Is there a requirement for highrise residential towers along…

Hello.

Transport Canada dictates where lights must be placed for aviation. Vancouver has seaplane and helicopter traffic. It is notionally close to YVR but that is not where your question is going.

Keeping a building lit is not the issue. You can turn off all lighting except for red roof fixtures or perhaps any strobe light required. Ornamental lighting is not required to be kept on. If your building has Transport Canada lighting, someone there knows it and has been apprised of the requirements for that building based upon height and proximity to aviation traffic.

Whatever is happening about lighting, it has little to do with seaplanes. They operate dawn to dusk and cannot operate at night. So, the lighting is mainly about helicopters in Coal Harbour at night.

It is a complex area as this site will prove......
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/regserv/cars/part6-standards-62119-2447.htm

What that long document says is basically that we have standards and if you do not follow them, you could be in trouble. It is an open question as to how much and how it will come up but the essence is that a building cannot be erected without due consideration for existing aviation in the area.

I think you have three options. 1. Investigate all documents the building has ever received from Transport Canada that gives any guidance. Again, the lights are for night aviation and not seaplanes.

2. Contact directly the users of aviation in Coal Harbour. There is one main heliport in the Harbour itself. They receive all traffic and will have an officer in charge of safety. What that person is called in their organization I do not know.

3. Transport Canada may deny any involvement because they have contracted out to private companies even to provide air traffic control. But they should be contacted.

On the due diligence list provided, if you take these steps, who could claim negligence?

There are for profit consultants that actually concern themselves with appropriate lighting. We cannot recommend a business. A simple search will find aviation lighting consultants.

The other option is to do nothing. That is my preference on your facts. I do not see a problem.

However, you should consult a lawyer who only works for you and is fully apprised.

Here is a link to the lawyer referral service. It is free and you ask for aviation lawyers. Hopefully, you get a few names. Each has agreed to give a personal consultation at a very modest cost. You may consult with one or all.

http://www.cba.org/bc/public_media/main/lawyer_referral.aspx

I do not see the need for upset. But, you have the tools to decide.

Please advise if you require more from me to be rated well in your opinion.

My best,

Tom