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S.I. No. 22/1973 - Air Navigation (Rules of the Air) Order, 1973.
Table of Provisions (45)
Statutory Text (45 Articles)
1. The Order revokes, re-enacts and consolidates with modifications and additions the Air Navigation (Rules of the Air Order) 1963; the Air Navigation (Rules of the Air) (Amendment) Order 1966; the Air Navigation (Rules of the Air) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 1967; the Air Navigation (Rules of the Air) (Amendment) Order. 1968; and the Air Navigation (Rules of the Air) (Amendment) Order 1969.
2. It gives effect to the Standards in the current edition of Annex 2 (as amended by Amendment 13) to the Chicago Convention.
3. The principal modifications and changes include:—
(
a
) A re-arrangement of the Rules (contained in the Schedule to the Order) to conform with the arrangement in the Annex so that future amendments may be introduced with the minimum of re-arrangement.
(
b
) The addition of a provision which makes it an offence to contravene any provision of the Order (Article 19).
(
c
) A major revision of the Rules relating to:—
(i) Movement of Aircraft on the water (Rules 16-22).
(ii) Lights (Rules 12 and 43).
(iii) Flight plans (Rule 23).
(iv) Keeping of a continuous listening watch (Rules 28 and 38).
(v) Communications failure (Rule 29).
(vi) Minimum flight levels (Rule 34).
4. Cruising levels.
5. Dropping of persons and articles.
6. Towing, picking up and raising of persons and articles.
7. Descent of persons by parachute.
8. Acrobatic flight.
9. Airspace restrictions.
Avoidance of collisions
10. Proximity.
11. Right of way.
12. Lights.
13. Simulated instrument flight.
14. Flight instruction.
15. Operation on and in the vicinity of an aerodrome.
16-22. Water operations.
Information on flights
16. When two aircraft or an aircraft and a vessel are approaching one another on the water and there is a risk of collision, the aircraft shall proceed with careful regard to existing circumstances and conditions including the limitations of the aircraft or vessel.
17. An aircraft which has another aircraft or vessel on its right on the water shall give way so as to keep well clear.
18. An aircraft approaching another aircraft or a vessel on the water head-on or approximately head-on shall alter its heading to the right so as to keep well clear.
19. An aircraft or vessel on the water which is being overtaken has right of way, and the aircraft overtaking shall alter its heading so as to keep well clear.
20. Aircraft landing or taking off from the water shall so far as practicable, keep well clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation.
21. Between sunset and sunrise or such other period between sunset and sunrise as may be prescribed by the appropriate authority, all aircraft on the water shall display lights of the types described in Part VI of this Schedule, unless within an area specially exempted by the appropriate authority, and no other lights shall be displayed by such aircraft if they are likely to be mistaken for the lights so described.
22. Aircraft on the water shall, in addition to complying with Rules 16 to 21 have regard to the provisions of the Collision Regulations (Ships and Seaplanes on the Water) Orders 1965 and 1968 where these provisions are applicable to aircraft on the water.
Information on Flights
23. (1)
Flight plans.
In this Rule "flight plan" means necessary information on flights and may comprise—
(
a
) the full information on all the items comprised in the contents list in paragraph (6) of this Rule covering the whole route of a flight;
(
b
) where the purpose of submission of the flight plan is to obtain an air traffic control clearance for a minor portion of a flight such as to cross an airway or to land at or take off from a controlled aerodrome, the limited information required to describe the operation concerned
or
(
c
) such limited information as in certain circumstances may be required by the appropriate air traffic services unit or appropriate authority.
(2)
Submission of a Flight Plan.
Information relative to an intended flight or portion of a flight, to be provided to an air traffic services reporting office before departure or to any other appropriate air traffic services unit during flight, shall be in the form of a flight plan.
(3)
Requirement to submit a Flight Plan.
A flight plan shall be submitted prior to operating—
(
a
) within the State—
(i) all flights or portions of flights in controlled airspace and when required by the appropriate authority or by air traffic control services units in a designated airspace outside controlled airspace, or
(ii) IFR flights outside controlled airspace when required by the appropriate authority or by air traffic control services units,
or
(
b
) elsewhere, in accordance with the requirements of the appropriate authority.
(4) A flight plan shall also be submitted—
(
a
) within the State, for any international flight or any flight of which at least a total of 100 nautical miles is over water,
(
b
) elsewhere, prior to operating any flights within or into designated areas, along designated routes or across international borders when so required by the appropriate authority to facilitate the provision of alerting and search and rescue services or to provide advance notice of identification.
(5) Unless otherwise required by the appropriate authority, a flight plan shall be submitted at least thirty minutes before departure or, if submitted during flight, at a time which will ensure its receipt by the appropriate air traffic services unit at least ten minutes before the aircraft is estimated to reach :—
(i) the intended point of entry into controlled airspace or advisory airspace as the case may be; or
(ii) the point of crossing an airway or advisory route.
