I, COLIN TORKINGTON, Acting Director, Directorate of Aviation Safety Regulation, a delegate of the Civil Aviation Authority, under regulation 174D of the Civil Aviation Regulations, issue the instructions set out in the Schedule.
SCHEDULE
Part 1—Position fixing
Position fixing
1.1 (1) The pilot in command of an aircraft operating under the V.F.R. and navigating by means of radio navigation equipment must obtain a positive position fix in accordance with the requirements of Part 2:
(a) by using a non-directional beacon; or
(b) by using a VHF omni-directional radio range; or
(c) by using distance measuring equipment; or
(d) determined by the intersection of 2 or more position lines from radio navigation aids which intersect at an angle of 45° or more.
(2) A position line referred to in paragraph (1) (d) must be within the rated coverage of the radio navigation aid.
(3) If a position fix is determined only by position lines from non directional beacons, subclause (2) does not apply and the intersection of the position lines must be not more than 30 miles from each of the beacons.
Part 2—Navigation requirements
V.F.R. flights
2.1 (1) Subject to this clause, the pilot in command of an aircraft operating under the V.F.R. must navigate the aircraft:
(a) by visual reference to the ground or water; or
(b) in accordance with this clause.
(2) The pilot in command of an aircraft that is operating under V.F.R. at a height of 2,000 feet or less above the ground or water must navigate the aircraft in accordance with paragraph (1) (a).
(3) If navigating by visual reference to the ground or water, the pilot in command of an aircraft operating under the V.F.R. must positively fix the aircraft’s position by reference to topographical features at intervals of not less than 30 minutes.
(4) The pilot in command of an aircraft:
(a) operating under the V.F.R.; and
(b) not navigating by visual reference to the ground or water;
must ensure that the aircraft is navigated by:
(c) a full time licensed flight navigator; or
(d) a self-contained navigation system; or
(e) a long-range radio navigation system; or
(f) use of a radio navigation system.
(5) An aircraft must not be navigated by use of a radio navigation system under paragraph (4) (d) except on routes on which the aircraft can be navigated as follows:
(a) after making a positive position fix, and allowing for possible tracking errors of +/-9.5° from that fix, the aircraft will come within the rated coverage of a radio aid which can be used to fix the position of the aircraft;
(b) the maximum time period between positive position fixes must not be more than 2 hours.
V.F.R. flight on top of cloud
2.2 A pilot in command must not undertake a V.F.R. flight on top of more than four-eighths of cloud unless:
(a) the flight (including the take-off, ascent, descent and landing) can be conducted in VMC; and
(b) during the flight the aircraft is navigated:
(i) by visual reference to the ground or water; or
(ii) in accordance with subclauses 2.1 (4) and (5).
V.F.R. flights where navigation by radio navigation systems
2.3 (1) If the pilot in command of an aircraft operating under the V.F.R. proposes to navigate by means of radio navigation systems or by any other means, the pilot must indicate in the flight notification the radio navigation aids:
(a) with which the aircraft is equipped; and
(b) which the pilot is qualified to use.
(2) If the pilot in command of an aircraft operating under the V.F.R. is navigating by a radio navigation system, the pilot must obtain positive position fixes at the intervals and by the methods set out in this instruction.
Part 3—Track keeping
Radio navigation aids
3.1 (1) The pilot in command of an aircraft operating under the V.F.R. who uses radio navigation aids as the primary means of navigation must ensure:
(a) that the aircraft is navigated by reference to:
(i) an aid which the pilot is qualified to use; and
(ii) the aid which provides the most precise track guidance for the aircraft; and
(b) that only those aids which define the relevant track are used for track keeping.
(2) The pilot in command of an aircraft operating under the V.F.R.:
(a) for which track guidance is being provided by radio navigation aids; and
(b) that is being navigated by a self-contained navigation system or by a long-range radio navigation system;
must maintain track as defined by the most precise radio navigation aid available.
