SECTION 1: CHAPTER 2 FLIGHT RULES

Question 1

UK airspace is divided into two Flight Information Regions.

Answer 1

Within each region the airspace below FL245 is known as the lower FIR and that at and above as the Upper Flight Information Region (UIR).

Question 2

Classification of Airspace - A

Answer 2

IFR
only
ATC clearance before entry. Comply with ATC instructions.
Separate all aircraft from each other.

Question 3

Classification of Airspace - B

Answer 3

IFR
and
VFR
ATC clearance before entry. Comply with ATC instructions.
Separate all aircraft from each other.

Question 4

Classification of Airspace - C

Answer 4

IFR
and
VFR
ATC clearance before entry. Comply with ATC instructions.
(a) Separate IFR flights from other IFR and VFR flights;
(b) Separate VFR flights from IFR flights;
(c) Pass traffic information to VFR flights on other VFR flights and give traffic avoidance advice if requested.

Question 5

Classification of Airspace - D

Answer 5

IFR
and
VFR
ATC clearance before entry. Comply with ATC instructions.
(a) Separate IFR flights from other IFR flights;
(b) Pass traffic information to IFR flights and SVFR flights on VFR flights and give traffic avoidance advice when requested;
(c) Pass traffic information to VFR flights on all other flights and provide traffic avoidance advice when requested.

Question 6

Classification of Airspace - E

Answer 6

(a) Separate IFR flights from other IFR flights;
(b) Pass traffic information, as far as practicable, to IFR flights on participating and non-participating VFR flights;
(c) Pass traffic information, as far as practicable, to participating VFR flights in accordance with the type of UK FIS provided.

Question 7

Classification of Airspace - F

Answer 7

IFR
and
VFR
Participating IFR flights are expected to comply with ATC instructions.
Separation provided, as far as practicable, between participating IFR flights.

Question 8

Classification of Airspace - G

Answer 8

IFR
and
VFR
None.
None.

Question 9

Class E airways are notified as

Answer 9

Transponder Mandatory Zone (TMZ).

Question 10

When providing traffic avoiding advice,

Answer 10

controllers shall remind pilots of their responsibility to remain clear of cloud with the surface in sight.

Question 11

When the controller considers that more immediate action is required by the pilot,

Answer 11

traffic avoidance advice may be passed by ATC before traffic information.

Question 12

Airspace Speed Limit

Answer 12

Aircraft flying below FL100 are required to observe, with exceptions, a speed limit of 250 kt IAS. Such a limit is an essential component of the ‘see and avoid’ principle when separation is not established by ATC. This is in addition to speed limits, which may be notified for specific procedures.

Question 13

The 250 kt speed limit does not apply to:

Answer 13

3A.2 The 250 kt speed limit does not apply to:
(1) flights in Class A and B airspace;
(2) IFR flights in Class C airspace;
(3) VFR flights in Class C airspace when approved in MATS Part 2 and authorised by an ATC unit;
(4) flights in Class D airspace when approved in MATS 2 and authorised by an ATC unit;
Note: Aircraft type and Aircraft Operator combinations exempt from the Class D airspace speed restriction on departure are published in the UK AIP associated to the aerodrome to which they apply.
(5) test flights in accordance with specified conditions;
(6) aircraft taking part in flying displays when authorised by the CAA;
(7) aircraft subject to a written permission granted by the CAA;
(8) State aircraft such as military aircraft.

Note: The speed limitation of 250 kt for VFR flights in airspace Classes C, D, E, F, G and for IFR flights in airspace Classes D, E, F, G is intended to facilitate visual acquisition of flights which are not separated. (GM1 SERA.6001(b))

Question 14

Controllers may only exercise the authority granted in paragraph 3A.2 (3) above when they are satisfied that they are in contact with all aircraft in the relevant part of the airspace. VFR flights in the vicinity are to be warned about aircraft flying at a higher speed.

