How to Read Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) Charts

Being able to read and understand Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) charts is crucial for drone pilots in Canada. This video provides a detailed walk-through of the structure and meaning of a typical CFS entry, including explanations of the Obstacle Clearance Circle (OCC), the various subsections, and typical acronyms you will find.
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[@Karl-kh7hi]

This video is well done and informative for anyone using the CFS. A series like this for PPL training would be a excellent training tool.

[@DonJoyce]

Thank you, Karl!

[@dylanholli1]

Thanks for the help! You've got the best info regarding Canadian Drone Regulations on KZbin right now, keep it up Don!

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, Dylan!

[@davidrhodes8854]

Great info Don, thanks for your commitment to fleshing out the TC regs and tools to make this a fun and safe industry.

[@DonJoyce]

Thank you, David!

[@dronepablo9588]

Another great tutorial. Thank you Don.

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, Drone Pablo!

[@rad5878]

Thank you very much, Don for the work you do! Your videos are simply exceptional and helped me nailing written advanced exam on the first attempt! looking forward to getting the flight review under my belt.

[@DonJoyce]

Wow! Congratulations on passing your advanced exam! Good luck with your flight review!

[@francisalgoso4241]

Thank you very much Don for this clear and very informative tutorial.

[@DonJoyce]

Hey Francis! Glad you found it informative! Safe and happy flying!

[@dellefairclough5309]

The explanation for the circle was excellent - I had looked in other places - you held the key - thank you so much!

[@DonJoyce]

Glad my video helped! Yes, the 'circle' is a somewhat mysterious part of the CFS listing, and yet packed with information.

[@elijahrobertscinema6351]

Such a helpful video! Great stuff Don.

[@DonJoyce]

Glad you found it helpful, Elijah!

[@Duffmedia]

Another very informative video. Thanks Don!

[@DonJoyce]

Glad you found the video helpful!

[@PinetreeLine]

Nicely done Don. Cool that you’re making PDF’s of this information available as part of your study guide. Cool you included my hometown of Sudbury 👊🏻👍🏻Thanks brother!

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, Doug! Yeah, I try to pick great places for examples!

[@carolinerenaud9083]

TWO THUMBS UP!! Your material is so well done, well explained and easy to understand. I'm doing online ground school for advance pilot with a local school and I refer to your videos all the time. Thank you Don. 👍👍

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks Caroline! Glad you're finding my videos helpful!

[@marjukkhan3499]

This was really helpful. Thanks for making this video

[@DonJoyce]

Glad you found the video helpful!

[@lucassherry3126]

Thanks Don much appreciated - a lot packed in these.

[@DonJoyce]

Thank you, Lucas! High density for sure!

[@cecewang6936]

What would we do without you Don? Thanks for taking the time to create this video.

[@DonJoyce]

Thank you CeCe...that is very kind!

[@insidecanadahd-5271]

That was a very well explained video, amazing editing , thank you very much,

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful!

[@hawkeyehelivideo527]

Don, stellar informative content. Wish I had this back in 2019 before I wrote my exam - I had to research all info on my own, and this would have made it so much easier! I got a 92 on the test, but it was with great effort. For me, this is fantastic review/recency material. Thanks again!!!❤

[@DonJoyce]

I wish I had had this info too!! Lol

[@garjdr]

Many Thanks Don Joyce!

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks for watching. Hope you found it helpful!

[@timelesstruths]

Excellent content as always.

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks! It's a bit of a marathon, but hopefully useful!

[@johnrumballphotography]

Good choice of example Don! Sudbury basic Pilot here. Thanks!

[@DonJoyce]

LOL...I try to pick the best! Thanks for watching!

[@nassyfesharaki4132]

It was a reminder to me, an Ex=pilot of ages ago...you have done a good job...things have changed...a lot.

[@DonJoyce]

Thank you, Nassy! Safe and happy flying!

[@Atlantic_Adventures]

awesome video don ,,, thanks for sharing ,, i watched it from the begaining to end , awesome refresher for me ! cheers

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, NDP!

