General: Flight Rules Flashcards
What two regions is UK airspace divided into?
Scottish FIR & London FIR
What is the difference between FIR & UIR?
Flight Information Region & Upper Flight Information Region (above FL245)
Describe Class A Airspace
- IFR Only
- ATC clearance before entry, comply with ATC instructions
- Separate all aircraft from each other
Describe Class C Airspace
- IFR & VFR
- ATC clearance before entry, comply with ATC instructions
- Separate IFR / IFR, IFR / VFR
- Pass traffic info VFR / VFR
Describe Class D Airspace
- IFR & VFR
- ATC clearance before entry, comply with ATC instructions
- Separate IFR / IFR
- Pass traffic info IFR & SVFR on VFR
- Pass traffic info to VFR on all flights
Describe Class G Airspace
- IFR & VFR
- Aircraft requirements: None
- Min Service by ATC Unit: None
Where volumes of airspace adjoin vertically, what rules should flights at the common level comply with?
Flights at the common level should comply with the less restrictive class of airspace.
When, according to Mode C, is airspace infringed?
- When showing 100ft or more inside CAS.
- MOR required.
What is the speed limit for aircraft below FL100?
250kts IAS to allow for the “see and avoid” principle.
Who does the 250kt speed limit not apply to?
- Flights in Class A & B
- IFR flights in Class C
- Exempted VFR in Class C when authorised by an ATC unit (in accordance with MATS2)
- Exempted flights in Class D when authorised by an ATC unit (in accordance with MATS2)
- Test flights in accordance with specified conditions
- Flying Displays when authorised by CAA
- Aircraft with written permission by CAA
- State / Military aircraft
EGAA cannot authorise a/c to exceed the speed limit
What are the procedure speed limits for SIDS & STARS?
250kts IAS
Who is responsible for determining whether the met conditions permit VFR flight (whilst in flight)
The pilot
What are the VMC minima in Class D above FL100?
By Day
1500m, 1,000ft, 8km
What are the VMC minima in Class D below FL100?
By Day
1500m, 1,000ft, 5km
What are the alternate VMC minima in Class D for fixed wing <140kts?
By Day
COCSIS, 5km
What are the alternate VMC minima in Class D for helicopters <140kts?
By Day
COCSIS, 5km
What are the VMC minima in Class G?
By Day
COCSIS, 5km
What are the alternate VMC minima in Class G for all aircraft <140kts?
COCSIS, 1500m
What are the VMC minima in Class D above FL100?
By Night
1500m, 1,000ft, 8km
What are the VMC minima in Class D below FL100 & above A3,000ft?
By Night
1500m, 1,000ft, 5km
What are the VMC minima in Class D below A3,000ft?
By Night
1500m, 1,000ft, 5km, maintain continuous sight of the surface
What are the VMC minima in Class G?
By Night
Clear of cloud & maintain continuous sight of the surface, 5km
Which UK General Permission ORS4 permits VFR flight at night?
ORS4 No. 1477
Who is exempt from VMC minima?
Helicopters;
* Police
* HEMS
* SAR
* PWRline
* PIPline
* Railtrack
When must a pilot fly according to the Instrument Flight Rules?
- Class A airspace
- If met conditions preclude VFR / SVFR
What additional rules do the IFR require a pilot to comply with in CAS?
- File a flight plan & obtain a clearance before proceeding with the flight
- Conduct the flight in accordance with clearance & instructions from ATC
- Maintain a listening watch on the appropriate frequencies
- Report the position of the aircraft according to published procedures
What additional rules fo the IFR require a pilot to comply with outside CAS?
- Comply with the table of cruising levels when in level flight above A3,000ft - Set altimiter to 1013hPa
EAST = ODD FL
WEST = EVEN FL
What airspace classification are ATZs?
ATZs adopt the class of airspace within which they are situated.
What are movements in ATZs with an ATC unit subject to?
Subject to the permission of the ATC Unit - aircraft will comply with instructions given by RTF & maintain a listening watch.
Non-radio aircraft (with prior permission) will comply with visual signals.
When is change from IFR to VFR acceptable?
Only acceptable when the pilot uses the experssion “cancelling my IFR flight”.
No invitation to change from IFR to VFR shall be made by ATC
How should ATCOs acknowledge a cancellation of IFR to VFR?
ATCOs should use the phrase “IFR flight cancelled at (time)”.
What info shall pilots cancelling IFR be given?
Any info which indicated that IMC may be encountered along the intended route.
Who should the ATCO inform when a pilot cancels IFR?
ATCOs should inform subsequent ATS units along the aircraft’s route.
What must an ATCO consider before issuing a SVFR clearance?
- A SVFR clearance is issued when requested by a pilot.
ATCO must consider;
* Prevailling traffic
* Extent of proposed flight
* Avaiability of air-ground comms
- SVFR are not to hinder normal IFR flights.
What must an ATCO do when the ground visibility reduces below 1500m and/or CC below 600ft?
ATCOs shall advise pilots of aircraft intending to operate SVFR to/from such aerodromes & request the pilot specify the clearance type required.
What are the SVFR minima for helicopters?
1500m
CC 600ft
Who is exempt from SVFR minima?
Helicopters;
* Police
* HEMS
* Rescue
* Electricity
* Grid
* Powerline/Pipeline
Can aircraft transit the CTR when the met conditions are below SVFR minima?
Yes, so long as;
- Not intending to take off / land at an aerodrome within a CTR (EGAL)
- Remain outside the ATZ / CCT
Which should be used when the ground visibility consists of two values?
The lower of the 2 values shall be used when determining if a SVFR clearance can be issued.
Where can SVFR procedures for operations into subsidiary aerodromes be found?
MATS2
What should ATCOs be prepared for when SVFR aircraft are flying along a route?
