CHAPTER 8
GENERAL FLIGHT RULES AND IFR AND SVFR
CONTROL PROCEDURES
Code of Federal Regulations CFR, Part 91, prescribes the basic flight regulations
governing the operation of aircraft within the United States. Any agency concerned with
the operation of aircraft, such as the Armed Forces and air carrier companies, may write
regulations applicable to its own operations. However, such regulations must not be
less restrictive than the minimum requirements as set forth in Part 91. Navy pilots must
also comply with General Flight and Operating Instructions, OPNAVINST 3710.7 that
supplements CFR, Part 91.
The majority of military flight directives are patterned after CFRs. Deviations from
established Federal regulations that have been authorized or prescribed for Navy pilots
are covered in each applicable section.
Flight rules are divided into General Flight Rules and two major categories: Visual Flight
Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). General flight rules apply to all aircraft
operations. Visual flight rules are additional rules governing the operation of aircraft in
weather conditions that permit the pilot to see-and-avoid other aircraft. Instrument flight
rules are also additional to general flight rules. However, IFR regulates the flight of
aircraft in weather conditions that do not permit VFR flight. While operating aircraft in
the United States, pilots must adhere to general flight rules and applicable portions of
VFR and IFR.
Over the high seas, aircraft (military and civilian) of United States registry must comply
with still another set of rules. These rules, outlined in Annex 2 of the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO), are international. Most countries of the free world comply
with the procedures in Annex 2.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The material in this chapter will enable you to:
Recognize those general flight rules that govern the operation of aircraft as
prescribed in CFR, Part 91 and OPNAVINST 3710.7
Recognize visual flight rules that govern the operation of aircraft
Recognize instrument flight rules that govern the operation of aircraft
State the rules aircraft must follow when entering Air Defense Identification
Zones (ADIZ)
Identify the control procedures specified for IFR traffic control
State air traffic control (ATC) aircraft vertical separation standards
Identify Special Visual Flight Rules and other special related procedures
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