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Data quality, concepts and methodology: Data quality and limitations
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Although every effort is made to ensure the quality of the data, the statistics relative to airports where there is no air traffic control tower or flight service station should be used with due consideration for their limitations.
The validity of the source data reported is controlled through the use of computerized edit programs. Identified errors originating with the source documents or with data transmission are manually corrected by ASC editing staff.
To help respondents maintain a high level of accuracy in reporting, the Aviation Statistics Centre issues instructions explaining the various concepts of the required source data and the method of completing the forms. Respondents are also furnished with an "Air traffic designators" handbook (TP 143) showing the official Transport Canada aircraft type designators and the designators of various domestic and international air carriers. This handbook and another titled "Canada Flight Supplement" listing various airport codes, serve as reference to ensure the reporting of the proper aircraft identity and the last stop or next stop of flights at reporting airports.
At airports without towers or flight service stations, survey respondents, in performing their various assignments, are not always aware of all aircraft movements at their airport. For example, at small airports the airport manager may be responsible for both the administration and maintenance of the station facilities. At some airports the Daily air traffic records are filed by flying club managers who may not be completely familiar with other activities at other areas of the airport.
At airports with flying school operations it is sometimes difficult to record each individual local aircraft movement. In such cases, ASC would advise the airport manager to report local movements based on hours expended in flying training operations. Observations have shown that, on average, six circuits can be made during each hour of flying training. Therefore, 12 local aircraft movements would be counted for each hour of flying training. At stations where the circuits demand a different norm, the respondent will make corrections accordingly.
