Advisory Circular (AC) No. 601-009

Subject: Criteria for Initiating a Blasting NOTAM

Issuing Office:	Civil Aviation, Standards
Document No.:	AC 601-009
File Classification No.:	Z 5000-34
Issue No.:	01
RDIMS No.:	18127107-V8
Effective Date:	2023-03-30

Table of contents

• 1.0 Introduction
  • 1.1 Purpose
  • 1.2 Applicability
  • 1.3 Description of Changes
• 2.0 References and requirements
  • 2.1 Reference documents
  • 2.2 Cancelled documents
  • 2.3 Definitions and abbreviations
• 3.0 Background
• 4.0 When to initiate a NOTAM for above ground blasting
• 5.0 Information management
• 6.0 Document history
• 7.0 Contact us

1.0 Introduction

• (1) This Advisory Circular (AC) is provided for information and guidance purposes. It describes an example of an acceptable means, but not the only means, of demonstrating compliance with regulations and standards. This AC on its own does not change, create, amend, or permit deviations from regulatory requirements, nor does it establish minimum standards.

1.1 Purpose

• (1) The purpose of this AC is to provide the criteria defining when the publication of a NOTAM relating to blasting activities is required.

1.2 Applicability

• (1) This AC is applicable to persons who would initiate a NOTAM for ground blasting activity that may present a hazard to passing aircraft. This AC is also available for information purposes for Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) Headquarters and regional personnel and to others in the aviation industry.

1.3 Description of Changes

• (1) Not applicable.

2.0 References and requirements

2.1 Reference documents

• (1) It is intended that the following reference materials be used in conjunction with this document:
  • (a) Canadian NOTAM Operating Procedures (CNOP), NAVCANADA

2.2 Cancelled documents

• (1) Not applicable.
• (2) By default, it is understood that the publication of a new issue of a document automatically renders any earlier issues of the same document null and void.

2.3 Definitions and abbreviations

• (1) The following definitions are used in this document:
  • (a) International Border: The border with the United States
  • (b) NOTAM: A notice to airmen concerning the establishment or condition of, or change in, any aeronautical facility, service, or procedure, or any hazard affecting aviation safety, the knowledge of which is essential to personnel engaged in flight operations.
• (2) The following abbreviations are used in this document:
  • (a) CAR: Canadian Aviation Regulation
  • (b) CFS: Canada Flight Supplement
  • (c) CNOP: Canadian NOTAM Operating Procedures Manual
  • (d) CWAS: Canadian Water Aerodrome Supplement
  • (e) ICAO: International Civil Aviation Organization
  • (f) TCCA: Transport Canada Civil Aviation
  • (g) NM: nautical mile
• (3) For purposes of this AC, an "aerodrome" is that: listed in the CFS; CWAS.

3.0 Background

• (1) Above ground blasting can produce exploded materials which may present a hazard to air navigation and therefore the activity is subject to publication of a NOTAM.
• (2) The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has pointed out that the volume of NOTAM can of itself present a risk in that pilots may be overwhelmed by the number of NOTAM and subsequently could miss mission critical information. Although, in comparison to other types of NOTAM, the number for blasting is not that large, the quantity should be reduced by a height criterion based upon distance from an aerodrome.

4.0 When to initiate a NOTAM for above ground blasting

• (1) A NOTAM for above ground blasting is issued based on the following criteria related to the location and expected height of exploded material:
  • (a) within 5 nautical miles (NM) of an aerodrome or the International Border; a NOTAM is issued regardless of the height to which materials may be thrown as a result of the explosion;
  • (b) beyond 5 NM of an aerodrome or the International Border; a NOTAM is issued if the height of the materials projected by the explosion is greater than 15 m (50 ft) above the ground.

5.0 Information management

• (1) Not applicable.

6.0 Document history

• (1) Not applicable.

7.0 Contact us

For more information, please contact:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/civil-aviation-contacts-offices

We invite suggestions for amendments to this document. Submit your comments to:
TC.FlightStandards-Normsvol.TC@tc.gc.ca

Original signed by

Stacey Mason
Director, Standards Branch
Transport Canada, Civil Aviation