NAV CANADA had previously published that the mandate for space-based ADS-B in Canadian domestic airspace would be effective for aircraft operating in Class A and B airspace above 12,500 feet as of February 23, 2023. Class B, C, D, and E Canadian airspace will not be mandated before 2026.

On August 2, 2022, NAV CANADA published an updated time for the mandate to become effective due to supply chain issues related to the COVID pandemic regarding delays in acquiring and installing the necessary transponder equipment. The equipage levels in each airspace class are still not the expected level. The level of equipage in Class A airspace is at 95%, and Class B is above 88% and increasing.

As a result, the space-based ADS-B capability mandate has been extended for Class A airspace until August 10, 2023, and May 16, 2024, for Class B airspace to allow operators time to equip properly. Class C, D, and E will not be mandated before 2026, subject to further evaluation.\

As a reminder, the mandate requires that aircraft:

• Be equipped with an appropriate transponder with ADS-B out capabilities and performance with the applicable standard of Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) DO-260B, "Minimum Operational Performance Standards," or newer.
• Have antenna capability for broadcast toward space-based ADS-B receivers emitting 1090 MHz extended squitter. This requirement can be met either through antenna diversity (the use of a top and bottom antenna) or with a single antenna that is capable of transmitting both towards the ground and up towards satellites.

Follow this link to view the NAV CANADA release for additional information.

NAV CANADA has announced that they will be implementing a mandate for aircraft ADS-B to be qualified for space-based ADS-B Out when operating in Canadian domestic airspace above 12,500 feet. Space-based ADS-B has been available in portions of Canadian domestic airspace for some time above FL290 and has increased surveillance capabilities with an accompanying increase in safety. Canada and other countries are starting to implement the requirements for space-based ADS-B.

Created: 11 August 2022

Read more: Space-based ADS-B Mandate coming to Canadian airspace

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has made significant changes to the RIM Appendix 1 – Inspection Instructions and Pre-Described Findings. The revision is extensive and will require reviewing and updating your SAFA checklists and documentation to meet the new and revised items.

Highlights of the changes include:

• PDFs, as used in this document, refer to pre-described findings and not a document type
• New inspection instructions for General Aviation / NCC (non-commercial) operations and pre-described findings
• New layout/structure of the instructions, pre-described findings, and standard references
• Update of standard references
• New definitions
• New quick reference guide for finding placards, markings, and the corresponding instructions in inspection items

Created: 29 June 2022

Read more: EASA SAFA Ramp Inspection Manual Update

Effective March 1, 2022, North Atlantic tracks at FL330 and below will no longer be published. As a result, flights operating at FL330 and below will be free of the organized track structure. Although there have never been restrictions for random routing crossing tracks, this will aid the operators who plan not to cross tracks at active flight levels.

Created: 09 February 2022

Read more: NAT HLA Tracks FL330 and Below to be Abolished

UPDATE!

From 25 Feb 2021, Datalink-equipped aircraft may again cross anywhere in the NAT HLA airspace.

Datalink mandated airspace is again  FL290-FL410.  Non-Datalink-equipped aircraft may only cross the NAT HLA at any altitude provided the flight is constrained to the surveillance airspace.   Additionally, the Non-Datalink aircraft must have operational ADS-B while over Greenland and conduct the flight under VHF coverage.
 

Created: 26 February 2021

Read more: NAT HLA Data Link Mandate Back In Force