(3) Subject to clause 3.3, if the pilot in command of an aircraft operating under the V.F.R. in controlled airspace notices that the aircraft has deviated from the correct track, the pilot must immediately take action to regain track.
(4) For the purposes of this clause, the order of precision of radio navigation aids, starting with the most precise, is localizer, VHF omni-directional radio range, non-directional beacon and locator.
Advice to Air Traffic Control if aircraft is off-track
3.2 (1) The pilot in command of an aircraft operating under the V.F.R. in controlled airspace must not, except in an emergency, deviate from track without clearance from Air Traffic Control.
(2) The pilot in command of an aircraft operating under the V.F.R. who is using radio navigation aids as the primary means of navigation of an aircraft must immediately notify Air Traffic Control if the aircraft is found to be off-track by anyone of the following deviations:
(a) if track guidance is provided by a localizer or a VHF omni-directional radio range—half-scale deflection or more of the course deviation indicator;
(b) if the track guidance is provided by a non-directional beacon or locator—+/-5° or more from the specified bearing;
(c) if the track guidance is provided by distance measuring equipment—+/- 2 miles or more from the required arc;
(d) if navigating by visual reference to the ground or water—more than 1 mile from the cleared track.
(3) The pilot in command of an aircraft operating under the V.F.R.:
(a) that is operating in controlled airspace; and
(b) who considers it necessary to divert from the track given by Air Traffic Control;
(c) who is out of radio contact with Air Traffic Control;
must issue, on the appropriate frequencies, a PAN radio call specifying the details of the diversion.
Avoiding controlled airspace
3.3 (1) The pilot in command of an aircraft operating under the V.F.R. outside controlled airspace or a restricted area must apply the applicable tolerances as set out in this clause to the aircraft’s flight path to ensure that the controlled airspace or the restricted area, as the case may be, is not infringed.
(2) A pilot referred to in subclause (1) who is navigating the aircraft by use of radio navigation aids must apply the tolerances set out in the following table.
Table
Navigation aid
Tolerance
Non directional radio beaconVHF omni-directional radio rangeTactical air navigation aidDead reckoning
+/- 6.9°+/- 5.2°+/- 5.2°+/- 12°
(3) Subject to subclause (5), a pilot referred to in subclause (1):
(a) who is operating an aircraft referred to in column 1 of the following table; and
(b) who is operating the aircraft at a height above mean sea level that is within a range specified in column 2 opposite the aircraft; and
(c) who is navigating the aircraft by visual reference;
must apply the tolerances set out in column 3 of the table opposite the height rangewithin which the aircraft is operating.
Table
Column 1Aircraft type
Column 2Operating height of the aircraft above mean sea level
Column 3Tolerance
All aircraft
10,001 feet to FL 200
+/- 8 miles
FL 205 to FL 300
+/- 12 miles
FL 305 to FL 400
+/- 16 miles
Gliders
0 feet to 10,000 feet
+/- 5 miles
(4) Subject to subclause (5), a pilot referred to in subclause (1):
(a) who is operating an aircraft referred to in column 1 of the following table; and
(b) who is operating the aircraft at a height above ground level that is within a range specified in column 2 opposite the aircraft; and
(c) who is navigating the aircraft by visual reference;
must apply the tolerances set out in column 3 of the table opposite the height range within which the aircraft is operating.
Table
Column 1 Aircraft type
Column 2Operating height of the aircraft above ground level
Column 3Tolerance
Powered aircraft operating during daylight
0 feet to 2,000 feet2,001 feet to 5,000 feet5,001 feet to 10,000 feet
+/- 1 mile+/- 2 miles+/- 4 miles
Powered aircraft operating at night
0 feet to 2,000 feet2,001 feet to 5,000 feet5,001 feet to 10,000 feet
+/- 2 miles+/- 3 miles+/- 5 miles
(5) A pilot referred to in subclause (1) who is using area navigation must apply a tolerance of +/- 14 miles.