Mountainous Region

The importance of proper training, procedures and pre-flight planning when flying in mountainous regions is important. The following discussion, while typically reserved for IFR courses, is introduced now for awareness only. Details regarding VFR operations in mountainous areas will be discussed in a future lesson

Designated mountainous regions are areas of defined lateral dimensions, specified in the Designated Airspace Handbook, above which special rules concerning minimum IFR altitudes to ensure obstacle clearance apply. An aircraft, when operated in accordance with IFR within designated mountainous regions, but outside of areas for which minimum altitudes for IFR operations have been established (including minimum radar vectoring altitudes, MOCAs, transition altitudes, 100NM safe altitudes, MSAs and AMAs), shall be flown at an altitude of at least 2,000 feet above the highest obstacle within 5NM of the aircraft in flight when in areas 1 and 5, and at least 1,500 feet above the highest obstacle within 5NM when in areas 2, 3 and 4.

As minimum en route IFR altitudes have been established for designated airways and air routes, such minimum altitudes shall be applied when flying in accordance with IFR along airways or air routes within designated mountainous regions, except that aircraft should be operated at an altitude which is at least 1,000 feet higher than the minimum en route IFR altitude, when there are large variations in temperature and/or pressure.

Designated Mountainous Regions in Canada
Transport Canada – Aeronautical Information Manual

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