Air Law Quiz for NPPL Microlight Pilots

A white double cross signifies that glider flying is in progress. A larger version marks an area to be used only by gliders.

The CAA regulates Microlights, however, some powers have been delegated to both the BMAA and the LAA.

The minimum requirements before applying to the BMAA for your NPPL (M) restricted license are:

• Flight time under instruction – 15 hours in total, which has to include 7 hours solo
• You also need to hold a valid medical declaration / certificate in order to fly solo

The restricted licence means:

• The pilot must not fly more than 8nm from the departure airfield.
• The pilot must not fly when the cloud base is lower than 1000ft above ground level (AGL) and/or visibility is less than 10KM

However, a person with a physiological disorder that is controlled by medication may be certified as fit to fly by a CAA Aeromedical Examiner (AME)

Ref: CAA CAP 413

AFISOs are also permitted to pass messages on behalf of other agencies and instructions from the aerodrome operator. If they do so, they will include the name of the agency so that pilots will be aware that the message comes from a legitimate source, e.g. ‘Wrayton Control clears you to join …’.

With the exception of issuing instructions to aircraft on the ground, AFISOs provide an information service relating to the ATZ and aerodrome. They must ensure that the information given to pilots is distinct and unambiguous, as pilots will use
this information for the safe and efficient conduct of their flights.

An AFISO may request pilots to make position reports e.g.downwind, final etc. These requests do not have the status of instructions, although it is expected that most pilots will comply.

From the information provided by the AFISO, the pilot will determine if it is safe to land, take-off or transit
the ATZ. AFISOs are not permitted to refuse entry into the ATZ when requested by a pilot. The aerodrome authority may decide that they will not permit an aircraft to land at their aerodrome and request that the AFISO pass this message on. Such a message must be prefixed: ‘Message from the aerodrome authority…’ AFISOs may not issue such
messages of their own volition.

Aerodrome Traffic Zones (ATZ)
ATZ’s are established to give protection to aircraft at the critical stages of flight when departing, arriving and flying in the vicinity of an aerodrome.

Where the longest runway is greater than 1850 metres in length
The zone will normally extend from the surface to 2000 feet above ground level (agl) with a radius of 2.5 NM around the midpoint of the longest runway.

Where the longest runway is less than 1850 metres in length
The zone will normally extend from the surface to 2000 feet agl with a radius of 2.0 NM around the midpoint of the longest runway for aerodromes.

Class E. Class E airspace is for IFR and VFR use. IFR aircraft require ATC clearance and compliance with ATC instructions is mandatory for separation purposes. VFR traffic does not require clearance to enter class E airspace.

Rule 11 of The Rules of the Air Regulations 2015 –  Flying within an ATZ

To comply with Rule 11
1. An aircraft must not fly, take off or land within the ATZ of an aerodrome unless the commander of the aircraft has complied with 2, 3 or 4 as appropriate.

2. If the aerodrome has an air traffic control unit the commander must obtain the permission of that unit to enable the flight to be conducted safely within the ATZ.

3. If the aerodrome provides a flight information service the commander must obtain information from the flight information centre to enable the flight to be conducted safely within the ATZ.

4. If there is no flight information centre at the aerodrome the commander must obtain information from the air/ground communication service to enable the flight to be conducted safely within the ATZ.