Area Control Centre (ACC)
An Area Control Centre (ACC) is the ATC facility responsible for providing en route IFR control service within a Flight Information Region (FIR). Canada has seven ACCs: Gander, Moncton, Montréal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver.
Role of the ACC
- Provides IFR separation for aircraft at cruise altitude
- Issues en route clearances and route amendments
- Approves weather deviations and altitude changes
- Coordinates handoffs with adjacent ACCs and terminal control units
- Provides flight information and alerting service
Flight Following from ACC
VFR pilots may request traffic advisories (flight following) from ACC during cross-country cruise. The service is workload permitting and does not provide IFR separation. Still valuable — it puts another set of eyes on your flight.
Related Terms
See also: ATC Service, FIR, Centre.