Flight Safety and Navigation Rules

Visual Flight Rules; pilots navigate using visual cues in clear weather.

Minimum 3-mile visibility; specific cloud clearance.

See and avoid other aircraft, terrain & obstacles; maintain visual contact with the ground.

Instrument Flight Rules; pilots fly in poor visibility using instruments

Allows flight below VFR minimums (clouds, low visibility).

Navigate by instruments, communicate with ATC, and follow flight plans.

Not required, but pre-flight planning is crucial (weather, NOTAMS, airspace).

Requires filing a detailed flight plan with routing and altitude information.

Method to avoid mid-air collisions by systematic scanning of the sky.

Systematic side-to-side scanning, focusing on each segment of the sky for a few seconds.

Areas of reduced visibility; mitigate these by adjusting head and focus.

Preventing mid-air collisions in flight.

Use exterior lights, radio transmissions, ATC, and continuous visual scanning.

Rules to determine which aircraft has priority in case of conflict.

VFR cruising altitudes based on magnetic heading, using odd/even thousands plus 500 feet.

IFR cruising altitudes based on direction (odd thousands for eastbound, even thousands for westbound).

Maintain clear and timely communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and other aircraft to coordinate positions and intentions.

Rules that ensure safe and orderly flight operations by prioritizing which aircraft must yield the right of way.

Aircraft experiencing problems or needing immediate assistance always has the right-of-way over all other aircraft.

When two aircraft are converging at the same altitude, the aircraft on the right has the right of way.

Both aircraft involved in a head-on approach must alter course to the right to avoid a collision.

The aircraft being overtaken has the right of way; the overtaking aircraft must alter its course to the right.

An aircraft on final approach or landing has the right of way over other aircraft in the air or on the ground.

Maintaining sufficient altitude to recover from emergencies and avoid obstacles.

Maintaining an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 2,000-foot radius in densely populated/built-up areas.

Maintain at least 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas, where a safe distance from any person, vehicle, or structure is required.

Maintain a safe distance from any person, vehicle, or structure, but no specific altitude is mandated.

Always maintain enough altitude for emergency landing without endangering people or property on the ground.

Understanding airspace classification is essential for flight safety, efficient air traffic management, and regulatory compliance.

High-altitude airspace from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL600. All operations must be conducted under IFR.

Surrounds the busiest airports. Requires ATC clearance and specific pilot certifications.

Surrounds airports with moderate traffic. Requires communication with ATC before entering.

Airspace around airports with a control tower. Requires communication with ATC before entering.

Controlled airspace not classified as A, B, C, or D. It extends from 700 or 1,200 feet above ground level (AGL) up to, but not including, 18,000 feet mean sea level (MSL).

Uncontrolled airspace from the surface up to the lower edge of overlying Class E airspace.

Requires two-way radio communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC) before entering Class E airspace.

Maintain control, establish glide speed, and find suitable landing area for a safe landing.

Execute immediate fire-extinguishing actions, follow emergency checklist, and prepare for an emergency landing.

Manage essential systems manually, use alternate sources, and communicate with ATC using backup methods.

Following airport signage and navigating taxiways.

Adhering to standard takeoff procedures and communication with ATC.

Following standard procedures for landing and communicating with ATC where needed.

Using clear, concise language & standard phraseology for communication with ATC, and responding to ATC instructions.

Being prepared for and knowing how to respond to emergency situations.

Visual Flight Rules: pilots use visual cues to navigate in clear weather.

Minimum 3-mile visibility and specific cloud clearance.

See and avoid other aircraft, terrain & obstacles; maintain visual contact with ground..

Instrument Flight Rules: pilots use instruments for navigation in poor visibility.

Flight is possible below VFR minimums (clouds, low visibility).

Navigate using instruments, communicate with ATC, follow flight plans.

Pre-flight planning advised (weather, NOTAMS, airspace checks), but not required.

Filing a detailed flight plan with routing & altitude information is required.

Systematic scanning of the sky to avoid collisions and maintain situational awareness.

Systematic side-to-side scanning, focusing on each segment of the sky for a few seconds.

Areas with reduced visibility; adjust your head and focus to mitigate them.

Preventing mid-air collisions for safe flight operations.

Use exterior lights, radio, ATC, and constant visual scanning.

Rules determining which aircraft has priority to prevent conflicts.

Cruising altitudes based on magnetic heading, using odd/even thousands + 500 ft.

Cruising altitudes based on direction (odd for eastbound, even for westbound).

Maintain clear and timely communication with Air Traffic Control and other aircraft to coordinate positions and intentions.

Rules that prioritize which aircraft must yield in case of conflicts, ensuring orderly flight.

Aircraft experiencing problems or needing immediate assistance has the highest precedence over all other aircraft.

When two aircraft are approaching the same altitude, the aircraft on the right has the right of way.

Both aircraft involved in a head-on approach must alter course to the right to avoid collision.

The aircraft being overtaken has the right of way; the overtaking aircraft must alter its course to the right.

Aircraft on final approach or landing has the right of way over all other aircraft in the air/on the ground.

Maintaining sufficient altitude to recover from emergencies and avoid obstacles.

Maintaining an altitude of 1,000ft above the highest obstacle within a 2,000ft radius in densely populated or built-up areas.

Maintain at least 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas, where a safe distance from any person, vehicle or structure must be kept.

Maintain a safe distance from any person, vehicle, or structure, but no specific altitude is mandated.

Maintain enough altitude to make an emergency landing without harm to people/property on the ground.

Understanding airspace classifications is essential for flight safety, managing air traffic efficiently, and maintaining regulatory compliance in aviation

High-altitude airspace (18,000ft MSL to FL600) requiring Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

Surrounds busy airports, requiring ATC clearance and pilot qualifications.

Surrounding airports with moderate traffic, necessitates two-way communication with ATC prior to entry.

Surrounding airports with control towers. Requires communication with ATC prior to entry.

Controlled airspace not classified as A, B, C, or D. It extends from 700 or 1,200 feet above ground level (AGL) up to, but not including, 18,000 feet mean sea level (MSL).

Uncontrolled airspace from the surface up to the base of the overlying Class E airspace.

Two-way radio communication required with Air Traffic Control before entering Class E airspace.

Maintain control, establish best glide speed, and identify a suitable landing area to ensure safe landing.

Execute immediate actions to extinguish the fire, follow emergency checklist procedures, prepare for an emergency landing.

Manage essential systems manually, use alternate sources if available, and communicate with ATC using backup methods.

Following airport signage and navigating taxiways.

Adhere to standard procedure for takeoff and landing, including effective communication with ATC or common airport radio frequency.

Adhere to standard procedure for takeoff and landing, including effective communication with ATC or common airport radio frequency.

Clear and concise communication, standard phraseology and responding to instructions.

Being prepared for and knowing how to respond to emergency situations.