Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, European Advisory Commission, Austria, Germany, Volume III

Department of the Army Files

Report of the Committee on Aviation of the Air Directorate

DAIR/P(45)71 Revised

[Berlin,] 31 December 1945.

Flight Rules for Aircraft Flying in Air Corridors in Germany and Berlin Control Zone

Section I

general

1. a. Object. To ensure the maximum safety in flight of all aircraft flying in corridors and in the Berlin Control Zone under all conditions.

b. Definition. Definitions of terms used in this paper are contained in Section V.

2. Air Corridors in Germany. The following air corridors have been established:

• Frankfurt–Berlin
• Bückeburg–Berlin
• Hamburg–Berlin

Each of the above corridors is 20 English miles (32 kilometers) wide, i.e., 10 miles (16 kilometers) each side of the center line. It is probable that from time to time additional corridors may be established, and these rules apply equally to any such corridors.

3. Berlin Control Zone (B.C.Z). The Berlin Control Zone is defined as the air space between ground level and 10,000 feet (3000 meters) within a radius of 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the Allied Control Authority Building, in which is established the Berlin Air Safety Center (B.A.S.C.).

4. Berlin Air Safety Center (B.A.S.C.). The Berlin Air Safety Center has been established in the Allied Control Authority Building with the object of ensuring safety of flight for all aircraft in the Berlin area. The Safety Center regulates all flying in the Berlin Control Zone and also in the corridors extending from Berlin to the boundaries of adjacent control zones. The functions of the Berlin Air Safety Center are as follows:

a. To maintain up-to-date information on the state of the weather over German territory and in other Control Zones.

b. To regulate air traffic in the Berlin Control Zone (in conditions of bad visibility and at night) by fixing the time, course, and height of flight, and ensuring the vertical and horizontal separation of aircraft necessary to avoid collision.

c. To inform crews of aircraft in or near the Berlin Control Zone of the weather conditions and the situation in the air, giving, if necessary, recommendations on courses to detour areas with bad meteorological conditions, or give routes in the limits of the Berlin Control Zone and other recommendations.

d. To receive information from airfields located in the Berlin Control Zone on aircraft landings thereon.

e. To co-ordinate search for aircraft on request by airfields in those cases where the aircraft is one or more hours overdue.

f. To be constantly informed of the conditions of airfields, radio facilities, and navigational and other aids for flight security, situated in the Berlin Control Zone.

g. To inform airfields located within the Berlin Control Zone about proposed landings of aircraft on them and to receive confirmation from those airfields about their readiness to accept arriving aircraft.

h. To receive information from airfields, and also from aircraft in flight, about proposed flights over the Berlin Control Zone and about landings on airfields within the Zone.

i. To compile necessary operational and statistical reports.

j. To obtain clearance for aircraft wishing to proceed to other recognized Control Zones.

5. Control of aircraft traffic by the B.A.S.C. is normally exercised through the appropriate national airfields in the Berlin Control Zone.

6. Aircraft Flying to and from Berlin Under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

a. Arriving aircraft will contact the airfield of destination in the Berlin Control Zone at a distance of 75 miles (120 kilometers) from Berlin, giving their estimated time of arrival, altitude and other information as appears necessary. (This communications contact is not mandatory but is desirable). The airfield at which the aircraft arrives will inform the B.A.S.C. of such arrival.

b. Departing Aircraft. The airfield clearing departing aircraft in the Berlin Control Zone will inform the B.A.S.C. of each departure.

c. Aircraft without two-way radio or whose radio has failed are free to fly into or out of the Berlin Control Zone in accordance with Visual Flight Rules (Section III).

d. When aircraft are departing to another Control Zone, the airfield of departure will obtain clearance through B.A.S.C. in case Instrument Flight Rules are in force at the airfield of destination. Should this be the case, the B.A.S.C. will obtain clearance from the Control Zones at destination.

7. Aircraft Flying to and from the Berlin Control Zone Under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

a. Aircraft flying into and out of the Berlin Control Zone will operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), (Section IV), when the visibility is less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) or the ceiling is less than 1000 feet (300 meters).

b. Incoming aircraft will be required to contact by radio the airfield of destination when not less than 75 miles (120 kilometers) from the Berlin Control Zone. Airfield of destination will inform B.A.S.C. accordingly, which will issue an air traffic clearance and such other information and instructions as appear necessary for safety.

c. All landings, under instrument flight conditions, will be controlled by the airfield of destination, which will have previously obtained all necessary instruction and information from B.A.S.C.

d. Departing aircraft must be cleared through B.A.S.C. which will approve the flight plan as filed or indicate such changes as may be necessary to ensure adequate separation.

