Sep 2012Lesson 3.3

Air Law

Rules of the Air

Reference

From the Ground UpChapter 5.1:Rules of the AirPages 107 - 110

Introduction• There are many rules to be followed

during flight, and many requirements for pilots and aircraft.

• Pilots must be familiar with the regulations and are responsible for themselves, their aircraft, crew and cargo.

Outline• Airworthiness and Documents• Pilot Responsibilities• Rights of Way• Night Regulations

Aircraft Airworthiness• Pilot’s responsibility to ensure Canadian

registered aircraft are fit and safe prior to being flown

• To fly an aircraft in Canada, it must:– Be registered– Have a Certificate of Airworthiness– Have a nationality and registration affixed

Required Documents• A – Certificate of Airworthiness• R – Certificate of Registration• R – Radio Licence• O – Pilot Operating Handbook• W – Weight and Balance• J – Journey Log• I – Intercept Orders• L – Pilot Licences• I - Insurance

Pilot Responsibilities• Pilot in Command (PIC) responsible for

operation and safety during flight time

• Responsibility of PIC to avoid all collisions with other aircraft or objects

• No person shall conduct or attempt to conduct a takeoff or landing in an aircraft until there is no apparent risk of collision with any aircraft, person, vessel, vehicle or structure in the takeoff or landing path

Rights of Way• When two aircraft converge at approximately the

same altitude, the PIC of the aircraft that has the other on its right shall give way

• When two aircraft at different altitudes converge, higher aircraft shall give way to lower aircraft

• Aircraft have right of way in the following order:– Balloons– Gliders– Airships– Power driven aircraft towing objects or with slung loads– Power driven fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft

Rights of Way• If two aircraft approach head-on, both alter heading to

the right

• If overtaking an aircraft, aircraft being overtaken has the right of way, and aircraft overtaking shall pass to the right

• Aircraft in flight or on ground shall give way to aircraft that is landing or about to land

• If two aircraft approach aerodrome to land, lower aircraft has right of way, unless higher aircraft is on final

Night Requirements• Day

– Period of time when center of sun’s disc is less than 6° below horizon

– Period starting one half hour before sunrise and ending one half hour after sunset

• Night– Period of time when center of sun’s disc is more

than 6° below horizon– Period starting one half hour after sunset and

ending one half hour before sunrise

Night Equipment• Airspeed indicator• Sensitive pressure altimeter• Magnetic compass• Turn and bank indicator• Gyro magnetic compass or heading indicator• Means to illuminate flight instruments• Each crewmember must have access to

reliable timepiece and flashlight

Night Lighting

Right wingGreen lightVisible 110° for 2 miles

Left wingRed lightVisible 110° for 2 miles

TailWhite lightVisible 140° for 2 miles

Anti-Collision LightAKA BeaconRed or white lightVisible 360°

Next Lesson

3.4 – Air LawAir Traffic Rules

From the Ground UpChapter 5.1:Air Traffic Rules and ProceduresPages 110 - 120