AIR LAW (PPL)

Republic Act No. 776

AN ACT TO REORGANIZE THE CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD AND THE CIVIL

AERONAUTICS ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF THE CIVIL
AERONAUTICS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF
FUNDS THEREFOR.

Title of Act – The title of this Act shall be “The Civil Aeronautics Act of the Philippines”

Purpose and Scope of Act – The general purpose of this Act is the reorganization of the
Civil Aeronautics Board and the Civil Aeronautics Administration, defining their powers
and duties and making certain adjustment of funds and personnel in connection
therewith; and the regulation of civil aeronautics.

CAR violations

Penalties:
1. Suspension – maximum of one year
2. Revocation
3. Termination – when convicted by the court

Administrative Order No. 60 (A.O. 60) – Licensing of Airmen

Definition of Terms

Aircraft – any contrivance now known or hereafter invented, used or designed for
navigation of or flight in the air

Aircraft Engine – an engine intended to be used for propulsion of aircraft

Airframe – any and all kinds of the of parts of an aircraft but not including powerplants
and propellers

Airman – any individual who engages as the person in command or as pilot, mechanic,
flight radio operator or member of the crew, in the navigation of the aircraft while
underway, and any individual who is directly in charge of inspection, maintenance,
overhauling, or repair of aircraft, aircraft engine, propellers, or appliances; and any
individual who serves in the capacity of aircraft dispatcher or air traffic control operator

Category – indicates a classification of aircraft such as airplane, helicopter, glider, etc.

Class – indicates the difference in basic design of aircraft within a category, such as
Single Engine Land, Multi Engine Land, etc.

Dual Instruction Time – flight time during which a person is receiving flight
instruction from a licensed flight instructor on board an aircraft

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

Flight Crew Member – a licensed crew member charged with duties essential to the
operation of an aircraft during flight time

Flight Instructor – a pilot who is qualified to instruct other pilots and who has received
a flight instructor license

Flight Time – the total time from the moment the aircraft first moves until the moment
it comes to the end of the flight

Instrument Flight Time – time during which a pilot is piloting an aircraft by reference
to instruments

Instrument Ground Time – time during which a pilot is practicing on the ground
(approved flight simulator)

Instrument Time – instrument flight time or instrument ground time

Pilot – an individual who manipulates the controls of an aircraft during the time defined
as flight time

Co-Pilot – a licensed pilot serving in any piloting capacity other than as pilot-in-
command

PIC (Pilot-in-Command) – pilot responsible for the operation and safety of the aircraft
during flight time

Night – hours between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning
civil twilight or such other period between sunrise and sunset

Rating – an authorization entered on a license and forming part thereof, stating special
conditions, privileges or limitations pertaining to such license

Type of Aircraft – all aircraft of the same basic design including all modifications
thereto except those modifications which result in change in handling or flight
characteristics

General Rules Concerning Licenses

Validity of licenses
- Licenses shall be renewed or shall remain valid, as long as the holders thereof
maintain competency and subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report of
medical fitness at the intervals of:

1. Student Pilot License (SPL) – 24 months

2. Private Pilot License (PPL) – 24 months

Rendering a license valid

- The administrator may render a valid license issued by a foreign country on a
reciprocal basis as an alternate to the issuance of its own license. It shall

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

 establish validity by suitable authorization to be carried with the former license
accepting it as the equivalent of the latter. The validity of the authorization shall
not extend beyond the period of validity of the license.

Privileges of the holders of license

- A holder of a license shall not exercise privileges other than the privileges of the
license he holds.

Parental consent
- If an applicant for any type of airmen license is less than 16 years of age, he shall
submit with his application a written consent of either parent or legal or natural
guardian as prerequisite to the issuance of the license applied for.

Display of license
- A holder of an airmen license shall keep his license in person when he is on duty
or performing the duties pertinent to his license and shall present it for
inspection upon request of any official of the CAAP or any national or municipal
official charged with the duties enforcing local laws and regulations.

Non-transferability
- All types of licenses or ratings issued under this part of the CAR are non-
transferable.

Aircraft used in flight test

- An applicant shall furnish a licensed and airworthy aircraft, when necessary in
the determination of his competency, equipped with complete dual controls to
accommodate the applicant and the examiner.

Change of address
- Within 30 days after any change in the permanent mailing address of a holder of
an airmen license, the holder shall notify the Administrator in writing of such
change.

Medical examination
- Medical examination required in this part of the issuance of a license shall be
performed by the CAAP medical examiner to applicant, officials and employees of
the CAAP.

Student Pilot

General – A student pilot license shall be issued by the Administrator or his authorized
representative to an applicant who meets the applicable requirements.

Age – The minimum age for obtaining a student pilot license shall be sixteen (16) years
for powered aircraft and fifteen (15) years for gliders.

