NENE VALLEY AEROMODELLERS


20 Questions and answers that must be learned -
any 5 can be asked during the test for a BMFA A-certificate allowing the pilot to fly unsupervised
Question No. Question Answer
1 Who Regulates all civil flying activities over the United Kingdom, including model aircraft? The CAA (Civil Aviation Authority)
2 How are the rules and regulations for flying established in law by Parliament (statute)? The ANO (Air Navigation Order)
3 What does Article 137 of the ANO state? Article 137 states: ‘A person must not recklessly or negligently act in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft, or person in an aircraft’(This applies technically to models over 20Kg)
4 What does Article 138 of the ANO state? Article 138 states: ‘A person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property’ (All models under 20Kg)
5 Who is legally responsible to ensure that a model is flown safely? The ‘operator of the model’ (or ‘the person in charge’)
6 Which Civil Aviation Publication (CAP) relates specifically to the use of model aircraft, and for which specific purposes only? CAP 658 - Which refers only to - ‘model aircraft used for sport and recreation’
7 According to CAP 658, which model aircraft are required to have an operating failsafe and what is the minimum setting?- three key points ‘Any powered model aircraft fitted with a receiver capable of operating in failsafe mode should have the failsafe set, as a minimum, to reduce the engine(s) speed to idle on loss or corruption of signal.
8 What does Article 166 of the ANO say about the responsibilities of the person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft? (SUA) Article 166 states: ‘The person in charge of an SUA may only fly the aircraft if reasonably satisfied that the flight can safely be made‘
9 What does Article 166 of the ANO say about visual contact with a small unmanned aircraft? Article 166 states: ‘The person in charge of a SUA must maintain direct, unaided visual contact with the aircraft sufficient to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircraft , persons, vehicles, vessels and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions’
10 What does Article 166 of the ANO say about small unmanned aircraft over 7 Kg? - 3 key points Article 166 states: ‘The person in charge of a SUA which has a mass more than 7Kg

1 -  must not fly the aircraft in controlled airspace unless permission from ATC.

2 -  In an ATZ unless permission from ATC.

3 -  At less than 400 ft above point of launch unless permission from ATC. (answer paraphrased) BMFA
11  What does Article 166 of the ANO say about'aerial work for small unmanned aircraft? The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft must not fly such an aircraft for the purposes of aerial work except in accordance with a permission granted by the CAA. (CAA166 para 5)
12 How is a flight for the purpose of 'aerial work' defined? A flight is considered to be aerial work if it is undertaken for ‘valuable consideration’. Valuable consideration is defined as any gain you may make from the work undertaken. You may ignore any gain of nominal value – a pint of beer for instance, but a crate of the same is probably valuable consideration. (CAP658, Ch14, para2 & www.caa.co.uk/cap722)
13  How is 'a small unmanned surveillance aircraft' defined?  "A small unmanned surveillance aircraft" means a small unmanned aircraft which is equipped to undertake any form of surveillance or data acquisition. (ANO2009, no 3015, part 22, article 167, para 5)
14 What are the separation requirements of Article 167- for small unmanned surveillance aircraft when operating over or within a congested area ororganised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons?  The circumstances referred to are over or within 150 metres of an organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons. (ANO2009, no 3015, part 22, article 167, para 2b)
15  What are the separation requirements of Article 167 - for small unmanned surveillance aircraft- in respectof any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft?  The circumstances referred to are within 50 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft. (ANO2009, no 3015, part 22, article 167, para 2c)
16 Except during take-off and landing, what are the separation requirements of Article 167- for small unmanned surveillance aircraft- excluding the person in charge of the aircraft or anyone under their control? During take-off or landing, a small unmanned surveillance aircraft must not be flown within 30 metres of any person but does not apply to the person in charge of the small unmanned surveillance aircraft or a person under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft. (ANO2009, no 3015, part 22, article 167, para 3)
17 What must be obtained before any flight within controlled airspace or an ATZ? The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft which has a mass of more than 7 kg excluding its fuel but including any articles or equipment installed in or attached to the aircraft at the commencement of its flight, must not fly the aircraft:

(a) in Class A, C, D or E airspace unless the permission of the appropriate air traffic control unit has been obtained;

(b) within an aerodrome traffic zone during the notified hours of watch of the air traffic control unit (if any) at that aerodrome unless the permission of any such air traffic control unit has been obtained; or

(c) at a height of more than 400 feet above the surface unless it is flying in airspace described in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) and in accordance with the requirements for that airspace. (CAP 658, Ch 2, para 4.2.2., Article 167, para 4a,b,c)
18 CAA General Exemption E4049- permits FPV flight without a buddy box, but with a competent observer; (a) How must the competent observer monitor the flight and (b) What is the maximum mass of aircraft that may be flown under this exemption?  (a) The person in charge is accompanied by a competent observer who maintains direct unaided visual contact and advises the person in charge accordingly.

(b) The maximum take-off mass of the SUA does not exceed 3.5 kg, including any batteries or fuel. (ANO 2009, ORS4, General Exemption E4049, No 1108, para 3b, c)
19 Who has legal responsibility for the safety of an FPV flight (a) conducted with a buddy box lead and (b) conducted without a buddy box lead? (a) The law requires that the person in charge of a model aircraft must maintain direct unaided visual contact with the aircraft sufficient to monitor its flight path so that collisions may be avoided. This is obviously not possible if the person in charge is wearing goggles or is otherwise constantly monitoring a display. Therefore there needs to be a way to facilitate this and to address other safety concerns.

(b) If under 3.5Kg, the FPV pilot. If over 3.5Kg then 2nd pilot acting as observer in direct unaided visual contact, is in charge. (CAP 658, Ch 6, Section 7.2)
20 According to CAP658 what are the 8 'Only fly if' checks for an FPV flight of an aircraft over 3.5kg? * The activity is solely for 'sport and recreation' purposes;
* two pilots take part;
* a Buddy Box system is employed;
* the person in charge operates the master transmitter;
* the person in charge does not wear the headset or view a screen;
* the aircraft remains within the natural unaided visual range of the person in charge;
* reliable operation of the Buddy Box is established; and
* a clear handover protocol is established.

These operating conditions very clearly place the legal responsibility for the safety of the flight on the person in charge who must maintain direct unaided visual contact with the model at all times. (CAP 658, Ch 6, Section 7.6)