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Air Law
Common abbreviations and initials
AGL Above ground Level
AIAA Area of Intense Aerial Activity
AMSL Above mean Sea Level
ANO Air navigation Order
ASR Altimeter setting Region
ATC Air traffic Control
ATZ Aerodrome Traffic Zone
CTA Control Area
CTR Control Zone
FIR Flight Information Region
FL Flight Level
HIRTA High Intensity Radio
Transmission Area
IFR Instrument Flight Rules
IMC Instrument Meteorological
conditions
MATZ Military Air traffic Zone
QFE Query Field Elevation
QNH Query Nautical Height
SRA Special Rules Area
SRZ Special Rules Zone
TMA Terminal manoeuvring Area
VFR Visual Flight Rules
VMC Visual meteorological Conditions
Aviation law in the UK is enacted by parliament and published in statutory
documents. The main one for UK pilots is the Air Navigation Order (ANO). Another
is the Air Navigation Regulations. The authority responsible for Civil Aviation
in the UK is the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority). They provide an Aeronautical
Information Service (AIS) to collect and disseminate information. This
information is desiminated through 3 documentation channels.
UK AIP
This contains essential information or instructions of a lasting nature. The
UK AIP is published in 3 volumes with a regular amendment service. The booklet
is called CAP85 which is available from the CAA.
NOTAM'S
Notification to Airmen. These contain information on any aeronautical facility,
hazard etc which might be of use to pilots.
They are in 2 classes;
· Class I -for urgent matters and sent via teleprinter.
· Class II - distributed through the post for less urgent matters
Aeronautical
Information Circulars (AIC's).
Published monthly and concern advanced warnings of operational changes
or changes of an administrative matter. i.e. corrections or changes to the
Airspace charts. Depending on the type of AIC, then the colour of the paper it
is printed on changes.
Royal flights
A "Royal Flight" is a civil or military flight over the UK carrying one or more
of the principal members of the Royal Family. The special conditions relevant to
the flight change with the type of aircraft.
· Fixed Wing. Royal flights are conducted where possible in existing airspace.
Where this is not possible then "Purple Airspace" is set up. This airspace is
1Rule 21 (IFR Rules only). Details are sent by Notam. The airway set up is 10nm
wide. Vertical limits are set up in the Notam.
Radio communication
· 2m Amateur radio - In the UK Radio Amateurs have use of many frequency bands
including 144 to 146 MHz on FM. All of this band is in use.
A lot of pilots use the frequencies just below this range for flying use. It is
illegal to use a 2m set from the air, whether you are a licensed amateur or not.
Phonetic alphabet
Alpha
Brava
Charlie
Delta
Echo
Foxtrot
Golf
Hotel
India
Juliett
Kilo
Lima
Mike
November
Oscar
Papa
Quebec
Romeo
Sierra
Tango
Uniform
Victor
Whiskey
X-ray
Yankee
Zulu
Air Charts
Airspace in the UK is shown on air charts. These must be used for any cross
country flight to ensure you don't transgress airspace. Charts are available
from
CAA Chart Room
Room T1120,
CAA House
45-59 Kingsway
London WC2B 6TE
Phone 0171 832 5568/9 Remember to ask for the 3
free charts
· RAC 5-0-1 UK airspace restrictions and hazardous areas
· RAC 5-0-1.1 UK AIAA
· RAC 3-0-1 UK ATS Airspace classification
Note that none of the charts below carry information on small arms ranges. These
are shown on the RAC 5-0-1 and should be copied onto the airspace chart you use.
Also, none of the flying charts will contain any information on royal flights or
air displays.
UK Airspace
In November 1991 the UK adopted the new system of classification of airspace
developed by ICAO. Airspace is designated by a letter that determines the rules
applying to it. In all classes of airspace it is the responsibility of the pilot
to maintain 6VMC which differ according to the type of airspace and level you
are in.
Controlled Airspace
A This airspace is closed to gliders due
to the need to operate an aircraft to IMC in this airspace. Airways are 10nm
wide and has an identifying colour and number i.e. Amber 3.
It used to be possible for certain airways to be crossed by gliders under the
provisions of rule 21(2). This glider allowance is now no longer available so
effectively all class A is out of
bounds to us now.
