The Rules of the Air Regulations 1991

• Citation: S.I. 1991/2437
• Sections: 105

Section 1

These Regulations may be cited as the Rules of the Air Regulations 1991, and shall come into force on 14th November 1991.

Section 2

The Rules of the Air set out in the Schedule hereto shall have effect and may be cited as the Rules of the Air 1991.

Section 3

The Rules of the Air Regulations 1990 are hereby revoked.

Section 1

Interpretation

Section 1 Interpretation

(1) In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires:

“air traffic control clearance” means authorisation by an air traffic control unit for an aircraft to proceed under conditions specified by that unit;

“anti-collision light” means:

in relation to rotorcraft a flashing red light;

in relation to any other aircraft a flashing red or flashing white light;

and in either case showing in all directions for the purpose of enabling the aircraft to be more readily detected by the pilots of distant aircraft;

“apron” means the part of an aerodrome provided for the stationing of aircraft for the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers, the loading and unloading of cargo and for parking;

“ground visibility” means the horizontal visibility at ground level;

“hang glider” means a glider capable of being:

carried,

foot launched, and

landed solely by the energy and use of a pilot’s legs.

“IFR flight” means a flight conducted in accordance with the Instrument Flight Rules in Section VI of these Rules;

“manoeuvring area” means the part of an aerodrome provided for the take off and landing of aircraft and for the movement of aircraft on the surface, excluding the apron and any part of the aerodrome provided for the maintenance of aircraft;

“ the Order ” means the Air Navigation Order 1989;

“runway” means an area, whether or not paved, which is provided for the take off or landing run of aircraft;

“special VFR flight” means a flight made at any time in a control zone which is Class A airspace, or in any other control zone in Instrument Meteorological Conditions or at night, in respect of which the appropriate air traffic control unit has given permission for the flight to be made in accordance with special instructions given by that unit instead of in accordance with the Instrument Flight Rules and in the course of which flight the aircraft complies with any instructions given by that unit and remains clear of cloud and in sight of the surface;

“VFR flight” means a flight conducted in accordance with the Visual Flight Rules in Section V of these Rules.

(2) In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to:

(a) a numbered rule is a reference to the rule in these Rules so numbered;

(b) a numbered paragraph or sub-paragraph is a reference to the paragraph or sub-paragraph so numbered in the rule or paragraph, as the case may be, in which that reference appears.

(3) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (1) expressions used in these Rules shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same respective meanings as in the Order.

Section 2

Application of Rules to aircraft

Section 2 Application of Rules to aircraft

These Rules, in so far as they are applicable in relation to aircraft, shall, subject to the provisions of rule 33, apply in relation to:

(a) all aircraft within the United Kingdom and, for the purposes of rule 5, in the neighbourhood of an offshore installation; and

(b) all aircraft registered in the United Kingdom, wherever they may be.

Section 3

Misuse of signals and markings

Section 3 Misuse of signals and markings

(1) A signal or marking to which a meaning is given by these Rules, or which is required by these Rules to be used in circumstances, or for a purpose therein specified, shall not be used except with that meaning, or for that purpose.

(2) A person in an aircraft or on an aerodrome or at any place at which an aircraft is taking off or landing shall not make any signal which may be confused with a signal specified in these Rules, and, except with lawful authority, shall not make any signal which he knows or ought reasonably to know to be a signal in use for signalling to or from any of Her Majesty’s naval, military or air force aircraft.

Section 4

Reporting hazardous conditions

Section 4 Reporting hazardous conditions

The commander of an aircraft shall, on meeting with hazardous conditions in the course of a flight, or as soon as possible thereafter, send to the appropriate air traffic control unit by the quickest means available information containing such particulars of the hazardous conditions as may be pertinent to the safety of other aircraft.

Section 5

Low flying

Section 5 Low flying

(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2) and (3):

(a) An aircraft other than a helicopter shall not fly over any congested area of a city, town or settlement below:

(i) such height as would enable the aircraft to alight clear of the area and without danger to persons or property on the surface, in the event of failure of a power unit and if such an aircraft is towing a banner such height shall be calculated on the basis that the banner shall not be dropped within the congested area; or

(ii) a height of 1500 feet above the highest fixed object within 2000 feet of the aircraft: whichever is the higher.

