AIR LAW – FLIGHT RULES Airspace classification -1

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) AIR LAW – FLIGHT RULESAirspace classification -1

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. Class C 1500 m horizontal 300 m vertical 8km at or above FL 100 5km below FL 100* Class G (>3000 ft AMSLor >1000ft AGL) 1500 m horizontal 300 m vertical <3000ft AMSL or <1000AGLft Clear of cloud & in sight of the surface 8km at or above FL 100 5km below FL 100** 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 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) <140, below 3000ft AMSL flight visibility >3km 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 won’t 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