8. Aircraft Grossing Corridors. Aircraft will call whenever possible, the appropriate communications station, and obtain clearance prior to crossing a corridor. When aircraft are unable to receive clearance to cross corridors, they will cross at a magnetic heading of 90 degrees to that corridor and at an altitude appropriate to the quadrant in which the heading lies. (See paragraph 26)

Section II

general flight rules

9. Aircraft shall be flown at all times in compliance with the rules contained in this Section and in addition shall comply with either the Visual Flight Rules or the Instrument Flight Rules.

10. Preflight Action. Prior to commencing a flight, the person in command of an aircraft shall familiarize himself with information necessary for the proper operation of the aircraft enroute and on the airfields which may be used.

11. Airspace Restrictions. Aircraft shall not be flown over areas, particulars of which have been duly published and where flight is restricted by a state, except in accordance with the terms of such permission as may be granted by the appropriate authority.

12. Reckless Flying. An aircraft shall not be operated in a negligent manner or in a reckless manner so as to endanger life or property of others.

13. Landing and Take-off Rides. The person in command of an aircraft operated on or in the vicinity of an airfield shall comply with the following rules:

a. Observe other airfield traffic for the purpose of avoiding collision.

b. Conform to or avoid the pattern of traffic formed by other aircraft in operation.

c. Make all turns to the left, when approaching for a landing and after taking off, unless otherwise prescribed by the appropriate authority or instructed by airfield control.

d. If airfield control is in operation,

(1) Maintain a continuous watch on the appropriate radio channel, or if this is not possible, keep a watch for such instructions as may be issued by visual means.

(2) Obtain, either by radio or visual signal, such authorization for his movements as may be necessary for the protection of airfield traffic.

e. If airfield control is not in operation, landing and taking off shall, insofar as practicable, be into the wind.

14. Air Traffic Control Instructions. The person in command of an aircraft operated in areas where air traffic control is exercised shall comply with Air Traffic control instructions received.

15. Right-of-Way Rules.

a. General

(1) An aircraft shall not be operated in such proximity to other aircraft as to create a collision hazard. Flight in formation is prohibited. An aircraft which is obliged by the following rules to keep out of the way of another shall avoid passing over or under the other, or crossing ahead of it, unless passing well clear of it.

(2) The aircraft which has the right-of-way shall normally maintain its course and speed; nevertheless, nothing in these rules shall absolve the person in command of an aircraft from taking such action as will best aid to avert collision.

(3) Proximity. Aircraft shall be flown at least 500 feet (150 meters) apart except by pre-arrangement of the pilots in command of the aircraft.

b. Converging.

(1) An aircraft shall give way to another aircraft of a class different from its own in the following order:

(a) mechanically-driven aircraft;

(b) airships;

(c) gliders;

(d) balloons.

(2) When two aircraft of the same class are at approximately the same altitude, the aircraft which has the other on its right shall give way, nevertheless, mechanically-driven aircraft shall give way to aircraft which are seen to be towing another aircraft.

c. Approaching Head-on. When two aircraft are approaching head-on, or approximately so and there is danger of collision, each shall alter its course to the right, as soon as visible to each other, and at a distance not less than 1500 feet (500 meters).

d. Overtaking. An aircraft which is being overtaken has the right-of-way and the overtaking aircraft, whether climbing, descending or in horizontal flight, shall keep out of the way of the other aircraft by altering its course to the right, and no subsequent change in the relative positions of the two aircraft shall absolve the overtaking aircraft from this obligation until it is entirely past and clear. This alteration of course should be made when the overtaking aircraft is not less than one mile (1500 meters) from the overtaken aircraft.

Note: An overtaking aircraft is an aircraft which approaches another from the rear on a line forming an angle of less than 70 degrees with the plane of symmetry of the latter, i.e., is in such a position with reference to the other aircraft that at night it should be unable to see either of that aircraft’s forwardlights.

e. Landing.

