Bae 146 flight crew reported they improperly operated in canadian airspace between 12;500 feet and 1...

Attributes
ACN	1314548
Time
Date	201503
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	CZQM.ARTCC
State Reference	FO
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	BAe 146-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Climb
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	None
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 164 Flight Crew Total 5836 Flight Crew Type 775
Person 2
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 55 Flight Crew Total 4575 Flight Crew Type 250
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural FAR Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

Research done about canadian airspace did not catch that an IFR or controlled VFR clearance is required to fly between 12;500 feet and 18;000 feet. To check the pressurization system we climbed to around 16;000 feet and then descended for an approach into [destination airport]. When we contacted tower they informed us that moncton approach was attempting to contact us. We contacted them and they asked if we knew we needed a clearance to fly above 12;500 feet. I told them that our research of canadian airspace did not reveal that. I asked them if they wanted me to call them when we landed and the answer was they would have [tower] give us the number if they wanted us to call. We didn't receive any phone numbers.future flight in canadian airspace will have more diligent review of the airspace rules and all flights will be conducted with some form of flight following.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: BAe 146 flight crew reported they improperly operated in Canadian airspace between 12;500 feet and 18;000 feet without a clearance because they were unaware of the policy; which differs from U.S. procedures.

Narrative: Research done about Canadian airspace did not catch that an IFR or Controlled VFR clearance is required to fly between 12;500 feet and 18;000 feet. To check the pressurization system we climbed to around 16;000 feet and then descended for an approach into [destination airport]. When we contacted Tower they informed us that Moncton Approach was attempting to contact us. We contacted them and they asked if we knew we needed a clearance to fly above 12;500 feet. I told them that our research of Canadian airspace did not reveal that. I asked them if they wanted me to call them when we landed and the answer was they would have [Tower] give us the number if they wanted us to call. We didn't receive any phone numbers.Future flight in Canadian airspace will have more diligent review of the airspace rules and all flights will be conducted with some form of flight following.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Bae 146 flight crew reported they improperly operated in canadian airspace between 12;500 feet and 18;000 feet without a clearance because they were unaware of the policy; which differs from us procedures.