Citizenship – Applicant shall be a qualified person who is a citizen of the Philippines or

a qualified citizen of a foreign country granting similar rights and privileges to citizens

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

of the Philippines; subject, however, to existing treaty or treatise, and agreement,
entered into by the Philippine Government with foreign countries, and subject, further,
to security measures adopted by the Philippine Government.

Education – An applicant shall be able to read, write, speak and understand the English
language, otherwise an appropriate will be placed on the student pilot license.

Requirements for the issuance of original license – An applicant of an original

license must accomplish, present and/or submit the following:
a. Application form for the license duly notorized;
b. Written consent of either parent or legal/natural guardian, if applicant is less
than 16 years old
c. Medical certificate
d. Photo (with plain background and shoulders fully shown)

Medical fitness - A student pilot shall establish his medical fitness on the basis of
compliance with the following requirements: Physical, Visual, Color perception,
Hearing.

Certification of flying time – The following are authorized to certify the authenticity of
the student pilot’s flying time:
a. An official of an approved flying school;
b. An authorized operations officer of any military organization;
c. An authorized official of the CAAP;
d. Any officer of an organization engaged in the operation of aircraft when such
officer has direct knowledge of the authenticity of the entries;
e. A flight instructor.

Limitations – A student pilot shall not pilot an aircraft carrying passengers, or on an

international flight, or for compensation or hire, or in furtherance of a business.

Requirements for first solo – A student pilot shall not operate an aircraft in solo flight
until:
a. He has passed a written examination on the following subjects: Civil Air
Regulation, Basic Air traffic Communication Procedures, Airframe and
Powerplants (on specific type of aircraft), Emergency Procedures (on specific
type of aircraft), Flight procedure and check
b. Minimum of eight (8) hours flying time
c. Flight logbook has been appropriately endorsed by the Administrator or his
flight instructor
d. He has been found competent by a flight instructor to make such a flight and
authority therefore has been endorsed by the Administrator or his flight
instructor
e. He has been given instructions in the prevention of and recovery from power-on
and power-off stalls entered from a normally anticipated flight altitudes.

Flight area limitation – A student pilot shall not pilot an aircraft outside a local flying
area designated by his flight instructor.

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

Aircraft limitations - A student pilot shall not pilot an aircraft other than that of the
category, class, and type which has been entered on his student pilot license.

Recent experience – A student pilot who has not piloted a powered aircraft within
ninety (90) days shall not pilot such an aircraft in solo flight until he has passed a flight
check given by a rated flight instructor and the fact has been endorsed by such
instructor in the student pilot logbook.

Requirement for the renewal of license – Documentary requirements for the renewal
of a student pilot license shall be:
a. Application form for the license duly notarized;
b. Medical certificate;
c. Photo (with plain background and shoulders fully shown);
d. With the addition of a certificate of flying time if applicant has logged any.

Private Pilot

General – Same as Student pilot

Age – Same as Student pilot

Citizenship – Same as Student pilot

Education – Same as Student pilot

Medical fitness - Same as Student pilot

Requirement for the issuance of original license - An applicant for an original

private pilot license must accomplish, present and/or submit the following:

a. Application form for the license duly notorized;

b. Written consent of either parent or legal/natural guardian, if applicant is less
than 17 years old;
c. Certification of flight time, ground schooling and logbook;
d. Certification of grades released from the Airmen Examination Board;
e. Certification from the CAAP check pilot that the applicant has satisfactorily
passed the checkride;
f. Medical certificate;
g. 2 Photos (with plain background and shoulders fully shown)

Knowledge – An applicant for a private pilot license shall pass the written examination
embodying the following subject:

a. Civil Air Regulation

b. Aviation Meteorology
c. Elementary Air Navigation
d. Elementary Theory of Flight
e. Air Traffic Control and Communication Procedure

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

 f. Airframes and Powerplant
g. Emergency Procedures

Experience – An applicant for a private pilot license with an airplane rating must have
had at least a total of 40 hours of flight instruction and solo flight time, which must
include the following:

a. Twenty hours of flight instruction from a licensed flight instructor, including at

least: (1) 3 hours of cross-country and (2) 3 hours in airplane in preparation for
the private pilot flight test within 60 days prior to the test;
b. Twenty hours of solo flight time, including at least: (1) 10 hours in airplanes; (2)
10 hours of cross-country flights, each flight with a landing at a point not less
than 50 nautical miles from the original departure point; (3) 3 solo takeoffs and
landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating tower, each of which must
be separated by en-route phase of flight.

