Page 17 - UK SERA Standardises European Rules of the Air Regulations (Consolidated) January 2022

SERA - Standardised European Rules of the Air

MINIMUM HEIGHTS ESTABLISHED BY THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY ABOVE THE REQUIRED
MINIMUM HEIGHTS
In cases where it is considered that the minimum heights specified in SERA.5005 and SERA.5015 are
not sufficient, the competent authority may establish appropriate structures, such as controlled,
restricted or prohibited airspace, and define specific conditions through national arrangements. In all
cases, the related Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and charts should be made easy to
comprehend for airspace users.
SERA.3105 GM2 Minimum heights
MINIMUM HEIGHTS PERMITTED BY THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY BELOW THE REQUIRED
MINIMUM HEIGHTS
The permission from the competent authority to fly at lower levels than those stipulated in
SERA.5005(f) and SERA.5015(b) may be granted either as a general exception for unlimited number
of cases or for a specific flight upon specific request. The competent authority is responsible for
ensuring that the level of safety resulting from such permission is acceptable.
SERA.3110 Cruising levels
The cruising levels at which a flight or a portion of a flight is to be conducted shall be in terms of:
(a) flight levels, for flights at or above the lowest usable flight level or, where applicable, above
the transition altitude;
(b) altitudes, for flights below the lowest usable flight level or, where applicable, at or below the
transition altitude.
SERA.3115 Dropping or spraying
Dropping or spraying from an aircraft in flight shall only be conducted in accordance with:
(a) legislation, if any, applicable to that activity, and
(b) as indicated by any relevant information, advice and/or clearance from the appropriate air
traffic services unit.
SERA.3120 Towing
An aircraft or other object shall only be towed by an aircraft in accordance with:
(a) legislation, if any, applicable to that activity, and
(b) as indicated by any relevant information, advice and/or clearance from the appropriate air
traffic services unit.
SERA.3125 Parachute descents
Parachute descents, other than emergency descents, shall only be made in accordance with:
(a) legislation, if any, applicable to that activity, and
(b) as indicated by any relevant information, advice and/or clearance from the appropriate air
traffic services unit.
SERA.3130 Aerobatic flight
Aerobatic flights shall only be carried out in accordance with:
(a) legislation, if any, applicable to that activity, and
(b) as indicated by any relevant information, advice and/or clearance from the appropriate air
traffic services unit.
SERA.3135 Formation flights
Aircraft shall not be flown in formation except by pre-arrangement among the pilots-in-command of the
aircraft taking part in the flight and, for formation flight in controlled airspace, in accordance with the
conditions prescribed by the competent authority. These conditions shall include the following:
(a) one of the pilots-in-command shall be designated as the flight leader;
(b) the formation operates as a single aircraft with regard to navigation and position reporting;
(c) separation between aircraft in the flight shall be the responsibility of the flight leader and the
pilots-in-command of the other aircraft in the flight and shall include periods of transition
when aircraft are manoeuvring to attain their own separation within the formation and
during join-up and breakaway; and
(d) for State aircraft a maximum lateral, longitudinal and vertical distance between each
aircraft and the flight leader in accordance with the Chicago Convention. For other than
State aircraft a distance not exceeding 1 km (0,5 nm) laterally and longitudinally and 30 m
(100 ft) vertically from the flight leader shall be maintained by each aircraft.
SERA.3140 Unmanned free balloons
An unmanned free balloon shall be operated in such a manner as to minimise hazards to persons,
property or other aircraft and in accordance with the conditions specified in Appendix 2.
SERA.3145 Prohibited areas and restricted areas
Aircraft shall not be flown in a prohibited area, or in a restricted area, the particulars of which have
been duly published, except in accordance with the conditions of the restrictions or by permission of
the Secretary of State.
SERA.3201 General
Nothing in this Regulation shall relieve the pilot-in-command of an aircraft from the responsibility of
taking such action, including collision avoidance manoeuvres based on resolution advisories provided
by ACAS equipment, as will best avert collision.
SERA.3201 GM1 General
VIGILANCE ON BOARD AN AIRCRAFT
Regardless of the type of flight or the class of airspace in which the aircraft is operating, it is important
that vigilance for the purpose of detecting potential collisions be exercised on board an aircraft. This
vigilance is important at all times including while operating on the movement area of an aerodrome.
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