Flight Rules and Regulations Flashcards
How many FIRs are present over the UK?
2
Scottish and London
What is the flight level range of upper information regions?
FL 245 - FL 660
What is the height range of the FIR?
Surface to FL 245
What is the FIR?
Flight Information Region
Surface to FL 245
What is the UIR?
Upper Information Region
FL 245 - FL 660
What is the key feature of Class A airspace?
Always controlled.
What is the key feature of Class G airspace?
It is uncontrolled.
What is Controlled Airspace?
Controlled airspace is airspace of defined dimensions, where an ATC service is provided according to the airspace classification, A C D and E are controlled.
What is a Control Zone?
Aerodrome Control Zones afford protection to aircraft within the immediate vicinity of aerodromes.
What is a CTA?
Control Area
Control Areas are situated above the Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) and afford protection over a larger area to a specified upper limit.
What is an ATZ?
Air Traffic Zone
What is a TMA?
Terminal Manoeuvring Area or Terminal Control Area
(Shared Airspace, eg London)
What is AAL?
Above Aerodrome Level
QFE
What are the dimensions of a MATZ?
ATZ is 2/2.5nm radius, Surface - 2000ft
MATZ is 5nm radius, Surface - 3000ft
Including the Stub:
Stubs are 5nm long and 4nm wide, 1000-3000ft.
These dimensions are based on AAL.
If an airfield name is underlined on a chart what does this indicate?
The underlined airfield is the controlling authority
What are HIRTA?
High Intensity Radio Transmission Area
What are AIAA?
Areas of Intense Aerial Activity.
What are AARA?
Air-Air Refuelling Areas
What are Temporary Reserved Areas?
TRAs are under the authority of a different aviation authority for a temporary period.
What direction should collision avoidance be taken?
To the right, 90°
If you are being overtaken in the air what should you do?
Nothing, you have right of way. Maintain course.
What is VMC?
Visual Meteorological Conditions
VMC means weather permitting flight IAW the VFR
What are the VMC Minima below FL 100, in controlled airspace?
VMC below FL 100:
Dsitance from cloud: 1500m horizontally, 1000 ft vertically
Flight visibility: 8km at more than 250 kt, 5 km at 250 kt or less.
What are the VMC minima below 3000 ft AMSL, in controlled airspace?
Helicopters may fly clear of cloud, in sight of the surface and with a flight visibility of 1500m
When outside Controlled Airspace (CAS), the VMC are the same except when…
At or below 3000 ft AMSL:
Over 140 kts - Flight Visibility 5km
At 140 kts or less - Clear or cloud with the surface in sight, flight visibility at least 1500m.
What are the Pilot’s responsibilities when on a SVFR flight?
- Complying with ATC instructions
- Remain clear of cloud, insight of the surface in visibility of no less than 1500m
- Remain at or below 140 kts
- Avoid ATZs
What is SVFR?
Special VFR allows an inexperienced Pilot, who cannot comply with IFR to fly when VFR flight is not permitted.
They must remain below 140 kts, remain clear of cloud in sight of the surface in vis no less than 1500 m.
What must a Pilot do when flying IFR inside CAS?
Possess an Instrument Rating
Have Navkit onboard
Submit a flight plan
Obtain ATC clearance
Follow ATC instructions
When flying IFR outside CAS and above the transition level, what should the Pilot do?
Set 1013.25 hPa and apply the semi-circular rule.
Except when…
Completing high speed manouevres.
Flying in conformity with instructions from ATC, Ship
What is the semi-circular rule?
Above 3000’ / FL 30
Easterly headings 001-179° fly at Odd Flight Levels, ie FL70
Westerly headings 180-359° fly at Even Flight Levels, ie FL80
- In each segment*
- Up to FL 290, intervals are 2000 ft*
- Above FL 290, intervals are 4000 ft*
What is the ‘right of way rule’?
‘To avoid a fright turn right’.
What is the apron/ASP?
Apron/Ramp
The ICAO term for a designated area where the aircraft are parked for loading and unloading, refuelling and servicing.
What are holding points?
Holding Points
Positions on taxiways that define the limit of an aircraft’s taxi clearance.
What is an aircraft stand?
Aircraft Stand
Usually a numbered parking position for aircraft on the apron, ramp or dispersal.
What colour are markings on a paved runway?
White
What runway markings indicate a precision approach runway?
White edge markings.
What is the purpose of a displaced threshold on a runway?.
There may be obstacles on the glide path
What is the purpose of a runway stopway?