(b) A helicopter shall not fly below such height as would enable it to alight without danger to persons or property on the surface, in the event of failure of a power unit.

(c) Except with the permission in writing of the Authority and in accordance with any conditions therein specified a helicopter shall not fly:

(i) over a congested area of a city, town or settlement below a height of 1500 feet above the highest fixed object within 2000 feet of the helicopter; or

(ii) over the area hereinafter specified, below such height as would enable it to alight clear of the area in the event of failure of a power unit, that is to say the area bounded by straight lines joining successively the following points:

Kew Bridge (N5129.18 W00017.17).

The Eastern extremity of Brent Reservoir (N5134.30 W00014.02).

Gospel Oak Station (N5133.27 W00008.97).

The South East corner of Springfield Park (N5134.12 W00003.20).

Bromley-by-Bow Station (N5131.47 W00000.65).

The South West corner of Hither Green (N5126.72 W00000.63).

Herne Hill Station (N5127.18 W00006.07).

Wimbledon Station (N5125.23 W00012.27).

The North West corner of Castelnau Reservoir (N5128.87 W00014.03).

Kew Bridge (N 5129.18 W00017.17).

excluding so much of the bed of the River Thames as lies within that area between the ordinary high water marks on each of its banks.

(d) An aircraft shall not fly:

(i) over, or within 3000 feet of, any assembly in the open air of more than 1000 persons assembled for the purpose of witnessing or participating in any organised event, except with the permission in writing of the Authority and in accordance with any conditions therein specified and with the consent in writing of the organisers of the event; or

(ii) below such height as would enable it to alight clear of the assembly in the event of the failure of a power unit and if such an aircraft is towing a banner such height shall be calculated on the basis that the banner shall not be dropped within 3000 feet of the assembly:

Provided that where a person is charged with an offence under the Order by reason of a contravention of this sub-paragraph, it shall be a good defence to prove that the flight of the aircraft over, or within 3000 feet of, the assembly was made at a reasonable height and for a reason not connected with the assembly or with the event which was the occasion for the assembly.

An aircraft shall not fly closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle or structure.

(2)

(a) The provisions of paragraphs (1)(a)(ii) and (1)(c)(i) shall not apply to an aircraft flying:

(i) on a route notified for the purposes of this rule; or

(ii) on a special VFR flight.

(b) Paragraphs (1)(d) and (1)(e) shall not apply to an aircraft in the service of the police authority for any area of the United Kingdom.

(c) Paragraphs (1)(d)(i) and (1)(e) shall not apply to the flight of an aircraft over or within 3000 feet of an assembly of persons gathered for the purposes of witnessing or participating in an event which consists:

(i) wholly or partly of an aircraft race or contest if the aircraft is taking part in such race or contest or is engaged on a flight arranged by, or made with the consent in writing of, the organisers of the event;

(ii) wholly or partly of an exhibition of flying for which a permission under article 56 of the Order is required, if the aircraft is taking part in such exhibition or is engaged on a flight arranged by or made with the consent of the organisers of the event and the flight is made:

(aa) in accordance with the terms of a permission granted to the organiser of the exhibition of flying under article 56 of the Order; and

(bb) in accordance with the conditions of a display authorisation granted to the pilot under article 56 of the Order; or

(iii) wholly or principally of an exhibition of flying for which a permission under article 56 of the Order is not required, if the aircraft is taking part in such exhibition or is engaged on a flight arranged by or made with the consent of the organisers of the event.

(d) Paragraph (1)(e) shall not apply to:

(i) any aircraft while it is landing or taking off in accordance with normal aviation practice;

(ii) any glider while it is hill-soaring;

(iii) any aircraft while it is flying in accordance with proviso (f) of article 43(2) of the Order;

(iv) any aircraft while it is flying under and in accordance with the terms of an aerial application certificate granted to the operator thereof under article 45 of the Order; or

(v) any aircraft while it is flying for the purpose of picking up or dropping tow ropes, banners or similar articles at an aerodrome in accordance with article 42(2) or proviso (e) of article 43(2) of the Order.