(6)
Contents of Flight Plan.
A flight plan shall comprise information on such of the items listed hereafter as are considered relevant by the appropriate air traffic services unit or the appropriate authority in the particular circumstances of the flight or portion of the flight concerned:—
Aircraft identification
Flight rules
Flight status
Number and type of aircraft
Communications equipment
Navigation and approach aids
Secondary surveillance radar
Aerodrome of departure (or if the flight plan is submitted during flight, an indication of the location from which supplementary information concerning the flight may be obtained if required).
Time of departure (or if flight plan is submitted during flight the time over the first point of the route to which the flight plan relates).
Estimated time at flight information boundaries
Cruising speeds
Cruising levels
Route to be followed
Aerodrome of intended landing and estimated time of arrival
Alternate aerodromes
Fuel endurance
Total number of persons on board
Emergency and survival equipment
Where it is intended to close the flight plan at a point other than the aerodrome of destination, the location of that point.
(7)
Filing of a Flight Plan.
Irrespective of the purpose for which it is submitted, a flight plan shall contain all relevant information on the list in paragraph (6) of this Rule, up to and including "Fuel endurance" for the whole route or for the portion of the route for which the flight plan is submitted, and in addition, information on the other matters in that list either:—
(
a
) for the facilitation of the provision of alerting or search and rescue services,
or
(
b
) prior to departure for an IFR flight or for a controlled flight, unless otherwise required by the appropriate air traffic services unit or by the appropriate authority.
(8)
Changes to a Flight Plan.
(
a
) Subject to Rule 26 (2), all changes to a flight plan submitted for an IFR flight or a controlled VFR flight and significant changes to a flight plan submitted for an uncontrolled VFR flight shall be reported as soon as practicable to the appropriate air traffic services unit.
(
b
) Information submitted prior to the time of departure concerning fuel endurance or the total number of persons on board which is incorrect at the actual time of departure constitutes a significant change in the flight plan and shall be so reported.
(9)
Closing a Flight Plan.
(
a
) Within the State, whenever a flight plan has been submitted in respect of all or portion of a flight, it shall be closed either on termination of the flight or on completion of that portion of the flight for which the flight plan was submitted, such closure being effected by one of the methods outlined in paragraphs (10) to (13) of this Rule.
(
b
) Outside the State flight plans shall be closed in accordance with the requirements of the appropriate authority.
(10) An arrival report in accordance with paragraph (14) of this Rule shall be made, either in person or by radio or telephone at the earliest possible moment after landing, to the appropriate air traffic services unit at the aerodrome of arrival in respect of any flight for which a flight plan has been submitted covering the entire flight or the remaining portion of a flight to destination.
(11) When communication facilities at the aerodrome of arrival are known to be inadequate and alternative arrangements for the handling of arrival reports on the ground are not available, the following action shall be taken:—
(
a
) Immediately prior to landing the aircraft shall, if practicable, transmit by radio to an appropriate air traffic services unit a flight plan closure message in accordance with paragraph (15) of this Rule.
(
b
) Normally this transmission shall be made to the aeronautical station serving the air traffic services unit in charge of the flight information region in which the aircraft is flying, and an acknowledgement shall be received.
(12) When a flight plan has been submitted only in respect of a portion of a flight other than the remaining portion of a flight to destination, it shall be closed by transmission of a flight plan closure message by radio to the appropriate air traffic services unit.
(13) If it is not practicable to close the flight plan by the methods detailed as appropriate to paragraphs (11) or (12) of this Rule, or when no air traffic services unit exists at the aerodrome of arrival, the arrival report shall be made by telephone to the nearest air traffic services unit as soon as practicable after landing.
(14) Arrival reports made by aircraft shall contain at least the following elements of information:—
(
a
) aircraft identification;
(
b
) aerodrome of departure;
(
c
) time of arrival;
(
d
) aerodrome of arrival.
(15) Flight plan closure message shall contain at least the following elements of information:—
(
a
) aircraft identification ;
(
b
) aerodrome of departure;
(
c
) aerodrome of destination ;
(
d
) position at which flight plan is being closed;
(
e
) time at which flight plan is being closed.
Signals.
24. (1) Upon observing or receiving any of the signals specified in Part V of this Schedule aircraft shall take such action as may be required by the interpretation of the signal given in the said Part V.
(2) Subject to Rule 39 the signals in Part V of this Schedule shall be used only for the purpose indicated in that Part and no other signals likely to be confused with them shall be used.
(3) A person in an aircraft shall not without lawful authority or excuse (the burden of proof whereof shall lie on such person) knowingly give any naval or military aircraft signals.
Air Traffic Control Service
Air Traffic Control Clearance.
25. (1) Prior to operating a controlled flight or a portion of a flight as a controlled flight in controlled airspace, an air traffic control clearance shall be obtained by the pilot-in-command from the appropriate air traffic control unit through the submission of a flight plan covering the flight or portion of the flight.