A stopway is a safety measure. It is an area beyond the runway which can be used for deceleration in the event of a rejected takeoff.
What colour are taxiway markings?
Yellow
What is RTHP?
Runway Taxi-Holding Postion Marking
RTHPs are established on each taxiway leading to a runway in order to protect aircraft on take-off and landing by ensuring that other taxiing aircraft and vehicles are held well clear of the runway.
There are two types, A and B.
What is the pattern for Taxiway edge markings?
Taxiway Edge Markings are used beyond the taxiway edge and are paved but not normally available for use by aircraft.
What types of Mandatory Runway Signs are there?
Runway Holding Position Signs
No Entry Signs
Intermediate Taxi-Holding Postion Signs
What types of Runway Information Signs are there?
Location Signs
Direction and Desination Signs
What are the colours of Ident Beacons in the UK?
Red for Military
Green for Civil
What is Supplementary Approach Lighting?
Supplementary Approach Lighting consists of white centreline barettes and two rows of red side barrettes which provide the pilot with enhanced visual cues over the last 300m of the approach.
What is a PAPI?
Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI)
PAPIs provide a visual aid for slope guidance, they comprise:
Visual aid for slope guidance.
Red and white light signals.
Four lights on the left of the runway.
What types of runway lighting must be present at night?
Edge
Threshold
End Lighting
What is the purpose of a stop bar and lead on lights?
A Stop Bar consists of a red row of lights across the taxiway. Stop Bars are installed with green Lead-on Lights which form part of the taxiway centreline lighting beyond the Stop Bar.
Stop bars are provided at entrances to runways, e.g. runway holding positions, and may also be provided at taxiway intersections and at other locations
What types of obstacle lighting are there?
En-route obstacles
Airfield obstacles (fixed and mobile)
What are the lighting recommendations for obstacles within the airfield vicinity?
Any object within 15 km of an airfield that is over 150 m or considered to be an obstacle to aircraft in flight or moving on the ground will normally be lit at night or makred in contrasting colours in daylight.
What is the colour of taxiway edge marking?
Taxiways are equipped with green centreline lighting, otherwise blue edge lighting is provided.
What are the dimensions and conditions of a temporary control zone?
5-10 nm radius form the centre of the aerodrome from ground level to a designated upper level.
They have a time window:
INBOUND: -15 mins before ETA to +30 after ETA
OUTBOUND: -15 mins before ETD to +30 mins after ETD
What are the time conditions and dimensions of temporary controlled areas?
5 nm each side of the intended track of the Royal Flight.
They have a time window:
The duration is 15 mins before ETA at each start point until 30 mins after ETD from the end/departure point.
What is a RLLC?
Royal Low Level Corridor
The protected sectors are 5nm either side of the track an from ground level to 1000 ft above the max cruise altitude.
Lateral separation of at least 5 nm from the Royal Helicopter.
Can the Royal Low Level Corridor be under flown?
No
The protected sector is 5nm either side of the track and from ground level to 1000 ft above the max cruise altitude.
What methods of authorisation are there?
Written
Verbal
Self
What are the responsibilities of the Authorising Officer?
Detail the aircraft commander.
Ensure the crew are SQEP.
Ensure the flight authorisation record details the duties of the crew and the nature of the planned exercise.
What is the definition of an Aircraft Commander?
The AC is the crew member responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft and completion of the assigned mission.
What are the responsibilities of an Aircraft Commander?
Ensure the crew are properly trained and clothed and equipped for their tasks.
Ensure all necessary flight and fuel planning has been carried out.
The appropriate Aeronautical Pubs have been issued.
Met brief has been obtained.
Aircraft has been prepared and serviced and passengers have been briefed.
Are authorisation officers formally trained?
Yes.
The Flight Authoriser’s Course (FLAC) aims to prepare aircrew for duties as authorisers in addition to flying supervisory support duties.
What is offered from a basic service?
Information and advice.
Non-surveillance based,
Airspace activity, weather, safety information.
Can be VFR/IFR (uncontrolled).
Deconfliction is solely the Pilot’s responsibility.
What is a traffic service?
Surveillance based ATS.
VFR/IFR in any Met conditions.
Relevant traffic information if aircraft are passing within 3 nm and 3000 ft. (therefore 6 nm and 6000 ft)
No deconfliction information provided.
What is a deconfliction service?
DS is a surveillance based ATS where, the controller provides specific surveillance derived traffic information and issues headings and/or levels to achieve the deconfliction minima.
5nm separation.
