Air Law
Foundations
Air law questions test your command of the rule set that governs flight: aircraft registration and airworthiness, licensing and ratings, rules of the air, and the responsibilities of pilot-in-command. Know the definitions precisely, because many items hinge on a single word. "Shall" is mandatory; "may" is permissive; "should" is advisory. Distinguish categories of airspace and the associated clearances, minima, and equipment requirements, and know when a flight plan or two-way radio contact is required.
Traps
Common traps include confusing the privileges of one licence or rating with another, mixing up day and night currency requirements, and misreading the difference between the pilot-in-command and the person manipulating the controls. Questions often present a scenario where the legal minimum is met but a regulation still prohibits the flight, such as operating an unairworthy aircraft or exceeding duty limits. Read for the operative condition, not the background detail.
Worked example
Suppose a question asks the minimum visibility for a VFR flight in a specified controlled airspace class. The correct approach: identify the airspace class first, then the altitude band, then apply the published table. If the class is not stated, the question is testing whether you recognise that the answer depends on the class, so look for the option that states the condition rather than a bare number.
Rule of thumb
When two answers seem correct, choose the one that is more restrictive or more conservative, since aviation regulation generally favours safety over convenience.