Synopsis
Wherever you fly, as private pilots, you will be sharing the air with thousands of your fellow aviators who will be flying many different types of aircraft such as jet-liners, helicopters, balloons, light aircraft, military fighters, gliders and micro-lights. Some parts of that airspace will be under the formal control of air traffic control units: other parts of the airspace will be uncontrolled.Like any community, the world of aviation is governed by laws and regulations. And, as in any field of human activity, if you are to become an effective, safe and responsible member of the aviation community, you must know your Air Law and abide by its precepts. The introduction of the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) Private Pilot Licence has brought with it a change in the way Air Law is examined. First of all, the new theoretical examination now includes the subject Operational Procedures. Secondly, and more fundamentally, there are over 30 member nations of the JAA, mainly European; you are now just as likely to be asked questions on ICAO procedures as UK airspace alone.