3. Rules of Air (vfr, ifr).

Visual reference to the outside environment both for attitude reference and to navigate the aeroplane is necessary for the visual pilot (i.e. the pilot holding a basic PPL, without either an IMC Rating or an Instrument Rating).

If visual reference is lost – for example, by entering cloud or by flying in conditions of reduced visibility – the results may be awful.

To avoid this, minimum flight visibility requirements and minimum distances have been established. There are known as the Visual Flight Rules.

Conditions in which flight is possible under VFR (Visual Flight Rules) are known as VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions).

Each airspace class (except Class A, which is unavailable to VFR flights) has VMC minima specified for VFR flights.

Under the VFR the pilot is responsible for safety of the flight, separation from other aircraft, terrain clearance, and for remaining at satisfactory distance from cloud in adequate flight visibility.

VFR Flight Plan and ATC Clearance.

The pilot-in-command of a VFR flight must notify flight details to appropriate Air Traffic Control unit in Class B, C, and D airspace, and obtain an ATC clearance for the flight. The flight plan should contain sufficient detail to help the ATC unit issue a clearance and for search and rescue purposes. While operating in the specified airspace, the pilot-in-command shall maintain a constant listening watch on the appropriate radio frequency and comply with instructions from ATC.

IFR.

Flight under Visual Flight Rules is very restrictive. For this reason, flight and navigation instruments have been developed that allow a properly trained pilot to operate in cloud and other conditions not suitable for visual flight. The rules that apply to this category of flight are known as the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Only two types of flight category are available in aviation: VFR or IFR.

The Flight Plan.

The flight plan is an ATC message, complied by, or on behalf of, the aircraft commander (pilot-in-command) and then transmitted by the appropriate ATS authority to organizations concerned with the flight. It is the basis on which an ATC clearance is given for the flight to proceed.

A pilot intending to make a flight must in any case contact ATC at the aerodrome of departure. This is known as booking out and is a separate and additional requirement to that of filling flight plan. Where an aerodrome is notified a Prior Permission Required (PPR) the filling of the flight plan does not constitute prior permission.

Private pilots may file a flight plan for any flight. They are advised to file a flight plan if attending to fly more than 10 nm from the co… over sparsely populated or mountainous area.

IFR Flight Plan and ATC Clearance

In order to comply with the IFR, before any flight within controlled airspace the aircraft commander must file a flight plan of respective of whether IMC or VMC exist and obtain an ATC clearance based upon it. The flight must be made in accordance with clearance and with notified holding procedures at the denomination (?) unless otherwise instructed by ATC.

A pilot flying IFR in controlled airspace must follow:

- the terms of the ATC clearance and any further instructions given by ATC;

- the published instrument holding and approach procedures for the destination aerodrome.

However, he may cancel IFR and switch to VFR if: he can maintain VMC while in controlled airspace; and he informs ATC accordingly, asking them to cancel his flight plan).

ATC must be told as soon as possible if, to avoid immediate danger, any departure has to been made from the requirements of this rule.

Except when the FPL has been canceled, an aircraft commander must inform ATC when the aircraft commander must inform ATC when the aircraft lands within or leaves controlled airspace.

An aircraft under IFR which flies in or intends to enter controlled airspace must report its time, position and level at such intervals of time as may be notified or directed by ATC.