Airmanship KnowledgeLearning Outcome 2Rules of the Air

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Airmanship KnowledgeLearning Outcome 2

Know the basic principles of the Rules of the Air

Rules of the Air

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.

Rights of Way

Different for each type of aircraft

All types of aircraft must give way to balloons

Balloons

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

Gliders

Airships must give way to both gliders and balloons

Airships

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

Powered Aircraft

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

Approaching aircraft

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

Converging Aircraft

NOTE: If both are gliders the over-taker may turn right or left.

When overtaking the aircraft being overtaken has the ‘right of way’. The overtaking one must avoid the other by turning Right.

Overtaking

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, thelower one has right of way

Note: unless the captain of the lower aircraft becomes aware that one of the others has an emergency.

Landing

Aircraft and vehicles being taxied give way to aircraft being towed.

Vehicles not towing aircraft give way to aircraft being taxied.

Aircraft on the ground

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

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

Powered aircraft –

Port side (left) Red, Starboard side (right) Green, Rear White

Powered Aircraft Navigation Lights

110 degrees

140 degrees

Gliders – may carry the same type of lights as powered aircraft or this type

Glider Navigation Lights

Airship Navigation Lights

Airships

Moving Airship Stationary Airship

Balloon Navigation Lights

Balloons – Carry a red light hung 9 metres below the basket

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

Converging at Night

He knows that the other aircraft has right of way and he must take action to avoid a collision

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

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

Converging at Night

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

Staying alert

Alert captain to position using Clock Code system:

Staying alert

Indicate HIGH / LEVEL / LOW, relative to your aircraft

Staying alert

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”.

Airways SystemOne 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.

Airways System

AirwaysAny 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

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

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

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

Clearance For Airways• Aircraft is tracked on radar, all through it

• It remains the pilot’s responsibility, to maintain planned tracks and timings

Crossing AirwaysIf 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.

Crossing AirwaysIf 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.

Questions?