Air Law Quiz 
This is a series of test questions on Air Law.
#1. What does VMC stand for?
In aviation, VMC stands for Visual Meteorological Conditions.
Essentially, these are the weather conditions—specifically visibility and distance from clouds—that allow a pilot to fly by looking out the window to navigate and avoid other aircraft, rather than relying solely on instruments.
What makes up VMC?
In the UK, VMC is defined by three main factors:
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Flight Visibility: How far you can see ahead (measured in kilometres).
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Horizontal Distance from Cloud: How far you must stay away from the sides of clouds.
Vertical Distance from Cloud: How far you must stay above or below clouds.
See page 92 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#2. To attend and fly at Exhibition/Display events, approved by CAA, a microlight PPL pilot must have
In the UK, flying in an air display or exhibition is strictly regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The rules are designed to protect the public and ensure safety at low altitudes.
Here are the key requirements for any pilot wishing to participate:
1. Mandatory Documents & Manuals
All civil air displays must follow the rules set out in two primary documents:
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CAP 403: The “bible” for air displays. it covers the safety and administrative requirements for organizers and pilots.
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CAP 1724: The standards document specifically for Display Authorisation (DA) and evaluation.
CAA Regulations LINK
#3. Marshal Signal – the marshal has both arms out and crosses them above his head. This means:
This is used by a ground handler to tell the pilot to stop immediately.
see page 55 of CAPS637 LINK
page 86 Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#4. Aircraft log books must be kept for a period after the aircraft (or its equipment) have been destroyed or permanently withdrawn from use. This period is:
In the UK, under the Air Navigation Order (ANO), aircraft logbooks must be preserved for 2 years after the aircraft (or its specific equipment) has been destroyed or permanently withdrawn from use.
This rule ensures that a complete maintenance and operational history is available for investigation or audit purposes even after the aircraft is no longer flying.
What needs to be kept?
This retention rule applies to the three primary logbooks for a registered aircraft:
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Aircraft Logbook: The main record of the airframe, flying hours, and structural inspections.
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Engine Logbook: A dedicated record for each engine fitted.
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Propeller Logbook: A record for any variable-pitch propellers (if applicable to your microlight).
CAA Ref 227/10 in ANO 2016 LINK
See Page 74 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#5. A NOTAM with a “Mauve AIC” indicates….
Restricted airspace (temporary) may be established around large air displays or other significant public gatherings.
Under the Restriction of Flying Regulations, entry
to such airspace may be prohibited or restricted.
This will normally be detailed in a ‘Mauve’ AIC.
See Page 32 of the Skyway Code LINK
#6. VMC requirements stipulate that a pilot should remain how far from cloud horizontally when above 3000 ft?
When flying above 3,000 ft AMSL (or above 1,000 ft above terrain, whichever is higher), the VMC requirements for horizontal distance from cloud are:
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1,500 metres horizontally.
In addition to this horizontal clearance, you must also maintain:
CAA LINK
See page 73 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#7. As part of it’s equipment, a microlight must carry:
Page 1 of TIL027
All aeroplanes, whether microlights or otherwise have some kind of instrumentation fitted. BCAR Section S as a minimum requires that a microlight should be fitted with an altimeter and ASI, along with the minimum engine instruments required by the engine manufacturer.
#8. To retain validation, a microlight pilot must have at least 1 hour’s instruction every year.
A Microlight pilot needs only 1 hour tuition in the 2 year period – not every year
BMAA LINK
See page 73 of Brian Cosgrove (8th edition)
#9. What does this signal mean?
A white double cross signifies that glider flying is in progress.
Page 47 of CAP637 (Visual Aids) LINK
See page 82 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#10. If you intend flying circuits, you would set the Altimeter to:
QFE (the atmospheric pressure at aerodrome elevation)
When QFE is set, your altimeter will indicate your height above the elevation of the aerodrome.
See Page 109 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
CAA Link HERE
#11. Which one of these airports can give you a “basic service” on the Radio?
1. Who can provide a Basic Service?
A Basic Service can only be provided by:
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Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs): Based at larger airports or radar centers (like Scottish Information).
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Flight Information Service Officers (FISOs): These are trained professionals who operate at certain aerodromes or area control centers but are not full controllers.