B
The entire airspace above FL245 comprising the upper airspace CTA and the
Hebrides upper control area (UTA) is class B airspace. Gliders are allowed in
this as long as they maintain full VMC.
C
No Class C airspace is in the UK at present.
D
The boundary between 2 areas of class D. Assuming you are flying up the page,
you are leaving the CTA (control area) which extends from 2500ft to 3500ft into
another area of class D, the CTR or control zone (zones start from Zero
remember) which extends from surface to 6,000ft so if you are flying at 4,000
you enter the airspace here.
An ATC clearance is now required in order for glider pilots to fly in class D.
Although in theory, this can be obtained by radio, telephone or letter of
agreement, in practice this could prove difficult to obtain.
E
Areas of the Scottish TMA and the Belfast TMA are notified as Class E and permit
all aircraft including gliders to enter. without ATC clearance whilst
maintaining VMC.
F
In class F airspace it is possible for gliders to fly in conditions less than
the VFR minima. In this case IFR flight rules apply including the minimum height
rule which states that when above 3,000ft AMSL you must not fly at a height of
less than 1,000ft above the highest obstacle within 5nm of the aircraft unless
it is landing.
G
In class G airspace it is possible for gliders to fly in conditions less than
the VFR minima. In this case IFR flight rules also apply. So in class F and G
you are not actually breaking the law by entering cloud and long as you are high
enough but we advise against this.
ATZ's and MATZ's
The airspace surrounding most aerodromes listed in the UK is designated an ATZ.
The dimensions are;
· from ground level to 2,000ft above aerodrome level
· within the area bounded by a circle of radius: 2nm, where the length of the
longest runway is 1850m or less 2.5nm where the length of the longest runway is
1850m or longer. The centre of the circle is the mid point of the runway.
The number alongside the symbol on the chart shows the aerodrome height above
sea level. Flying inside the ATZ requires radio contact with the responsible
party and so in the main we cannot go there, unless we have our RT pass and a
radio and know what to do.
Millitary Aerodrome Traffic Zones.
A MATZ is the airspace surrounding certain military aerodromes. They extend;
· from the surface up to 3,000ft above aerodrome level within a radius of 5nm;
and
· with a stub (or stubs) , width 4nm, extending out a further 5nm along final
approach path(s) for the main runway(s) between 1000 and 3000ft above aerodrome
level.
Altimeter Settings
Vertical distances are hard to measure accurately. Most altimeters work by
measuring the change in air pressure as you gain height. Pressure reduces about
1 millibar (1mb) per 30ft of height gained.
At higher levels this relationship is not linear but good enough for us. Note
that millibar is the same as hectopascal. Hectopascal might be used in more
metricated countries - it means the same - but in the UK, the millibar is used
for the moment.
Pressure also changes as air pressure systems - lows and highs - move across the
country. Since the air pressure in Scotland may be quite a bit different from
the South of the UK, the UK is split into Altimeter Setting Regions (ASR's).
These are shown on the air chart. An airline pilot
flying from one region to another will check the altimeter setting and readjust
if necessary to take account of the general change in air pressure as he flies
across the UK.
There are 3 ways of height representation which are;
QNH
Given by Air traffic control as a pressure reading that the pilot sets on his
altimeter. The altimeter then displays his height above Sea level. The ATC will
broad cast the regional QNH to aircraft to take account of pressure changes
caused by atmospheric conditions. So in short QNH is a pressure setting given by
ATC and is the current pressure reading at Mean Sea Level.
QFE
is a pressure setting by ATC and is the current pressure reading at the airfield
now. In general paragmotoring, when we say QNH it is the height above sea level,
and when we say QFE is it the height above "the field".
QNE
Refers to the height indicated on a pressure altimeter when the
aircraft is on the ground at an aerodrome and the pressure setting of 1013.2mb
is set on the sub scale. i.e. it is the height of the 1013.2mb pressure level.
Note that this is the only reference which is a height, the others are pressure
settings.
Rules of the air.
The rules are established under article 64 of the ANO. The rules apply to all
aircraft in the UK.
Collision avoidance rules (Rule 17)
· A constant relative bearing means a collision risk exists.
· Regardless of anything else it is the duty of the pilot to take all possible
measures to see that he does not collide with another aircraft.
