Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Services
This domain tests Annex 2 and Annex 11 as applied in India through CAR Section 8 and the AIP: the right-of-way rules, the cruising level system, clearance discipline and separation responsibility.
Core rules
- Right of way: converging aircraft of the same category give way to the one on the right; power-driven give way to gliders and balloons; landing aircraft have priority over aircraft on the ground.
- Cruising levels follow the semicircular rule on magnetic track: 000–179 use odd thousands (FL290, 330, 370 above transition), 180–359 use even thousands. Quadrantal levels apply in designated areas.
- ATC clearance must be read back in full, including levels, headings, speeds, frequencies and conditional instructions. No clearance may be deviated from without a new clearance, except in emergency under the commander's authority.
- VMC minima, VFR flight-plan and cloud-clearance requirements, position reporting, the transition altitude/level and altimeter setting procedures complete the picture. ATS airspace classes A–G define whether IFR and VFR are permitted and whether separation is provided.
Worked example
An IFR flight plans a magnetic track of 075 at FL330. Track is in the 000–179 band, so odd flight levels apply; FL330 is an odd level and therefore correct for the direction of flight. If a clearance to FL340 were issued, the crew should query it - an even level would conflict with the semicircular rule and with oncoming traffic.
Traps that cost marks
Reversing the odd/even bands at the 180° boundary. Treating a clearance as advisory. Forgetting that class E provides no separation to VFR. Applying the 250 kt below 10,000 ft limit without the exceptions. Assuming the transition altitude is the same at every Indian aerodrome - read the AIP.