Air Law and ATC Procedures (IFR)
What the exam tests
Air Law and ATC Procedures for IFR covers the legal framework and clearance discipline used in the Mauritius FIR. Expect questions on ICAO Annex 2 IFR rules, Doc 4444 separation and read-back, AIP Mauritius route and approach data, and DCA requirements for flight plans, altimetry and communication failure.
Core rules
- An IFR flight needs an ATC clearance before entering controlled airspace; the clearance is not a terrain or weather clearance unless explicitly stated.
- Read back clearances involving route, altitude, speed, runway, SSR code and frequency.
- Maintain the last assigned level until cleared; do not descend on an 'expect' clearance.
- Position reports go to the unit named in the AIP; radar may reduce the required items.
- On two-way radio failure in IMC, follow the Annex 2 or route-specific procedure: maintain last assigned speed and level, fly the filed route, descend at the destination navaid and land within the specified time.
Worked example
ATC says: 'Mauritius Approach, IFR, cleared to FIMP via G465, maintain FL120, squawk 4612.' The read-back must include the route, FL120, SSR 4612 and the clearance limit. It does not include 'cleared for the ILS' because that is a separate approach clearance.
Traps
- 'Cleared to descend' is not 'cleared for approach'.
- 'Line up and wait' is not a take-off clearance.
- A conditional clearance such as 'after the landing ATR' cannot be read back as a simple clearance.
- QNH is given in hPa; set it correctly before descent.