Definitions — Page 24, Lesson 35

We're starting a new block of definitions in your Air Law manual — these are the formal, legal definitions you'll be tested on, so I want to give you each one precisely as it's written, then unpack it. Let's begin with the Runway. It's defined as a defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft. So three key elements: it's rectangular, it's on land (not water), and it's specifically prepared for those two operations. Next, Runway Visual Range — this is a big one. In relation to a runway, it means the distance in the direction of take-off or landing over which the runway lights or surface markings may be seen from the touchdown zone. That distance is calculated either by human observation or by instruments in the vicinity of the touchdown zone — or, where that's not reasonably practicable, in the vicinity of the mid-point of the runway. And there's a second part: it also includes the distance, if any, communicated to the commander of an aircraft by or on behalf of the person in charge of the aerodrome as being the runway visual range for the time being. So it's both a measured value and the value that gets passed to the pilot. Now Scheduled Journey — this is one of a series of journeys which are undertaken between the same two places and which together amount to a systematic service. The key words are "series" and "systematic" — it's not a one-off flight; it's part of a regular pattern between the same two points. Signal Area — simply an area of an aerodrome used for the display of ground signals. That's where the aerodrome puts out visual signals to aircraft. Skills Test — this is demonstration of skills for licence or rating issue including such oral examinations as the examiner may require. So it's the practical test, and it can include an oral exam at the examiner's discretion. Solo Flight Time — flight time during which a student pilot is the sole occupant of an aircraft. Note the qualifier: the student must be the only person on board. Special VFR Flight — a VFR flight cleared by air traffic control to operate within a control zone in meteorological conditions below VMC. So it's visual flight rules, but it's allowed into a control zone even though the weather is below the normal visual meteorological conditions — and it requires an ATC clearance. State of Design — the State having jurisdiction over the organization responsible for the type design. That's the country that oversees the company that designed the aircraft type. State of Registry — the State on whose register the aircraft is entered. That's the country where the aircraft is registered. Strayed Aircraft — an aircraft that has deviated significantly from its intended track or reports that it is lost. Two ways to be strayed: either it's actually off track by a significant amount, or it has reported itself as lost. Student pilot-in-command (SPIC) — this is a student pilot acting as pilot-in-command on a flight with an instructor where the latter will only observe the student pilot and shall not influence or control the flight of the aircraft. So the instructor is on board but purely as an observer — no input, no control. Then we have the Synthetic Flight Trainer — and this is a category with three distinct types of apparatus in which flight conditions are simulated on the ground. Let me give you each one. First, a Flight Simulator — this provides an accurate representation of the flight deck of a particular aircraft type to the extent that the mechanical, electrical, electronic, etc. aircraft control functions; the normal environment of flight crew members; and the performance and flight characteristics of that type are realistically simulated. So it's type-specific and highly realistic. Second, a Flight Procedures Trainer — this provides a realistic flight deck environment, and it simulates instrument responses, simple control functions of mechanical, electric, electronic, etc. aircraft systems, and the performance and flight characteristics of aircraft of a particular class. So it's class-based, not type-specific, and the systems are simpler. Third, a Basic Instrument Flight Trainer — this is equipped with appropriate instruments, and it simulates the flight deck environment of an aircraft in flight in instrument flight conditions. That's the most basic of the three. Finally, Take-off Surface — that part of the surface of an aerodrome which the aerodrome authority has declared available for the normal ground or water run of aircraft taking off in a particular direction. So it's the declared surface — and note it can be ground or water — for the take-off run in a specific direction. There's a figure in your manual showing the runway strip for a Code 4 aerodrome — that's the graded area around the runway — and it ties into how these surfaces relate to each other. That's the full set of definitions for this section. Take them in order — runway, RVR, scheduled journey, signal area, skills test, solo time, special VFR, the two States, strayed aircraft, SPIC, the three synthetic trainers, and take-off surface.