(2) The clearance issued by an air traffic control unit may be limited to cover only a part of a current flight plan, and this will be indicated by the inclusion of a reference to a clearance limit or by reference in the clearance to a particular manoeuvre.
(3) If an air traffic control clearance is not to the satisfaction of a pilot-in-command of an aircraft, he may request the appropriate air traffic control unit to amend the clearance and if practicable, to issue him with such amended clearance.
(4) Whenever an aircraft has requested a clearance involving priority, a report explaining the necessity for such priority shall be submitted, if requested by the appropriate air traffic control unit.
Adherence to flight plan.
26. (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this Rule, a change shall not be made to the current flight plan or the applicable portion of a current flight plan submitted for a controlled flight unless a request for such change has been made to, and clearance obtained from the appropriate air traffic control unit, or unless an emergency situation arises which necessitates immediate action by the aircraft, and in either such event, as soon as circumstances permit, after such emergency authority is exercised, the appropriate air traffic services unit shall be notified of the action taken and if necessary a clearance shall be obtained therefrom for any change effected.
(2)
Inadvertent Changes.
Where an aircraft when on a controlled flight inadvertently deviates from its current flight plan, the following action shall be taken;
(
a
)
Deviation from Track.
If the aircraft is off track, action shall be taken forthwith to adjust the heading of the aircraft to regain track as soon as practicable.
(
b
)
Variation in True Airspeed.
If the average true airspeed at cruising level between reporting points varies or is expected to vary by plus or minus five per cent of the true airspeed, from that given in the flight plan, the appropriate air traffic services unit shall be so informed.
(
c
)
Change in Estimated Times.
If the estimated time at the next applicable reporting point, flight information region boundary, or aerodrome of intended landing, (whichever comes first) is found to be in error in excess of three minutes from that notified to air traffic services, or by such other period of time as may be prescribed by the appropriate authority, a revised estimated time shall be notified as soon as possible to the appropriate air traffic services unit.
(3)
Intended Changes.
Requests for flight plan changes shall include information as indicated hereunder:—
(
a
)
Change of Cruising Level.
Aircraft identification; requested new cruising level and cruising speed at this level; revised estimated time (when applicable) at subsequent flight information region boundaries.
(
b
)
Change of Route.
(i)
Destination unchanged.
Aircraft identification; flight rules; description of new route of flight, including related flight plan data beginning with the time and position from which requested change of route is to commence; revised estimated time at destination; any other pertinent information.
(ii)
Destination changed.
Aircraft identification; flight rules; description of new route of flight to new destination including related flight plan data, beginning with the time and position from which requested change of route is to commence; estimated time of arrival at new destination; alternate aerodrome(s) ; any other pertinent information.
(4)
Weather deterioration below VMC.
When it becomes evident to a pilot-in-command of an aircraft being operated as a controlled VFR flight that flight in VMC in accordance with the current flight plan will not be practicable, he shall—
(
a
) request an amended clearance to enable the aircraft to continue in VMC to destination or to an alternate aerodrome, or leave the controlled airspace (instrument/visual) concerned; or
(
b
) if no clearance in accordance with sub-paragraph (
a
) of this paragraph can be obtained, continue to operate in VMC and notify the appropriate air traffic control services unit of the action being taken either to leave the controlled airspace (instrument/visual) or to land at the nearest suitable aerodrome, or
(
c
) if operating in a control zone, request authorisation to operate as a special VFR flight, or
(
d
) if appropriately qualified and the aircraft is appropriately equipped to comply with the Instrument Flight Rules, request clearance to operate in accordance with those rules.
(5)
Position Reports.
(
a
) Unless exempted by the appropriate authority for the provision of air traffic services in the airspace concerned, or by the appropriate air traffic services unit under conditions issued by that appropriate authority, a controlled flight shall report to the appropriate air traffic services unit by radio as soon as possible:—
(i) the time and level of passing each designated compulsory reporting point or reporting line, together with any other required information;
(ii) Position reports shall similarly be made in relation to other additional reporting points or reporting lines when requested by the appropriate air traffic services unit ;
(iii) in the absence of designated reporting points or reporting lines, position reports shall be made at intervals prescribed by the appropriate authority for the provision of air traffic services in the airspace concerned or by the appropriate air traffic services unit;
(
b
) If an aircraft is unable to communicate by radio, it shall comply with such reporting procedures as may be prescribed.
Arrival and Departure of Aircraft.
27. (1) If points between or over which aircraft, arriving within the State from abroad or leaving the State for abroad shall pass have been prescribed, every aircraft arriving in the State from abroad or leaving the State for abroad shall save as hereinafter provided pass between or over such points.
(2) Where any aircraft is compelled by an obstacle thereto or by stress of weather or unavoidable cause to enter the State from abroad elsewhere than between or over any such prescribed points such aircraft shall notify the appropriate air traffic services unit as soon as practicable.