(3) Nothing in this rule shall prohibit an aircraft from flying in such a manner as is necessary for the purpose of saving life.

(4) Nothing in this rule shall prohibit any aircraft from flying in accordance with normal aviation practice, for the purpose of taking off from, landing at or practising approaches to landing at, or checking navigational aids or procedures at, a Government aerodrome, an aerodrome owned or managed by the Authority or a licensed aerodrome in the United Kingdom or at any aerodrome in any other country:

Provided that the practising of approaches to landing shall be confined to the airspace customarily used by aircraft when landing or taking off in accordance with normal aviation practice at the aerodrome concerned.

(5) Nothing in this rule shall apply to any captive balloon or kite.

Section 6

Simulated instrument flight

Section 6 Simulated instrument flight

An aircraft shall not be flown in simulated instrument flight conditions unless:

(a) the aircraft is fitted with dual controls which are functioning properly;

(b) an additional pilot (in this rule called a “safety pilot”) is carried in a second control seat of the aircraft for the purpose of rendering such assistance as may be necessary to the pilot flying the aircraft; and

(c) if the safety pilot’s field of vision is not adequate both forward and to each side of the aircraft, a third person, being a competent observer, occupies a position in the aircraft which from his field of vision makes good the deficiencies in that of the safety pilot, and from which he can readily communicate with the safety pilot.

For the purposes of this rule the expression “simulated instrument flight” means a flight during which mechanical or optical devices are used in order to reduce the field of vision or the range of visibility from the cockpit of the aircraft.

Section 7

Practice instrument approaches

Section 7 Practice instrument approaches

Within the United Kingdom an aircraft shall not carry out instrument approach practice when flying in Visual Meteorological Conditions unless:

(a) the appropriate air traffic control unit has previously been informed that the flight is to be made for the purpose of instrument approach practice; and

(b) if the flight is not being carried out in simulated instrument flight conditions, a competent observer is carried in such a position in the aircraft that he has an adequate field of vision and can readily communicate with the pilot flying the aircraft.

Section 8

General

Section 8 General

(1) For the purposes of this section of these Rules the horizontal plane of a light shown in an aircraft means the plane which would be the horizontal plane passing through the source of that light, if the aircraft were in level flight.

(2) Where by reason of the physical construction of an aircraft it is necessary to fit more than one lamp in order to show a light required by this section of these Rules, the lamps shall be so fitted and constructed that, so far as is reasonably practicable, not more than one such lamp is visible from any one point outside the aircraft.

(3) Where in these Rules a light is required to show through specified angles in the horizontal plane, the lamps giving such light shall be so constructed and fitted that the light is visible from any point in any vertical plane within those angles throughout angles of 90° above and below the horizontal plane, but, so far as is reasonably practicable, through no greater angle, either in the horizontal plane or the vertical plane.

(4) Where in these Rules a light is required to show in all directions, the lamps giving such light shall be so constructed and fitted that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the light is visible from any point in the horizontal plane and on any vertical plane passing through the source of that light.

Section 9

Display of lights by aircraft

Section 9 Display of lights by aircraft

(1)

(a) By night an aircraft shall display such of the lights specified in these Rules as may be appropriate to the circumstances of the case, and shall not display any other lights which might obscure or otherwise impair the visibility of, or be mistaken for, such lights.

(b) By day an aircraft fitted with an anti-collision light shall display such a light in flight.

(2) A flying machine on a United Kingdom aerodrome shall:

(a) display by night either the lights which it would be required to display when flying or the lights specified in rule 11(2)(c) unless it is stationary on the apron or part of the aerodrome provided for the maintenance of aircraft;

(b) display when stationary on the apron by day or night with engines running a red anticollision light, if fitted:

Provided that a helicopter to which article 26 of the Order applies may, when stationary on an offshore installation, switch off such an anti-collision light in accordance with a procedure contained in the operations manual of the helicopter as a signal to ground personnel that it is safe to approach the helicopter for the purpose of embarkation or disembarkation of passengers or the loading or unloading of cargo.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section of these Rules the commander of an aircraft may switch off or reduce the intensity of any flashing light fitted to the aircraft if such a light does or is likely to:

(a) adversely affect the performance of the duties of any member of the flight crew; or

(b) subject an outside observer to unreasonable dazzle.

