EUROCONTROL guidance notes for pilots 1. Rules for VFR Flight

AIRSPACE INFRINGEMENT when aircraft are on converging courses. detailed requirements for both VFR and Infringement of controlled airspace, dan- If there is a risk of collision, both pilots IFR vary depending on the class of air- ger and restricted areas etc. is a serious must act in accordance with these space in which the aircraft is flying. aviation hazard and occurs when an air- General Rules. A pilot who is required to craft enters the airspace without permis- give way should alter course to the right, VISUAL FLIGHT RULES sion. This happens several times a day in and one who has the right of way should Internationally, a pilot is required to stay the busiest areas of European airspace. maintain course and speed, but should more than 1000 feet above any obstacles Careful planning, and accurately flying also be prepared to take avoiding action in a “congested area” or above any large the plan, are the best means of avoiding if the other does not give way. collection of people. Over uncongested such infringements. However, it is impor- areas, he or she must stay more than 500 tant that pilots understand the rules they feet above the ground. Also, loss of are expected to follow. engine power needs to be considered when operating a single engine aircraft. This is one of a series of Guidance Notes The UK is unique. In that country, pilots (GN) intended to help you keep out of following VFR may fly below 500 feet, but trouble.The others are listed at the foot of they must stay more than 500 feet away the next page. from any people or anywhere people might be expected (vehicles, vessels or FLIGHT RULES structures). According to the German AIP Flight Rules are laid down internationally in addition to the mentioned obstacle (as “Standards and Recommended clearance, pilots have to be 2000 ft above Practices” in Annex 2 to the Chicago ground or water when on a cross-country Convention) to prevent collisions with flight. other aircraft and the ground. However, different countries have slightly different In order for a pilot to follow the General To follow VFR, it is internationally agreed needs, so they sometimes have their own Rules, he or she must know where the that a pilot must be able to see a certain extra rules, and may interpret the interna- other aircraft (and the ground) are, in distance ahead of him. Generally, there tional rules differently. Any 'Differences' order to avoid them. If they are relying on must be no cloud within 1500 metres from ICAO Standards must be written in their eyes to avoid collisions, they need to horizontally or 1000 feet vertically from the State's AIP (see GN 3), so when flying also follow specified “Visual Flight Rules” the aircraft, and the “flight visibility” (the internationally pilots must ensure they (VFR). Otherwise, the pilot must rely on distance forward the pilot could see from are aware of the differences in all the instruments to provide separation from the cockpit in flight) must be at least 8 countries over which they intend to fly, other aircraft and the ground; he or she km.The VFR therefore require the pilot to including their own. must follow the “Instrument Flight Rules” fly his or her aircraft to stay at least that (IFR). However, a pilot following IFR in distance from cloud and in conditions of GENERAL RULES Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) at least that visibility. The “General Rules” are those dictating should look out of window to avoid colli- who has right of way in given situations, sion with other aircraft. Although the Below 10,000 feet,a flight visibility of 5km and which aircraft types have priority basic rules remain the same, some is considered enough for pilots to see

EUROCONTROL March 2009 each other. At very low altitudes (usually Magnetic tracks 359° 000° CONTROLLED AIRSPACE below 3000 feet) outside controlled air- GN 10 gives guidance for pilots wishing to space (in classes F & G), individual coun- enter or cross Controlled Airspace. etc etc tries may allow flight closer to cloud and However,it is important to remember that FL85/8500ft 9500ft/FL95 in even lower visibility, provided the air- you ALWAYS need a clearance to enter FL65/6500ft 7500ft/FL75 craft is flying slowly (below 140 knots), controlled airspace (except for class E air- FL45/4500ft 5500ft/FL55 and the pilot can see the ground. Ensure space), and when inside you must obey FL25/2500ft 3500ft/FL35 you check the relevant AIP (see GN 3). the controller's instructions. However, if In addition to avoiding the ground and you are following a VFR clearance inside staying away from cloud and in condi- Controlled Airspace, you are still responsi- tions of good visibility, if a pilot is cruising ble for obeying not only the VFR Rules, Magnetic tracks 180° 179° (staying on a constant track at a constant but also the General Rules. If your clear- altitude, usually at or above 3000 feet Pilots flying under VFR should also be ance would prevent you doing this, you MSL), he or she is required to keep to one aware that the semi circular system may must tell the controller and ask for a dif- of an allocated series of altitudes (or not always ensure vertical separation to ferent clearance. Flight Levels if above the Transition other flights. This is the case when two Altitude - see the AIP for each country). If flights are at the same level on slowly con- HAVE A SAFE FLIGHT the aircraft's track is between 000º mag- verging courses. If you see an aircraft a We hope you have found this useful.If you netic and 179º magnetic, it should main- few miles away from you and you hardly have any suggestions for improvement, tain an altitude of an odd number of see its position changing, then there is a please let us know. thousands of feet plus 500 feet (for exam- big chance that you are on collision ple 3,500 feet) or, if above Transition course. Furthermore, as the other aircraft OTHER GUIDANCE NOTES Altitude, odd Flight Levels + 5 (for exam- hardly changes its relative position to 1. Rules for VFR Flight ple FL 95). If the aircraft's track is between your aircraft it is hard to detect it visually. 2. Flight preparation 180º magnetic and 359º magnetic, it 3. Getting Aeronautical Information should maintain an altitude of an even If you are following VFR above a layer of Before Flight number of thousands of feet plus 500 feet cloud, provided this is authorised by the 4. Getting Meteorological Information (for example 2,500 feet) or, if above local regulations, it is important to always Before Flight Transition Altitude, even Flight Levels + 5 know your position and that of any con- 5. Using Meteorological Information (for example FL 65). Aircraft following the trolled airspace ahead of you. GNs 7 and 8 for Planning Instrument Flight Rules in the same direc- give guidance on navigation using radio 6. Visual Navigation tion will be flying at similar altitudes or aids and GPS, but if you can obtain radar 7. VOR / DME / ADF Navigation Flight Levels but 500 feet lower. assistance (such as that suggested in GN 8. GPS Navigation 9) or at least stay in radio contact with an 9. Getting Aeronautical & Met Again the UK has different rules. Pilots fol- Air Traffic Service Unit with your Information In Flight lowing VFR in UK airspace are not transponder switched to ALT, as advised 10. Entering Controlled Airspace required to maintain given altitudes or in GN 11, you will be less likely to cause a 11. Getting the Most out of Flight Levels. problem by infringing Controlled or your Transponder Restricted Airspace. To get more copies, just send an email to: [email protected]

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© European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) March 2009 This document is published by EUROCONTROL in the interests of exchange of information. It may be copied in whole or in part, providing that the copyright notice and disclaimer is included.The information contained in this document may not be modified without prior written permission from EUROCONTROL. EUROCONTROL makes no warranty, either implied or expressed, for the information contained in this document, neither does it assume any legal liability or respon- sibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of this information.

Published by : EUROCONTROL Headquarters General Secretariat Directorate 96, rue de la Fusée B - 1130 Brussels, Belgium

March 2009 EUROCONTROL