Termination of Control.
(3) When a controlled flight has landed or is no longer subject to air traffic control service, the appropriate air traffic control unit shall be notified by the pilot-in-command as soon as possible.
Communications.
28. (1) An aircraft flown as a controlled flight shall maintain a continuous listening watch on the appropriate radio frequency of, and establish two-way communication as necessary with, the appropriate air traffic control unit, except in a case where the appropriate authority has prescribed otherwise in respect of aircraft forming part of aerodrome traffic at a controlled aerodrome.
(2) Where so prescribed by the appropriate authority, the use of automatic signalling devices such as SELCAL, shall be deemed to satisfy the requirement to maintain a continuous listening watch.
Communications failure.
29. (1)
Air/Ground.
(
a
) If an aircraft fails to establish contact with an aeronautical station on the radio frequency designated by the appropriate authority, it shall attempt to establish contact on another frequency appropriate to the route being flown.
(
b
) If the said attempt fails, the aircraft shall attempt to establish communication with other aircraft, or other aeronautical stations (including where applicable, ocean station vessels,) and if operating within a radio communications network shall monitor the appropriate VHF frequency for calls from nearby aircraft.
(
c
) If the attempts set out in sub-paragraphs (
a
) and (
b
) fail, the aircraft station shall transmit its message twice on the radio frequencies designated by the appropriate authority preceded by the phrase "Transmitting blind" and including the addressees for whom the message is intended.
(
d
) If the aircraft is operating within a radio communications network, a message preceded by the phrase "Transmitted blind" shall be transmitted twice on both the primary and secondary radio frequencies appropriate to the radio network, and before changing from one frequency to another the frequency to which the change is made shall be announced.
(2)
Receiver failure.
(
a
) When an aircraft is unable to establish radio communication by reason of the failure of a radio receiver in the aircraft, it shall transmit reports at the times and positions on the frequency in use, as scheduled by the appropriate authority, preceded by the phrase "transmitting blind due to receiver failure", and shall then transmit the intended message followed by a complete repetition of the transmission and including a reference to the time of its next intended transmission.
(
b
) An aircraft which is being provided with air traffic control service or air traffic advisory service shall, in addition to complying with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Rule, transmit information conveying the intentions of the pilot-in-command concerning the continuation of the flight of the aircraft.
(3) (
a
) If a radio communications failure precludes compliance with Rule 28, the aircraft shall, in addition to complying with such provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Rule as may be feasible and appropriate, comply with such of the other provisions of this paragraph as may be feasible and appropriate, and if forming part of the aerodrome traffic at a controlled aerodrome, shall keep a watch for the observation of such instructions as may be issued by the aerodrome control tower by means of visual signals.
(
b
) If an aircraft is flying in Visual Meteorological Conditions, it shall continue to fly in Visual Meteorological Conditions to, and land at the nearest suitable aerodrome, and report its arrival to the appropriate air traffic control unit by the quickest means available.
(4) If an aircraft is flying in Instrument Meteorological Conditions or in weather conditions in which it does not appear feasible to complete the flight in compliance with the provisions of sub-paragraph (3) (
b
) of this Rule, the aircraft shall—
(
a
) proceed according to the current flight plan to the clearance limit and if the clearance limit is other than the aerodrome of intended landing, shall thereafter proceed in accordance with the current flight plan, or if the clearance in respect of levels covers only part of a route, shall maintain the last assigned and acknowledged cruising level or levels to the point or points stated in the clearance and thereafter maintain the cruising levels stated in the current flight plan;
(
b
) arrange the flight so as to arrive over the appropriate designated navigational aid serving the aerodrome of intended landing at or as closely as possible to, the estimated time of arrival as indicated in the filed flight plan and revised in accordance with the current flight plan;
(
c
) after arrival over the said navigational aid, begin descent at or as closely as possible to the expected approach time last received and acknowledged; or, if no such expected approach time has been received and acknowledged at or as closely as possible to the estimated time of arrival as indicated in the filed flight plan and revised in accordance with the current flight plan ;
(
d
) complete a normal instrument approach procedure designated as appropriate for the said navigational aid; and
(
e
) land, if possible within thirty minutes after the estimated time of arrival as indicated in the filed flight plan and revised in accordance with the current flight plan.
Instrument Approach Procedures.
30. An aircraft shall, unless otherwise authorised by the appropriate air traffic control unit, follow the normal instrument approach procedures for the aerodrome to be used.
PART III
VISUAL FLIGHT RULES
31.
General Rules for VFR Flights.
