Airspace
This section has been deprecated. Use the new Airspace module from the Flight Planning and Navigation section.
Controlled Airspace
Controlled airspace is divided into four categories:
- UTA Upper Control Areas Most airspace above 9,500ft AMSL in which only authorised flights are permitted.
- TMA Terminal Control Areas Controlled Airspace below 9,500ft AMSL in which only authorised flights are permitted. These are usual y established at the confluence of air routes in the vicinity of a major aerodrome.
- CTR Control Zones Controlled airspace about an aerodrome in which only authorised flights are permitted. See Fig. 112b.
- CTA/E Control Area/Visually Exempted. Controlled airspace in which VFR flights are not subject to control, but most are radio (RTF) or Transponder mandatory.
- Approach conditional areas situated at some unattended aerodromes protecting arrival of IFR traffic VFR controlledairspace minima apply unless RTF equipped and can confirm no Instrument Traffic.
A control area is a defined area extending upwards from a specified lower limit. A control zone is a defined area extending up from the ground to a specified limit. In all controlled airspace, microlights shall only be operated in accordance with instructions issued by the appropriate ATC unit.
Control Zones may be subdivided into VFR entry/exit lanes or VFR transit lanes . The VFR entry/exit lanes permit VFR traffic to enter and leave a busy aerodrome without conflicting with IFR traffic. See Fig. 112b.
A transit lane (Victor Lane) is to enable VFR traffic to transit a zone without being subject to control and are set to avoid IFR traffic. See Fig. 112b.
Transponder Mandatory Airspace
CTR's and TMA's around major aerodromes and UTA airspace is Transponder mandatory. On charts Transponder mandatory airspace is shown as:
TMA/C
Airspace is also classified as to what service is being provided:
| Class C | IFR separated from VFR |
| Class D | IFR not separated from VFR except in circuit areas |
| Class E | IFR not separated from VFR |
| Class G | Uncontrolled Airspace |
Definitions
CrossCountry flight is any flight beyond 10NM from the takeoff point
Signals
Where the pilot does not have radio communication and wishes to operate at an attended aerodrome he may receive light signals as follows:
| Light Signal | Meaning in Flight | Meaning on Ground |
|---|---|---|
| Steady Green | Cleared to Land | Cleared to take off |
| Flashing Green | Return for Landing | Cleared to taxi |
| Steady Red | Give way to other aircraft and continue circling | |Stop |
| Flashing Red | Aerodrome unsafe do not land | Move clear of landing area immediately |
| Alternate Red and Green Flashes | Danger, be on the alert | Danger, be on the alert |
| Flashing White | Land at this aerodrome and proceed to the apron | Return to the start point on the aerodrome |
| Red Flare | Do not land for the time being |
Dangerous Operation and Maintenance
No microlight shal be operated, maintained, serviced, flown or manoeuvred in such a manner where avoidable danger to life or property is likely to ensue. This includes neglect to perform a duty, e.g. preflight or following good aviation practice which results in an exposure to danger.
Prohibited, Restricted and Danger Areas
Prohibited Areas:
No access at all is permitted. These relate to military or national security requirements.
Restricted Areas:
Created in the interest of safety or the public interest. Entry is only permitted in accordance with specified conditions and times stated for that particular area. Instrument approach restricted areas are normally trapezoidal in shape and are between two flight levels.
Danger Areas:
An area of danger or potential danger to aircraft. The nature of the danger is usually explained so that the pilot can enter the area if, after due consideration he does not believe it will affect the safety of his flight.
If a pilot accidentally enters a prohibited or restricted area he should get out by the most direct method possible and report the circumstances to the nearest ATC unit.
These areas are marked on aeronautical charts. See Fig. 112a.
Meteorological Conditions
Flight shal not be conducted unless the current and forecast meteorological conditions enable the VFR rules to be observed. For microlight pilots this includes the ground windspeed being less than 75% of stal speed and that the meteorological conditions in the table below can be observed. If worse conditions are encountered in the flight, flight should only be continued to a point where a safe landing can be made. Al flights shall be conducted in conditions equal to or better than the tables below:
Airspace VFR meteorological minima
| Class of Airspace | C, D, and E | G |
| Distance from cloud | 1 nm horizontally, 1000 feet vertically | Above 3000 feet AMSL or 1000 feet above terrain whichever is the higher \\ At or below 3000 feet AMSL or 1000 feet above the terrain whichever is the higher clear of clouds and in sight of the surface |
| Flight visibility | 8 km at and above 10,000,\\ 5 km below 10,000 feet AMSL | 5 km feet AMSL |
For airspace classifications refer to page 118.
VFR minima at aerodromes with aerodrome control service in operation.
| Ceiling | Visibility | ||
| Flight outside the aerodrome traffic circuit | Day | 1500 feet | 8 km |
| Night | 3000 feet | 16 km | |
| Flight within the aerodrome traffic circuit | Day and Night | 1500 feet | 8 km |
VFR minima at aerodromes without aerodrome control service in operation.
| Ceiling | Visibility | ||
| All aircraft | Day | 600 feet | 1500 m |
| All aircraft | Night | 1500 feet | 8 km |
Special VFR Weather Minima A pilot in command of an aircraft may perform a VFR operation in weather conditions below those in the above tables, within a contol zone, providing such operations are in compliance with an ATC clearance and ATC instructions.