Part 19VISUAL FLIGHT RULES

CHAPTER 19 VISUAL FLIGHT RULES

19.01 Purpose

For subregulation 131.367 (1), this Chapter prescribes requirements relating to the operation of a Part 131 aircraft for a VFR flight.

19.02 VFR flight requirements

(1) The pilot in command of a Part 131 aircraft must ensure that during VFR flight, the aircraft is flown in accordance with:

(a) the VMC criteria for the airspace in which the flight is conducted; or

(b) the special VFR — but only if ATC has authorised the pilot in command to so conduct the flight.

(2) When navigating by visual reference to the ground or water, the pilot in command must, at intervals of not more than 30 minutes, positively fix the aircraft’s position by visual reference to features marked on topographical maps or charts.

(3) For subsection (2), when navigating by visual reference over the sea, visual reference features may include rocks, reefs and fixed man-made objects that are:

(a) marked on topographical charts appropriate for the flight; and

(b) readily identifiable from the air.

(4) The pilot in command of a Part 131 aircraft conducting a flight at night under the VFR must:

(a) for a balloon transport operation:

(i) not take off earlier than 1 hour before first light; and

(ii) plan to land the aircraft after first light; and

(iii) ensure that the aircraft does not land at night other than in an emergency; and

(b) for a flight that is not a balloon transport operation:

(i) plan not to land the aircraft at night; and

(ii) ensure that the aircraft does not land at night other than in an emergency or as a precautionary manoeuvre.

(5) In this section:

precautionary manoeuvre means to land at night when to proceed with the flight and land later would be likely to increase the risk of injury or damage to any persons or property.

Note For example, a precautionary manoeuvre would be to land at night if continuing the flight would be likely to carry the balloon out over the sea, or over inhospitable terrain, or over heavily built-up areas, where a landing would have consequential risks to any persons or property, including the persons on board the Part 131 aircraft, and the aircraft itself.

CHAPTER 20 OPERATION OF TETHERED PART 131 AIRCRAFT OTHER THAN A SUBPART 131.Z TETHERED GAS BALLOON

20.01 Purpose

(1) Subject to subsection (2), for subregulation 131.375 (1), this Chapter prescribes requirements relating to the flight of a Part 131 aircraft that is tethered to the ground for the flight (tethered flight).