Section 10

Failure of navigation and anti-collision lights

Section 10 Failure of navigation and anti-collision lights

(1) In the United Kingdom, in the event of the failure of any light which is required by these Rules to be displayed at night, if the light cannot be immediately repaired or replaced the aircraft shall not depart from the aerodrome and, if in flight, shall land as soon as in the opinion of the commander of the aircraft it can safely do so, unless authorised by the appropriate air traffic control unit to continue its flight.

(2) In the United Kingdom, in the event of a failure of an anti-collision light when flying by day, an aircraft may continue to fly by day provided that the light is repaired at the earliest practicable opportunity.

Section 11

Flying machines

Section 11 Flying machines

(1) A flying machine when flying at night shall display lights as follows:

(a) in the case of a flying machine registered in the United Kingdom having a maximum total weight authorised of more than 5700 kg or any other flying machine registered in the United Kingdom which conforms to a type first issued with a type certificate on or after 1st April 1988 the system of lights in paragraph (2)(b);

(b) in the case of a flying machine registered in the United Kingdom which conforms to a type first issued with a type certificate before 1st April 1988 having a maximum total weight authorised of 5700 kg or less, any one of the following systems of lights:

(i) that specified in paragraph (2)(a), or that specified in paragraph (2)(b); or

(ii) that specified in paragraph (2)(d), excluding sub-paragraph (ii);

(c) in the case of any other flying machine one of the systems of lights specified in paragraph (2).

(2) The systems of lights referred to in paragraph (1) are as follows:

(a)

(i) a steady green light of at least five candela showing to the starboard side through an angle of 110° from dead ahead in the horizontal plane;

(ii) a steady red light of at least five candela showing to the port side through an angle of 110° from dead ahead in the horizontal plane; and

(iii) a steady white light of at least three candela showing through angles of 70° from dead astern to each side in the horizontal plane;

(b)

(i) the lights specified in sub-paragraph (a); and

(ii) an anti-collision light;

(c) the lights specified in sub-paragraph (a), but all being flashing lights flashing together;

(d) the lights specified in sub-paragraph (a), but all being flashing lights flashing together in alternation with one or both of the following:

(i) a flashing white light of at least twenty candela showing in all directions;

(ii) a flashing red light of at least twenty candela showing through angles of 70° from dead astern to each side in the horizontal plane.

(3) If the lamp showing either the red or the green light specified in paragraph (2)(a) is fitted more than 2 metres from the wing tip, a lamp may, notwithstanding the provisions of rule 9(1), be fitted at the wing tip to indicate its position showing a steady light of the same colour through the same angle.

Section 12

Gliders

Section 12 Gliders

A glider while flying at night shall display either a steady red light of at least five candela, showing in all directions, or lights in accordance with rule 11(2) and (3).

Section 13

Free balloons

Section 13 Free balloons

A free balloon while flying at night shall display a steady red light of at least five candela showing in all directions, suspended not less than 5 metres and not more than 10 metres below the basket, or if there is no basket, below the lowest part of the balloon.

Section 14

Captive balloons and kites

Section 14 Captive balloons and kites

(1) A captive balloon or kite while flying at night at a height exceeding 60 metres above the surface shall display lights as follows:

(a) a group of two steady lights consisting of a white light placed 4 metres above a red light, both being of at least five candela and showing in all directions, the white light being placed not less than 5 metres or more than 10 metres below the basket, or if there is no basket, below the lowest part of the balloon or kite;

(b) on the mooring cable, at intervals of not more than 300 metres measured from the group of lights referred to in sub-paragraph (a), groups of two lights of the colour and power and in the relative positions specified in that sub-paragraph, and, if the lowest group of lights is obscured by cloud, an additional group below the cloud base; and

(c) on the surface, a group of three flashing lights arranged in a horizontal plane at the apexes of a triangle, approximately equilateral, each side of which measures at least 25 metres; one side of the triangle shall be approximately at right angles to the horizontal projection of the cable and shall be delimited by two red lights; the third light shall be a green light so placed that the triangle encloses the object on the surface to which the balloon or kite is moored.

