Technical Subjects Air Law Air Law Overview: ATPL Subject 010 Complete Guide

Air Law Overview: ATPL Subject 010 Complete Guide

Comprehensive guide to ATPL Air Law covering ICAO framework, regulations, licensing, airspace, rules of the air, and operational requirements

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Updated: 2025-01-07

Air Law (ATPL Subject 010) forms the legal backbone of aviation. It integrates the ICAO regulatory framework with regional systems such as EASA and national aviation rules. This guide covers all essential topics you need for the exam — and your career as a professional pilot.

1. Introduction to Air Law

1.1 What Air Law Covers

Air Law is the collection of rules that govern:
  • International civil aviation (ICAO)
  • Regional regulation (EASA)
  • National law (CAA-level)
  • Operator rules (company manuals)
Air Law ensures:
  • Safety
  • Standardization
  • Predictable global operations
  • Proper licensing, procedures, and responsibilities

1.2 Exam Overview (ATPL Subject 010)

  • Questions: ~44
  • Time: 2 hours
  • Pass mark: 75%
  • Focus: Memorization + rules interpretation
  • Difficulty: Medium
The exam relies heavily on:
  • ICAO Articles & Annexes
  • EASA Part-FCL & Part-OPS
  • Rules of the Air
  • Airspace
  • Flight Time Limitations
  • Document requirements
  • Accident/incident procedures

2. ICAO Framework

2.1 The Chicago Convention (1944)

Foundational treaty of global aviation law. Key articles:
ArticleFocus
Art. 1 — SovereigntyEach state controls its own airspace
Art. 5 — Non-scheduled flightsOverflight rights under conditions
Art. 6 — Scheduled flightsNeed special permission (bilateral agreements)
Art. 12 — Rules of the AirICAO rules apply, especially over high seas
Art. 29+ — DocumentsCoA, CoR, crew licences, radio licence, journey log

2.2 ICAO Annexes (19 total)

Most relevant to Air Law:
  • Annex 1 — Personnel Licensing
  • Annex 2 — Rules of the Air
  • Annex 6 — Operation of Aircraft
  • Annex 8 — Airworthiness
  • Annex 11 — Air Traffic Services
Full list: ICAO Annexes
  • Standard (“shall”): Mandatory; differences must be filed
  • Recommended Practice (“should”): Desirable; no difference filing needed

3. EASA Regulatory System

3.1 Structure

EASA governs aviation across 31 states, providing:
  • Safety oversight
  • Aircraft certification
  • Licensing (Part-FCL)
  • Medical standards (Part-MED)
  • Operations (Part-OPS: CAT, NCO, SPO)

3.2 EASA Part-FCL: Licensing

Key minimum ages:
  • PPL: 17
  • CPL: 18
  • ATPL: 21
Flight time requirements:
  • PPL: 45 hours
  • CPL: 150–200 hours
  • ATPL: 1500 hours total, 500 multi-pilot
Theory:
  • 14 subjects
  • 75% pass
  • 18 months to complete 6 sittings
  • 7-year validity for licence issue

3.3 EASA Part-MED: Medical

Class 1 = CPL/ATPL. Class 2 = PPL.

Validity (Class 1):

  • Under 40: 12 months
  • Over 40: 6 months (commercial ops)

3.4 EASA Part-OPS

Covers:
  • MEL
  • Fuel planning
  • Pre-flight duties
  • FTL / FDP
  • Crew requirements
  • Performance requirements

4. Rules of the Air

4.1 PIC Responsibilities

  • Final authority
  • May deviate from rules for safety
  • Pre-flight briefing required:
  • Weather
  • NOTAMs
  • Fuel
  • Alternate
  • Performance

4.2 Right-of-Way

Key rules:
  • Aircraft on the right has right-of-way
  • Head-on: both turn right
  • Overtaking: overtake on right
  • Landing: lower aircraft has priority
  • Distress aircraft: absolute priority

4.3 Lights

  • Red: Left
  • Green: Right
  • White: Tail
  • Anti-collision: flashing red/white
ATC light signals also examined (steady/flashing red/green/white).

