AIR LAW

1
AIR LAW FLIGHT RULESAirspace classification -1

• Above 20000 ft (FL200) Instrument (IFR) flights
  only
• B Visual (VFR) and Instrument (IFR) flights
• All controlled airspace below 20000 ft
• IFR/IFR, IFR/VFR, VFR/IFR
  separations,VFR/VFR Information only provided (no
  separation)
• Visual (VFR) and Instrument (IFR) flights
• Visual (VFR) and Instrument (IFR) flights
• Visual (VFR) and Instrument (IFR) flights
• Uncontrolled Airspace. Visual (VFR) and
  Instrument (IFR) flights. No separation. Flight
  Information (only) on request i.e. other aircraft
  which could affect your flight
• Not used in Ireland (Shannon FIR). D, E F
  used in N.Ireland (part of Scottish FIR)

2
AIR LAW FLIGHT RULESAirspace classification -2

• Class A. All Airspace above 20000 ft (FL200),
  including Airways
• Class C. - Shannon and Dublin Control Areas
  (CTAs) below FL 200
• - All Airways in Shannon Flight Information
  Region (FIR) below
• FL200
• - Connaught (Galway), Cork,
  Dublin Shannon Control Zones (CTRs)
• - All other CTRs when airports
  open
• Class G. All other airspace Regional Airports
  when closed

3
AIR LAW FLIGHT RULESVisual Flight Rules (VFR)
Uses external references (what you can see) vs.
using instruments (Instrument Flight Rules or
IFR) Note VFR not permitted in Class A Airspace

• Class C
• 1500 m horizontal
• 300 m vertical
• 8km at or above FL 100
• 5km below FL 100

• Class G
• (gt3000 ft AMSLor gt1000ft AGL)
• 1500 m horizontal
• 300 m vertical
• lt3000ft AMSL or lt1000AGLft
• Clear of cloud in sight of
• the surface
• 8km at or above FL 100
• 5km below FL 100

Distance from cloud
Flight visibility
4
AIR LAW FLIGHT RULESSpecial VFR (Class C)
lower minima (Class G)

• Special VFR (SVFR) ATC may offer SVSR in a
  Control Zone when conditions are below normal
  minima, providing plane is clear of cloud and
  pilot can see the surface
• flight visibility of 1500m by day and 5km at
  night OK
• Number of SVFR flights allowed in Control Zone at
  same time may be limited
• __________________________________________________
  _______
• if indicated airspeed (knots or KIAS) lt140,
  below 3000ft AMSL flight visibility gt3km is
  allowed, even down to 1500 m if other aircraft
  and obstacles can be avoided BUT
• a) at 90 knots you will hit an obstacle
  1500 m away in about 30 secs
• b) you will hit another aircraft coming
  towards you at the same speed in about 15 secs
• RUSSIAN ROULETTE PROBABLY
  SAFER!

5
AIR LAW FLIGHT RULESAltitudes Flight Levels
-1

• Altitude is measured from SEA LEVEL and varies
  with atmospheric pressure. QNH
• Changes by 1hPa/30ft SO
• - QNH varies from about 950 to about 1040 hPa
• - equivalent to about 2700 ft!
• - so 1000 ft on altimeter set at QNH 1040
  hPa would read 3700 ft if QNH dropped to 950 hPa
• - so if you flew at 1000 ft without adjusting
  the QNH you would soon be flying underwater! Or
  underground!
• - High to Low, Look out Below
• So Regional QNH and Flight Levels introduced
• Regional QNH used in UK (not Ireland) About 10
  different flight regions, QNH changes at regional
  boundaries
• In Ireland, no Regions recognised but differences
  in QNH recognised at and around
• different airports

6
AIR LAW FLIGHT RULESAltitudes Flight Levels
-3

• Flight Level
• Ensures that all planes use a common height base
  when above a certain altitude (ca.5000 ft QNH in
  Ireland, 3000 ft QNH in UK). Known as Transition
  Altitude
• Height is based on the ISA sealevel pressure
  setting (1013.25 hPa) (QNE), set on altimeter
• Altimeter is reading Pressure Altitude will
  always be higher than QNH (real altitude)
• Transition Level
• Lowest FL available above the Transition
  Altitude (see Semicircular Rule applies to ALL
  planes flying above 3000 ft QNH in Ireland).
  Transition Level will always be above Transition
  Altitude.
• Transition Layer
• The layer between the Transition Altitude and
  Transition Level.
• Use QNE going up, QNH coming down (from ATC)

7
AIR LAW FLIGHT RULESSemicircular Rule

• Semicircular Rule (above 3000 ft QNH or
  Transition Altitude)
• Purpose is to separate VFR from IFR flights and
  flights on reciprocal
• tracks
• Flights S (0 179 Mag) IFR flights odd
  flight levels (3000,5000 ft etc.)
• VFR flights oddS
  flight levels 500 (3500,5500 etc)
• Flights N (180 359 Mag) IFR flights even
  flight levels (4000,6000 ft etc)
  
• VFR flights eveN
  flight levels 500 (4500,6500 etc)
• 500 ft separation between IFR and VFR flights
  heading in same direction
• 1000 ft separation between IFR flights and VFR
  flights heading in opposite directions

8
AIR LAW FLIGHT RULESInstrument Flight Rules
(IFR)

• Detail not important for student pilots, but
  essentials are
• Appropriate (and usually duplicate)
  instruments (SI 437 of 2002)
• Minimum Safe Altitudes
• apart from takeoff landing and usual
  clearances (centres of population etc see
  later)-
• - mountainous regions at least 2000 ft)
  above highest obstacle
• - other areas at least 1000 ft
  ) within 8km of aircraft
• All IFR flights are under ATC control (flight
  plan) and must maintain appropriate cruising
  altitudes/flight levels according to the
  Semicircular Rule unless flying below 3000ft in
  uncontrolled airspace with ATC clearance to fly
  at other heights.
• In Controlled Airspace they must have the proper
  communications equipment and know the procedures
  to use for communications failure, arrival and
  departure and instrument approach
• Note Minimum Safe Altitude is not the same as
  the Maximum Elevation Figures (MEF) shown on
  charts

9
AIR LAW FLIGHT RULES Minimum Heights

• Congested Areas
• (centres of population, assemblies of persons
  football matches, golf courses, open air concerts
  etc.)
• 1500 ft agl OR
• 1000 ft above highest obstacle within 600m,
  whichever is greater, PROVIDED
• A landing can be made in an emergency that wont
  risk people or property
• Elsewhere
• 500 ft agl or 500 ft from any person,
  structure, vehicle or vessel, whichever is
  greater
• Note Large open-air assemblies need written
  permission from IAA and
  Organisers to overfly
• Height restrictions do not apply to aircraft
  taking off or landing