Search Legislation

The Rules of the Air Regulations 2007

 Help about what version

What Version

  • Latest available (Revised)
  • Original (As made)

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.

SECTION 7AERODROME TRAFFIC RULES

Application of aerodrome traffic rules

38.  The rules in this Section which expressly apply to flying machines shall also be observed, so far as is practicable, by all other aircraft.

Visual signals

39.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the commander of a flying machine on, or in the pattern of traffic flying at, an aerodrome shall—

(a)observe such visual signals as may be displayed at or directed to him from the aerodrome by the authority of the person in charge of the aerodrome; and

(b)obey any instructions which may be given to him by means of such signals.

(2) The commander of a flying machine shall not be required to obey such signals if it is inadvisable to do so in the interests of safety.

Movement of aircraft on aerodromes

40.  An aircraft shall not taxi on the apron or the manoeuvring area of an aerodrome without the permission of either—

(a)the person in charge of the aerodrome; or

(b)the air traffic control unit or aerodrome flight information service unit notified as being on watch at the aerodrome.

Access to and movement of persons and vehicles on aerodromes

41.—(1) Unless there is a public right of way over it, a person or vehicle shall—

(a)not go onto any part of an aerodrome without the permission of the person in charge of that part of the aerodrome; and

(b)comply with any conditions subject to which that permission may be granted.

(2) A person or vehicle shall—

(a)not go onto or move on the manoeuvring area of an aerodrome which has an air traffic control unit or an aerodrome flight information service unit without the permission of that unit; and

(b)comply with any conditions subject to which that permission may be granted.

(3) Any permission granted for the purposes of this rule may be granted in respect of persons or vehicles generally, or in respect of any particular person or vehicle or any class of person or vehicle.

Right of way on the ground

42.—(1) This rule shall apply to flying machines and vehicles on any part of a land aerodrome provided for the use of aircraft and under the control of the person in charge of the aerodrome.

(2) Notwithstanding any air traffic control clearance it shall remain the duty of the commander of a flying machine to take all possible measures to ensure that his flying machine does not collide with any other aircraft or vehicle.

(3) Flying machines and vehicles shall give way to aircraft which are taking off or landing.

(4) Vehicles and flying machines which are not taking off or landing shall give way to vehicles towing aircraft.

(5) Vehicles which are not towing aircraft shall give way to aircraft.

Action to be taken in case of danger of collision on the ground

43.—(1) Subject to rules 42 and 14(3), this rule shall apply if there is any danger of collision between two flying machines on the ground.

(2) If the two flying machines are approaching head-on, or approximately so, each shall alter its course to the right.

(3) If the two flying machines are on converging courses, the flying machine which has the other flying machine on its right shall give way to that other flying machine and shall avoid crossing ahead of it unless passing well clear of it.

(4) A flying machine which is being overtaken by another flying machine shall have the right-of-way over the flying machine overtaking it.

(5) A flying machine which is overtaking another flying machine shall keep out of the way of the other flying machine by altering its course to the left until that other flying machine has been passed and is clear, notwithstanding any change in the relative positions of the two flying machines.

(6) A vehicle shall—

(a)overtake another vehicle on the right hand side of that vehicle ; and

(b)keep to the left when passing another vehicle which is approaching head-on or approximately so.

Launching, picking up and dropping of tow ropes, etc.

44.—(1) Tow ropes, banners or similar articles towed by aircraft shall not be launched at an aerodrome except in accordance with arrangements made with:

(a)the air traffic control unit at the aerodrome; or

(b)if there is no such unit, the person in charge of the aerodrome.

(2) Tow ropes, banners or similar articles towed by aircraft shall not be picked up by or dropped from aircraft at an aerodrome except:

(a)in accordance with arrangements made with the air traffic control unit at the aerodrome or, if there is no such unit, with the person in charge of the aerodrome; or

(b)in the area designated by the marking described in rule 59(9), but only when the aircraft is flying in the direction appropriate for landing.

Flights within aerodrome traffic zones

45.—(1) Paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply only in relation to those aerodromes described in Column 1 of Table 3 as are notified for the purposes of this rule and at such times as are specified in Column 2 of the Table.

Table 3
Column 1Column 2
(a) A Government aerodrome

At such times as are notified

(b) An aerodrome having an air traffic control unit or flight information service unit

During the notified hours of watch of the air traffic control unit or the flight information service unit

(c) A licensed aerodrome having a means of two-way radio communication with aircraft

During the notified hours of watch of the air/ground station

(2) An aircraft shall not fly, take off or land within the aerodrome traffic zone of an aerodrome unless the commander of the aircraft has complied with paragraphs (3), (4) or (5), as appropriate.

(3) If the aerodrome has an air traffic control unit the commander shall obtain the permission of the air traffic control unit to enable the flight to be conducted safely within the zone.

(4) If the aerodrome has a flight information service unit the commander shall obtain information from the flight information service unit to enable the flight to be conducted safely within the zone.

(5) If there is no flight information service unit at the aerodrome the commander shall obtain information from the air/ground communication service to enable the flight to be conducted safely within the zone.

(6) The commander of an aircraft flying within the aerodrome traffic zone of an aerodrome shall—

(a)cause a continuous watch to be maintained on the appropriate radio frequency notified for communications at the aerodrome; or

(b)if this is not possible, cause a watch to be kept for such instructions as may be issued by visual means; and

(c)if the aircraft is fitted with means of communication by radio with the ground, communicate his position and height to the air traffic control unit, the flight information service unit or the air/ground communication service at the aerodrome (as the case may be) on entering the zone and immediately prior to leaving it.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as made version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources