3 Visual Flight Rules and Airspace Classification/Limitation 3.1 Airspace Classification 3.1.1 The airspace over the UK and surrounding waters from the surface to FL 245 is divided into two Flight Information Regions (FIR); the London FIR and the Scottish FIR. The airspace above the FIR is known as the Upper Flight Information Region (UIR). The airspace within the FIR/UIR is divided into different types using the ICAO Airspace Classification System. 3.1.2 The ICAO Airspace Classification System consists of seven classes of airspace, each specifying minimum Air Traffic Service requirements and the services provided. Classes A to E are Controlled Airspace, Classes F and G are Uncontrolled Airspace. The UK has adopted the ICAO System but for the present only six classes have been implemented. In relation to Classes F and G Airspace the UK has registered Differences from the ICAO Standard so as to allow greater flexibility to VFR flights at and below 3000 ft amsl and to allow IFR flight in uncontrolled airspace without the requirement to carry a radio. 3.1.3 In the UK Class B Controlled Airspace is currently only designated above FL 245 and no airspace is currently designated as Class C. However, provision is made in legislation for future development of these airspace classes. 3.1.4 Aerodrome Traffic Zones (see paragraph 3.4) adopt the classification of the airspace in which they are situated but additional Rules apply to flight within them. 3.2 Visual Flight Rules 3.2.1 The Visual Flight Rules (Rules 24 to 27 of the UK Rules of the Air Regulations refer) require an aircraft to be flown in accordance with the VMC minima appropriate to the classification of the airspace. Additionally, when flying in controlled airspace (except Class E) unless otherwise authorised by the ATC Unit, the commander of the aircraft must file a flight plan (see paragraph 9), obtain an ATC clearance, maintain a listening watch on the appropriate frequency and comply with any instructions given by the ATC Unit. 3.2.2 VFR flight is not permitted in Class A Controlled Airspace. 3.3 Requirements for VFR flights 3.3.1 Weather minima for VFR flight within Controlled Airspace (Class B Airspace) (a) At and above FL 100 8 km flight visibility Clear of cloud (b) Below FL 100 5 km flight visibility Clear of cloud 3.3.2 Weather minima for VFR flight within Controlled Airspace (Classes C to E Airspace) (a) At and above FL 100 8 km flight visibility# 1500m horizontally from cloud* 1000 ft vertically from cloud*. (b) Below FL 100 5 km flight visibility# 1500m horizontally from cloud* 1000 ft vertically from cloud*. (c) At or below 3000 ft As in (b) above or (except Class B Airspace): for Fixed wing aircraft operating at 140 kt or less 5 km flight visibility# Clear of cloud and in sight of the surface. for Helicopters: Clear of cloud and in sight of the surface. 1 # For the purpose of taking off or landing within a Control Zone, the actual meteorological visibility reported by ATC shall be taken as the flight visibility. (Rule 24(3) of the UK Air Navigation Order refers). 3.3.3 Weather minima for VFR flight outside Controlled Airspace (Classes F and G Airspace) (a) At and above FL 100 8km flight visibility 1500 m horizontally from cloud 1000 ft vertically from cloud. (b) Below FL 100 5km flight visibility 1500 m horizontally from cloud 1000 ft vertically from cloud. (c) At or below 3000 ft As in (b) above or: for Fixed wing aircraft 5 km flight visibility Clear of cloud and in sight of the surface. for Fixed wing aircraft operating at 140kt or less 1500 m flight visibility Clear of cloud and in sight of the surface. for Helicopters operating at a speed which, having regard to the visibility, is reasonable Clear of cloud and in sight of the surface. 3.3.3.1 Limitation of Speed 3.3.3.2 Below FL100, an airspace speed limit of 250 kt applies. In addition, this limit may be lower when published in procedures or when required by ATC. 3.3.4 Flight Plan Requirements 3.3.4.1 A Flight Plan is required for flights in all Controlled Airspace except Class E. In certain circumstances the Flight Plan requirement may be satisfied by passing flight details on RTF (refer to paragraph 9). A Flight Plan comprises sufficient information to enable an ATC Unit to issue a clearance and for search and rescue purposes (Rule 27 of UK Air Navigation Order refers). 3.3.5 ATC Clearance and ATC Instructions 3.3.5.1 ATC Clearance is required for flight in all Controlled Airspace except Class E, and compliance with ATC instructions is mandatory. 3.3.5.2 In Class E Controlled Airspace pilots of VFR flights are strongly recommended to make their presence known to the appropriate ATC Unit and comply with ATC instructions. 