Air Law
Where the rules come from
The Chicago Convention (1944) established ICAO; its Annexes are Standards and Recommended Practices that contracting states transpose into national law. Annex 1 covers personnel licensing, Annex 2 rules of the air, Annex 6 operation of aircraft, Annex 8 airworthiness, Annex 11 air traffic services and Annex 14 aerodromes. Article 1 confirms the complete and exclusive sovereignty of each state over its airspace, so the AIP and national regulations of the state flown over govern. The MCAA licence is issued under that national framework.
Licensing and privileges
A CPL allows the holder to act as PIC in commercial non-scheduled operations and to exercise PPL privileges; it does not by itself authorise carrying passengers for remuneration without the correct ratings, valid Class 1 medical and recency. Recent experience for passenger carriage is three take-offs and landings within the preceding 90 days in the same type or class.
Right of way and levels
Converging aircraft give way to the one on the right; head-on, both turn right; the overtaking aircraft keeps clear to the right; landing aircraft have priority over aircraft on the ground, and on final approach the lower aircraft has priority. IFR semicircular levels: magnetic tracks 000–179 use odd thousands, 180–359 even thousands; VFR adds 500 ft.
Worked example
Track 275° IFR: 275° lies in the 180–359 band, so even thousands, for example FL 320. The same track VFR gives FL 325.
Traps
Using heading instead of magnetic track for level selection; forgetting the VFR +500 ft; assuming ICAO Annexes automatically override a state's published differences.