DGCA Air Regulations: Rules of the Air Questions

Correct answer: C. Switch his landing lights on and off twice or, if not so equipped, his navigation lights twice

This is the standard ICAO night acknowledgement signal — flash landing lights TWICE or navigation lights twice if no landing lights). During daytime the pilot rocks the wings. The R in Morse dit-dah-dit) using nav lights is NOT the standard — that's a distractor. Two flashes of landing/nav lights = I have received and understood your signal.

Correct answer: C. Switch his landing lights on and off twice or, if not so equipped, his navigation lights twice

At NIGHT, to acknowledge ground distress signals, the pilot flashes landing lights ON and OFF TWICE. If no landing lights are fitted, navigation lights are flashed twice instead. During DAYTIME, wing rocking is used. The light flashing is specifically TWICE — this is the standard ICAO signal meaning message received and understood.

Correct answer: C. 1000 ft above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600 m from the aircraft

Over congested city areas, VFR flights must be at least 1000 ft above the highest obstacle within a 600 metre radius. Think of it as a safety dome — you must be 1000 ft above the tallest building or tower within 600 m of you.

Correct answer: B. Safe, no action is required

Red light = left wingtip light. Relative bearing 290° means the other aircraft is slightly to your left and ahead. You are seeing their LEFT side, which means they are crossing from your right to left — so THEY must give way to YOU. You are the right-of-way aircraft. No action needed — you are safe!

Correct answer: C. 1500ft or visibility is less than 5km

A control zone CTR) is like a protected bubble around a busy airport. VFR pilots fly by looking outside, so they need to see clearly. If clouds are lower than 1500 ft or visibility is less than 5 km, it is too risky to enter without ATC telling you it is okay.

Correct answer: C. FL150

VFR flights are not permitted above FL150 because, at higher altitudes, air traffic becomes more complex and controlled. Above this level, pilots need to rely on instruments for navigation and communication, which is why IFR rules apply. A common mistake is thinking FL180 is the limit, but that's actually the transition altitude where IFR and VFR operations change. Just like driving on a busy highway, it’s safer to follow stricter rules when traffic gets heavy.

Correct answer: C. The forward visibility from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight

Flight visibility simply means what the pilot can see looking forward from inside the cockpit while flying. It is the actual forward visibility experienced by the pilot in the air — not a ground measurement, not a formula, just what the pilot sees ahead from their seat.

Correct answer: B. Visibility 1200 metres

In aviation weather reports like METAR), visibility is always expressed in metres or statute miles in some countries). The correct ICAO standard format uses metres, so Visibility 1200 metres is the proper way to say it.

Correct answer: C. Yes, the pilot in command must inform ATC using the phrase Cancelling my IFR flight

A pilot in command always has the authority to cancel IFR and switch to visual flying — as long as conditions allow. ATC cannot stop you, and you do not need their permission. You simply inform them by saying Cancelling my IFR flight. The key is that the pilot initiates it, not ATC.

Correct answer: C. Yes, the pilot in command must inform ATC using the phrase cancelling my IFR flight.

Yes, a pilot CAN switch from IFR to VFR — it is allowed! But you cannot just do it secretly. You must call ATC and say the magic words: Cancelling my IFR flight. This tells them you are now flying visually and they can stop providing IFR separation for you. You are the captain — you make this call, not ATC.

Correct answer: B. On the initiative of the aircraft commander

The decision to cancel IFR and switch to VFR always comes from the pilot in command — never from ATC. ATC cannot order you to cancel IFR. You choose to do it when you can see well enough to fly visually. You then inform ATC. The captain is the boss of this decision!

Correct answer: B. Control area

A Control Area CTA) is a block of controlled airspace that starts at a defined altitude above the ground and goes up from there. It does NOT touch the ground — it has a lower limit above the surface. This is different from a Control Zone CTR) which goes all the way down to the ground around airports. Think of a CTA as a floating controlled box in the sky with a floor.