AFE Air Law Problem

[tmmorris]

Do you think that was deliberate or as MJ implied a cockup?

[foxmoth]

Hold my hands up to be totally wrong, not kept up with the changes as I should have done!
AIUI now, in the UK you do not have to abide by the VFR cruising levels, in Europe I believe You do!

The semicircular level system replaces the quadrantal system and brings the UK into line with ICAO standards applied elsewhere around the world. VFR and IFR aircraft are allocated different levels to fly at:

IFR flights use whole 1000's of feet (e.g. 1000, 3000 etc when flying eastbound, and 2000, 4000 etc. when flying westbound)
VFR flights use the intermediate 500ft levels (e.g. 3500, 5500 etc. when flying eastbound and 4500, 6500 when flying westbound)
For VFR flights, compliance with the cruising levels remains good practice but is not mandatory.

[alex90]

I don't have an IFR chart immediately to hand, but, if I remember correctly, isn't the entire area between Cherbourg Zone and Rennes Zone criss-crossed with Airways from about FL50 upwards?

My IFR map indicates that there is a criss cross of ATS routes, you are definitely right. But to the best of my interpretations they do not appear to be a classed airspace. Perhaps someone can enlighten us? To the best of my (perhaps poor?) understanding the class D airspace on my route started at FL115, and whilst there are lower level ATS routes they are not "controlled" classed airspace.

Either way - during my trip I was in contact with ATC at all times, and it didn't appear that I was within controlled airspace even if I was (no clearance, no headings, no requests, just the weird statement posted above).

Foxmoth! You almost had me thinking that I needed to re-review the privileges of my license... I was absolutely sure that I was not allowed to do that! But anyhow - soon I hope to be fully IR qualified! :-)

best.
alex

[Mach Jump]

Originally Posted by tmmorris

Do you think that was deliberate or as MJ implied a cockup?

Many journalists have fallen for the conspiracy theory of government. I do assure you that they would produce more accurate work if they adhered to the cock-up theory.

— Bernard Ingham.


MJ

[tmmorris]

I have to admit I take the same view of the bosses at work...