(1) Aircraft, while landing or maneuvering in preparation to land, have the right-of-way over other aircraft in flight or on the ground or water.

(2) In the case of two or more mechanically-driven aircraft approaching an airfield for the purpose of landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but it shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in in front of another which is descending in a straight line for the purpose of landing, or to overtake that aircraft.

f. Taking Off. An aircraft about to take off shall not attempt to do so until there is no apparent risk of collision with another aircraft.

g. Emergency Landing. An aircraft which is aware that another is compelled to land shall give way to that aircraft.

16. Minimum Safe Altitudes—Except when necessary for taking off and landing in an emergency or when otherwise ordered, aircraft shall be flown:

a. When over the congested areas of cities, towns, settlements, or open air assemblies of persons, at altitudes sufficient to permit emergency landings outside such areas and in no cases less than 1,000 feet (300 meters) above such areas.

b. When elsewhere than as specified in paragraph a, at an altitude of not less than 500 feet (150 meters).

17. Towing Objects. The person in command of an aircraft shall not permit anything to be towed by such aircraft, except in accordance with requirements prescribed by the appropriate authority.

18. Dropping Objects. The person in command of an aircraft shall not permit anything to be dropped from the aircraft in flight which might create hazard to person or property on the ground or water.

19. Parachute Descents. Parachute descents, other than necessary emergency descents, shall not be made unless authorized by the appropriate authority.

20. Acrobatic Flight. No aircraft shall be acrobatically flown so as to endanger air traffic; furthermore, the performance of acrobatics over certain areas may be subject to the consent of the appropriate authority.

21. Additional Rules for Night Operations.

a. Lights

(1) Aircraft in Operation—By night all aircraft being operated shall display lights.

(2) Aircraft Not in Operation—By night at all airfields used or available for night flying, all aircraft parked or moving on the Movement Area or in dangerous proximity thereto, shall be clearly illuminated or lighted, or the area which they occupy marked with obstruction lights.

b. Flights within Control Areas or Control Zones. All aircraft being operated at night within control areas or control zones shall be flown in accordance with the Instrument Flight Rules or as otherwise authorized by B.A.S.C. or other Air Traffic Center.

22. Authority of Person in Command of an Aircraft. The person in command of an aircraft shall be directly responsible for its operation and shall have final authority as to disposition of the aircraft while he is in command, which shall include the maintaining of discipline of all persons onboard.

23. Notification of Arrival. A person in command of an aircraft making a flight for which a Flight Plan has been filed shall be responsible for ensuring that an arrival message is submitted immediately upon landing for transmission to the appropriate agency.

Section III

visual flight rules (vfr)

24. Within Control Zones. An aircraft operated within a Control Zone shall be flown at least 2,000 feet (600 meters) horizontally and 500 feet (150 meters) vertically from all clouds, and with a flight visibility of at least 3 statute miles (5 kilometers), unless

a. otherwise authorized by B.A.S.C. or other Air Traffic Center; or

b. flown in accordance with Instrument Flight Rules.

25. Within Corridors and Control Areas but Outside of Control Zones.

a. At or above 700 feet (200 meters) above the ground or water—Aircraft shall be flown in accordance with the rules applicable to flight within control zones.

b. Below 700 feet (200 meters) above the ground or water—Aircraft shall be flown clear of clouds and within sight of the ground or water.

26. Quadrantal Height Separation. Unless otherwise ordered aircraft flying in the Berlin Control Zone or in the corridors leading to it will fly acording to Quadrantal Height separation as set out below, although this wil not be mandatory except under Instrument Flight conditions. In order to avoid confusion the quadrantal heights applicable to each corridor are set out in para. 40.

Magnetic Heading	Cruising Altitude (Feet above sea level)
From 0° up to but not including 90°	Odd thousands of feet (1000 and 3000 etc)
From 90° up to but not including 180°	Odd thousands of feet plus 500 ft. (1500, 3500 etc)
From 180° up to but not including 270°	Even thousands of feet (2000, 3500 etc)
From 270° up to but no including 360°	Even thousands of feet plus 500 ft. (2500, 4500 etc.)

Section IV

instrument flight rules (ifr)

27. Aircraft within corridors or within the Berlin Control Zone shall be flown in accordance with the rules contained in this section except as provided in the Visual Flight Rules.

