Air Law Quiz (all Questions)

In the UK, under the Air Navigation Order (ANO), aircraft logbooks must be preserved for 2 years after the aircraft (or its specific equipment) has been destroyed or permanently withdrawn from use.

This rule ensures that a complete maintenance and operational history is available for investigation or audit purposes even after the aircraft is no longer flying.

What needs to be kept?

This retention rule applies to the three primary logbooks for a registered aircraft:

• Aircraft Logbook: The main record of the airframe, flying hours, and structural inspections.

• Engine Logbook: A dedicated record for each engine fitted.

• Propeller Logbook: A record for any variable-pitch propellers (if applicable to your microlight).

CAA Ref 227/10  in ANO 2016 LINK

See Page 74 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

VFR flight when the surface visibility is being reported as less than 5 km is not recommended. You are unlikely to have a clear horizon to control the aircraft, and navigating visually will be difficult.

See Page 41 of the Skyway Code [LINK]

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

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

see Page 89 Skyway Code LINK

1. The Standard Legal Minimum (1.5 km)

For a fixed-wing aircraft (including microlights) operating at a speed of 140 knots or less below 3,000 feet, the absolute legal minimum flight visibility is:

• 1,500 metres (1.5 km)

• Requirement: You must remain clear of cloud and with the surface in sight.

(Note: While 1.5 km is the legal “floor,” most flight schools and the BMAA strongly advise against flying in anything less than 3–5 km for safety.)

CAA ** See Note 4 **  LINK

When following a prominent line of landmarks—such as a road, railway, canal, or coastline—pilots in the UK should keep the landmark on their left-hand side.

This effectively means you fly to the right of the feature.

Why the Left Side?

This is known as the “Right-Hand Traffic Rule.” Much like driving on the left side of the road ensures that oncoming traffic passes you on your right, this aviation rule ensures that:

• Separation: If another aircraft is following the same landmark from the opposite direction, both pilots will be flying on their respective right-hand sides of the feature, keeping them safely separated.

• Visibility: Since the pilot in command usually sits in the left-hand seat (as is standard in most light aircraft and microlights), keeping the landmark to the left provides the best possible view of the reference point you are following.

See page 79 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

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)

An NPPL (National Private Pilot Licence) microlight class rating is valid for 24 months.

Please see Page 72 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

BMAA Link HERE

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

When an aircraft is overtaking another in the air, the pilot of the overtaking aircraft should pass by altering course to the right.

Page 63 of the Skyway Code LINK

See page 79 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

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

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

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:

• Serious Injury: Such as a broken bone (excluding fingers/toes), internal organ damage, or hospitalisation for more than 48 hours.

• Structural Damage: Damage that affects the strength or flight characteristics of the aircraft (e.g., a collapsed landing gear or a tail strike).

• 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

In the UK, the Registered Owner of the aircraft is legally responsible for maintaining the correct registration details with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

See page 90 of Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

Page 4 of CAA Safety Sense Leaflet 06 LINK

See page 84 of  Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition

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

FIS (Flight Information Service) in aviation is a crucial service providing essential advice and information (weather, traffic, hazards) for safe and efficient flight, especially in uncontrolled airspace
Please see page 12 of the Skyway Code LINK

In aviation, an Identification Beacon is a specific type of aeronautical ground light used to help a pilot identify a particular airfield or reference point from the air.

How to Identify Them

The colour of the light tells you what kind of airfield you are looking at:

Page 10 of CAP 637 (Visual Aids) LINK

See page 87 Brian Cosgrove 8th Edition