Cruising Altitudes and Cruising Flight Levels

602.34 (1) The appropriate cruising altitude or cruising flight level for an aircraft in level cruising flight is determined in accordance with

(a) the magnetic track, in the Southern Domestic Airspace; and

(b) the true track, in the Northern Domestic Airspace.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the pilot-in-command of an aircraft shall ensure that the aircraft is operated at a cruising altitude or cruising flight level appropriate to the track, as set out in the table to this section, unless the pilot-in-command is assigned another altitude or flight level by an air traffic control unit and the aircraft is operated in level cruising flight

(a) at more than 3,000 feet AGL, in VFR flight; or

(b) in IFR flight.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply where an aircraft is operated for the purpose of aerial survey or mapping and the following conditions are met:

(a) the pilot-in-command of the aircraft contacts the appropriate air traffic control unit as far in advance as possible of the proposed flight;

(b) the pilot-in-command of the aircraft provides, as far in advance as possible of the proposed take-off time of the aircraft, to any air traffic control unit that so requests, a topographical map at either a 1: 500 000 or a 1: 1 000 000 scale of the area to be surveyed or mapped, with proposed tracks and planned entry and exit points clearly delineated on the map;

(c) the pilot-in-command of the aircraft files a flight plan or flight itinerary with an air traffic control unit as far in advance as possible of the proposed take-off time of the aircraft;

(d) the flight plan or flight itinerary referred to in paragraph (c) specifies the area to be surveyed or mapped

(i) by reference to the relevant maps of the National Topographic System,

(ii) by reference to the geographic co-ordinates of the area, or

(iii) where required by an air traffic control unit, by reference to the air photograph block reference grid map provided by the air traffic control unit; and

(e) where the aircraft is operated in controlled airspace, it is operated in accordance with an air traffic control clearance.