Rules of the Air
The framework
Rules of the air in the UAE implement ICAO Annex 2. They apply to all aircraft in UAE territory and to UAE-registered aircraft anywhere. The PIC has final authority and may deviate from a rule to the extent needed in an emergency - and must be ready to justify it.
Right of way
- Approaching head-on: both turn right.
- Converging at a similar level: the aircraft with the other on its right gives way.
- Overtaking: the aircraft being overtaken has right of way; overtake on the right.
- Landing: the aircraft lower on approach, or on final, has right of way; an aircraft on the ground gives way to one landing or about to land.
- Powered aircraft give way to gliders, balloons and airships; everyone gives way to an aircraft landing or in distress.
Heights and levels
Minimum height is 500 ft above ground or water and clear of obstacles; over congested areas of a city or town, 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within 600 m. Above 3,000 ft cruise levels follow the semicircular rule on magnetic track: 000–179° use odd thousands plus 500 ft for VFR; 180–359° use even thousands plus 500 ft. VFR is not flown above FL 200, and above 9,000 m only with ATC authorisation.
Weather and speed
VFR minima follow Annex 2: at and above 10,000 ft, 8 km visibility with 1,500 m horizontal and 1,000 ft vertical distance from cloud; below 10,000 ft, 5 km and the same cloud separation; at or below 900 m/3,000 ft, 5 km, clear of cloud and in sight of the surface. Check AIP ENR 1.2 for national differences. Below 10,000 ft the speed limit is 250 KIAS.
Worked example
You track 275° magnetic at 4,500 ft VFR. Track 275° falls in 180–359°, so the level should be an even thousand plus 500 ft: 4,500 ft is correct. 5,500 ft would violate the rule, and 5,500 ft is exactly where opposite-direction traffic tracking 095° will be.
Traps that cost marks
- Using true track instead of magnetic track for the semicircular rule.
- Applying "give way to the right" to head-on traffic instead of turning right.
- Quoting 1,000 ft as the minimum height everywhere; it is the congested-area figure.
- Applying 250 KIAS above 10,000 ft, or forgetting ATC may impose a lower limit.