Transport Canada's New Pilot Readback Requirements
Saying "Roger," clicking your mic, or simply reading back your callsign won't cut it anymore. Transport Canada has published Advisory Circular AC 602-008, introducing mandatory readback rules in Canadian Domestic Airspace. Here is what every pilot, student, and instructor must know.
ATC Readback Quiz
Test your reaction against Transport Canada AC 602-008 standards.
In cockpits across Canada, radio communications have long relied on informal habits. When given an altimeter setting or assigned runway, many pilots simply acknowledge with a callsign, an informal "Wilco," or a double-click of the push-to-talk button.
That era is officially coming to a close. On November 20, 2025, Transport Canada published Advisory Circular (AC) 602-008: Pilot Readback Requirements. This document outlines forthcoming regulatory amendments to Part VI, Subpart 602 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), mandating specific readbacks during voice communications with Air Traffic Services (ATS).
The "Readbackā€“Hearback" Safety Net
Radio etiquette is not just about professionalismā€”it is an active barrier against catastrophic accidents. Under previous rules, pilots were legally required to read back certain formal ATC clearances, but safety-critical items like altimeter settings or runway assignments often slipped through as voluntary best practices.
The pilot repeats the exact critical numbers and constraints back over the frequency, proving they received and interpreted the instruction accurately.
The controller or FSS specialist actively listens to the pilotā€™s readback, cross-referencing it to identify and correct any readback errors or hearback failures before the aircraft moves.
What Must You Read Back Under AC 602-008?
The "Big Three" Safety Items
Whenever received directly by voice from ATS personnel (ATC or Flight Service Station), you must read back:
- Runway in use / assigned runway
- Altimeter setting
- Transponder code (Squawk)
Mandatory "Hold Short"
Any instruction to hold short of a runway requires a verbatim readback including the exact phrase "Hold short" and the runway designator.
Specific ATIS Letter
Saying "with the numbers" or "with the ATIS" is no longer acceptable under CAR Subpart 602. You must state the exact phonetic identification letter on initial call.
Hold Short vs. Runway Crossing: What is the Law?
Runway surface safety is the primary motivator behind Transport Canada's regulatory push. When taxiing at a controlled aerodrome, ambiguous communications can place an aircraft directly into an active runway path or inside an Instrument Landing System (ILS) critical area during low visibility.
"Hold Short" Instructions
When instructed to hold short of any runway, the pilot must read back the instruction in full. Acknowledging with only a callsign or taxiway name is an immediate regulatory violation.
Runway Crossing Clearances
While CAR 602 strictly mandates the hold short readback, Transport Canada strongly recommends reading back runway crossing clearances (e.g., "Cross runway zero-eight, C-FPKT") to guarantee complete situational awareness.
Side-by-Side: Common Habits vs. New Rules
| Transmission Type | Common (Old) Pilot Habit | New CAR 602 Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Altimeter Setting | "Roger, C-FPKT" or double click mic | Mandatory numerical readback: "Altimeter 30.12, C-FPKT" |
| Assigned Runway | "Wilco" or callsign only | Mandatory runway designator readback: "Runway 07 left, C-FPKT" |
| Transponder / Squawk | "Squawking, C-FPKT" | Mandatory 4-digit code readback: "Squawk 5412, C-FPKT" |
| Hold Short Instruction | "Holding short on Charlie, C-FPKT" (omits runway) | Must state "Hold short" AND exact runway number: "Hold short runway 25, C-FPKT" |
| Initial ATS Contact | "With the numbers" or "Have the weather" | Must state ATIS phonetic letter: "Inbound, information Echo, C-FPKT" |
Timeline & Who is Affected
Every pilot in Canadian airspace is included. Per AC 602-008, these requirements apply universally across Canadian Domestic Airspace. Whether you are a student pilot flying solo circuits in a Cessna 172, a commercial charter captain, or an airline crew operating a wide-body transport, you are held to this standard under both VFR and IFR.
The Regulatory Roadmap:
- November 20, 2025: Transport Canada published Advisory Circular AC 602-008 as formal operational guidance.
- Canada Gazette Part II Publication: The formal regulation changes to CAR Part VI, Subpart 602 are enacted with a 1-year transition window.
- November 2026: Formal legal enforcement applies across all flight tests, checkrides, flight instructor audits, and ramp inspections.
Standard Operating Procedures: What to Do Today
Don't wait until November 2026. Start building these habits into your daily flights now.
Flight Training Units (FTUs) and flight instructors should immediately integrate altimeter, squawk, runway, and hold-short readbacks into PSTAR, Private, and Commercial flight test ground briefings and pre-solo evaluations.
Use a simple memory rule: If it involves a runway, I repeat the runway. If it involves a number to set in an instrument (altimeter, squawk, runway), I read the number back.
Before making your initial transmission to Clearance Delivery, Ground, Tower, or FSS, jot down the ATIS letter on your kneeboard and ensure your very first call explicitly identifies information Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc.
Add a sticker or quick-reference card to your flight bag: Runway | Altimeter | Squawk | Hold Short | ATIS Letter.
Ready to sharpen your regulatory knowledge and radio discipline?
Navigating Transport Canada regulations and radio standards doesn't have to be complicated. Our structured courses give you the clear, practical guidance you need to pass your exams and fly with total professional confidence.