(1) VFR flights shall be conducted so that the aircraft concerned is flown in a flight visibility of not less than 8 km. and at least 1·5 km. horizontally and 1,000 feet vertically away from clouds; provided that—
(
a
) when outside controlled air-space, at or below 3,000 feet above mean sea level or 1,000 feet above terrain, whichever is the higher, the aircraft may be flown in a flight visibility of not less than 3 km., clear of clouds and in sight of the ground or water;
(
b
) when within a control zone the aircraft may be operated as, and in meteorological conditions appropriate to, a special VFR flight;
(
c
) if the aircraft is a helicopter it may be flown below 1,000 feet above terrain in a flight visibility of not less than 800 metres and in such case shall be manoeuvred at a speed which would give the pilot-in-command adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstruction in good time to avoid collision.
(2) In this Rule, a special VFR Flight means a controlled flight authorised by the appropriate air traffic control unit to operate within a control zone—
(
a
) by day, in meteorological conditions which are lower than the Visual Meteorological Conditions but with a flight visibility not less than 3 km. and clear of clouds and in sight of the ground or water;
(
b
) by night, in Visual Meteorological Conditions and in sight of the ground or water.
(3) Except when a clearance to operate a special VFR flight has been obtained from the appropriate air traffic control unit, a VFR flight shall not take off or land at an aerodrome within a control zone or enter a control zone, an aerodrome traffic zone or a traffic pattern—
(
a
) when the cloud ceiling is less than 1,500 feet;
(
b
) when the ground visibility is less than 8 km.
(4) Subject to paragraph (5) of this Rule, a VFR flight operated in level cruising flight at 3,000 feet or more above the ground or water shall be conducted at a cruising level, appropriate to track in accordance with the table of VFR cruising levels in Rule 4.
(5) VFR flights operated in controlled airspace (instrument/visual) shall select cruising levels from those to be used by IFR flights in accordance with the table of IFR cruising levels given in Rule 4, except when otherwise directed by the appropriate air traffic control unit.
(6) VFR flights which are operated as controlled flights shall comply with the provisions of Rules 25 to 29.
Change from VFR to IFR flight.
31. General Rules for VFR flights.
32. An aircraft operated in accordance with the Visual Flight Rules which wishes to change to compliance with the Instrument Flight Rules shall—
(1) if a flight plan was submitted inform the appropriate air traffic services unit of the necessary changes to be effected to its current flight plan, or
(2) when so required by paragraph (3) of Rule 23 submit a flight plan to the appropriate air traffic services unit and obtain a clearance prior to proceeding in accordance with the Instrument Flight Rules when in controlled airspace.
PART IV
INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES
Rules applicable to all IFR flights
Aircraft equipment.
33. (1) Aircraft shall be equipped with suitable instruments and with radio navigation apparatus appropriate to the route to be flown.
(2) An aircraft registered in the State which is equipped, as appropriate, with the instruments, equipment and radio apparatus required by the Air Navigation (Operations) Order, 1964 (
S.I. No. 140 of 1964
) shall be deemed to comply with this Rule.
Minimum Levels.
34. Without prejudice to the provisions of Rule 3 an IFR flight shall be flown at a level which is not lower than the minimum flight altitude established by the state whose territory is being overflown, except when necessary for taking off or landing at an aerodrome, except when expressly authorised by the appropriate authority, or, where no such minimum flight altitude has been established—
(1) over high terrain or in mountainous areas, at a level which is at least 2,000 feet above the highest obstacle located within 5 nautical miles, of the estimated position of the aircraft;
(2) elsewhere than as described in (1) at a level which is at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle located within 5 nautical miles, of the estimated position of the aircraft.
In estimating the position of the aircraft for the purpose of compliance with this Rule, account shall be taken of the navigational accuracy which can be achieved on the relevant segment of the route being flown, having regard to the navigational facilities available on the ground and on board the aircraft.
Change from IFR flight to VFR flight.
35. (1) An aircraft electing to change the conduct of its flight from compliance with the Instrument Flight Rules to compliance with the Visual Flight Rules shall, if a flight plan was submitted, notify the appropriate air traffic services unit that the IFR flight plan is cancelled and communicate thereto the changes to be made to its current flight plan.
(2) When an aircraft operating under the Instrument Flight Rules is flown in or encounters Visual Meteorological Conditions it shall not cancel its IFR flight plan unless it is expected and intended that the flight will be continued for a reasonable period of time in uninterrupted Visual Meteorological Conditions.
Rules applicable to IFR flights within controlled airspace.
36. (1) IFR flights shall comply with the provisions of Rules 25 to 30 when operated in controlled airspace.
(2) The cruising levels to be used by IFR flights for operation in controlled airspace shall be selected from either—
(
a
) the Table of cruising levels in Rule 4 or
(
b
) a modified table of cruising levels when so prescribed in accordance with paragraph (3) of Rule 4 for flight above flight level 290 except that the correlation of levels and track prescribed therein shall not apply whenever otherwise indicated in appropriate Aeronautical Information Publication or in air traffic control clearances.
Rules applicable to IFR flights outside controlled airspace.
Cruising Levels.