[@PhilBaileyChannel]

Thank you, thank you and thank you for this video!!! Because of your training videos and study documents, I was able to score 88% on my first attempt at the basic exam a couple of weeks ago. Two of my four wrong answers were incorrect because I had no clue about how to read the CFS. Your video will be of great help to others, including those taking the advanced exam, which I hope to do some day.

[@DonJoyce]

Congratulations on passing your exam, Phil! Yes, the CFS has been a bit a mystery area...until now!

[@liamgermain9970]

I just found you...... Very helpful. 🙏. I’m studying for my “Small Advanced Exam”. Gonna be watching all your vids. 👍Thanks.

[@DonJoyce]

Welcome aboard, Liam! I recommend you watch this Training Roadmap video and download the associated PDF file: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5y1c6ejlL5ma68

[@jaredalfred9785]

Ive been looking everywhere on how to read a CFS, thank you so much!

[@DonJoyce]

I am so glad this video has helped, Jared!

[@nickieshadowfaxbrooklyn5192]

Quite different from sectionals in the US as I see. Good that I dropped by.

[@Iamantoineboutin]

you killed it !!! i'm a aircraft pilot student and you help me clarified alot of thing ! thank you

[@DonJoyce]

Hey, great to hear that. Obviously I focused on stuff pertinent to drone pilots, but there's a lot of stuff in common!

[@sai742]

Thank you don, with the help of your videos and content i was able to clear the advance exam. You are awesome.

[@DonJoyce]

Hey congratulations on passing the Advanced Exam! A major accomplishment! Good luck on your Flight Review. Safe and happy flying!

[@davestredulinsky]

Great information Don. Very clearly presented. Full view and like. Thank you for sharing my friend.

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks for watching the whole way through....I know it's a bit of a marathon to cover (even touch on!) the whole thing.

[@robertgallant6422]

Great explanation! @17:20 you talk about the V & U letters for emergency frequencies. My take on this is it's a quick identifier for the pilot to use the VHF (121.5) or UHF (243.0) radio for emergency frequencies rather than suff an other frequency in the box.

[@DonJoyce]

Yep! Thanks, Robert, I agree that is the explanation. That said, it is this kind of short hand / jargon that increases the barrier to newcomers and/or infrequent users of the CFS data. Certainly in an emergency situation, you don't want to be stumped by a codified frequency.

[@johnvanderburgh4502]

very well explained & hi lighted learned a lot in a short span of time thx.

[@DonJoyce]

Glad the video helped you learn so much!

[@Y_Not1]

Hello, it's very important to know about this. Thanks for sharing with us.😉👏👍

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, Kiely!

[@DOM_4GOOD]

thank you so much , i know understand pretty much how to read maps and CFS and can now go pass my exam !

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks and best wishes, Dominic!

[@ManveerSingh-zi2vi]

i am preparing for ppl exam , and it was really helpful (excellent content). thanks a lot sir.

[@DonJoyce]

Glad to hear my video was helpful!

[@johnlueck]

Thanks for this Don. Because of this and your advanced course, I was able to pass the Advanced Exam on my first try! Just squeeked by with 80%, but it's still a pass. Your videos and slides are invaluable.

[@DonJoyce]

Congratulations on passing your Advanced exam...and on your first attempt!! Glad my material helped! Safe and happy flying!

[@jege41]

Thank you Don.

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks for watching, John!

[@sgalliford]

Great video bud.

[@DonJoyce]

Thank you, Scott!

[@MBrezdogproductions]

Great video thank you.

[@DonJoyce]

Glad you found it helpful, Mike!

[@ethanzheng4673]

Best video I found for how to read CFS, found your video during my exam through Google. Thanks!

[@DonJoyce]

LOL...thanks, Ethan! A bit late to start watching it, during the exam, but hey hope it was still helpful!!

[@ethanzheng4673]

@@DonJoyce I got elevation ASL question correct, thanks to your video.

[@sergebelair7577]

Merci Don ! Encore une fois excellent travaille bien expliqué et clair. Tu y est pour beaucoup dans la réussite de mon examen avancé de Transports Canada. Serge du Québec

[@DonJoyce]

Merci, Serge. Heureux que vous ayez apprécié la vidéo et félicitations pour avoir passé votre Advanced! Vol sûr et heureux!

