Sep 2012 Lesson 3.4 Air Law Air Traffic Rules

Reference From the Ground Up Chapter 5.1: Air Traffic Rules and Procedures Pages

Introduction Air traffic rules are required to keep aircraft separated and safe, and to allow ATC to monitor them.Air traffic rules are required to keep aircraft separated and safe, and to allow ATC to monitor them. Pilots must know and understand these rule in order to fly safely.Pilots must know and understand these rule in order to fly safely.

Outline Flight Rules and Flight PlansFlight Rules and Flight Plans Cruising Altitudes & SpeedsCruising Altitudes & Speeds VFR Weather LimitsVFR Weather Limits Oxygen RequirementsOxygen Requirements Wake TurbulenceWake Turbulence

ATC Instructions ClearanceClearance –Authorization from ATC for aircraft to proceed within controlled airspace under specific conditions –Pilot must ask for clarification if unsure of any meaning of any part of an ATC clearance –Once you accept it, you are required to comply with an ATC clearance –If you are VFR, you must read back the text of the clearance only if requested by ATC to do so –If clearance unacceptable, pilot should contact ATC with intentions InstructionInstruction –Directive issued by ATC for air traffic control purposes –You are required to comply with and acknowledge receipt of an ATC instruction provided the safety of the aircraft is not jeopardized

Flight Rules Visual Flight Rules (VFR)Visual Flight Rules (VFR) –Flight with reference to the ground Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) –Flight with reference to the aircraft’s instruments

Flight Plans VFR Flight PlansVFR Flight Plans –Required if going beyond 25 NM from departure aerodrome –Purpose is to inform people where you are going and when you will get there –Should be filed with ATC or FIC (Flight Information Centre) –Must be closed within 1 hour after landing VFR Flight ItineraryVFR Flight Itinerary –May be used instead of a flight plan –Purpose is to inform people where you are going and when you will get there –Should be filed with a responsible person –Must be closed within 24 hours after landing

Flight Plans

Cruising Altitudes Aircraft must fly at proper cruising altitudesAircraft must fly at proper cruising altitudes Below ft, altitudes in thousandsBelow ft, altitudes in thousands At and above ft, altitudes in flight levels (FL 180)At and above ft, altitudes in flight levels (FL 180) Altitudes measured Above Sea Level (ASL)Altitudes measured Above Sea Level (ASL) VFR cruising altitudes begin at 3,000 ft Above Ground Level (AGL)VFR cruising altitudes begin at 3,000 ft Above Ground Level (AGL)

Cruising Altitudes Track of 180° - 359°Track of 180° - 359° –VFR Even thousands plus 500 ft (4500, 6500, 8500 etc) –IFR Even thousands (2000, 4000, 6000 etc) Track of 000° - 179°Track of 000° - 179° –VFR Odd thousands plus 500 ft (3500, 5500, 7500 etc) –IFR Odd thousands (1000, 3000, 5000 etc) 90°270° 0° 180°

Cruising Speeds Controlled Airspace below feet is a “speed limit area”, aircraft limited to 250 knotsControlled Airspace below feet is a “speed limit area”, aircraft limited to 250 knots Within 10 NM of an airport and below 300 feet AGL, aircraft limited to 200 knotsWithin 10 NM of an airport and below 300 feet AGL, aircraft limited to 200 knots Limits don’t apply if they are below the safe operating speed of the aircraftLimits don’t apply if they are below the safe operating speed of the aircraft

VFR Weather Limits Airspace Flight Visibility Distance from Cloud Controlled 3 SM Horizontally 1 SM Vertically 500 ft Uncontrolled above 1000 ft AGL 1 SM (day) 3 SM (night) Horizontally 2000 ft Vertically 500 ft Uncontrolled below 1000 ft AGL 2 SM (day) 3 SM (night) Clear of Cloud

Special VFR Limits Special VFR may be requested by pilot if weather falls below VFR standards in a control zoneSpecial VFR may be requested by pilot if weather falls below VFR standards in a control zone Visibility Distance from Cloud Aircraft other than Helicopters 1 SM Clear of Cloud Helicopters ½ SM Clear of Cloud

Oxygen Requirements From the Ground Up - Page 310From the Ground Up - Page 310 Below ftBelow ft –Oxygen supply not required Between ft and ftBetween ft and ft –Oxygen supply required if flying more than 30 minutes at this altitude Above ftAbove ft –Oxygen supply required HypoxiaHypoxia –Dangerous condition where pilot does not get enough oxygen –Creates sense of euphoria (false sense of “well being”)

Wake Turbulence From the Ground Up – Pages From the Ground Up – Pages Wake Turbulence is large, rotating, unstable air left behind an aircraftWake Turbulence is large, rotating, unstable air left behind an aircraft Worse with large, slow aircraft (created by high angle of attacks), and prominent on take-off and landingWorse with large, slow aircraft (created by high angle of attacks), and prominent on take-off and landing Can last up to 5 minutes; Aircraft must wait at least 2 minutes before taking-off/landing behind large aircraftCan last up to 5 minutes; Aircraft must wait at least 2 minutes before taking-off/landing behind large aircraft Small aircraft should take-off before or land after rotation/landing point of large aircraft aheadSmall aircraft should take-off before or land after rotation/landing point of large aircraft ahead

Next Lesson 4.1 – Meteorology The Atmosphere From the Ground Up Chapter 6.1: The Atmosphere Pages