RPL Exam: VFR Flight Rules, Airspace, and Right-of-Way

Air law is one of the higher-mark topics in the RPL exam. Visual Flight Rules (VFR) govern when and how you can fly in Australian airspace. Understanding airspace classifications, visibility minima, altitude rules, and right-of-way will answer a large proportion of air law questions.

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) defined

VFR flight means the pilot navigates and maintains separation from terrain and other traffic by visual reference. To fly VFR, you must remain in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) — sufficient visibility and clearance from cloud. When conditions deteriorate below VMC minima, you must not continue VFR flight.

VMC minima for RPL/PPL

Australia uses ICAO-based VMC minima. The RPL exam tests the minima applicable to the airspace classes you'll fly in. These are defined under Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Part 91.

Class G airspace — below 3,000 ft AMSL or 1,000 ft AGL (whichever is higher)

• Flight visibility: 5,000 m
• Distance from cloud: clear of cloud, in sight of ground or water

Class G airspace — at or above 3,000 ft AMSL or 1,000 ft AGL (whichever is higher), but below 10,000 ft

• Flight visibility: 5,000 m
• Distance from cloud: 1,500 m horizontally, 1,000 ft vertically

Class G airspace — at or above 10,000 ft

• Flight visibility: 8 km
• Distance from cloud: 1,500 m horizontally, 1,000 ft vertically

Class C and E airspace (below 10,000 ft)

• Flight visibility: 5,000 m
• Distance from cloud: 1,500 m horizontally, 1,000 ft vertically
• ATC clearance required to enter Class C

Class C and E airspace (at or above 10,000 ft)

• Flight visibility: 8 km
• Distance from cloud: 1,500 m horizontally, 1,000 ft vertically

Class D airspace (all heights)

• Flight visibility: 5,000 m
• Distance from cloud: 600 m horizontally, 1,000 ft above cloud, 500 ft below cloud
• ATC clearance required to enter

Exam tip: Class D has its own unique cloud separation criteria — notably 600 m horizontal (not 1,500 m) and an asymmetric vertical requirement (1,000 ft above, 500 ft below). Don't confuse these with Class G or Class C minima.

Australian airspace classification

Class	Type	ATC clearance	Where found
A	Controlled	Required — VFR requires approval under CASR 91.285	High-level airways (above FL180 in most areas)
C	Controlled	Required (VFR + IFR)	Around major aerodromes, above Class D
D	Controlled	Required (VFR + IFR)	Around towered regional aerodromes
E	Controlled	Not required for VFR	Certain en route airspace
G	Uncontrolled	Not required	Most of low-level Australia

Note on Class A: VFR flight in Class A airspace is not outright prohibited — it requires specific approval under CASR 91.285. However, for practical purposes at the RPL level, you will not be operating in Class A.

RPL holders are generally restricted to Class G and Class D (with appropriate training). Class C entry requires specific endorsements.

Cruising levels — the quadrantal rule

In uncontrolled airspace, VFR aircraft at or above 3,000 ft AGL must cruise at specific altitude bands based on magnetic track:

Magnetic track	VFR cruising level
000° – 179°	Odd thousands + 500 ft (e.g. 3,500; 5,500; 7,500)
180° – 359°	Even thousands + 500 ft (e.g. 4,500; 6,500; 8,500)

The +500 ft buffer above each thousand separates VFR from IFR traffic, which cruises at the round thousands.

Minimum height rules

Except when taking off or landing, or with specific exemption, minimum height rules apply under CASR Part 91:

• Over populous areas (CASR 91.265, MOS 12.01): You must not fly below 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within a 600 m radius of any point on the ground directly below the aircraft.
• Over non-populous areas (CASR 91.267, MOS 12.02): You must not fly below 500 ft above the highest obstacle within a 300 m radius of any point on the ground directly below the aircraft.

You must also maintain sufficient height to land clear of populated areas following an engine failure.

Right-of-way rules

When two aircraft are on converging courses, someone must give way. CASR Part 91 defines a clear hierarchy:

1. Balloons — have right of way over all other aircraft
2. Gliders — right of way over airships and powered aircraft
3. Airships — right of way over powered aircraft
4. Powered aircraft — must give way to all of the above
5. Within any category: an aircraft in distress has right of way over all other aircraft

Converging rule

When two powered aircraft are converging at roughly the same level, the aircraft with the other aircraft on its right must give way. The other aircraft maintains course and speed.

Head-on rule

When two aircraft are approaching head-on, both aircraft alter course to the right.

Overtaking rule

The overtaking aircraft keeps clear and alters course to the right. The aircraft being overtaken has right of way and maintains course and speed.

Landing rule

Aircraft on final approach or landing have right of way over aircraft in flight or on the ground. When two or more aircraft are approaching to land, the lower aircraft has right of way — but that aircraft may not cut in front of another aircraft on final approach or take advantage of this rule to cut ahead.

Communication requirements

At aerodromes with a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF), specific broadcast and monitoring requirements apply:

• Broadcast intentions in the circuit area (taxiing, entering runway, backtracking, turning final, clear of runway)
• Monitor CTAF continuously while within 10 NM of the aerodrome
• Broadcasts are mandatory, not advisory, for RPL/PPL operations at non-controlled aerodromes

RPL operational limitations

The RPL itself carries specific regulatory limits that are commonly tested in the CASA exam:

• Day VFR only — no night flying
• Passenger carriage: RPL holders may carry passengers only after a flight review and after meeting the prescribed recent experience requirements
• Aircraft type: limited to single-engine, non-turbine aircraft with a Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW) of 1,500 kg or less (as specified in the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness)
• Cross-country: additional training and aerodrome endorsements required for flights away from the training area

VFR fuel requirements

For day VFR flights in piston or turboprop aircraft of 5,700 kg MTOW or less, you must carry enough fuel to complete the planned flight plus a 30-minute reserve. Night VFR operations require a 45-minute reserve — but night flight is beyond the scope of the RPL.

Common exam traps

• "Clear of cloud" only applies in Class G below 3,000 ft AMSL or 1,000 ft AGL (whichever is higher) — above that, you need specific cloud separation distances.
• Class D has unique VMC criteria: 600 m horizontal from cloud (not 1,500 m), plus 1,000 ft above and 500 ft below cloud. Don't confuse these with Class G or Class C minima.
• VMC at or above 10,000 ft: visibility increases to 8 km — a commonly tested detail.
• VFR cruising levels apply from 3,000 ft AGL up — below that, fly at any altitude subject to the minimum height rules.
• The right-of-way hierarchy applies regardless of whether the lower-priority aircraft is larger or faster.
• You must give way to a glider even if the glider is in a position of advantage.
• Head-on: both aircraft turn right — not "the slower one gives way."
• Class A airspace: VFR is not outright prohibited — it requires approval under CASR 91.285. However, exam questions may test whether you know VFR access is heavily restricted.
• Day VFR fuel reserve is 30 minutes, not 45 — the 45-minute figure applies to night VFR.

Related Resources

• Flight Rules Study Guide
• RPL Air Law Guide