28. Pilot Qualification. The person in command of an aircraft shall be qualified for flight under Instrument Flight Rules.

29. Aircraft Equipment. Aircraft shall be equipped for IFR Flight to include:

a. Suitable flight instruments.

b. Radio Equipment so as to maintain two-way communication with the B.A.S.C. or other Air Traffic Centers.

c. Radio navigation equipment appropriate to the route to be flown.

30. Altimeter. At least one sensitive altimeter in each aircraft will be set to current pressure at mean sea level of the area in which the aircraft is flying.

31. Fuel Requirements. No aircraft shall take off without fuel and oil sufficient, considering the wind and other weather conditions forecast for the flight, at least;

a. to complete such flight to the point of first intended landing, and thereafter,

b. to fly to and land at the alternate airfield designated in the flight plan, and thereafter,

c. to fly, at normal cruising consumption, for a period of at least 45 minutes.

32. Weather Minima—Landing and take off minima at their stations will be established by each agency operating aircraft in Europe.

33. Alternate Airfield—No take off of aircraft will be made unless:

a. The alternate airfield named in the flight plan has a landing area suitable for the aircraft to be used, and

b. Weather reports and forecasts indicate that the weather conditions at the alternate airport will remain at or above the minima specified by the operating agency until the arrival of the aircraft thereat.

34. Over-the-top Flight—Such flight shall be governed by Instrument Flight Rules whenever the attitude of the aircraft and the flight path cannot be controlled at all times by visual reference to the ground or water.

35. Preflight Action—Prior to commencing a flight, the person in command of an aircraft shall make a careful study of available current weather reports and forecasts, and shall determine that the flight can be made with safety, taking into consideration fuel requirements and alternate course of action in the event that flight cannot be completed as planned.

36. Flight Plan—Prior to take-off from any point within or prior to entering a Control Area or Control Zone, a Flight Plan shall be filed with the appropriate Air Traffic Center. (B.A.S.C.). Such Flight Plan shall contain the following information unless otherwise authorized by B.A.S.C. or other Air Traffic Center.

a. the aircraft identification and radio call sign;

b. the type of aircraft involved;

c. the name of the person in command of the aircraft;

d. the point of departure;

e. the cruising altitude, or altitudes, and the route to be followed;

f. the point of first intended landing;

g. the proposed true air speed at cruising altitude;

h. transmitting and receiving frequency or frequencies to be used;

i. the proposed time of departure, or entry in Control Area or Control Zone;

j. the estimated elapsed time until arrival over the point of first intended landing;

k. the alternate airfield;

l. the amount of fuel on board expressed in hours;

m. any other pertinent information which the person in command of the aircraft, or the Air Traffic Center, deems necessary for control purposes.

37. Air Traffic Clearance—Prior to operating an aircraft in a Control Area or a Control Zone, a traffic clearance based on the flight plan shall be obtained from the appropriate Air Traffic Center. Aircraft shall be flown in accordance with an air traffic clearance and, where applicable, shall follow the published instrument approach procedure for the airfields to be used. No deviations shall be made from the requirements of an air traffic clearance unless an emergency situation arises which necessitates immediate action, in which case as soon as possible after such emergency authority is exercised, the person in command of the aircraft shall inform the appropriate Air Traffic Center of the deviation and, if necessary obtain an amended clearance.

38. Communication Contacts—When the flight is made within Control Areas or Control Zones, the person in command of an aircraft shall be responsible for ensuring that a continuous listening watch is maintained on the appropriate radio frequency and that the time and altitude of passing each designated point, together with any other required information, are reported by radio as soon as possible to the appropriate Air Traffic Center.

39. Communication Failure—In the event of inability to maintain two-way radio communication as required by Paragraph 38 above, the person in command of an aircraft shall observe one of the following procedures in the order listed:

a. Proceed according to current air traffic clearance, or, if not received, according to Flight Plan, and commence descent at destination at approach time last authorized, or, if not received, at the estimated time of arrival specified in Flight Plan;

b. Proceed in weather conditions equal to or better than those specified in the Visual Flight Rules;

c. Land as soon as practicable.

