What does 'may' signify in the guide?

• A. A permissive sense to state authority or permission to perform the prescribed act.
• B. A mandatory instruction.
• C. A recommended practice with penalties for non-compliance.
• D. A prohibition against certain actions.

Answer: (A)

Permissive authority in regulatory language is what may signifies. When the guide uses may, it is giving permission or stating that the action is allowed, not required. It indicates you have the option to perform the act, typically within the stated conditions or limits, and there are no penalties simply for choosing not to perform it. This is different from mandatory language, which would say you must or shall do something; and from prohibition language, which would say you may not do something or that it is not allowed. It is also different from a recommended practice with penalties, which would imply that not following it could carry consequences, even if not strictly required. So, interpreting a line with may as permissive helps you understand the rule’s flexibility: you may take the action if it’s appropriate and safe, but you are not obligated to. For example, if the guide says a pilot may request a deviation, you may request it, but you are not obliged to do so.