Air Law and Procedures
Air Law and Procedures tests how ICAO standards become Mauritian law, the PIC's authority, required documents, and the rules of the air you apply daily. Expect questions on licence and medical validity, airspace classes, VFR minima, right of way, and signals.
From ICAO to Mauritius
The Chicago Convention created ICAO; Annexes contain Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). A SARP binds a State only after it is adopted nationally or notified as a difference. Mauritius publishes its regulatory framework through the Civil Aviation Act, DCA regulations and the AIP. The PIC is responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft and may deviate from rules in an emergency, but must report it.
Documents
Before flight, confirm certificate of registration, certificate of airworthiness, licence and medical, insurance, mass and balance, and the technical and journey logs. The C of A is valid only if maintenance is current; the licence is valid only with the correct class or type rating and medical.
Rules of the air
Converging aircraft at the same level: the one with the other on its right gives way. Head-on: both turn right. Overtaking: the overtaking aircraft keeps clear. Landing: the lower aircraft gives way, except that a lower aircraft must not cut in front of an aircraft on final. VFR minima below 10,000 ft: 5 km flight visibility, 1,500 m horizontally and 1,000 ft vertically from cloud; at or above 10,000 ft, 8 km.
Worked example
Aircraft A tracks 360 at 3,000 ft; aircraft B is ahead and to A's right, tracking 270 at 3,000 ft. They converge. A sees B on the right, so A gives way: A should alter heading to pass behind B, not turn in front. If both were head-on, both turn right.
Traps
Treating an ICAO Annex as automatically enforceable; mixing VFR minima for controlled and uncontrolled airspace; using QFE for terrain clearance; forgetting that a readback is a legal requirement.