Air Regulations Chapters

Air Regs Chapter 4 – Rules of Air

Posted on by Aanand Keerthy

RULES OF THE AIR (Chapter 4)

🌐 Introduction

The Rules of the Air define how aircraft operate safely in the sky and on the ground. These rules are based on ICAO Annex 2, Indian AIP, and DGCA CAR Section 9. They apply to all aircraft flying over Indian territory and Indian-registered aircraft worldwide.

📍 Applicability

  • Applies to:
    • Aircraft within Indian airspace
    • Indian-registered aircraft anywhere in the world
  • Must comply with:
    • VFR (Visual Flight Rules) or
    • IFR (Instrument Flight Rules)

👨‍✈️ Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Responsibilities

  • PIC is fully responsible for:
    • Safe operation of aircraft
    • Compliance with rules
  • Can deviate from rules only in emergency for safety
  • Must:
    • Perform pre-flight planning (weather, fuel, alternates)
    • Ensure safety of passengers and crew

⚠️ General Safety Rules

  • No negligent or reckless flying
  • Maintain minimum safe heights
  • Avoid:
    • Congested areas (except permitted conditions)
    • Endangering life or property

✈️ Aircraft Operations Rules

🔹 Cruising Levels

  • Above transition altitude → Flight Levels (FL)
  • Below → Altitudes (AMSL)

🔹 Restrictions

  • No dropping/spraying unless permitted
  • No towing of aircraft in India
  • Parachute descent only in emergencies or permitted cases

🌀 Aerobatics

  • Only under permitted conditions
  • Minimum height: 600 m (2000 ft)
  • Not allowed:
    • Near aerodromes
    • Over populated areas
    • Without passenger consent

🚫 Formation Flying

  • Not generally allowed in India
  • If permitted:
    • Must be pre-arranged
    • Formation acts as single aircraft
    • Separation responsibility lies with pilots

💥 Collision Avoidance

  • Pilot must take all actions to avoid collision
  • Follow ACAS advisories

⚖️ Right of Way Rules

  • Aircraft with right-of-way maintains course & speed

Key situations:

  • Head-on → both turn right
  • Converging → aircraft on right has priority
  • Overtaking → overtaking aircraft gives way
  • Landing:
    • Lower aircraft has priority
    • Emergency aircraft gets highest priority

🛬 Aerodrome Operations

  • Follow traffic pattern (usually left-hand turns)
  • Land and take off into the wind
  • Maintain communication with ATC

💡 Aircraft Lights

From sunset to sunrise:

  • Anti-collision lights
  • Navigation lights
  • Lights must not confuse observers

📡 Flight Plans

Required for:

  • Controlled flights
  • IFR flights
  • Flights across international borders

Submission:

  • At least 3 hours before departure

Includes:

  • Route, fuel, alternates, persons on board

🕒 Time Standard

  • Use UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
  • Accuracy:
    • ±30 seconds for ATS clocks
    • ±1 second for data link

📞 Air Traffic Control (ATC)

  • Clearance required before controlled flight
  • Must follow:
    • Cleared route
    • Assigned altitude & speed

📍 Position Reporting

  • Mandatory at designated reporting points
  • Includes:
    • Time
    • Position
    • Level

📶 Communication

  • Continuous two-way communication required
  • Use correct frequency
  • Maintain listening watch

❌ Radio Failure Procedures

In VMC:

  • Continue VFR
  • Land as soon as possible

In IMC:

  • Follow last clearance
  • Maintain altitude/time rules
  • Proceed as per flight plan

🌤️ Visual Flight Rules (VFR)

  • Must maintain:
    • Minimum visibility
    • Distance from clouds
  • Restrictions:
    • Not above FL150 (without permission)
    • Not below minimum safe heights

🛫 Special VFR

Allowed in controlled zones when:

  • Visibility is reduced
  • ATC clearance obtained

📊 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)

  • Required in poor visibility
  • Must:
    • Follow ATC clearance
    • Maintain minimum altitudes
    • Use proper navigation equipment

🚨 Signals

Distress Signals (Emergency)

  • MAYDAY
  • SOS (… — …)
  • Red flares

Urgency Signals

  • PAN PAN
  • Flashing lights

🛡️ Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ)

  • Aircraft must:
    • Obtain Air Defence Clearance (ADC)
    • Follow strict identification procedures

✈️ Interception Procedures

  • Maintain communication on 121.5 MHz
  • Follow interceptor instructions
  • Use standard phraseology

📌 QUICK SUMMARY (For Students)

  • Rules ensure safe, standardized flying
  • PIC is fully responsible
  • Follow VFR or IFR
  • Maintain:
    • Separation
    • Communication
    • Proper navigation
  • Right-of-way rules prevent collisions
  • Flight plans & ATC are mandatory in controlled airspace
  • Use UTC time
  • Know radio failure procedures
  • Understand signals (MAYDAY / PAN PAN)
  • Follow ADIZ & interception rules