1. Airmanship Knowledge Learning Outcome 2 Rules of the Air
Uncontrolled copy not subject to amendment
Airmanship Knowledge Learning Outcome 2 Rules of the Air
Revision 1.00

2. Airmanship Knowledge Learning Outcome 2 Know the basic principles of the Rules of the Air

3. Rules of the Air

4. Rights of Way
Without the Highway Code the many thousands of cars would find it impossible to move about safely.
There must be rules to govern the way aircraft move about the sky so that accidents can be avoided.
They are called “Right of Way” rules.

5. Different for each type of aircraft

6. All types of aircraft must give way to balloons

7. Gliders have the right of way over both powered aircraft and airships

8. Airships must give way to both gliders and balloons

9. Powered Aircraft
Powered conventional aircraft must give way to balloons, gliders and airships

10. When approaching head on, each aircraft must alter course to the right
Approaching aircraft
When approaching head on, each aircraft must alter course to the right

12. Converging Aircraft
When on converging courses at the same height, the aircraft which has the other on its Starboard (Right) must give way

13. Overtaking
When overtaking the aircraft being overtaken has the ‘right of way’. The overtaking one must avoid the other by turning Right.
NOTE: If both are gliders the over-taker may turn right or left.

14. Landing
An aircraft landing or on final approach to land has right of way over aircraft in flight or on the ground.
When two or more aircraft are approaching to land, the lower one has right of way
Note: unless the captain of the lower aircraft becomes aware that one of the others has an emergency.

15. Aircraft on the ground
Aircraft and vehicles being taxied give way to aircraft being towed.
Vehicles not towing aircraft give way to aircraft being taxied.

16. Rules at Night
At night it can be difficult for a pilot to see another aircraft - and when it is seen, its heading may still be unknown.

17. Rules at night
Most modern aircraft carry one or more flashing “anti-collision” lights so that they can be seen easily, and “navigation” lights.

18. Powered Aircraft Navigation Lights
Powered aircraft – Port side (left) Red, Starboard side (right) Green, Rear White
110
degrees
140
degrees

19. Glider Navigation Lights
Gliders – may carry the same type of lights as powered aircraft or this type

20. Airship Navigation Lights
Airships
Moving Airship Stationary Airship

21. Balloon Navigation Lights
Balloons – Carry a red light hung 9 metres below the basket

22. Converging at Night
Converging: if the Harrier (A) pilot looks out to starboard and sees a RED light moving alongside (B)

23. Converging at Night
He knows that the other aircraft has right of way and he must take action to avoid a collision

24. Converging at Night
The Jaguar pilot (A) sees a GREEN light crossing from port to starboard, and therefore knows that the Hawk (B) should give way

25. Converging at Night
The Jaguar pilot must, however, be aware that the Hawk pilot might not have seen him and should therefore be ready to take avoiding action if necessary

26. Staying alert Use your eyes!!
It is the responsibility of all in the aircraft to check for hazards – including other aircraft

27. Alert captain to position using Clock Code system:
Staying alert
Alert captain to position using Clock Code system:

28. Indicate HIGH / LEVEL / LOW, relative to your aircraft
Staying alert
Indicate HIGH / LEVEL / LOW, relative to your aircraft

29. Airspace
Used to safely control and manage Air Traffic Airspace is divided into classes, or functional areas.
Some have strict rules on the conduct of flying within them: they are termed “Controlled Airspace”.

30. Airways System
One important class is a network of imaginary “tunnels” in the air called AIRWAYS.
These facilitate safe passage of large numbers of aircraft in congested airspace.

31. Airways System

33. Airways Any aircraft can use them providing:
The pilot has a valid instrument rating
The aircraft is fitted with appropriate radio and navigational equipment
The flight is made in accordance with the rules

34. Features Of Airways
They are between 10 and 20 nautical miles (18.5 to 37km) wide
Have Upper and Lower height limits
As they approach airfields they do slope down to the ground to form airfield zones

35. Features Of Airways The centre of an airway is marked by beacons
Aircraft fly from beacon to beacon reporting to ATCC their position, time and height

36. Clearance For Airways
Clearance is always required for flights along airways
Routes taken must be planned and submitted to ATCC before takeoff
Contact with ATCC must be established before an aircraft can enter the airway

37. Clearance For Airways Aircraft is tracked on radar, all through it
It remains the pilot’s responsibility, to maintain planned tracks and timings

38. Crossing Airways
If an aircraft wishes to cross an airway there are 2 ways to do it:
If the base of the airway is above the ground, the aircraft can fly underneath with no permission needed.

39. Crossing Airways
If an aircraft wishes to cross an airway there are 2 ways to do it:
Flown through the airway, provided clearance and radar control is obtained.

40. Questions?