Beginning in November of next year, pilots using controlled airports in Canada will be required to read back certain additional instructions and clearances given them by Air Traffic Service (ATS) providers, be they tower controllers or flight service specialists.
The new requirements will include the reading back of the runway in use or assigned runway, the altimeter setting and the transponder code when provided by ATS. In addition, pilots will be required to state the ATIS code on initial contact with ATS. For example, “VANCOUVER TOWER, PIPER CHEROKEE ALPHA BRAVO CHARLIE DELTA WITH INFORMATION ECHO.”
These changes to the CARs Part 602 were announced recently by Transport Canada in Advisory Circular No. 602-008. The exact date of implementation in November 2026 will be announced later.
TC states that the changes are to better align with ICAO Annex 11, which addresses safety measures to reduce runway incursions. Runway incursions remain an issue at the top of Transportation Safety Board’s official Watchlist and have been an area of concern since the inception of the Watchlist in 2010.
Images courtesy of Nav Canada.