[@simonanthonytrudeau7898]

about the OCC if the tallest obstacle is 1215ft (ASL) I round it up to 1300ft (ASL) Why would the OCC be 2500ft (ASL) Shouldn't it be 2300ft (ASL)?

[@DonJoyce]

Hi Simon! I'm glad someone is checking the math, and your sharp eyes are correct! Based on what is shown on the sketch and the defined method, the OCC should be 2300 ft ASL, not 2500. Either they have done further rounding up for some reason, or there may be particular terrain features nearby that caused them to settle on 2500 ft. Not sure. This example illustrates how tricky these charts can be to interpret even when everything should be pretty clear cut. Thanks again for watching so carefully!

[@johncundle4630]

Well done!!!

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, John! Certainly something you need to be able to do for the exams.

[@peterphan876]

Thank you so much for help and nice music 👍👍👍

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks Peter!

[@yiluca]

thank you

[@koftyann]

Good instruction! It was one of difficult parts for me in advanced exam.

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks. Yes, this is a tricky area.

[@27nashid]

Thank you

[@DonJoyce]

Glad you found it helpful, Nashid!

[@carlosamat]

excellent

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks!

[@johnvanderburgh4502]

thx for the info

[@DonJoyce]

You are welcome, John!

[@greatlambrini8722]

Thanks

[@DonJoyce]

Glad to help!

[@Richblackhat]

GRACIAS

[@DonJoyce]

You're welcome!

[@dantoylamb1136]

Nice

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks

[@JoshuaYoung2]

Thank you for the video. I wish you actually did the math in the OCC examples 'cause it may be obvious to many, but wasn't to me.

[@DonJoyce]

Lol .. that's cuz the math provided by TC doesn't result in the number in the CFS. There is no obvious explanation.

[@mememeuandI]

Wish I had seen this video BEFORE I wrote my advanced exam. Maybe I would have only had to write it ONCE!

[@DonJoyce]

Lol...that's why it's on the playlist and Training Roadmap. But that said, it sounds like congratulations are in order! Congratulations on passing your Advanced!

[@lornetontegode6986]

Your work is very appreciated and I'm hoping to write the basic exam soon. Question though. The obstacle avoidance circle is a bit confusing. Is it located where shown or is it centred on the geometric centre of the aerodrome? I'm suspecting the latter based on dimensions.

[@DonJoyce]

It is centered on the aerodrome's official lat-long....but there may be exceptions (which would be annotated as such).

[@farhanfouadacca]

Nice. Can you do a video on new notams? I haven’t flown in few years and it looks like notams location has been changed.

[@DonJoyce]

Hi Farhan! Yes, they updated the NOTAM site a bit. Here is a video fully explaining notams: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6bCaXZ4ftx1o7c . By the way, Drone Pilot Canada displays notam zones applicable to Drone operations right on its map, with simple explanation of their impact.

[@canuckcoffeecanada]

Thank's to your training I got my BASIC after 4 hours of reading and review -- (Airplane kit builder since 1968 and single rotor Heli pilot (RC) for around 4 years...) My question: I'd like to do my Flight Review on a 600g class RC single rotor Helicopter. Do you see any issues with this or am I better off going with a QUAD? Many thanks -- great resource Don!

[@DonJoyce]

Congratulations on passing your exam! Safe and happy flying!

[@lowellton_ville]

Its 20 mins but with mr information its like 5 mins. Thanks

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks...it is a bit of a marathon!

[@piratees]

most example questions are all about comms on the sheet

[@DonJoyce]

I have seen questions about elevation, operator contacts, airport class, communications, and many other facts....some of which are certainly pertinent to drone pilots, some not so much.

[@bricktown3156]

I’ve been waiting for this video, I didn’t find any document or video explaining the CFS on internet, I tried 4 times the advanced exam and failed almost all the question on the CFS, my last attempt was failed with 78%😭(80% required to pass) thx for this video

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks, Bricktown! I'm glad your wait is over! This is a very tricky area, so hopefully this will help with your next attempt. And oh....the painful 78%...I've felt that!

