# ICAO Annex 2 and SERA Overview: Scope, Definitions, and Aerodrome Operations

> Understand the relationship between ICAO Annex 2 and SERA, including applicability, core definitions, and operational rules at aerodromes.

- **Subject:** 010 — Air Law
- **Section:** 010-05 — Rules of the Air According to ICAO Annex 2 and SERA
- **Topic code:** 010-05-01
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-03-27
- **Author:** Pablo Asensio Martínez
- **HTML version:** https://pilotsyllabus.com/en/air-law/rules-of-the-air-according-to-icao-annex-2-and-sera/overview-of-icao-annex-2-and-sera-commission-implementing-regulation-eu-no-923-2012-and-its-referenc/

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Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012, known as **SERA (Standardised European Rules of the Air)**, establishes common rules of the air and operational provisions regarding services and procedures in air navigation.

## Objective and Scope
The objective of SERA is to apply common rules to general air traffic. It applies to:
1.  Airspace users and aircraft operating **into, within, or out of the Union**.
2.  Aircraft bearing the **nationality and registration marks of a Member State** of the Union, operating in any airspace (provided they do not conflict with the rules of the country overflown).

## Relationship with ICAO Annex 2
SERA implements ICAO Annex 2 standards into European legislation.
*   **Over the High Seas:** The rules of ICAO Annex 2 apply without exception.
*   **Over National Territory:** The rules published by the State having jurisdiction over the territory overflown take precedence.

## Important Definitions
*   **Flight Visibility:** The visibility forward from the cockpit of an aircraft in flight.
*   **Ground Visibility:** The visibility at an aerodrome as reported by an accredited observer or by automatic systems.
*   **Danger Area:** An airspace of defined dimensions within which activities dangerous to the flight of aircraft may exist at specified times.
*   **Restricted Area:** An airspace of defined dimensions, above the land areas or territorial waters of a State, within which the flight of aircraft is restricted in accordance with certain specified conditions.

## Operation at Aerodromes
An aircraft operating on or in the vicinity of an aerodrome shall:
*   Observe other traffic for the purpose of **avoiding collision**.
*   Conform to or avoid the pattern of traffic formed by other aircraft in operation.
*   Make all **turns to the left** when approaching for a landing and after taking off, unless otherwise indicated.
*   Land and take off **into the wind**, unless safety or runway configuration determine otherwise.

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