The Rules of the Air Regulations 1991

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations revoke and replace the Rules of the Air Regulations 1990.

In addition to some minor drafting amendments the following changes are made:–

(1) Requirements are introduced which an aircraft must satisfy in order to enter each of the new classes of controlled airspace provided for in the Air Navigation (Second Amendment) Order 1991 (S.I. 1991/1726). The special rules for certain aerodromes, some channel air traffic, upper flight information regions and the Scottish Terminal Control Area are revoked entirely. Changes are also made to the Visual Flight Rules for flights outside controlled airspace. Metric units of measurement are adopted for horizontal distances (Rules 21, 24, 25, 26 and 27).

(2) A maximum speed limit of 250 knots is introduced in certain airspace below flight level 100 subject to specified exceptions (Rule 23).

(3) All dimensions specified in Section IX (other than those in rules 46(6)) are made subject to a tolerance of 10%, plus or minus, but no such tolerance applies to the distances at which markings are to be placed (Rule 42).