What is a procedural service?
Procedural Service
In addition to a basic service, the controller provides restrictions, instructions and approach clearances.
These instructions will allow deconfliction minima against other aircraft conducting a procedural service to be achieved. No traffic or deconfliction service can be provided with respect to unknown traffic.
What are the key organisations for Air Traffic Control?
ICAO
EASA
CAA
NATS
RAF(U) Swanwick
What is ICAO?
International Civil Aviation Organisation
ICAO regulates civilian flying, it sets standards and recommends practices. The MoD conforms with ICAO as long as there are no conflicts.
What is the CAA and what are its roles?
UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
The CAA is part of the Department for Transport and is responsible for:
Regulation of aviation safety in the UK.
Determining policy for use of Airspace.
Economic regulation of major airports.
Licencing and financial fitness of airlines.
ATOL protection.
From which two centres does NATS operate?
Swanwick in Hampshire
Prestwick in Ayrshire
The UK airspace is divided into two Area Control Regions, what are they?
London Area Control Centre (LACC) - Swanwick, callsign ‘London Control’
Scottish Area Control Centre (ScACC) - Preswick, callsign ‘Scottish Control)
What is the Oceanic Area Control Centre (OACC) also known as?
Shanwick
How is the Military Air Traffic Control Centre (MATCC) subdivided?
Into three banks of controllers:
North Bank (controls the Scottish FIR)
East Bank (controls to the East of a line from Carlisle to London)
West Bank (controls the SW, W, Central and SE)
These are further broken down into sectors.
Who may a Radar Control Service provide service to?
IFR Flights in A-E airspace.
VFR Flights in C and D airspace.
Special VFR Flights.
All aerodrome traffic at controlled aerodromes.
What is the RAC at RAF Swanwick?
Radar Analysis Cell (RAC)
The RAC investigates:
- military or civilian air prox.
- noise complaints.
- airspace breaches.
- criminal activity involving aircraft.
What are the distress frequencies for VHF and UHF?
121.500 VHF
243.000 UHF
What is the military distress frequency?
243.000
UHF
What is the civil distress frequency?
121.500
VHF
What is LARS?
Lower Airspace Radar Services (LARS)
LARS is the provision of a basic radar service. It is available to aircraft outside controlled airspace up to FL100.
A LARS controller can provide either a basic, traffic or deconfliction service. Up to a range of 30 nm.
What is the UKLFS?
United Kingdom Low Flying System (UKLFS)
The UKLFS consists of dedicated low flying areas for military pilots. Pilots must maintain Minimum Separation Distance (MSD).
Low flying is below 2000ft down to the minimum of 250ft.
Where would you expect to definitely receive a procedural service?
Over the ocean
What types of Flight Plan are there?
Full
Repetitive
Abbreviated
What flights are exempt of the requirement to file a flight plan?
Flights that cross the UK FIR boundary under control of UK air defence, naval vessel or AEW platforms.
Flights within the North Wales and East Anglian training areas, when active.
What are the time frames for filing a IFR/GAT Flight Plan?
At least 60 mins before clearance to start up or taxi is requested.
For North Atlantic flights using Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM), a minimum of 3 hrs is required. Exceptionally this is down to 30 mins.
What colour are all markings on a Rwy?
White
What is the final holding point on the taxiway before the runway?
Two solid yellow lines
Two dashed yellow lines closest to the Runway
How is the touch down zone and aiming point markers presented?
What colour is centre line lighting as it approaches the end?
Red
What colour is taxiway lighting as you leave the active runway?
Amber and green becoming green as you are clear
What must vehicles driving on runways always present?
Amber flashing lights
Who is exempt from processing a flight plan?
Those involved in Air Defence
Flights under the command of a RN Ship, AWACS
Flights in military training areas
On the Flight Plan what does the Time indicate?
EOBT
Estimated Off Blocks Time
What are the main aviation organisations for the UK?
ICAO
EASA
CAA
NATS
Swanwick
What do Swanwick control?
3
London Area Control Centre (High Level)
London Terminal Control Centre
Military
What do Prestwick control?
3
Manchester Area Control Centre
Scottish Area Control Centre
Oceanic Area Control Centre
What is an Alerting Service?
A service required by ICAO
ie Distress and Diversion at Swanwick
What services can LARS offer?
Traffic and Deconfliction
What separation do air traffic maintain when offering Traffic and Deconfliction Service
3 nm / 3000 ft (Traffic Service)
5nm / 3000 ft (Deconfliction service)
