The 500 hour thing in Canada comes from CAR 702.17. This extract is from CARS In Plain English, because the rules just refer you to Commercial Air Service Standards, i.e, 722.17
702.17 VFR Minimum Visibility - Uncontrolled Airspace
AEROPLANES
Must fly so that obstacles can be seen and avoided. To operate down to 1 mile in uncontrolled
airspace, you need an artificial horizon, a DI or gyro compass and a GPS, matching the Flight
Manual. You must have at least 500 hours Part VII (commercial) experience, or the equivalent
in the same category and class of aeroplane. You also need to attend a Pilot Decision Making
course every three years.
You also need one hours' initial and annual recurrent training in basic instrument manoeuvres
and flight at reduced airspeed with the use of all equipment mentioned above, and in all Ops
Manual low visibility procedures.
The Ops Manual must contain information about minimum safe speeds and configurations
and other considerations, such as wind, weights, time of day, communications, etc.
HELICOPTERS
To go down to half a mile in uncontrolled airspace, you must fly at such a speed that obstacles
can be seen and avoided. You also need at least 500 hours (commercial) PIC in helicopters,
but, otherwise, the conditions are as above.
Last edited by paco; 19th Dec 2023 at 07:32.