Deteriorating weather requiring aircraft to be provided with alternative route to remain SVFR.
Who is standard separation applied between regarding SVFR?
- IFR & SVFR
- SVFR & SVFR
What level should SVFR be given to fly?
SVFR not normally given a specified level, vertical separation from aircraft above can be achieved by requiring the SVFR flight not above a specified level.
What are the Pilot’s Responsibilities regarding SVFR?
- Comply with ATC instructions
- Ensure flight conditions enable pilot to remain clear of cloud with reference to surface
- Ensure aircraft flown <140kts IAS
- Complying with relevant SERA & RoA regs low flying restrictions
- Avoiding ATZs unless prior permission for penetration
Is a full flight plan required for SVFR flight?
A full flight plan is not required for SVFR flight but the pilot must give brief details of the callsign, type, and intentions.
(full plan req’d if pilot wishes destination to be notified)
Where is Class C airspace in the UK?
Airspace between FL195 & FL660 is Class C.
The FIR/UIR boundary remains FL245.
(atcos shall not allocate FL195 as a cruising level)
What are the basic rules for the use of Class C airspace, irrespective of met conditions?
- Flight plan must be filed
- ATC clearacne must be obtained
- Radio contact must be maintained
- Flight must be conducted in accordance with ATC instructions
(table of cruising levels still applies, east odd etc)
What are the separation requirements in Class C?
- IFR / IFR
- IFR / VFR
Treat all flights as IFR until flight rules known.
What are the two categories of flight plans?
- Full flight plans
- Abbreviated flight plans
Who’s responsibility is it for filing an accurate flight plan?
- The pilot / operator
(Local ATSU may assist)
When will the destination aerodrome be advised of a flight?
Only if the flight plan covers the whole route.
When can an airborne flight plan be filed?
So long as the pilot leaves sufficient time for the clearance to be issued before the aircraft reaches the boundary of CAS (10 mins approx)
When MAY a pilot file a flight plan?
A pilot may file a flight plan for any flight.
When is a pilot REQUIRED to file a flight plan?
- Any portion of flight to be provided with an ATC Service
- Any IFR flight in advisory airspace
- Any flight in areas, or along routes designated by the Authority, to facilitate the provision of flight info, alerting, and SAR
- Any flight within / into areas or along routes designated by the Authority, to facilitate coordination with appropriate military units or with ATS units in adjacent States to avoid the possible need for interception
- Any flight across international boundaries (FIR boundaries)
- Any flight planned to operate at night, if leaving the vicinity of an aerodrome.
When is a pilot ADVISED to file a flight plan?
- If the flight involves flying over the sea more than 10nm from the coast or flying over sparsely populated areas where SAR would be difficult
- If the pilot intends to fly into an area in which SAR ops are in progress.
What should a pilot do when they have filed a flight plan to a destination without an ATSU & not connected to the AFTN?
- Nominate a responsible person at their destination & inform them of the planned ETA. (If they fail to arrive within 30 mins the responsible person will notify the parent ATSU)
- If no responsible person can be found, the pilot will contact the parent ATSU & request they act in the same capacity.
What are pilots who do not file a flight plan, required to do?
They are required to inform the ATSU at the aerodrome of departure - this is referred to as booking out.
Define an AIRPROX
An AIRPROX is a situation in which, in the opinion of a pilot or a controller, the distance between aircraft as well as their relative positions & speeds have been such that the safety of the aircraft involved was or may have been compromised.
What should the ATCO do if a pilot wishes to file an AIRPROX via RTF?
The ATCO should, whenever possible, accept the relevant details, particularly when the flight is bound for a foreign destination.
Who is responsible for follow-up action after an AIRPROX report?
The SCOD is responsible.
What is the format of a pilot’s RTF AIRPROX report?
- The words “AIRPROX Report”.
- Position at time of incident.
- Time of incident
- Altitude / FL (climbing, descending, level flight)
- Heading
- Brief details of incident including first sighting & miss distance;
- Weather conditions
What must ATCOs not do when a pilot files an RTF AIRPROX report?
ATCOs must not offer opinions as to cause / responsibility to pilots at the time, or to operators / pilots subsequently.
Who institutes search action if the identity of an aircraft involved in an incident is not known?
The SCOD. Using data, other units, ATS sureillance systems etc to track the aircraft.
What does the ANO require an aircraft to do if there is a failure of any light required by the ANO at night?
- If any light required by the ANO to be displayed at night is broken & cannot be immediately repaired or replaced, the aircraft shall not depart from an aerodrome.
- If the aircraft is in flight, they shall land as soon as it can safely do so.
When can aircraft with broken nav lights be authorised to continue their flight at night?
- Normally, permission should only be granted if flight is to be continued within UK CAS. (Flight outside the UK in CAS not permitted unless obtained from adjactent authority)
- If the pilot’s intention is to fly outside CAS they should be instructed to land at the nearest suitable aerodrome.
What should the actions of an ATCO be when a captibe balloon breaks free?
When an ATSU receives info of a captive balloon breaking free;
Contact the appropriate ACC stating;
- Type of balloon & whether carrying any person
- Position
- Direction & speed of drift
- Last observed height
- Length of cable attached
- Balloon operator’s name & number
Define a Radio Mandatory Zone (RMZ)
An RMZ is airspace of defined dimension wherein the cariiage & operation of suitable radio equipment is mandatory.
What shall flights fo before entering RMZ?
They shall establish two-way communication before entering the RMZ & maintain a continuous air-ground voice communication watch.
If unable to establish two-way radio comms, remain outside.
When is Two-Way communication considered to have been achieved?
When the pilot has provided at least;
- Callsign
- Type
- Position
- Level
- Flight rules
- Intentions
And received acknowledgment from the ATS.