3.3.5.3 Outside Controlled Airspace an aircraft receiving a service from an ATC Unit is expected to comply with ATC instructions unless the pilot advises otherwise. 3.3.6 ATC Responsibility for VFR Flights 3.3.6.1 Inside Controlled Airspace: Class B: Separation provided between all flights. Class C: Separation provided between IFR and VFR flights; Traffic Information and instructions in respect of other VFR flights to enable pilots to effect avoidance and integration. Class D: Traffic Information and instructions to enable pilots to effect avoidance and integration. Class E: As for Class D as far as is practicable for known flights. 3.3.6.2 Outside Controlled Airspace (Airspace Classes F and G): Traffic information as far as is practicable on other known flights; Radar Advisory Service/Radar Information Service (see paragraph 6.6) may be available from suitably equipped ATC Units. 2 UK ATS AIRSPACE CLASSIFICATIONS CONTROLLED AIRSPACE A B CDE FG SEPARATION: SEPARATION: SEPARATION: SEPARATION: SEPARATION: SEPARATION: SEPARATION: (See Note) All aircraft All aircraft IFR from IFR IFR from IFR IFR from IFR IFR from IFR (participating Not provided IFR from VFR IFR traffic) SERVICES: SERVICES: SERVICES: SERVICES: SERVICES: SERVICES: (See Note) SERVICES: (See Note) Air traffic control service Air traffic control service Air traffic control service Air traffic control service Air traffic control service Air traffic advisory service Flight information service I including traffic information and traffic information about Flight information service about VFR flights (and traffic VFR flights as far as practical F avoidance advice on request) SPEED SPEED SPEED SPEED 250kt below SPEED 250kt below SPEED 250kt below SPEED 250kt below R LIMITATION: Not applicable LIMITATION: Not applicable LIMITATION: Not applicable LIMITATION: IAS FL100 LIMITATION: IAS FL100 LIMITATION: IAS FL100 LIMITATION: IAS FL100 (Unless notified for (Unless notified for (Unless notified for ATC Purposes) ATC Purposes) ATC Purposes) RADIO: RADIO: RADIO: RADIO: RADIO: RADIO: Not required RADIO: Not required ATC ATC ATC ATC ATC ATC ATC CLEARANCE: Required CLEARANCE: Required CLEARANCE: Required CLEARANCE: Required CLEARANCE: Required CLEARANCE: Not required CLEARANCE: Not required SEPARATION: SEPARATION: SEPARATION: SEPARATION: SEPARATION: (See Note) SEPARATION: (See Note) All aircraft VFR from IFR Not provided Not provided Not provided Not provided SERVICES: SERVICES: SERVICES: SERVICES: SERVICES: (See Note) SERVICES: (See Note) Air traffic control service Air traffic control service providing: Air traffic control service providing: Air traffic control service providing: Flight information service Flight information service i) Separation from IFR traffic information on all other flights traffic information as far as practical ii) VFR traffic information (and traffic avoidance advice on request) VMC MINIMA VMC MINIMA VMC MINIMA VMC MINIMA VMC MINIMA VMC MINIMA 8km 1000ft 1000ft 1000ft 1000ft 1000ft VFR clear of cloud 8km 1500m 8km 1500m 8km 1500m 8km 1500m 8km 1500m FL100 clear FL100 FL100 FL100 FL100 FL100 5km of V cloud 5km 1500m 5km 1500m 5km 1500m 5km 1500m 5km 1500m clear of cloud 1000ft 1000ft 1000ft 1000ft 1000ft F OR OR OR OR OR VFR FLIGHT 3000ft 3000ft 3000ft 3000ft 3000ft AMSL AMSL R clear of clear of AMSL clear of AMSL clear of AMSL clear of NOT cloud † cloud † cloud † cloud cloud 140kt 5km 140kt 5km 140kt 5km 5km 5km or less or less or less * * PERMITTED in sight in sight in sight in sight in sight SPEED SPEED 250kt below SPEED 250kt below SPEED 250kt below SPEED 250kt below SPEED 250kt below LIMITATION: Not applicable LIMITATION: IAS FL100 LIMITATION: IAS FL100 LIMITATION: IAS FL100 LIMITATION: IAS FL100 LIMITATION: IAS FL100 RADIO: RADIO: RADIO: RADIO: Not required RADIO: Not required RADIO: Not required ATC ATC ATC ATC ATC ATC CLEARANCE: Required CLEARANCE: Required CLEARANCE: Required CLEARANCE: Not required CLEARANCE: Not required CLEARANCE: Not required † Helicopters may fly at or below 3000ft AMSL clear of cloud and in sight of the surface. *At speeds of 140kt IAS or less flight is permitted in flight visibilities 250kt Not applicable to to 1500m. Helicopters may operate in less than 1500m flight IAS Military aircraft visibility at a speed which, having regard to the visibility, is reasonable. NOTE: In Class F and Class G airspace a Radar Advisory Service (RAS), a Radar Information Service (RIS) and Approach Control Service may be available from Air Traffic Service Units. Pilots are urged to make use of these services, details of which are published in AICs and other documents. ACD M94149 09.8.01 3.4 Aerodrome Traffic Zones (ATZ) 3.4.1 An ATZ is established around each aerodrome notified for the purposes of Rule 39 of the UK Rules of the Air Regulations during the times notified (see paragraph 6.2.1).