37. An IFR flight operating in level cruising flight outside of controlled airspace shall be flown at a cruising level appropriate to its track as set out in—
(1) the table of IFR cruising levels in Rule 4 except when otherwise authorised by the appropriate authority for flight at or below 3,000 feet above mean sea level; or
(2) a modified table of cruising levels when so prescribed in accordance with Rule 4 (3) for flights above flight level 290.
Communications.
38. (1) When so prescribed by the appropriate authority, an IFR flight operating within designated areas or along designated routes outside controlled airspace shall maintain a listening watch on the appropriate radio frequency and establish such two-way communications as may be necessary with the air traffic services unit providing flight information service for the said designated areas or designated routes.
(2) An IFR flight operating outside controlled airspace shall comply with the provisions of Rule 26 (5) in respect of position reports.
PART V
SIGNALS
Distress, urgency and safety signals.
39. None of the provisions of this Rule shall prevent the use, by an aircraft in distress, of any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its position and obtain help.
(1)
Distress Signals.
The following signals, used either together or separately shall be used to indicate that grave and imminent danger threatens, and immediate assistance is requested
(
a
) a signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signalling method consisting of the group SOS (. . . — — — . . . in the Morse Code);
(
b
) a signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word "MAYDAY";
(
c
) rockets or shells throwing red lights, fired one at a time at short intervals;
(
d
) a parachute flare showing a red light;
(2)
Urgency Signals.
(
a
) The following signals, used either together or separately, shall be used to indicate that an aircraft wishes to give notice of difficulties which compel it to land without requiring immediate assistance;
(i) the repeated switching on and off of the landing lights ; or
(ii) the repeated switching on and off of the navigation lights in such a manner as to be distinct from flashing navigation lights.
(
b
) The following signals used, either together or separately, shall be used to indicate that an aircraft has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft or other vehicle, or of some other person on board or within sight
(i) a signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signalling method consisting of the group XXX;
(ii) a signal sent by radiotelegraphy, consisting of the spoken word PAN.
(3)
Acknowledgement by an aircraft.
(
a
) when in flight—
(i) during daylight—by rocking the wings of the aircraft;
(ii) during hours of darkness—by flashing on and off twice the landing lights of the aircraft or, if not so equipped, by switching on and off twice the navigation lights.
(
b
) when on the ground—
(i) during daylight—by moving the ailerons or rudder of the aircraft;
(ii) during hours of darkness—by flashing on and off twice the landing lights of the aircraft or if not so equipped, by switching on and off twice the navigation lights.
Signals used to warn an Aircraft that it is flying in the vicinity of a Restricted, Prohibited or Danger Area.
40. (1) A series of projectiles discharged at intervals of 10 seconds, each showing, on bursting, red and green lights or stars shall indicate to an aircraft that it is flying in the vicinity of a restricted, prohibited or danger area, and that the aircraft is to take such remedial action as may be necessary.
(2) These signals may be emitted either from the ground or from another aircraft.
Signals for the Control of Aerodrome Traffic.
41. (1) The light signals specified in paragraph (4) of this Rule shall be used, as appropriate, within the State at any aerodrome having an aerodrome control tower.
(2) When ground signals are displayed for the control of aerodrome traffic, they shall be in accordance with the signals specified in paragraphs (5) to (13) of this Rule.
(3) The Minister may require the owner, manager or other persons responsible for the operation of any licensed aerodrome within the State to display any or all of the ground signals specified in paragraphs (5) to (13) of this Rule, and such signals shall be displayed at such aerodrome to the extent so required.
(4)
Light Signals.
The signals specified in the following Table, when made by an aerodrome control tower to aircraft in flight or on the ground, shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them and shall be interpreted as follows:—
Table
From Aerodrome Control to
Light
Aircraft in flight
Aircraft on the ground
Directed towards aircraft concerned
Steady green
Cleared to land
Cleared for take-off
Steady red
Give way to other aircraft and continue circling
Stop
Series of green flashes
Return for landing*
Cleared to taxi
Series of red flashes
Aerodrome unsafe, do not land
Taxi clear of landing area in use
Series of white flashes
Land at this aerodrome and proceed to the apron*
Return to starting point on the aerodrome
Red pyrotechnical light
Notwithstanding any previous instructions, do not land for the time being
*
Clearances to land and to taxi shall be given in due course thereafter.
Ground Signals.
(5)
Delimitation of the Landing Area at Aerodromes within the State.
(
a
)
By Day at Aerodromes without Runways
.
Boundary markers (Figure 1) placed along the boundary of the landing area, and at such corners thereof as may be necessary shall indicate the boundaries of the landing area.
The boundary markers shall be—
(i) of the form and dimensions shown in Figure 1 or in the form of a cone not less than 0.5 metres in height and not less than 0·75 metres in diameter;
(ii) coloured to contrast with the background against which they will be seen. A single colour, orange or red, or two contrasting colours, orange and white, or red and white, shall be used except where such colours merge with the background;
Fig. 1
(iii) spaced at intervals of not more than 200 metres if in form shown in Figure 1, or at intervals of approximately 90 metres if in the form of a cone.
