Ops Exam - Met & Height Minimas, Separations

Define the Controlled Aerodrome VFR Met Minima

All aircraft, day & night, Ceiling 1500ft and Visibility 5km

VFR flights may not take off, land or fly in controlled airspace if visibility and cloud is below minima.

Define the VFR Met Minima per Airspace Class

Class C & D:

• Distance from cloud - 2km horizontally, 1000ft vertically outside CZ and 500ft inside CZ

• Flight visibility - 8km if >10000ft AMSL, 5km if <10000ft AMSL

Class G:

• Same as C & D if >3000ft AMSL or 1000ft above terrain

• If <3000ft/1000ft, must be clear of cloud, in sight of surface, and 5km visibility

Define SVFR Met Minima

SVFR flights are flights which are allowed to perform VFR in a control zone in weather below normal minima.

• Must comply with ATC clearances and instructions.

• Day only

• Clear of clouds

• Two way radio equipped

• Ceiling 600ft

• Visibility 1500m

Provide some examples of Special Operations

• Dropping or spraying

• Towing

• Parachuting descents

• Acrobatic flight

• Formation flying - 0.5NM horizontally, 100ft vertically, treated as a single aircraft for nav purposes.

What are the minimum heights for VFR flights and any exceptions?

May not operate aircraft under the following VFR minima:

• Over congested area: <1000ft above the surface or obstacle that is within a horizontal 600m radius from the point directly below the aircraft

• Over any other area: <500ft above the surface or <500ft above any obstacle, person, vessel, structure or vehicle that is within a horizontal 150m radius from the point directly below the aircraft.

• For any operation: At a height less than what is required to conduct an emergency landing for engine failure without hazard to people/property.

Define the Vertical Separation Standards

• 500ft - Two M or L turbulence aircraft in controlled airspace, the lower is VFR/SVFR, <5,000ft

• 1000ft - All aircraft <FL290

• 2000ft - All aircraft except RVSM approved >FL290

• 1000ft - RVSM approved aircraft between FL290 and 410

List the separation standards in controlled airspace

• Class A - All flights (IFR only)

• Class C - IFR ←→IFR, VFR, SVFR

• Class D - IFR ←→IFR, SVFR (*No separation in daylight hours when cleared to climb/descend. Maintain own separation, VMC applies)

• SVFR ←→ SVFR when visibility <5km

• All flights taking off/landing at controlled aerodromes to ensure runway and wake turbulence minima

• Aircraft without a transponder and those equipped with ACAS

What are some general considerations to support separation standards?

• Do not provide clearance that would reduce separation below minima

• Larger separations when extra precaution required (Comm/nav failure, 7500, requested by pilot, turbulence)

• Have at least one separation in place at all times - replace one before it fails

• Use most efficient, but keep simple

• Ask pilot if compliance is feasible if uncertain

When is reduced vertical and horizontal separation possible?

• When visual separation is applied

• When MILSEP is applied

• Aircraft in formation (prior notice required, or emergency escort plane)

What are the minimum flight levels for IFR flights?

Must not fly at a level below the minimum flight altitude set by the state (except for take off, landing and when authorised).

If no minimums are set:

• High/Mountainous terrain - At least 2,000ft above the highest obstacle located within 5NM of the aircrafts estimated position.

• All other areas - At least 1,000ft above the highest obstacle within 5NM of the aircrafts estimated position.

What are the rules of IFR cruising levels?

IFR flights operating in cruising flight in controlled airspace shall

• Fly at a cruising level, or

• If authorised employ cruise climb techniques between two levels, or above a level, using either the table of cruising elves, or modified table for >FL410.

What are the causing level rules for IFR flights flying North vs South?

North = Odd 1,000ft levels between 270-089 degrees

South = Even 1,000ft levels between 090-269 degrees

E.G - North = 1,000, FL110, FL210

South = 2,000, FL120, FL240

What conditions must IFR flights adhere to when flying a route or in controlled airspace?

• Are equipped with suitable instruments and navigation equipment for the route

• Maintain continuous air-ground voice communications watch

• Report position as necessary to relevant ATS unit when in controlled airspace

What are the exceptions to VFR Minimum Heights?

Exceptions

• Taking off/landing

• Go arounds/missed approaches

• Simulated engine failure

• Special Ops

• Operating in Low Flying Zone