(2) A captive balloon while flying by day at a height exceeding 60 metres above the surface shall have attached to its mooring cable at intervals of not more than 200 metres measured from the basket, or, if there is no basket, from the lowest part of the balloon, tubular streamers not less than 40 centimetres in diameter and 2 metres in length, and marked with alternate bands of red and white 50 centimetres wide.

(3) A kite flown in the circumstances referred to in paragraph (2) shall have attached to its mooring cable either:

(a) tubular streamers as specified in paragraph (2), or

(b) at intervals of not more than 100 metres measured from the lowest part of the kite, streamers not less than 80 centimetres long and 30 centimetres wide at their widest point and marked with alternate bands of red and white 10 centimetres wide.

Section 15

Airships

Section 15 Airships

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), an airship while flying at night shall display the following lights:

(a) a steady white light of at least five candela showing through angles of 110° from dead ahead to each side in the horizontal plane;

(b) a steady green light of at least five candela showing to the starboard side through an angle of 110° from dead ahead in the horizontal plane;

(c) a steady red light of at least five candela showing to the port side through an angle of 110° from dead ahead in the horizontal plane;

(d) a steady white light of at least five candela showing through angles of 70° from dead astern to each side in the horizontal plane; and

(e) an anti-collision light.

(2) An airship while flying at night shall display, if it is not under command, or has voluntarily stopped its engines, or is being towed, the following steady lights:

(a) the white lights referred to in paragraph (1)(a) and (d);

(b) two red lights, each of at least five candela and showing in all directions suspended below the control car so that one is at least 4 metres above the other and at least 8 metres below the control car; and

(c) if the airship is making way but not otherwise, the green and red lights referred to in paragraph (1)(b) and (c):

Provided that an airship while picking up its moorings, notwithstanding that it is not under command, shall display only the lights specified in paragraph (1).

(3) An airship, while moored within the United Kingdom by night, shall display the following steady lights:

(a) when moored to a mooring mast, at or near the rear a white light of at least five candela showing in all directions;

(b) when moored otherwise than to a mooring mast:

(i) a white light of at least five candela showing through angles of 110° from dead ahead to each side in the horizontal plane; and

(ii) a white light of at least five candela showing through angles of 70° from dead astern to each side in the horizontal plane.

(4) An airship while flying by day, if it is not under command, or has voluntarily stopped its engines, or is being towed, shall display two black balls suspended below the control car so that one is at least 4 metres above the other and at least 8 metres below the control car.

(5) For the purposes of this rule:

(a) an airship shall be deemed not to be under command when it is unable to execute a manoeuvre which it may be required to execute by or under these Rules;

(b) an airship shall be deemed to be making way when it is not moored and is in motion relative to the air.

Section 16

Weather reports and forecasts

Section 16 Weather reports and forecasts

(1) Immediately before an aircraft flies the commander of the aircraft shall examine the current reports and forecasts of the weather conditions on the proposed flight path, being reports and forecasts which it is reasonably practicable for him to obtain, in order to determine whether Instrument Meteorological Conditions prevail or are likely to prevail during any part of the flight.

(2) An aircraft which is unable to communicate by radio with an air traffic control unit at the aerodrome of destination shall not begin a flight to an aerodrome within a control zone if the information which it is reasonably practicable for the commander of the aircraft to obtain indicates that it will arrive at that aerodrome when the ground visibility is less than 5 nautical miles or the cloud ceiling is less than 1500 feet, unless the commander of the aircraft has obtained from an air traffic control unit at that aerodrome permission to enter the aerodrome traffic zone.

Section 17

Rules for avoiding aerial collisions

Section 17 Rules for avoiding aerial collisions

General

(1)

(a) Notwithstanding that the flight is being made with air traffic control clearance it shall remain the duty of the commander of an aircraft to take all possible measures to ensure that his aircraft does not collide with any other aircraft.

(b) An aircraft shall not be flown in such proximity to other aircraft as to create a danger of collision.

(c) Aircraft shall not fly in formation unless the commanders of the aircraft have agreed to do so.

(d) An aircraft which is obliged by these Rules to give way to another aircraft shall avoid passing over or under the other aircraft, or crossing ahead of it, unless passing well clear of it.

(e) An aircraft which has the right of way under this rule shall maintain its course and speed.

(f) For the purposes of this rule a glider and a flying machine which is towing it shall be considered to be a single aircraft under the command of the commander of the towing flying machine.

Converging

(2)

(a) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (3) and (4), an aircraft in the air shall give way to other converging aircraft as follows:

(i) flying machines shall give way to airships, gliders and balloons;

(ii) airships shall give way to gliders and balloons;

(iii) gliders shall give way to balloons.

(b) Subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (a), when two aircraft are converging in the air at approximately the same altitude, the aircraft which has the other on its right shall give way:

Provided that mechanically driven aircraft shall give way to aircraft which are towing other aircraft or objects.

Approaching head-on

(3) When two aircraft are approaching head-on or approximately so in the air and there is danger of collision, each shall alter its course to the right.

Overtaking

(4) An aircraft which is being overtaken in the air shall have the right of way and the overtaking aircraft, whether climbing, descending or in horizontal flight, shall keep out of the way of the other aircraft by altering course to the right, and shall not cease to keep out of the way of the other aircraft until that other aircraft has been passed and is clear, notwithstanding any change in the relative positions of the two aircraft:

Provided that a glider overtaking another glider in the United Kingdom may alter its course to the right or to the left.

Flight in the vicinity of an aerodrome

(5) Without prejudice to the provisions of rule 39, a flying machine, glider or airship while flying in the vicinity of what the commander of the aircraft knows or ought reasonably to know to be an aerodrome, or moving on an aerodrome, shall unless in the case of an aerodrome having an air traffic control unit that unit otherwise authorises:

(a) conform to the pattern of traffic formed by other aircraft intending to land at that aerodrome, or keep clear of the airspace in which the pattern is formed; and

(b) make all turns to the left unless ground signals otherwise indicate.

Order of landing

(6)

(a) An aircraft while landing or on final approach to land shall have the right of way over other aircraft in flight or on the ground or water.

(b) In the case of two or more flying machines, gliders or airships approaching any place for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude shall have the right of way, but it shall not cut in front of another aircraft which is in final approach to land or overtake that aircraft:

Provided that:

(i) when an air traffic control unit has communicated to any aircraft an order of priority for landing, the aircraft shall approach to land in that order; and

(ii) when the commander of an aircraft is aware that another aircraft is making an emergency landing, he shall give way to that aircraft, and at night, notwithstanding that he may have received permission to land, shall not attempt to land until he has received further permission to do so.

Landing and take off

(7)

(a) A flying machine, glider or airship shall take-off and land in the direction indicated by the ground signals or, if no such signals are displayed, into the wind, unless good aviation practice demands otherwise.

(b) A flying machine or glider shall not land on a runway at an aerodrome if the runway is not clear of other aircraft unless, in the case of an aerodrome having an air traffic control unit, that unit otherwise authorises.

(c) Where take offs and landings are not confined to a runway:

(i) a flying machine or glider when landing shall leave clear on its left any aircraft which has landed or is already landing or about to take off; if such a flying machine or glider is about to turn it shall turn to the left after the commander of the aircraft has satisfied himself that such action will not interfere with other traffic movements; and

(ii) a flying machine about to take off shall take up position and manoeuvre in such a way as to leave clear on its left any aircraft which has already taken off or is about to take off.

(d) A flying machine after landing shall move clear of the landing area as soon as it is possible to do so unless, in the case of an aerodrome having an air traffic control unit, that unit otherwise authorises.

Section 18

Aerobatic manoeuvres

Section 18 Aerobatic manoeuvres

An aircraft shall not carry out any aerobatic manoeuvre:

(a) over the congested area of any city, town or settlement; or

(b) within controlled airspace except with the consent of the appropriate air traffic control unit.

