AIRLAW QUIZ

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

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

• Pilot Licence & Medical: Valid UK Pilot Licence (with appropriate ratings) and a medical certificate accepted by the destination country (UK Medical Declaration usually not enough for Europe).
• Aircraft Documents: Valid UK Registration Document, National Permit to Fly (for non-SSDRs), and Insurance Certificate (valid for Europe).
• Radio Licence: Valid Radio Station Licence and Pilot’s Radio Licence (LPE).
• Passport/ID: Valid passport for the pilot and any passengers. 

BMAA LINK

See Page 89 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, 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

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

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

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

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

• United Kingdom (CAA): Lighting is legally mandated for structures of a height of 150 meters AGL or more that are not in the immediate vicinity of a licensed aerodrome. Structures with a height of 45 meters or higher generally require some form of medium-intensity lighting.

CAA LINK

See page 87 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

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 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

While the Pilot in Command is responsible for the flight, the Operator (Owner) is responsible for the maintenance and legal paperwork of the aircraft.

See page 90 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

BMAA Til_064 Guide to airworthiness  LINK