40. Corridor Cruising Altitudes

a. Except when necessary for taking off or landing, aircraft operating in a Corridor shall be flown at not less than 1000 feet (300 meters) above the surface.

b. Aircraft operating in the corridors shall fly at the cruising altitudes indicated below:

From	To	Cruising
Berlin	Frankfurt	Even thousands feet (Even multiples of 300 m.)
Frankfurt	Berlin	Odd thousands feet (Odd multiples of 300 m.)
Berlin	Bückeburg	Even thousands+500 (Even multiples of feet 300 m.+150 m.)
Bückeburg	Berlin	Odd thousands+500 (Odd multiples of feet 300 m.+150 m.)
Berlin	Hamburg	Even thousands+500 (Even multiples of feet 300 m.+150 m.)
Hamburg	Berlin	Odd thousands+500 feet (Odd multiples of 300 m.+150 m.)

Section V

definitions

41. Acrobatic Flight. Maneuvers intentionally performed by an Aircraft involving an abrupt change in its attitude, an abnormal attitude, or an abnormal speed.

42. Airfield Traffic. Aircraft operating on and in the vicinity of an airfield.

43. Airfield. A defined area on land or water including any buildings or installations, normally used for the take-off and landing (alighting) of aircraft.

44. Airfield Control. A service established to provide air traffic control for airfields.

45. Air traffic. Aircraft in operation anywhere in the airspace and on the Movement area of an airfield.

46. Air Traffic Clearance. Authorization by Air Traffic Control for an aircraft to proceed under specified conditions.

47. Air Traffic Center. An agency established to promote the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic.

48. Air Traffic Control Area. (See Corridor)

49. Air Traffic Control Zone. (See Control Zone)

50. Air Traffic Controller—A person responsible for the control of air traffic while on duty at an Air Traffic Center (Air Safety Center).

51. Alternate Airfield. An airfield specific in the Flight Plan to which a flight may proceed when a landing at the intended destination becomes inadvisable.

52. Approach Time. The time at which an aircraft is expected to commence its approach procedure preparatory to landing.

53. Airway Communications Station. A radio, teletype or other communications station.

54. Cloud Ceiling. Cloud ceiling is the distance in feet from ground level to the base of the clouds.

55. Control Tower. A facility established at an airfield to provide Airfield Control Service.

56. Control Area. An airspace of defined dimensions designated by the appropriate authorities to embrace corridor control zones, or similar areas.

57. Control Zone. An airspace of defined dimensions designated by the appropriate authorities to include one or more aerodromes and within which rules additional to those governing flight in control areas apply for the protection of air traffic against collision.

58. Cruising Altitude. A constant altimeter indication maintained during a flight or portion thereof.

59. Flight Plan, Specified information relative to the intended navigation of an aircraft.

60. Flight Visibility. The pilot’s average range of vision, except for landing and taking off at a location where there is an accredited observer, in which case the visibility shall be that reported by such observer.

61. IFR. The symbol used internationally to designate the term “Instrument Flight Rules”.

62. IFR Flight. The flight of an aircraft conducted in accordance with Instrument Flight Rules under conditions of visibilities or cloud ceilings lower than the minimums prescribed in Rules of the Air for Visual Flight.

63. Movement Area. The part of an airfield reserved for the taking off, landing and maneuvering of aircraft. (Landing, Take off and Taxing Area).

64. Night The hours of darkness between sunset and sunrise or such other period between sunset and sunrise as may be prescribed by the appropriate authority.

65. Reporting Point. A geographical location, in relation to which the position of an aircraft is to be reported.

66. Visual Flight. The flight of an aircraft in which the attitude [altitude?] and its flight patch [path?] can at all times be controlled by means of visual reference to the earth’s surface.

67. VFR. The symbol used internationally to designate the term “Visual Flight Rules”.

68. VFR Flight. The flight of an aircraft conducted in accordance with Visual Flight Rules under conditions of visibilities or cloud ceilings at or above the minimums prescribed in Rules of the Air for Visual Flight.

69. Traffic Clearance. An approval of a flight or portion thereof by an Air Traffic Center or Control Tower with regard only to prevention of collision between aircraft whose movements are known.

70. Visibility. The greatest mean distance measured horizontally at which conspicuous objects can be seen and identified with the normal eye.

H. E. P. Wigglesworth

Air Marshal, Great Britain, Chairman

X. De Seven

General of Division, France

T. F. Kutzevalov

Lt. General of Avn., U.S.S.R.

Robert W. Harper

Major General, U.S.A.