2. Who CANNOT provide it?
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Air/Ground (A/G) Operators: Smaller airfields often use “Air/Ground” radio (marked as “Radio” on your charts). These operators can give you basic airfield information (like the wind or the runway in use), but they cannot legally provide a “Basic Service.”
CAA LINK
See page 88 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#12. An intercept aircraft in front of you diverts suddenly with an abrupt break away movement. This means:
This movement is the standard visual signal meaning “You may proceed.”
According to the ICAO and CAA (Rules of the Air), an intercepting aircraft will perform this “Series 2” signal once they have identified you or are satisfied that you are no longer a threat/restriction.
Page 150 (Number 2) of the SKYWAY CODE LINK
#13. What is a NOTAM?
NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) in the UK are official alerts issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to inform pilots and airspace users about temporary hazards, changes to facilities, services, or procedures that are essential for safe flight operations, covering activities from air displays and drone flights to construction projects
See Page 88 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
NOTAMS LINK
#14. The weather is cloudy and you can make out a green light through the cloud on your right hand side. The aircraft you are looking at is travelling :
In this scenario, the other aircraft is travelling from your left to your right.
Here is the breakdown of why:
The Rule: By international standard, all aircraft have a green light on the right wing (starboard) and a red light on the left wing (port).
The Sight: Because you can only see the green light, you are looking at the right-hand side of that aircraft.
The Direction: For you to see its right wing as it passes in front of you (and through the cloud), its nose must be pointed toward the right.
Quick Reference for Navigation Lights:
Only a Green light: Crossing from your left to your right.
Only a Red light: Crossing from your right to your left.
Both Red and Green: Flying directly toward you.
Only a White light: Flying directly away from you.
Page 85 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#15. Which of the following is true when flying as high as possible (tick all that apply)
Select all that apply:
Flying higher may provide advantages such as:
> Better view for navigation;
> Greater range in the event of an engine failure;
> Traffic density may reduce with altitude;
> Less turbulence;
> Improved true airspeed and fuel burn; and
> Improved radio reception.
See Page 43 of the SKYWAY CODE LINK
#16. TMA is similar to a:
A Terminal Manouvering Area (TMA) is similar to a complex, layered control area (CTA) surrounding major airports, acting as the crucial transition zone connecting en-route airways with the airport’s control zone (CTR) for managing high volumes of arriving and departing aircraft
CAA LINK
See page 75 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#17. When below 3000 ft, the NPPL with a microlight rating allows the holder to fly microlights in a minimum visibility of :
1. The Standard Legal Minimum (1.5 km)
For a fixed-wing aircraft (including microlights) operating at a speed of 140 knots or less below 3,000 feet, the absolute legal minimum flight visibility is:
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1,500 metres (1.5 km)
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Requirement: You must remain clear of cloud and with the surface in sight.
(Note: While 1.5 km is the legal “floor,” most flight schools and the BMAA strongly advise against flying in anything less than 3–5 km for safety.)
CAA ** See Note 4 ** LINK
#18. Flying on a “restricted” rating means you cannot fly when the cloud is below:
The Operational Limitations at initial issue are:
- The pilot may not carry any passenger
- The pilot may not fly with a cloud base less than 1000 feet above ground level or with less than 10 kilometres visibility
- The pilot may not fly further than 8 nautical miles from take-off.
See page 72 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
BMAA LINK
#19. How wide is an “AIRWAY”
In simple terms, an Airway is a “motorway in the sky.” It is a designated corridor of controlled airspace that connects major airports and navigation points.
Just like a motorway has a specific width and speed, a UK Airway has defined dimensions and strict rules.
1. The Dimensions
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Width: Most UK airways are 10 nautical miles wide (5 miles on either side of the centre line).
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The Floor (Base): They don’t start at the ground. Most have a “floor” that starts at Flight Level 70 (7,000 ft) or Flight Level 100 (10,000 feet).
See page 75 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#20. What does this chart sign represent?
This is a chart symbol you will see on a 1:250,000 or 1:500,000 VFR sectional chart.
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The Letter “G”: Stands for Glider Site.
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The Number “2.5”: This indicates the maximum altitude (in thousands of feet) that glider activity normally takes place at that site. In this case, gliders may be found up to 2,500 ft AMSL.
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The Circle: The broken circle around the G indicates the general area of activity.
See Page 42 of the Skyway Code LINK
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