Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.canadava.com/llms.txt
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For flight-simulation use only - Do NOT use for real-world flight
ATIS
Live Weather
Online ATC Network Maps
Runways
The former runway 08/26 was redesignated as a taxiway on 3 October 2024.ATC Frequencies
Airport at a Glance
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| ICAO / IATA | CYYC / YYC |
| City | Calgary, Alberta |
| Field elevation | 3,606 ft (1,099 m) |
| Magnetic variation | 15°E |
| Time zone | America/Edmonton (MST / MDT) |
| Air Canada role | Western Canada focus operation |
Charts
Common Procedures
- Runway selection: 17L/17R/35R/35L are used most of the time, paired by prevailing wind. Runway 11/29 comes into play when chinook winds from the west exceed the crosswind limit on the north/south runways.
- Hot-and-high performance: Plan for reduced engine performance and longer takeoff distance, particularly in summer. Many narrow-body operations to longer destinations use 17L/35R for the extra margin. Pay close attention to performance calculations from SimBrief and the FMS; what fits at sea level can be marginal at YYC.
- Chinook winds: The chinook is a warm, dry, often turbulent wind that descends from the Rockies and can swing field winds 90 degrees within minutes. Expect rapid configuration changes when a chinook event is active, including unscheduled runway swaps and brief approach delays.
- Canada’s tallest free-standing airport control tower: The 91 m (300 ft) ATC tower opened in 2013 and is visible from most of the field. Visual reference to the tower can help with situational awareness during taxi.
- U.S. preclearance: Available for departures to U.S. destinations.
Hot Spots and Local Hazards
- Distance between parallels and the terminal: Runway 17L/35R is on the east side of the field, separated from the main terminal by a long taxi route. Block fuel calculations should account for an extra 15-20 minutes of taxi time to and from 17L/35R.
- Convergent traffic during runway swaps: When the field switches between 17/35 and 11/29, expect deviations from published routing while ATC re-sequences. Listen for amended clearances and read back every change in full.
- Mountain wave turbulence: In strong westerly flow, mountain wave activity can extend well east of the Rockies and produce moderate turbulence at cruise levels over the foothills.
- Decommissioned 08/26 visual cues: The former runway 08/26 is now taxiway. Older sim sceneries may still show it as an active runway. Verify routings against the current airport diagram before each taxi clearance.
- Cold-soak and freezing-fog events: Calgary sees deep cold snaps with ice fog at sunrise that can drop visibility below CAT I minimums. Plan a holdover fuel reserve in winter.
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Continue to the Ottawa briefing