Air Law Quiz (all Questions)

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

• Width: Most UK airways are 10 nautical miles wide (5 miles on either side of the centre line).

• 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

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:

• CAP 403: The “bible” for air displays. it covers the safety and administrative requirements for organizers and pilots.

• CAP 1724: The standards document specifically for Display Authorisation (DA) and evaluation.

CAA Regulations LINK

In the UK, the Registered Owner of the aircraft is legally responsible for maintaining the correct registration details with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

See page 90 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

Raise right arm to head level with wand pointing up and start a circular motion with hand; at the same time, with left arm raised above head level, point to engine to be started.

See page 86 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition or

Page 57 of CAP637 LINK

A panel or flag consisting of red and yellow squares
indicates that aircraft may taxi only in accordance with
ATC instructions.

Page 49 of CAP637 (Visual Aids) LINK

See page 83 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

In the UK, the current Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) for a two-seat microlight depends on how the aircraft is classified. As of 2026, there are two main categories:

1. Modern “Light Sport” Microlights

For newer designs (or older ones that have been officially recertified), the limit is significantly higher:

• 600kg: For a standard two-seat landplane.

• 650kg: For a two-seat amphibian or floatplane.

• Condition: These aircraft must have a stalling speed of no more than 45 knots

BMAA LINK

VOLMET (derived from the French words vol for flight and météo for weather) is a continuous radio broadcast that provides real-time meteorological information to aircraft in flight.

It is designed to give pilots up-to-date weather data for major aerodromes over a wide geographical area, helping them make informed decisions about descent, approach, and potential diversions

Please see page 14 of the Skyway Code LINK

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

A black letter ‘C’ on a yellow background means pilots of visiting aircraft should report here. (Reporting Point)

See page 83 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

Page 49 of CAP 637 (Visual Aids) LINK

In aviation, Flight Level (FL) 100 is a way of describing an altitude of 10,000 feet based on a standard pressure setting.

It’s pronounced “Flight Level One Zero Zero,” and it means the aircraft’s altimeter, set to the standard pressure setting (1013.25 hPa), reads 10,000 feet, which is roughly 10,000 feet above mean sea level under standard conditions. 

See Page 109 Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

For BMAA microlight flying, you typically use the CAA Pilot Medical Declaration (Self-Declaration) for ages 14-70, confirming fitness to fly, similar to driving standards.

BMAA LINK

VFR flight when the surface visibility is being reported as less than 5 km is not recommended. You are unlikely to have a clear horizon to control the aircraft, and navigating visually will be difficult.

See Page 41 of the Skyway Code [LINK]

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

1. Who can provide a Basic Service?

A Basic Service can only be provided by:

• Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs): Based at larger airports or radar centers (like Scottish Information).

• 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?

• 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

An aircraft “flight” is legally defined by the Air Navigation Order (ANO) as the period from when power is applied for takeoff until the landing run ends

Page 12 of ANO 2016 LINK

Ref Page 78 of Cosgrove

When flying VFR (Visual Flight Rules) in the UK at altitudes above 3,000 feet, the vertical clearance you must maintain from cloud is 1,000 feet.

This is part of the standard VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions) minima. While your rules below 3,000 feet allow you to simply stay “clear of cloud,” once you climb higher, the requirements become more strict to ensure separation from faster-moving traffic.

The Full Set of Requirements (Above 3,000 ft)

Between 3,000 feet and Flight Level 100 (10,000 ft), you must maintain the following:

• Vertical Distance from Cloud: 1,000 ft (both above and below).

• Horizontal Distance from Cloud: 1,500 m

• Flight Visibility: 5km

CAA Sera LINK

See page 73 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

Crosses of a single contrasting colour, white on runways and yellow on taxiways, displayed horizontally on runways and taxiways or parts thereof indicate an area unfit for movement of aircraft.

Page 22 of Cap 637 (Visual Aids) LINK

See Page 84 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

For non-Part 21 aircraft flying within the UK, there are no document carriage requirements other than charts for navigation.

Page 25 of the SKYWAY CODE  LINK

Flying 10nm off the coast—a flight plan is not legally mandatory, but it is strongly advised.

You must file a flight plan if your flight falls into any of these categories:

• Crossing International Borders: If you fly from the UK to France, the Republic of Ireland, or even just cross the FIR boundary (the line between UK and international airspace), a flight plan is a legal requirement.

• Controlled Airspace: If you need to enter Class A, B, C, or D airspace (like a Control Zone around a major airport), a flight plan is required.

See page 77 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

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