Instruction 2023-01: Rules of the air in Civil Aviation

Date of entry into force: 1 March 2023

The present instruction is based on the following European regulation:

• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 of 26 September 2012 laying down the common rules of the air and operational provisions regarding services and procedures in air navigation and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1035/2011 and Regulations (EC) No 1265/2007, (EC) No 1794/2006, (EC) No 730/2006, (EC) No 1033/2006 and (EU) No 255/2010 (« Regulation SERA »).

The present instruction completes:  

• Regulation SERA ;
• the grand-ducal regulation concerning the rules of the air.

Art. 1. Definitions

1°      « AMSL » : above mean sea level ;

2°      « CTR » : « control zone »; controlled airspace extending upwards from the surface of the earth to a specified upper limit;

3°      « ft » : « foot»; measuring unit, 1 foot being 0,30478 metres ;

4°      « NM » : « nautical mile »; measuring unit, 1 nautical mile being 1 852 metres ;

5°      « VFR » : visual flight rules;

6°      « domestic flight » : a flight departing from Luxemburgish territory and not crossing any border.

Art. 2. Formation flights – SERA.3135

(1) Aircraft shall not be flown in formation except by pre-arrangement among the pilots-in-command of the aircraft taking part in the flight.

(2) If the formation flight takes place in controlled airspace, the following conditions apply:

1°            one of the pilots-in-command shall be designated as the flight leader;

2°            the formation operates as a single aircraft with regard to navigation and position reporting;

3°            the formation uses one single transponder during the flight in formation, which shall be the one on board the flight leader’s aircraft;

4°            separation between aircraft in the flight shall be the responsibility of the flight leader and the pilots-in-command of the other aircraft in the flight and shall include periods of transition when aircraft are manoeuvring to attain their own separation within the formation and during join-up and breakaway; and

5°            a distance not exceeding 1 km (0,5 nm) laterally and longitudinally and 30 m (100 ft) vertically from the flight leader shall be maintained by each aircraft.

(3) Take-off in formation at Luxembourg airport may only take place upon prior authorisation by the Direction de l’aviation civile, after consultation with the Administration de la navigation aérienne.

Art. 3. Contents of a flight plan – SERA.4005

(1) A complete flight plan shall comprise all the information foreseen by point SERA.4005 of regulation SERA.

(2) For domestic VFR flights, a reduced flight plan may be submitted 30 minutes before the flight. It comprises the following information:

1°            aircraft identification;

2°            departure aerodrome and estimated off-block time;

3°            destination aerodrome or operating site and total estimated flight time;

4°            mandatory reporting point for CTR exit;

5°            fuel endurance;

6°            total number of persons on board;

7°            name of the pilot in command.

(3) An abbreviated flight plan transmitted in the air by radiotelephony for the crossing of controlled airspace contains, as a minimum:

1°      call sign;

2°      type of aircraft;

3°      point of entry;

4°      point of exit;

5°      level.

Art. 4. VFR flights at night – SERA.5005 (c)

(1) VFR flights at night shall be operated exclusively in controlled airspace.

(2) A complete flight plan shall be filed for all VFR flights at night.

(3) Except when necessary for take-off or landing, or except when specifically authorised by the Direction de l’aviation civile, VFR flights at night shall be operated at a level which is at least 300 m (1 000 ft) above the highest obstacle located within 8 km of the estimated position of the aircraft.

(4)  Visibility and distance from cloud minima in visual meteorological conditions at night are the following:  

However:

      1°            the ceiling shall not be less than 450 m (1 500 ft);

      2°            in airspace classes C and D, at and below 900 m (3 000 ft) AMSL or 300 m (1 000 ft) above terrain, whichever is the higher, the pilot shall maintain continuous sight of the surface