(
b
)
By Night at Aerodromes without Runways.
The boundary of the landing area shall be indicated by boundary lights placed along the boundary and at the corners of the landing area as may be necessary. The boundary lights shall be—
(i) arranged at intervals of not more than 100 metres along the boundary of the landing area except that boundary lights may be omitted in building areas where the outline of the landing area is adequately indicated by apron floodlighting or similar illumination;
(ii) fixed lights showing white at all angles up to at least 30 degrees above the horizontal. The intensity of the lights shall be not less than 10 candles.
(
c
)
At Aerodromes with Runways.
Such day marking aids and lights shall be provided and used as the Minister may direct.
(6)
Prohibition of Landing.
When displayed in the signal area, a horizontal red square panel with yellow diagonals (Figure 2) shall indicate that landings at the aerodrome concerned are prohibited and that the prohibition is liable to be prolonged.
Fig. 2
(7)
Need for Special Precautions while Approaching or Landing.
When displayed in the signal area, a horizontal red square panel with one yellow diagonal (Figure 3) shall indicate that owing to the bad state of the manoeuvring area, or for any other reason, special precautions must be observed in approaching to land or in landing.
Fig. 3
(8)
Use of Runways and Taxiways.
(
a
) When displayed in the signal area, a horizontal white dumb-bell (Figure 4) shall indicate that aircraft are required to land, take off and taxi on runways and taxiways only.
(
b
) The same horizontal white dumb-bell as in sub-paragraph (
a
) but with a black bar placed perpendicular to the shaft across each circular portion of the dumb-bell (Figure 5) shall indicate that aircraft are required to land and take off on runways only, but that other manoeuvres need not be confined to runways and taxiways.
(9)
Closed Runways or Taxiways.
Crosses of a single contrasting colour, yellow or white (Figure 6) displayed horizontally on runways or taxiways or parts thereof shall indicate the limits of an area unfit for the movement of aircraft.
(10)
Directions for Landing or Take Off.
(
a
) When either one or both of the following signals are used, they shall indicate the direction to be used by aircraft for landing or take off as follows
(i) a horizontal white or orange landing T (Figure 7) in a direction parallel to the shaft of the T towards the cross arm;
(ii) a tetrahedron orange or black on the left side, white or aluminium on the right side, when viewed from the base towards the apex (Figure 8) in the direction towards which the tetrahedron points. The tetrahedron shall have a long axis of not less than 8 metres and an equilateral triangular base with not less than 4 metre sides.
When used at night, the tetrahedron is indicated, as viewed from the base towards the apex by outlining the ridge, the right edge and the right edge of the base in green lights, and the left edge and the left edge of the base in red lights.
(
b
) A set or sets of two digits (Figure 9) displayed vertically at or near the aerodrome control tower and clearly visible to aircraft on the manoeuvring area shall indicate to such aircraft the direction for take off, expressed in units of 10 degrees to the nearest 10 degrees of the magnetic compass.
(11)
Right Hand Traffic.
When displayed in the signal area, or horizontally at the end of the runway or strip in use, a right hand arrow of conspicuous colour (Figure 10) shall indicate that circuits or partial circuits are to be made to the right before landing and after take off.
(12)
Air Traffic Services Reporting Office.
The letter C displayed vertically in black against a yellow background (Figure 11) and clearly visible to aircraft on the manoeuvring area shall indicate the place at which reports concerning air traffic services are made.
(13)
Glider flights in operation.
A double white cross displayed horizontally (Figure 12) in the signal area indicates that the aerodrome is being used by gliders and that glider flights are being performed.
Marshalling Signals.
42. (2)
From the pilot of an aircraft to a signalman.
Note 1: These signals are designed for use by a pilot in his cockpit with hands plainly visible to the signalman, and illuminated as necessary to facilitate observation by the signalman.
Note 2: The aircraft engines are numbered in relation to the signalman facing the aircraft, from his right to his left (i.e. No. 1 engine being the port outer engine).
1.—BRAKES
Note:—
The moment the fist is clenched or the fingers are extended indicates, respectively, the moment of brake engagement or release.
(
a
)
Brakes engaged
: raise arm and hand, with fingers extended, horizontally in front of face, then clench fist.
(
b
)
Brakes released
raise arm, with fist clenched, horizontally in front of face, then extend fingers.
2.—CHOCKS
(
a
)
Insert chocks
arms extended, palms outwards, move hands inwards to cross in front of face.
(
b
)
Remove chocks
hands crossed in front of face, palms outwards, move arms outwards.
3.—READY TO START ENGINE(S)
Raise the appropriate number of fingers on one hand indicating the number of the engine to be started.
PART VI
RULES FOR LIGHTS
Navigation Lights to be Displayed by Aeroplanes.
