Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
My partner and I were seeking clarification on how Canadian controllers wanted us to meet crossing restrictions on the arrival. We had asked for clarification of whether or not they would be issuing a 'Descend Via' clearance or not. We were told that they do issue descend via clearances but; even in the absence of that clearance on this arrival; they wanted us to meet the crossing restrictions as published on the arrival. We had been assigned 8000 FT and were at 8000 FT. I clarified with the controller that he did indeed want us to make the next crossing restriction fix between the charted lower altitudes and he advised affirmative. So we began to descend to meet that restriction. Somewhere around 7800 FT we were issued a clearance to an altitude higher than the restrictions of the next fix; resetting our descent clearance. This confused us as we were just told to make the next crossing restriction. When I asked for clarification again; the controller then explained that we only need to meet the restrictions once we have been assigned an altitude at or below the fix altitude restrictions. We had not actually been cleared to descend to cross the fix yet; which meant that in attempting to descend to meet the crossing restriction as we thought we had been instructed; we were actually in deviation from our actual assigned altitude. Confusion on Canadian descent rules for arrivals. This is an issue for pilots such as myself that do not go to Canada often enough. Now that I have experienced the scenario first hand I should be able to avoid future events such as this in Canada. However; we had received a message regarding these procedures some time ago. Unfortunately; with the number of messages and manual updates that we receive it is impossible to remember every scenario. It would be helpful to have all current Canada related notes/memo's in one place to look up before traveling there; for example. The same can be said with Mexico. At the least; for my part; I plan to ensure that I better prepare for these possible events by reviewing any info I can locate on a given location prior to flight there.
Pilot reports of confusion with Canadian Controllers and their use of Descend Via.