There’s a lot to consider before you fly. How’s the weather? Do you have a flight plan? Making good decisions starts before a flight and doesn’t end until you’re back on the ground.
With our partners Canadian Owners and Pilots Association and SmartPilot.ca, we put together these resources to help general aviation pilots make safe, informed decisions. “Take 5” minutes to read about flight safety, print a poster for your local flying club, or watch a safety video.
On this page
- Check the weather before you fly
- Respect human limits
- Plan each flight
- Stay aware of your surroundings
Check the weather before you fly
Weather is unpredictable and can change quickly. Taking time to check the weather before a flight helps ensure you’ll be prepared for anything.
Take 5 for safety
Posters
Respect human limits
“Human factors” are physical and psychological things that can affect your performance. Whether from fatigue, distraction or poor judgment, we all have our limits. As a pilot, it’s important to know and respect yours.
Cannabis legalization
It is illegal to pilot an aircraft while under the influence of cannabis. Cannabis can impair a person’s capacity to pilot any type of aircraft in a safe manner and thus can endanger lives and lead to property loss. To learn more, see Cannabis legalization.
Posters
Plan each flight
Planning ahead reduces the number of last-minute decisions you need to make when you fly, which also improves your focus and decision-making.
Posters
- Make your Weather Decision While You Still Have a Choice
- Snowbirds Can Fly Over Parliament Hill… You Can’t
- Day Visual Flight Rules Pilots—Don’t Leave Yourself in the Dark… Plan Ahead
- Be Aware of the Hazards of Night Flying
- Canada's airspace: information on airspace classification and structure
Stay aware of your surroundings
Being aware of your surroundings (what we call “situational awareness”) is essential for spotting potential danger. Inform yourself about what to look out for.
Take 5 for safety
Posters
Videos
- Black Holes and Little Grey Cells: information and safety practices for night visual flight rules
- Danger on the Runway: how to prevent runway incursions (Transport Canada/NAV Canada Incursion Prevention Action Team)
- Through the Overcast—See and Avoid: how to see and avoid during visual flight rules (SmartPilot.ca)
- Through the Overcast—Professional Pilot: differences between professional and recreational pilots (SmartPilot.ca)