Answer 14

An airspace speed limit must not be relaxed by ATC for flights which will be transiting from a known traffic environment, e.g. Class A airspace, into airspace where the ‘see and avoid’ principle operates as the primary means of separation.
3A.5 In Class E, F and G airspace, conflicting traffic may not be known to ATC and so it is necessary for all flights to make use of the ‘see and avoid’ principle. In order for this to operate effectively, controllers shall not authorise a relaxation of the airspace speed limit.

Question 15

In certain cases, speed limits are published for specific ATC procedures for a number of reasons. For example:

Answer 15

(1) A speed limit of 250 kt is applied to published SID procedures to assist in the initial provision of separation between successive departing aircraft;
(2) A speed limit of 250 kt is applied to some STAR procedures to assist ATC in the integration of traffic flows;
(3) Some holding patterns have non-standard maximum holding speeds for containment within controlled airspace or separation from adjacent routes or procedures;
(4) Some instrument approach procedures have non-standard maximum speeds for obstacle avoidance or controlled airspace containment.

Question 16

When an aircraft is in receipt of an ATS surveillance service, except for instrument approach procedures, controllers may relax procedure speed limits. However, extreme caution should be exercised as the controller then becomes responsible for the provision of separation, controlled airspace containment and obstacle clearance, which would otherwise have been provided within the procedure design.

Answer 16

Controllers should also be aware that, even if there is no tactical ATC requirement to sustain a speed limit, particularly for departing aircraft, the pilot remains responsible for operating his aircraft in such a manner as to adhere to other requirements, e.g. noise preferential route track-keeping.
3B.4 Speed control procedures are detailed in Section 1 Chapter 13.

Question 17

Visual Flight Rules By Day

Below FL 100
Class C, D, E, F and G airspace

Answer 17

1500 m
1000 ft
5 km

Question 18

Visual Flight Rules By Day

At and Above FL 100
Class C, D, E, F and G
airspace

Answer 18

1500 m
1000 ft
8 km

Question 19

Visual Flight Rules By Day

For aircraft, other than helicopters, flying at 140 kt IAS or less

Class C, D and E airspace

Answer 19

Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight.

5 km

Question 20

Visual Flight Rules By Day

For aircraft, other than helicopters, flying at 140 kt IAS or less

Class F and G airspace

Answer 20

Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight.

1500 m

Question 21

Visual Flight Rules By Day

Class C, D and E airspace
For helicopters

Answer 21

Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight.

1500 m

Question 22

Visual Flight Rules By Day
Class F and G airspace

For helicopters

Answer 22

Clear of cloud, with the surface in sight and at a speed which, having regard to the visibility, is reasonable.
1500 m

Question 23

Visual Flight Rules By Night

At and Above FL100
Class C, D, E, F and G airspace

Answer 23

1500 m
1000 ft
8 km

Question 24

Visual Flight Rules By Night

Below FL100
Class C, D, E, F and G airspace

Answer 24

1500 m
1000ft
5 km

Question 25

Visual Flight Rules By Night

At or below 3000 ft amsl
Class F and G airspace
For aircraft, other than helicopters,

Answer 25

Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight.

5 km

Question 26

Visual Flight Rules By Night

At or below 3000 ft amsl
Class F and G airspace
For helicopters,

Answer 26

Clear of cloud, with the surface in sight and at a speed which, having regard to the visibility, is reasonable.
3 km

Question 27

Visual Flight Rules By Night

At or below 3000 ft amsl
Class F and G airspace
For helicopters,

Answer 27

Clear of cloud, with the surface in sight and at a speed which, having regard to the visibility, is reasonable.
3 km

Question 28

For the purpose of non standard flights, the VMC minima for Class A airspace will be:

Answer 28

At or above FL100
8 km flight visibility, 1500 m horizontal and 1000 ft vertical away from cloud.
Below FL100
5 km flight visibility, 1500 m horizontal and 1000 ft vertical away from cloud

Question 29

For the purposes of gliders crossing airways in VMC by day the minima will be:

