Low-level speed limits
Two indicated-airspeed ceilings apply at low level (CAR 602.32):
- Max 250 KIAS below 10,000 ft ASL.
- Max 200 KIAS below 3,000 ft AGL within 10 NM of a controlled aerodrome, unless ATC authorizes faster.
Watch the reference datum: the 250 KIAS ceiling is measured against 10,000 ft ASL, the 200 KIAS ceiling against 3,000 ft AGL.
Three exceptions, and each covers a different thing:
- ATC clearance waives only the 200 KIAS limit: the "unless authorized to do so in an air traffic control clearance" wording sits in 602.32(1)(b) alone. The 250 KIAS ceiling has no ATC exception.
- A special flight operations certificate - special aviation event (CAR 603.02: air show, air race) lets you exceed either limit, because 602.32(1) opens "subject to subsection (2)" (CAR 602.32(2)).
- If the minimum safe airspeed for your flight configuration is greater than the applicable limit, you fly that minimum safe airspeed instead (CAR 602.32(3)). Safety of flight wins over the ceiling.
Trap: swapping the two limits (250 vs 200 KIAS), swapping the datums (ASL vs AGL), or thinking an ATC clearance can get you past the 250 KIAS ceiling.
References
- CARs 602.32