VFR/CTAF Basics Flashcards
When and how must a VFR aircraft positively identify its location?
Every 30 mins with reference to the ground of water
What is helicopter VMC criteria in Class C and Class G from SFC (700ft AGL) to 10,000ft and above 10,000ft?
SFC to 10,000ft:
- 5k vis, 1,500m horizontal, 1,000ft vertical separation from cloud
Above 10,000ft:
- 8k vis, 1,500m horizontal, 1,000ft vertical separation from cloud
Note: VMC Criteria is the came for class A and E as well
What is the rule for aircraft in Class G giving them special clearance from cloud?
In class G, if an aircraft within 3,000ft AMSL or 1,000ft AGL, class G VMC becomes:
- 5K vis, remain clear of cloud, remain in sight of ground or water
Note: aircraft must carry a radio for this rule
What is class D VMC? (4)
5k vis, 600m horizontal, 1,000ft above, 500ft below cloud
What is the VMC for helicopters in class G airspace when below 700ft with GPS guidance (2)? What are the requirements (3)?
If below 700ft AGL over land or water with navigational guidance VMC becomes:
- 800m vis, Clear of cloud
Requirements
- By day only
- At a speed allowing to pilot to “see and avoid” ground and airborne threats (I.e. not @ Vne)
- If within 10NM of aerodromes with an IF approach, must maintain 500ft vertical separation from any aircraft on an IFR approach
Note: Pilots can pay off E/W cruising levels as well
What are the requirements for helicopter special VFR (5)?
Special VFR must be conducted:
- Clear of cloud
- By day
- Not to delay an IFR flight
- Vis greater than 800m
- At a speed allowing to pilot to “see and avoid”
How does a pilot get special VFR (S-VFR)?
Pilot should request S-VFR from ATC only when they are entering or leaving a CTR (Controlled airspace, Class A, C, D, E)
Note, ATC cannot give pilots VFR without request
What level of cloud imposes restriction on VFR flight above cloud (1)? What are the restrictions (6)?
VFR flight above cloud is not restricted/controlled unless cloud is SCT. (More than SCT is not allowed)
Restrictions are:
- VMC maintained
- Position must be identified every 30 mins
- Current forecasts permit descent within VMC
- The descent point allows constant communication with the arrival aerodrome and if required the designated alternate
- If nav by ground stations this must be placed on the flight note
- if nav with GNSS must obtain fixes IAW MOS 14 (not sure what this is, maybe an RNP requirement?)
What is the minimum height which a helicopter must fly at? What are the exceptions to this rule? (2)
Populated areas: Not below 1,000ft above highest obstacle within 300m horizontal radius
Unpopulated areas: Not below 500ft above highest obstacle within 300m horizontal radius
Exceptions:
- Take-off until planned cruising level
- Landing/approach from planned cruising level
- Missed approaches, practice EMERG procedures, circuits etc. (Not super important)
What is the CTAF Freq?
126.7
What does CAVOK mean?
- Vis greater than 10kms
- No cloud below 5000ft or below the highest 25NM MSA
- No CB’s/Towering Q’s at any height
- No significant weather
What are the different abbreviations and scales for cloud cover in OKTAS?
FEW = 1 to2 OKTAS
SCT = 3 to 4 OKTAS
BKN = 5 to 7 OKTAS
OVC = 8 OKTAS
Note:
NSC= No sig cloud
SKC = Sky Clear
When are pilots required to make a CTAF call and what detail is required?
- Before taxiing
- Where to, flight rules used - Immediately before entering a runway
- Which one, from where - Immediately before takeoff
- Which RWY - Once clear of active runways (after T/O and landing)
- Which RWY - NLT 10NM when inbound or flying IVO an aerodrome
- Height, aircraft, direction, ETC if req - Immediately before joining the CIRA
- Which leg - On final approach (straight in) before 3NM from the threshold
- Distance - Departing the FAF, established on final approach or conducting the missed approach
- Consider additional info for VFR pilots - To inform ATC, an aerodrome operator or other pilots of an identified hazard (e.g. birds)
What is the standard CTAF broadcast format?
Location: Jervis Bay Traffic
Aircraft: Military EC-135
C/S: Taipan XX
Flight Rules: (Only if IFR)
Position/intentions: “One three miles south, passing 2,600ft on descent inbound for the circuit at four nine”
Location: Jervis Bay Traffic
E.g. “Jervis Bay Traffic, Military EC-135, Taipan 32, one three miles south, passing 2,600ft on descent inbound for the circuit at four nine, Jervis Bay Traffic”
You have comms failure and ATC if using light signals, what do the following mean in flight and on land?
- Green
- Flashing green
- Red
- Flashing red
- White (ground only)
Green
F - Cleared to land
G - Cleared for T/O
Flashing Green
F - Return for landing
G - Cleared to taxi
Red
F - Continue circling
G - Stop
Flashing Red
F - Do not land, aerodrome unsafe
G - Taxi clear of the area
White flashing
- Return to starting point on aerodrome
