GENERAL FLIGHT RULES
The most commonly used flying regulations are general flight rules. Both Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) and military directives begin by presenting general flight
rules and requirements that apply to the operation of an aircraft in the air and on the
ground. NATOPS General Flight and Operating Instructions, OPNAVINST 3710.7, is
patterned after civil directives. In some cases, this OPNAVINST places greater
restrictions on the operation of Navy aircraft than those placed by the FAA on civil
aircraft.
An aircraft must be operated at all times in compliance with general flight rules and also
in compliance with either visual flight rules or instrument flight rules.
Right-of-Way Rules
Every state has right-of-way rules for automobiles such as those rules used at major
intersections and traffic hubs. Aircraft have similar rules.
CFR Rules
Whether a flight is conducted under IFR or VFR, each person operating the aircraft
must be alert to see and avoid other aircraft despite the weather conditions.
CFR, Part 91, makes it very clear who has the right-of-way. The five right-of-way rules
(seen in Table 8-1) involve situations that pilots are likely to experience:
8-2