Skill – Applicant shall demonstrate his ability to perform:

a. A series of 3 landings from an altitude not to exceed 1,000 feet with

engine throttled and a 180-degree in direction, the aircraft touching the
ground in normal landing altitude beyond and within 300 feet of a
designated line or point. At least one landing must be accomplished from
a forward slip;
b. Three (3) moderately banked around-pylon figure eights, variation in
altitude of not to exceed 200 feet;
c. Climbing and gliding turns at a minimum controllable speed;
d. Recovery from power-on and power-off stalls entered from all normally
anticipated flight attitude;
e. A 720-degree power turn in each direction in a bank attitude of more than
45-degrees variation in altitude not to exceed 200 feet;
f. Emergency procedures.

Privileges and limitations:

a. May act as a pilot-in-command of an aircraft in connection with any business or

employment if the flight is only incidental to that business or employment and
the aircraft does not carry passengers or property for compensation or hire.
b. May share the operating expenses of a flight with his passengers.
c. A private pilot who is an aircraft salesman and who has at least 200 hours of
logged flight time may demonstrate an aircraft in flight to a prospective buyer.
d. As a co-pilot in any aircraft not operated for renumeration.

Recent flight experience – A holder of a private pilot license shall not pilot an aircraft
carrying passengers unless within the preceding 90 days he has made at least 5 takeoffs
and landings to a full stop in aircraft of the same category, class and type of aircraft to be
flown.

Requirements for the renewal of license – A holder of a private pilot license desiring
to renew his license must accomplish, present, and/or submit the following:

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

 a. Application form for the license duly notorized;
b. Certification of flight time (15 hours minimum) for each type of aircraft and
logbook;
c. Certification from the CAAP check pilot that the applicant has satisfactorily
passed the checkride;
d. Medical certificate.

Operation of Civil Aircraft in the Philippines

Responsibility and authority of the pilot-in-command

- The pilot-in-command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final
authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.
- In an emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot-in-command may deviate
from any rule of this Administrative Order to the extent required to meet that
emergency.
- Each pilot-in-command who deviates from the rule of this Administrative Order
shall, upon the request of the Director, send a written report of that deviation to
the Director.

Pre-flight action
- Each pilot-in-command shall, before beginning a flight, familiarize himself with
all available information concerning that flight. This information must include,
for a flight under IFR or a flight not in the vicinity of an airport, available weather
reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives available if the planned
flight cannot be completed, and any known traffic delays of which he has been
advised by the ATC.

Careless or reckless operation

- No person may operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to
endanger the life or property of another.

Fuel supply
- Aircraft operated under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) shall carry sufficient fuel when
Visual Meteorological Condition (VMC) are forecast for the route, to fly to the
aerodrome of intended landing and thereafter to fly for 45 minutes at normal
cruising speed.
- No person may operate a civil aircraft in IFR conditions unless it carries enough
fuel (considering weather reports and forecasts, and weather conditions) to
complete the flight to the first intended point of landing, to fly from that point
to the alternate airport, and to fly thereafter for 45 minutes at normal cruising
speed.

VFR Flight Procedures

1. Proximity rule – the distance of a plane from your plane (reciprocating engine)
must be 500 feet above, below, in front, at the back or besides you (1000 feet for
jet aircraft)
2. Terrain clearance – add 1500 feet from the highest point of terrain

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

 3. Cloud clearance – the distance of a plane below 500 feet, 1000 feet above and
2000 feet away from a cloud
4. Highest obstruction clearance – must be clear by adding 1000 feet from the
highest obstruction and at least 2000 feet away from obstruction
5. Water and clear area – must maintain altitude of 500 feet
6. No flight between sunset and sunrise.
7. No transonic and supersonic flight.

VFR Cruising Altitudes

- Half Moon Principle:
o 0°-179° - fly odd thousand feet plus 500 feet
o 180-360° - fly even thousand feet plus 500 feet

Civil Aircraft Airworthiness

- No person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in an airworthy condition.
- The pilot-in-command of a civil aircraft is responsible for determining whether
that aircraft is in condition for safe flight. He shall discontinue the flight when an
airworthy mechanical or structural condition occurs.

Pilot logbooks
- A record of the flight time used to substantiate recent experience or
qualifications for certificates or ratings shall be kept in a logbook.

Pilot flight time limitation

a. 8 hours during any 24 hours
b. 32 hours during any 7 consecutive days
c. 100 hours during any 1 month
d. 1000 hours in any 1 calendar year

Aircraft documents
On board (ARROWE):
1. Aircraft Airworthiness
2. Aircraft Registration Certificate (RP-C – commercially operated; RP –
government owned and operated; RP-X – experimental aircraft; RP-S – sport
aircraft)
3. Radio Station License
4. Owner’s Operating Manual
5. Weight and Balance data
6. Equipment List
7. Placard of performance, specification and limitations

Maintain and keep current:

1. Propeller logbook
2. Engine logbook

Safety devices
1. One seatbelt each seat
2. One life vest per person on board
3. One fire extinguisher per cabin

