1. What does ESCAT stand for, and where would you find these procedures?
Answer: ESCAT means Emergency Security of Air Traffic and involves control of civil and military traffic for the security of Canadian Airspace. This is what was put in place after the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Centre. All flights were grounded and any flights during this time needed to have authorization from Transport Canada, Department of National Defence and Nav Canada co-ordinated with them. The information on this can be found in the Aeronautical Information Manual in the RAC (Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Services) as well as the CFS (Canadian Flight Supplement) in Section F and is the last written information in the manual.
2. a) Why do we have Intercept Orders as part of our procedures in Canada?
So aircraft that appears hostile or that may be performing an illegal activity can be intercepted by a military or government aircraft.
b) Who may order an aircraft to land?
A Peace Officer, a Police Officer, an Officer of the Military or someone authorized by the Ministry of Transport.
c) Where is the information found regarding the Intercept Orders found?
Candian Aviation Regulations 602.144, Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) Section SAR (Search and Rescue) 4.7; Canadian Flight Supplement (CFS) in the Emergency Section, Pages F14 - F16. These pages may change as the CFS is updated every 56 days.