Rules of the Air — Page 104, Lesson 171

We're moving into the ground movement and landing rules now. Let's start with the right-of-way rules for landing, because that's where the hierarchy really begins. Rule 6.17 covers landing. The core principle is that an aircraft in flight, or operating on the ground or water, shall give way to an aircraft that is landing or in the final stages of an approach to land. So the aircraft that's committed to landing has priority over everything else. Now, when two or more heavier-than-air aircraft are approaching an aerodrome to land, there's a specific rule: the aircraft at the higher level shall give way to the aircraft at the lower level. But there's a critical limitation here — the lower aircraft must not take advantage of this rule to 'cut in' in front of another aircraft. So the lower aircraft gets priority, but it can't abuse that priority to squeeze in ahead of someone else. And then there's the final hierarchy: in any event, power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft shall give way to gliders. So gliders always have priority over powered aircraft in this landing context. Rule 6.18 is about emergency landings. If an aircraft is aware that another aircraft is in an emergency and is compelled to land, it shall give way to that aircraft. So an aircraft in distress that must land gets priority over everyone else. Rule 6.19 covers taking off. An aircraft taxiing on the manoeuvring area shall give way to aircraft taking off or about to take off. So if you're taxiing and someone is starting their takeoff roll, you yield to them. Rule 6.20 introduces stop bars. An aircraft taxiing on the manoeuvring area shall stop and hold at all lighted stop bars, which are used in poor visibility, and may only proceed when the lights are switched off. So those illuminated bars across the taxiway are a hard stop — you hold there until the lights go out. Now, Rule 6.21 covers surface movement of aircraft. This is about the danger of collision between two aircraft taxiing on the movement area of an aerodrome. There are three scenarios. First, approaching head on. Both aircraft stop, or where practicable, alter course to the right to keep well clear. So you turn right to avoid a head-on collision. Second, converging. The aircraft that has the other on its right shall give way. So if the other aircraft is on your right, you give way — you stop or turn to pass behind. Third, overtaking. The aircraft being overtaken has the right of way. The overtaking aircraft is to keep well clear of the other aircraft. There's also a note here about radio contact. ICAO Annex 2 states that any vehicle operating regularly on the manoeuvring area of an aerodrome must be in two-way radio contact with ATC. And the UK ANO, specifically Rules of the Air Rule 37, requires all vehicles and aircraft moving on the manoeuvring area to give way to vehicles towing aircraft. So tow vehicles get priority over moving aircraft on the manoeuvring area. Finally, Rule 6.22 covers aircraft lights. The systems for displaying navigation lights, anti-collision lights, and other lights designed to draw attention to the presence of an aircraft are covered in Operational Procedures. But you may be asked questions on this in the Air Law exam. The law here is restricted to two things: when you must have the lights fitted, and when they must be on. So it's about the legal requirement for installation and operation, not the technical details of the lighting systems themselves. That's the full set of ground movement and landing priority rules.