It's in the AIM so it is only a recommendation, and in most cases the terminology is "should avoid".

Thanks to all, leaving for 3 days flying up the Red Deer and Panther rivers in the forestry reserve and Banff National Park

LF

[_dwj_]

I reckon:

3. National Parks Aircraft Access Regulations ([url]http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/docs/bib-lib/~/ ... e.ashx/url]) don't mention anything about Banff/Yoho/Jasper/Kootenay so I think they are fair game for taking off and landing.

Not quite. If you read the document carefully you will see that the parks listed are the ones you ARE allowed to land in (and only at the designated landing sites, and only if you have a permit). If the park isn't listed there, you aren't allowed to land at all.