The Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) (French: link=no|Supplément de vol Canada) is a joint civil/military publication and is a supplement of the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP Canada). It is the nation's official airport directory. It contains information on all registered Canadian and certain Atlantic aerodromes and certified airports.[1] [2]
The CFS is published, separately in English and French, as a paper book by Nav Canada and is issued once every 56 days on the ICAO AIRAC schedule.[1] [2]
The CFS was published by Natural Resources Canada on behalf of Transport Canada and the Department of National Defence until 15 March 2007 edition, at which time Nav Canada took over production.
The CFS presents runway data, arrival and departure procedures, air traffic control (ATC) and other radio frequencies and services such as fuel, hangarage that are available at each listed aerodrome. As well, the CFS contains useful reference pages, including interception instructions for civil aircraft, chart updating data and search and rescue information. Most pilots flying in Canada carry a copy of the CFS in case a weather or mechanical diversion to another airport becomes necessary.[1] [2]
The Canada Flight Supplement is made up of seven sections:
Carrying "current aeronautical charts and publications covering the route of the proposed flight and any probable diversionary route" is a requirement under CAR 602.60 (1) (b) for night VFR, VFR over-the-top and instrument flight rules (IFR) flights. This Canadian Aviation Regulation (CAR) does not specifically require carriage of a copy of the CFS, but that is one way to satisfy the regulation.[3]
Because information in the CFS may be out of date, particularly with regard to such issues as runway closures and fuel availability, pilots should check NOTAMs before each flight. NOTAM information in Canada can be obtained from the Nav Canada Collaborative Flight Planning Services (CFPS) or by contacting the appropriate regional Nav Canada Flight Information Centre.[1]
While Nav Canada's CFS has the monopoly on paper-version airport directories in Canada, there are several competing internet publications, including the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association's Places to Fly user-editable airport directory.[4]
Nav Canada also publishes the Water Aerodrome Supplement (WAS) (French: Canada Supplément hydroaérodromes), as a single volume in English and French. This contains information on all Canadian water aerodromes as shown on visual flight rules (VFR) charts and other information such as navaids. The WAS is published on an annual basis.[5]