4.4 Prohibited Activities

  • Aerobatics over congested areas
  • Dropping objects (unless approved)
  • Flight while intoxicated
  • Formation flying (unless approved)

5. Airspace Classification (ICAO)

ClassIFRVFRSeparationClearanceNotes
AYesNoAllYesUpper airspace in Europe
BYesYesAllYesRare outside US
CYesYesIFR from IFR/VFRYesBusy TMAs
DYesYesIFR from IFRYesCTRs
EYesYesIFR from IFRIFR only250 kt < FL100
FYesYesSomeNo (advisory)Rare
GYesYesNoneNoUncontrolled

VMC minima (commonly tested)

Above FL100:
  • 8 km / 1500 m H / 1000 ft V
Below FL100:
  • 5 km / 1500 m H / 1000 ft V
Below 3000 ft AGL in E/G:
  • Clear of cloud / in sight of surface
Special VFR allowed inside CTR with reduced minima.

6. Flight Time Limitations (FTL)

Definitions

  • Flight Time: Brake-off to brake-on
  • Duty Period: All time from report to release
  • FDP (Flight Duty Period): Duty including flying
  • Rest Period: Free of all duties

FDP Limits (examples)

  • Max FDP: ~13 hours (time-dependent)
  • Reduced if multiple sectors operated
  • Extensions possible via:
  • In-flight rest
  • Commander's discretion

Cumulative Limits

  • 100 hours flight time in 28 days
  • 900–1000 hours per year
  • Duty time: 190 hours per month

7. Required Documents

For the aircraft:

  • Certificate of Airworthiness
  • Certificate of Registration
  • AFM/POH
  • MEL
  • Journey/Technical Log
  • Radio Licence
  • Insurance documents
  • Noise Certificate
  • Weight & Balance data

For the pilot:

  • Licence + ratings
  • Medical certificate
  • Passport/ID
  • Logbook
  • ICAO English Level 4+

8. Accident & Incident Investigation (Annex 13)

Definitions

Accident =
  • Serious injury, death, or
  • Substantial damage
Serious Incident =
  • Nearly an accident
  • TCAS RA, runway incursion, etc.

Investigation principles

  • Purpose: prevention, not blame
  • CVR/FDR: protected data
  • State of occurrence leads the investigation

9. EASA Learning Objectives (LOs)

LO 010.01 ICAO framework

  • Chicago Convention
  • ICAO structure
  • Standards vs Recommended Practices
  • Annexes (especially 1, 2, 6, 8, 11)

LO 010.02 Licensing

  • Age requirements
  • Medical classes
  • Renewals
  • Language proficiency

LO 010.03 Rules of the Air

  • Right-of-way
  • VMC minima
  • PIC responsibilities

LO 010.04 Airspace

  • Classes A–G
  • Services, separation, radio requirements

LO 010.05 Operations

  • FTL/FDP
  • Required documents
  • Operator obligations

10. Exam Tips

High-yield topics

  • Annex numbers (1, 2, 6, 8, 11)
  • Chicago Convention Articles
  • Airspace table
  • VMC minima
  • Medical validity
  • PIC authority
  • ATC light signals

Easy-to-confuse items

  • Standards vs Recommended Practices
  • Accident vs serious incident
  • Class 1 vs Class 2 medical validity
  • Flight vs duty vs FDP

Memory aids

  • “1-License, 2-Rules, 6-Ops, 8-Airworthy, 11-ATS”
  • “17-PPL, 18-CPL, 21-ATPL”
  • “Right has right-of-way”
  • “Red-left, green-right”
  • “Validation = visiting, Conversion = moving”

11. Study Strategy

1. Learn ICAO framework first 2. Learn rules & airspace with diagrams 3. Memorize numbers (ages, VMC, validity) 4. Drill question banks (300+ Q’s) 5. Do full mock exams 6. Review weak areas

Total study time: 85–120 hours

12. Conclusion

Air Law is the foundation of safe and legal aviation practice. Mastering Subject 010 gives you:

  • A thorough understanding of global aviation regulation
  • The ability to operate confidently in international environments
  • Essential knowledge for airline SOPs, safety oversight, and professional responsibilities
With strong comprehension of ICAO, EASA, and the Rules of the Air, you'll be prepared not only for the exam — but for your entire flying career.

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