43. (1) For the purposes of this Rule—
(
a
) the longitudinal axis of an aeroplane means a selected axis parallel to the direction of flight at a normal cruising speed and passing through the centre of gravity of the aeroplane.
(
b
) the horizontal plane of an aeroplane means the plane containing the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the aeroplane.
(2) The following lights shall be displayed by aeroplanes in accordance with Rule 12;
(
a
)
all aeroplanes
(Figure 13);
(i) an unobstructed red light projected above and below the horizontal plane through an angle from dead ahead to 110° left (port);
(ii) an unobstructed green light projected above and below the horizontal plane through an angle from dead ahead to 110° right (starboard);
(iii) an unobstructed white light projected above and below the horizontal plane rearward through an angle of 140° equally distributed on the left (port) and right (starboard) sides.
(
b
)
certain aeroplanes
an anti-collision light as specified in paragraph (3) of this Rule shall be displayed by such aeroplanes as may be prescribed
(3) The lights specified in paragraph (2) (
a
) of this Rule may be displayed either as steady lights or as flashing lights
provided that these lights shall be displayed as steady lights when an anti-collision light, being a flashing light or system of flashing lights fitted to the exterior of the aircraft and having such characteristics and in such a position or positions as the Minister may approve, is also displayed.
(4) Wing tip clearance lights comprising steady lights of the colours specified for the navigation lights in sub-paragraphs (
a
) (i) and (ii) of paragraph (2) of this Rule may be displayed if there are no navigation lights within 1·80 metres of the wing tips.
(5) The minimum intensities of the lights specified in sub-paragraphs (
a
) (i), (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (2) of this Rule shall be as follows
Light
Intensity in Candles
Port red light
5
Starboard green light
5
Rear light
3
(6)
Lights to be displayed by aeroplanes on the water.
For the purposes of this Rule:—
(
a
) (i) An aeroplane on the surface of the water shall be taken to be under way when it is not aground or moored to the ground or to any fixed object on the ground or in the water.
(ii) An aeroplane on the surface of the water shall be taken to be under command when it is able to execute manoeuvres as required by these Rules or by the Collision Regulations (Ships and Seaplanes on the Water) Orders, 1965 and 1968.
(iii) An aeroplane on the surface of the water shall be taken to be making way when it is under way and has a velocity relative to the water.
(iv) "Visible" when applied to the lights in this Rule means visible on a dark night with a clear atmosphere.
(
b
) An aeroplane under way shall display the lights described in paragraph (2) (
a
) appearing as steady lights and, in addition, a steady white light visible forward throughout a dihedral angle of 220° bisected by a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the aeroplane, and visible for a distance of at least three nautical miles; except that—
(i) when towing another aircraft or vessel, an additional steady white light of the same construction and character as the aforesaid steady white light shall be displayed in a vertical line at least 6 feet above or below such light;
(ii) when being towed, only the steady lights described in paragraph (2) (
a
) shall be displayed;
(iii) (
A
) when not under command, two steady red lights shall be displayed, and these lights shall be in a vertical line one above the other and not less than 3 feet apart, shall be placed where they can best be seen, shall be visible all round the horizon from a distance of at least 2 nautical miles;
(
B
) When not making way no red or green lights as described in paragraph (2) (
a
) shall be displayed.
(iv) the display of lights as prescribed in paragraph (iii) shall be interpreted by other aircraft as a signal that the aeroplane displaying them is not under command and cannot get out of the way, and these lights shall not be taken to be a signal of distress from an aeroplane requiring assistance.
(
c
) When an aeroplane is at anchor on the surface of the water:—
(i) if less than 50 metres in length it shall display where it can best be seen a steady white light visible all round the horizon from at least 2 nautical miles.
(ii) if 50 metres or more in length, it shall display where they can best be seen a steady white forward light and a steady white rear light, both visible all round the horizon from at least 3 nautical miles.
(iii) if 50 metres or more in span a steady white light shall be displayed on each side to indicate the maximum span such lights being visible so far as practicable all round the horizon from at least one nautical mile.
(
d
) When aground, an aeroplane shall display the lights described in (c) and in addition two steady red lights in vertical line, at least 3 feet apart, so placed as to be visible all round the horizon.
Lights to be Displayed by Aircraft other than Aeroplanes.
44. Aircraft other than aeroplanes shall display such lights as may be prescribed.
GIVEN under my Official Seal. this 25th day of January. 1973.
MICHAEL O'KENNEDY.
Minister for Transport and Power.
EXPLANATORY NOTE.
S.I. No. 22 of 1973.
AIR NAVIGATION (RULES OF THE AIR) ORDER, 1973.
I, MICHAEL O'KENNEDY, Minister for Transport and Power, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by
sections 5
,
9
,
11
and
16
of the
Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1946
(No. 23 of 1946) (as amended by
section 9
of the
Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1950
(No. 4 of 1950)), and the Transport, Fuel and Power (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order, 1959 (
S.I. No. 125 of 1959
), hereby order as follows