Air Law and Procedures
Air Law and Procedures tests whether you can operate an ultra-light legally and predictably: pilot and aircraft documents, airspace and weather minima, right-of-way, low flying, fuel reserves, and reporting. Questions are usually short scenarios - a given altitude, cloud clearance, or converging aircraft - and you must name the rule or the action.
Documents and privileges
Carry your pilot permit, valid medical, and photo ID; the aircraft needs registration and a flight authority (certificate of airworthiness or ultra-light equivalent), weight-and-balance data, and insurance where required. Passengers are allowed only if your permit and aircraft are approved for them; no hire or reward without an operating certificate.
Airspace and weather minima
Classes C and D require an ATC clearance; Class E may not, but VFR minima and equipment rules still apply. In controlled airspace the common VFR minimum is 3 statute miles visibility and 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, and 2,000 ft horizontally from cloud. In uncontrolled airspace below 1,000 ft AGL by day, it is commonly 1 mile and clear of cloud. Know your State's table - exam numbers come from it.
Right-of-way and low flying
Converging aircraft of the same category: the one on the right has right-of-way. Head-on: both alter course to the right. Overtaking: the overtaker keeps clear, passing to the right. An aircraft on final approach or at a lower altitude has right-of-way over others in flight; taxiing aircraft give way to aircraft flying. Right-of-way is not immunity - every pilot must avoid collision.
Minimum altitude is 500 ft AGL except for takeoff and landing; over a built-up area, 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within a 2,000-ft radius. Fuel: commonly 30 minutes day VFR after destination; know the night figure.
Worked example
You fly at 1,200 ft AGL over a town. The highest obstacle within 2,000 ft is a 150-ft tower. The minimum is 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle = 1,150 ft AGL. At 1,200 ft you are legal, with 50 ft margin. At 1,100 ft you would be 50 ft low even though you are above 1,000 ft AGL. The trap is using 1,000 ft AGL as the criterion instead of 1,000 ft above the obstacle.
Traps that cost marks
Confusing AGL with ASL; applying the 500-ft rule over a town; believing right-of-way removes the duty to see and avoid; forgetting a clearance or radio call before entering controlled airspace; assuming passengers are always allowed.