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

 4. One life raft per 10 persons on board

Aircraft inspection
1. Progressive – every 25-50-75 hours inspection by aircraft mechanic
2. Periodic – every 100 hours if aircraft is commercially operated; annually for
private and flying school check by CAAP inspector

Rights-of-Way

a) For approaching head-on and same altitude: BOTH AIRCRAFT SHALL ALTER
COURSE TO THE RIGHT
b) For converging aircraft at same altitude: AIRCRAFT ON THE LEFT SHALL
ALTER COURSE TO THE RIGHT AND PASS WELL CLEAR OF AIRCRAFT
ON THE RIGHT

Exemptions:
1. Helicopters will give way to propeller driven, balloons, airships and gliders
2. Propeller driven shall give way to balloons, airships and gliders
3. Airships should give way to balloons and gliders
4. Gliders should give way to balloons
5. Power driven should give way to aircraft towing another aircraft or object

c) Overtaking: AIRCRAFT BEING OVERTAKEN HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY

(overtaking aircraft shall alter course to the right)
d) Between landing and takeoff: LANDING AIRCRAFT HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY
OVER DEPARTING AIRCRAFT
e) Inside traffic pattern: AIRCRAFT IN THE LOWEST ALTITUDE HAS THE RIGHT
OF WAY (but must not take advantage so as to cut the other aircraft on final)
f) Aircraft in declared emergency: AIRCRAFT IN DECLARING EMERGENCY HAS
THE RIGHT OF WAY OVER ALL OTHER AIRCRAFT

Speed limitations inside the Terminal Maneuvering Area (TMA)

a) Reciprocating engine – 156 kts or below
b) Jet engine – 200 kts or below

Aircraft lighting
- Must be on during sunset to sunrise and during IMC conditions

Flight Plan
- Specified information provided to air traffic services units, relative to an
intended flight or portion of a flight of an aircraft

Submission of flight plan

- A flight plan for a flight to be provided with air traffic control service shall be
submitted at least 60 minutes before departure
- In the event of a delay of thirty (30) minutes in excess of the estimated departure
time for a controlled flight, or a delay of one (1) hour for an uncontrolled flight
for which a flight plan has been submitted, the flight plan should be amended or

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

 a new flight plan submitted and the old flight plan cancelled, whichever is
applicable

Closing a flight plan

- A report of arrival shall be made either in person or by radio at the earliest
possible moment after landing, to the appropriate air traffic services unit at the
aerodrome of arrival
- Note: Whenever an arrival report is required, failure to comply with these
provisions may cause serious disruption in the air traffic services and incur great
expense in carrying out unnecessary search and rescue operation.

Contents of a flight plan

1. Aircraft Identification: your airplane’s call sign (e.g. RP-C1088)
2. Flight Rules: I - IFR, V – VFR, Y – IFR first, Z – VFR first
3. Type of Flight: S – scheduled air transport service, N – non-scheduled air
transport service, G – general aviation, M – military, X – other than any of the
defined categories
4. Type of Aircraft: rated type of aircraft used for flight (e.g. C-172)
5. Wake Turbulence Category: H – takeoff mass of more than 136,000kg; M - takeoff
mass of less than 136,000kg but more than 7,000kg; L - takeoff mass of less than
7,000kg
6. Equipment (navigational and surveillance equipment): S – standard two-way
radio; O – VOR; F – ADF; C – transponder Mode C
7. Departure Aerodrome: departure airport, 4-letter code (e.g. RPLB)
8. Time: estimated time of desired departure; based on UTC (universal time
coordination)
9. Cruising Speed: K – kph; N – knots; M – mach number (e.g. NO090)
10. Level: cruising altitude
11. Route: flight route you’re going to fly
12. Destination Aerodrome: the ICAO 4-letter location indicator of the destination
aerodrome
13. Total EET: estimated enroute time; total estimated flight time from departure to
destination aerodrome
14. Alternate Aerodrome: alternate airport
15. Other Information
16. Endurance: aircraft’s fuel time for flight
17. P.O.B.: persons on board (e.g. 002, for two persons)
18. Emergency Radio: 121.5 MHz
19. Survival: survival equipment on board; M – medical, L/V – life vest, FAK – first
aid kit

AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication)

- A compilation of aeronautical information relative to Philippine air operations
published by the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) with the authority of the
CAAP under DOTC

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

Light gun signal for aerodrome traffic
Light signals Aircraft in flight Aircraft in the ground
Steady Green Cleared to land Cleared for takeoff
Steady Red Give way to other aircraft Stop
and continue circling
Flashing Green Return for landing Cleared to taxi
Flashing Red Aerodrome unsafe, do not Taxi clear of landing area
land in use
Flashing White Land at this aerodrome and Return to staring point on
proceed to apron this aerodrome

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY