AIRLAW QUIZ
20 Random questions with reference for answers
#1. A ground signal flashing green light to in flight aircraft means:
- 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
#2. A transponder is mandatory to enter a MATZ
No, a transponder is not mandatory for a Military Aerodrome Traffic Zone (MATZ) in the UK.
However, there are a few important details to keep in mind regarding how they work:
1. Legal Status
A MATZ is essentially Class G (uncontrolled) airspace for civilian pilots. Legally, you do not even need to ask for permission to enter or have a radio to fly through one.
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The Exception: Most MATZs contain a smaller ATZ (Aerodrome Traffic Zone). You must have permission (or have established two-way radio contact, depending on the unit) to enter the ATZ portion.
2. Transponder Mandatory Zones (TMZ)
While a MATZ itself doesn’t require a transponder, some military airfields have an overlapping TMZ (Transponder Mandatory Zone).
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If a TMZ is in place, you must have a working transponder to enter that specific area unless you have prior permission from Air Traffic Control.
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You can identify these on your chart by looking for the purple semi-circle borders.
3. Best Practice (Airmanship)
Even though it isn’t a legal requirement, it is strongly recommended to use a transponder if you have one.
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Military jets move very quickly (often 300 knots ).
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Having your transponder on “Altitude” (Mode C or S) allows controllers to see you clearly and keep fast-moving traffic away from you.
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If you don’t have a transponder, just tell the controller “Negative Transponder” when you call for a MATZ penetration.
Page 71 of the Skyway Code LINK
See page 77/78 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#3. 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
#4. What distance must an aircraft maintain from any person, vessel, vehicle or structure?
The aircraft must not be flown closer than 500 ft to any person, vessel, vehicle or structure except with the permission of the CAA.
Page 60 of the Skyway Code LINK
See page 78 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#5. A red Letter “L” across a white dumb-bell denotes:
A red letter L displayed on the dumb-bell signifies that light aircraft are permitted to take-off and land either on a runway or on the area on the aerodrome designated by a large white letter L.
Page 47 of CAP673 (Visual Aids) LINK
See Page 83 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#6. A Chequered red/yellow flag denotes:
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
#7. A White cross and a single white bar denotes:
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
#8. Microlight pilots fly according to the following rules:
You may fly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) when
in ‘visual meteorological conditions’ (VMC). Flying
under VFR essentially means you may fly and
manoeuvre as you wish, subject to the Rules of
the Air and clearance to enter controlled airspace.
See page 73 of Brian Cosgrove (8th Edition)
Page 65 of the Skyway Code LINK
#9. The minimum age to hold a PPL with a microlight rating is:
To obtain a NPPL with a Microlight Class Rating you must complete flight training with a UK Civil Aviation Authority authorised flying instructor entitled to instruct on microlights. You must be at least 16 to fly solo, and you must be at least 17 to hold a UK NPPL.
BMAA LINK
#10. What does “Part-NCO” generally refer to ?
Part-NCO contains pilot responsibilities, operational rules and aircraft equipment requirements. It is applicable to non-commercial and flight training operations with ‘other-than complex motor-powered’ Part 21 aeroplanes and helicopters
Please see page 17 of the Skyway Code LINK
#11. 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
#12. An accident report must be submitted to the CAA if an aircraft has an engine failure.
What counts as a “Reportable Accident”?
For a pilot, a report is compulsory if the event took place between people boarding with the intent of flight and everyone disembarking, and resulted in:
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Serious Injury: Such as a broken bone (excluding fingers/toes), internal organ damage, or hospitalisation for more than 48 hours.
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Structural Damage: Damage that affects the strength or flight characteristics of the aircraft (e.g., a collapsed landing gear or a tail strike).
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Missing Aircraft: If the aircraft is completely inaccessible or the search for it has ended.
BMAA Accident report form LINK
Ref Page 89 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#13. In order to carry passengers, you must have completed what….
90 day rule: In order to carry passengers, you must have completed within the previous 90 days, three take-offs and landings as sole manipulator of the controls in the same type or class to be used on the flight.
Page 22 of the SKYWAY CODE LINK
#14. 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
#15. When above 3000 ft, what clearance should you have vertically from cloud?
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:
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Vertical Distance from Cloud: 1,000 ft (both above and below).
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Horizontal Distance from Cloud: 1,500 m
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Flight Visibility: 5km
CAA Sera LINK
See page 73 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#16. The “Distress” radio frequency is:
#17. A CTA is defined airspace from the surface to a specified altitude or Flight level
Control Area (CTA) – Airspace Structure
Definition: A defined block of airspace providing Air Traffic Control (ATC) service, but unlike a Control Zone (CTR), it starts at a specified altitude above the ground, not from the surface.
page 4 – subsection (m) CAA LINK
Ref Page 75 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition
#18. On the VFR chart the large digits in each box created by the lat/long lines, are known as the “MEF” The term “MEF” refers to…..
On the VFR chart the large digits in each
box created by the lat/long lines, known
as the ‘maximum elevation figure’
(MEF)
See page 45 of Skyway Code LINK
#19. 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
#20. Generally a microlight aircraft is…
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:
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They are considered sport and recreational aircraft.
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They operate on a Permit to Fly rather than a standard Certificate of Airworthiness.
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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
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