Rules of the air

010 Air LawChapter 2

Schematic

Head-on: turn right. Converging: give way to aircraft on your right. PIC has final authority.

Right of way

Key fact

Approaching head-on — both turn right. On ground, stop if appropriate.

Key fact

Converging — give way to aircraft on the right (unless other aircraft has higher priority).

Key fact

Overtaking (within 70° of stern) — aircraft being overtaken has priority.

Key fact

Landing — lower landing aircraft has priority over those still in flight. Gliders have priority over powered heavier-than-air. Emergency landing has highest priority.

Key fact

Default traffic pattern = left-hand. Take-off and land into wind where practicable. Obey all lit stop bars and taxi-holding positions.

VMC minima

Airspace / area	Minima
ATZ/CTR (take-off/land/fly)	1500 ft ceiling, 5 km visibility
SVFR (CTR only)	Not below 1500 m visibility
VFR above congested areas	1000 ft clearance
VFR elsewhere	500 ft clearance
Low flying	1000 ft above highest obstacle within 600 m, or 500 ft above surface

IFR minimum levels

Key fact

Not below minimum flight altitude established by the state overflown. Where none exists:

Terrain	Clearance
Normal area	1000 ft above highest obstacle within 8 km
Mountainous	2000 ft above highest obstacle within 8 km

Schematic

Cruising levels based on magnetic track — IFR odd/east, even/west; VFR +500 ft.

Key fact

Cruising levels: Flight levels above transition altitude; altitudes below transition level. Transition altitude not less than 3000 ft, rounded up to next 1000 ft.

Registration marks

Key fact

Minimum height: 50 cm under wings, 30 cm on fuselage/tail. Restricted combinations include XXX (distress), TTT (urgency), PAN, and codes confusable with 5-letter ICAO signals or Q-codes.