· An aircraft must not fly close to another to create a risk of collision
· Aircraft must not fly in formation unless they all agree to do so
· An aircraft which is obliged to give way to another aircraft must avoid
passing under, or over or ahead of the other aircraft (unless well clear)
· The aircraft with right of way should maintain course and speed
· For this purpose, a glider and any aircraft towing it are considered 1
aircraft under the command of the tug pilot.
Approaching head on
When 2 aircraft are approaching head on, each must turn right. When gliders are
hill soaring, the aircraft with the hill on his right cannot turn right, so he
has to keep going in a straight line and the aircraft with the hill on the left
has to give way.
Overtaking
An aircraft which is being overtaken has right of way. For gliders, they may
overtake on both sides but when hill soaring, overtake on the hill side to avoid
forcing the overtaken aircraft into the hillside.
Converging aircraft
· An aircraft in the air must give way to other converging aircraft as follows;
- Flying machines give way to airships, gliders and balloons
- airships give way to gliders and balloons
- Gliders give way to balloons
· Subject to the above, when 2 aircraft, when 2 aircraft are converging at the
same height, the aircraft which has the other on the right must give way.
Right hand traffic rule (rule 19)
An aircraft flying in sight of the ground and following a road, railway, canal,
coast or other feature shall keep the line feature on its left, except where
instructed to do otherwise by ATC.
Lights on aircraft (rule 9 to 15)
At night, aircraft must display lights as are specified for the particular
category of aircraft. No other lights that would impair the effectiveness of the
required lights should be displayed. A glider may show either the basic lights
for a flying machine (red on port wing, green on starboard wing and white on
tail) or a steady red light visible in all directions.
NIGHT is defined for the rules of the air as being;
· from 30 minutes after sunset
· until 30 minutes before sunrise
Low flying rules (rule 5)
Built up areas, A congested area in relation to a city, town or settlement means
any area which is substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or
recreational purposes.
An aircraft (other than a helicopter) must not fly over a congested area;
· below a height that would allow it to land clear of the area and without
danger to people if the
engine fails; or
· less that 1500 feet above the highest fixed object within 600m of the
aircraft, whichever is higher.
Large open air gatherings
No aircraft may fly over or within 1,000m of an open air gathering of more than
1,000 people except with written permission of the CAA, nor may it fly below any
height that would enable it to glide clear.
The 500ft Rule
An aircraft must not fly closer than 500ft to any person, vessel, vehicle or
structure with the following exceptions. Several exemptions apply to powered
aircraft here.
VMC-VFR
A quick note on these. In the UK an aircraft shall always be flown in accordance
with either VFR or IFR. When you are in VMC you are flying under VFR (Commercial
pilots may elect to still fly IFR even if there is sufficient VMC) and
responsible for avoiding collisions with other aircraft using the principle of
see and avoid. You are flying in IMC when you cannot comply with any of the VMC
cases.
VMC = Visual Meteorological flying conditions. This refers to the amount of
visual observance.
IMC - IFR
When flying in IMC you must fly under IFR. IFR rules applicable in
uncontrolled airspace (class F and G) are rules 29 (minimum height rule) and
rule 30 (Quadrantal rule). These are explained below.
The extra rules for IFR in controlled airspace is about filing flight plans and
reporting positions to ATC so we can forget about that. In class A airspace it
is mandatory to fly IFR which is why they are closed to us (apart from airways
crossing).
In conditions that are not VFR, the conditions then become IMC or Instrument
meteorological conditions and then we fly under IFR or Instrument Flight Rules.
Note that in class F and G as mentioned before, it is allowed to fly in IMC
conditions and maybe enter the cloud. In that case we then fly under IFR rules.
Anybody may fly their paramotor under IFR as long as they are;
· Not carrying a paying passenger (including a student under instruction)
· Outside controlled airspace (class F and G only)
· Not flying for payment.
We may therefore, under the above conditions legally fly in and out of VFR as
conditions changes.
In these conditions we fly under VFR or Visual Flight Rules. Note the different
types of visibility that are in different types of airspace.
The most stringent is full VMC which is 8km flight visibility, 1500m
horizontal/1000ft vertical clearance from cloud.
This is in class A airspace that we might be allowed to enter (i.e. crossing
airways). The least VMC or VFR minima is 1500m flight visibility, clear of cloud
and in sight of the surface, which is at under 3,000ft in class F and G airspace
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