[@bricktown3156]

Don Joyce at 14:03 you say it shows the time, does it mean that the issue time of 02, 08, 14 & 20Z is 2 am 8am 2pm and 8pm? thx

[@DonJoyce]

@@bricktown3156 yes, but note that the "z" at the end means Zulu time, short form for Universal Coordinated Time.

[@user-jd5nv3bg5e]

Oh thanks i hope your billow will be cold from each side in summer ❤

[@DonJoyce]

LOL...I'll take that as best wishes!

[@user-jd5nv3bg5e]

@@DonJoyce 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ParkwayProduction]

The test comes very detailed sometimes, seeking a request to be found and understood on the test....would be great if you could go further into detail on it, Great job as usual Don

[@DonJoyce]

Thank you! I'm not sure how much more detailed I could get. There are MANY variations in the exams regarding CFS chart information. The key things to understand as a drone pilot are aerodrome classification, elevation/altitude elements and who to contact. They can also ask about things unrelated to drone pilots unfortunately.

[@ParkwayProduction]

@@DonJoyce Thats exactly the problem, I get helicopter questions and runway questions. It is getting very upsetting to a certain extend but then when looking at it I can say that I am gaining more knowledge, however that is more for maned aircrafts. Thanks again for putting in the time and effort to make the videos and helping Canadian Pilots

[@joeltellier9253]

Another great video and explanation. Easy question,,,at 7:59 it is mentionned that the tower is 1215 ft ASL. If it is rounded off at the 100s, than should the math be 1300 + 1000 = 2300 ft instead of 2500 ft? I must be missing something!! 😏 Thanks

[@DonJoyce]

Good spotting, Joel! Your math is correct. I'm not sure why the CFS says 2500...

[@EmilyTestAccount]

So, if I'm reading the caution at 19:06 right, this is referencing high traffic around the Azilda water aerodrome, and Coniston regular aerodrome, and their respective ATF frequencies - also this is the first time I'm seeing a format of City/Community. Is that uncommon?

[@DonJoyce]

Yes, you are interpreting the caution correctly ("extv" is short for 'extensive'....why they think they're saving time/space with abbreviations, I don't know...). And yes, many CFS listings start with a city (eg, Toronto), followed by the aerodrome name. This way nearby airports are grouped together...I guess they imagine people casually browsing through...?

[@Youngballer739]

Shouldn’t the moca be 2300 feet asl not 2500 asl tower is 1215 asl +1000 =2300 when rounded ?

[@DonJoyce]

Hi Wyatt! You're the second one to point this out. I'm glad someone is checking the math, and your sharp eyes are correct! Based on what is shown on the sketch and the defined method, the OCC should be 2300 ft ASL, not 2500. Either they have done further rounding up for some reason, or there may be particular terrain features nearby that caused them to settle on 2500 ft. Not sure. This example illustrates how tricky these charts can be to interpret even when everything should be pretty clear cut. Thanks again for watching so carefully!

[@Cranedude666]

How did TC come up with LH patterns in the first place ?? NASCAR thingy ...LoL ?? Re: 602.96 (3)(c)

[@DonJoyce]

Left hand turns provide better visibility for pilots sitting on the left side of planes. Given that TC likes to treat drones like aircraft, I'm surprised their recent new procedures for operations near airports didn't insist drones only make left turns...per 602.96 (3)(c)...and land/take-off into the wind (e)!

[@DiahSedjati]

How to Read Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) Charts

[@DonJoyce]

Thanks for watching, Diah!

[@user-jd5nv3bg5e]

If somone watch the full video i know coverd the all things in cfs o mean theres no another thing i need to know ?

[@DonJoyce]

I don't understand your question...

[@sai742]

8:08 1215 feet + 1000 Feet = 2315 feet, rounded up the hundred = 2400 Feet = how is the OCC 2500 ?? can u explain the math plz 9:27

[@DonJoyce]

It's TC Math! LOL. I agree, if you follow the rules you get the number you quoted. So either there's some additional 'round up to the nearest 500 foot' rule, or there is some other obstacle that we can't see on the chart. Good spotting and checking!