Where to find the rules of the air
 

I've had my head down for a few years so haven't followed the twists and turns of SERA and the decline of the CAA. Am I correct in thinking that the best (only?) document that summarises the rules of the air is "SERA, AIR NAVIGATION ORDER 2009 AND RULES OF THE AIR REGULATIONS 2015 - CONSOLIDATION Correct to 18 March 2016", as found here: https://www.caa.co.uk/WorkArea/Downl...?id=4294975756 ?

HFD

ANO 2016 was released a couple of weeks ago, so that reference will need changing within your link. Otherwise a very valid document.

AD

The rules or the air are part of CAP393, the latest up to date version is at this link
https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalap...detail&id=7523

Save as a PDF document then Scroll down to around page 262 which is section 2 Rules of the Air.
All you need to know is there.
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I'd expected to find everything in the ANO, and that is where I started my search, but I've failed to find anything about the "500 ft" rule, whereas the document I referenced includes it. Is my ANO search failing or am I going blind as well as daft?

HFD

It is to do with the legislation hierarchy, where rules in EASA legislation applicable to both EASA and non-EASA aircraft have been removed from national legislation to avoid duplication (and possible errors/differences). As you've found Rule 5 can now be found in SERA.5005, plus a few exemptions in ORS4 (No.1174 returning us to the old Rule 5!). You will find that the AIP has been similarly butchered.

ifitaint...