Section 19

Right-hand traffic rule

Section 19 Right-hand traffic rule

An aircraft which is flying within the United Kingdom in sight of the ground and following a road, railway, canal or coastline, or any other line of landmarks, shall keep such line of landmarks on its left:

Provided that this rule shall not apply to an aircraft flying within controlled airspace in accordance with instructions given by the appropriate air traffic control unit.

Section 20

Notification of arrival and departure

Section 20 Notification of arrival and departure

(1) The commander of an aircraft who has caused notice of its intended arrival at any aerodrome to be given to the air traffic control unit or other authority at that aerodrome shall ensure that the air traffic control unit or other authority at that aerodrome is informed as quickly as possible of any change of intended destination and any estimated delay in arrival of 45 minutes or more.

(2) The commander of an aircraft arriving at or departing from an aerodrome in the United Kingdom shall take all reasonable steps to ensure upon landing or prior to departure, as the case may be, that notice of that event is given to the person in charge of the aerodrome, or to the air traffic control unit or aerodrome flight information unit at the aerodrome.

(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of rules 27 and 31, before taking off any flight from an aerodrome in the United Kingdom, being a flight whose intended destination is more than 40 kilometres from the aerodrome of departure, the commander of an aircraft of which the maximum total weight authorised exceeds 5700 kg shall cause a flight plan containing such particulars of the intended flight as may be necessary for search and rescue purposes to be communicated to the air traffic control unit notified for the purpose of this rule.

(4) Without prejudice to the provisions of rules 20(3), 27 and 31, the commander of an aircraft who intends to fly or who flies across any boundary of airspace notified as either the London or Scottish Flight Information Region other than the boundary common to each, shall before so flying, cause a flight plan, containing such particulars of the intended flight as may be necessary for search and rescue purposes, to be communicated to the appropriate air traffic control unit within the London or Scottish Flight Information Region.

Section 21

Flight in Class A airspace

Section 21 Flight in Class A airspace

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), in relation to flights in Visual Meteorological Conditions in Class A airspace, the commander of an aircraft shall comply with rules 31 and 32 as if the flights were IFR flights:

Provided that the commander of the aircraft shall not elect to continue the flight in compliance with the Visual Flight Rules for the purposes of rule 31(3).

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the commander of a glider which is flying in Class A airspace which is notified for the purpose of this paragraph of this rule if the glider is flown in accordance with conditions such as may also be notified for the purpose of this paragraph of this rule in respect of that airspace.

Section 22

Choice of VFR or IFR

Section 22 Choice of VFR or IFR

Subject to the provisions of rule 21 an aircraft shall always be flown in accordance with the Visual Flight Rules or the Instrument Flight Rules:

Provided that in the United Kingdom an aircraft flying at night:

(a) outside a control zone shall be flown in accordance with the Instrument Flight Rules; or

(b) in a control zone shall be flown in accordance with the Instrument Flight Rules unless it is flying on a special VFR flight.

Section 23

Speed Limitation

Section 23 Speed Limitation

(1) Subject to paragraph (3), an aircraft shall not fly below flight level 100 at a speed which according to its air speed indicator is more than 250 knots unless it is flying in accordance with the terms of a written permission of the Authority.

(2) The Authority may grant a permission for the purpose of this rule subject to such conditions as it thinks fit and either generally or in respect of any aircraft or class of aircraft.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to:

(a) flight in Class A airspace;

(b) VFR flight or IFR flight in Class B airspace;

(c) IFR flight in Class C airspace;

(d) VFR flight in Class C airspace or VFR flight or IFR flight in Class D airspace when authorised by the appropriate air traffic control unit;

(e) the flight of an aircraft taking part in an exhibition of flying for which a permission under article 56 of the Order is required, if the flight is made in accordance with the terms of a permission granted to the organiser of the exhibition of flying under article 56 of the Order, and in accordance with the conditions of a display authorisation granted to the pilot under article 56 of the Order; or

(f) the flight of an aircraft flying in accordance with the “A Conditions” or the “B Conditions” set forth in Schedule 2 to the Order.

Section 24

Visual flight rules