Answer 29

At all levels

8 km flight visibility, 1500 m horizontal and 1000 ft vertical away from cloud

Question 30

Note 3: For fixed-wing and helicopter flights wishing to operate under VFR to or from an aerodrome, or enter the aerodrome traffic zone, or aerodrome traffic circuit in Class D

Answer 30

airspace the ground visibility shall be used

Question 31

ORS4 1084 permits the commander of an aircraft during daylight hours to operate VFR within Class C, D and E airspace, when clear of cloud and insight of the surface with a flight visibility of at least 5 km for aircraft other than helicopters, and a flight visibility of at least 1,500 metres for helicopters. This permission does not enable commanders to

Answer 31

transit the aerodrome traffic zone or active aerodrome traffic circuit of an aerodrome within Class C, D or E airspace under VFR whenever the ground visibility is less than 5 km for aircraft other than helicopters, and less than 1,500 metres for helicopters.

Question 32

A pilot must fly according to the IFR:

Answer 32

(1) If the airspace has been notified as Class A;

(2) If the meteorological conditions preclude VFR flight or (within a Control Zone) Special VFR flight

Question 33

The IFR require a pilot to observe the minimum height rule and additional rules according to the type of airspace. These are summarised below:

Answer 33

(1) Within Controlled Airspace (Classes A to E)
(a) File a flight plan and obtain a clearance before proceeding with the flight;
(b) Conduct the flight in accordance with clearances and instructions from ATC;
(c) Maintain a listening watch on the appropriate radio frequencies; Report the position of the aircraft according to published procedures.

(2) Outside Controlled Airspace (Classes F and G)
Comply with the semi-circular rule ((EU) 923/2012 SERA.2025(a)) when in level flight above 3000 feet amsl. The altimeter is set to 1013.2 hPa and the cruising level is selected according to the magnetic track unless the aircraft is holding according to published procedures or is otherwise instructed by ATC.

Question 34

semi-circular rule Magnetic Track Less than 180°

Answer 34

FL30, 50, 70, 90 etc. up to FL190

Question 35

semi-circular rule Magnetic Track At least 180° but less than 360°

Answer 35

FL40, 60, 80,100 etc. up to FL180

Question 36

Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ)
6.1 ATZ adopt the classification of airspace within which they are situated. Therefore aircraft flying within the ATZ are subject to the R of A, the specific conditions of the airspace, and the level of ATS provided at the particular aerodrome as follows:

Answer 36

(1) At aerodromes with an ATC unit, all movements within the ATZ are subject to the permission of that unit. Aircraft will comply with instructions given by RTF and maintain a listening watch. Non-radio aircraft, which have been given prior permission to fly within the ATZ, will comply with visual signals.
(2) At aerodromes where an AFIS or AGCS is provided, pilots shall obtain information from the unit to enable the flight to be conducted safely within the zone and maintain a listening watch. Non-radio aircraft must comply with any conditions prescribed by the unit prior to the commencement of the flight.

Question 37

Controllers who need to ascertain whether a pilot will either route around or transit through an ATZ in Class G airspace should

Answer 37

advise the pilot of the ATZ status and confirm the pilot’s intentions. Controllers may advise pilots to change to the published aerodrome RT frequency to either obtain ATZ crossing clearance from an ATC unit, or to obtain information from an AFIS or AGCS unit.

Question 38

Change from IFR flight to VFR flight shall only be acceptable when the pilot uses the expression “cancelling my IFR flight”. Pilots must not be invited to cancel, but if there is any doubt about a pilot’s intentions he may be asked if he wishes to cancel his IFR flight plan.

Answer 38

Controllers are to acknowledge a cancellation using the phrase “IFR plan cancelled at (time)”.

7. 3 Pilots cancelling IFR plans shall be given any information which indicates that IMC may be encountered along the intended route.
8. 4 ATS units receiving notification of an aircraft’s intention to change from IFR to VFR flight shall, as necessary, by automated means or otherwise, inform subsequent ATS units of the IFR flight plan cancellation.