Air Law Quiz

See age 73 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

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)

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:

• 1,500 metres horizontally.

In addition to this horizontal clearance, you must also maintain:

CAA LINK

See page 73 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

In aviation, ANO stands for Air Navigation Order, which is the primary legal document, setting out the rules and regulations for all UK civil aviation activities, covering everything from aircraft operations and pilot licensing to airspace management.
Page 69 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

A red letter L is used as a signal at an airport to indicate that light aircraft are permitted to take off and land: 

See page 84 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

In the UK, a microlight is classified as a Non-EASA aircraft (also known as a Non-Part 21 aircraft).

Even though the UK has left the EU, we still use these terms to distinguish between aircraft regulated by international European standards and those regulated by our own national rules.

1. Why is it Non-EASA?

Under the “Basic Regulation,” the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) allows certain categories of aircraft to be managed by individual countries rather than by the central European body. These are often referred to as Annex I aircraft.

Microlights fall into this category because:

• They are considered sport and recreational aircraft.

• They operate on a Permit to Fly rather than a standard Certificate of Airworthiness.

• The UK CAA (and organizations like the BMAA) manages their design, safety, and licensing standards locally.

See chart on page 17 of the SKYWAY CODE LINK

Where a closed Runway is available for emergency use and providing it has been inspected in the previous six months and declared serviceable for an emergency
landing at any time, an underscored closed marking may be placed at each end of the runway

Page 2 of Regulatory Article 3519 LINK

See page 84 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

According to the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and the Air Navigation Order, checking NOTAMs is a legal requirement before every flight.

The pilot in command is responsible for taking all “reasonable steps” to ensure the flight can be made safely.

Please see Page 30 of the Skyway Code LINK

NOTAMs LINK

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:

1. Flight Visibility: How far you can see ahead (measured in kilometres).

2. 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

BMAA Link

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.

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

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

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

For Licence Revalidation (Every 2 Years)

To revalidate your Microlight rating by experience, you must have completed at least:

• 12 take-offs and 12 landings within the 24-month validity period of your rating.

The full 2-year requirements are:

• 12 hours of total flight time.

• 6 hours must be flown in the 12 months immediately before the rating expires.

• 1 hour of dual flight training with an instructor.

BMAA LINK

See Page 73 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

• Flashing Green: Return for landing (go-around).
• Steady Green: Cleared to land.
• Flashing Red: Airport unsafe, do not land.
• Steady Red: Give way and continue circling. 

• Flashing Green: Cleared to taxi.
• Steady Green: Cleared for takeoff.
• Flashing Red: Taxi clear of the runway.
• Steady Red: Stop. 

see page 52 CAA LINK

Personal Details: Pilot name
Flight Date: Date of each flight.
Locations: Places of departure and arrival.
Times: Times of departure, arrival, and total Flight duration (hours/minutes).
Aircraft Details: Aircraft type, and registration.
Pilot Function: Your role (PIC, Solo, Dual, Instructor, etc.).

See page 74 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

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

To see your height (your distance directly above the ground at a specific airfield), you use the QFE setting.

1. QFE (Query Field Elevation)

• Definition: This is the atmospheric pressure at the airfield you are using.

• Result: When you set the QFE, your altimeter will read zero while you are on the runway.

• Use: It is mostly used by pilots flying in the “circuit” (the local traffic pattern) at an airport so they know exactly how high they are above that specific runway.

• Mnemonic: Think of the “F” in QFE as standing for Field (as in “Field Elevation”)

See page 109 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition