Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR) - Air Law & PPL Review

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering air law, licensing, right-of-way rules, V-speeds, operating minimums, and PCAR regulations based on the aviation lecture handout.

Republic Act 9497

The Philippine statute that created the Civil Aviation Authority and is also known as the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAA).

PCAR Part 1.2.1.1 (Required Personal Flight Documents)

The regulation establishing that to act as a pilot of a civil aircraft of Republic of the Philippines registry, a pilot shall have in his or her physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft a valid pilot license or special purpose authorization.

Immediate Accident and Incident Notification

The mandatory requirement for the operator of any Philippine-registered civil aircraft, non-military State aircraft, or foreign aircraft to notify the Authority/Chairman immediately by the most expeditious means available upon an aircraft accident or listed incident.

Accident and Incident Report Filing Deadlines

The requirement that an operator file an official report within $10$ days after an accident or incident, or after $7$ days if an overdue aircraft remains missing.

Class 2 Medical Certificate Validity

A medical validity period of $24$ months for holders below their 40th birthday, and $12$ months once holders have passed their 40th birthday (for PPL, SPL, glider pilot, and free balloon pilot licenses).

Airmen Category Ratings

The categories of aircraft recognized with respect to the certification of airmen: Airplane, rotorcraft, glider, and lighter-than-air.

Airmen Class Ratings

The classes of aircraft recognized with respect to the certification of airmen: Single-engine land and sea, and multiengine land and sea.

PCAR Part 2 (Personal Licensing)

The part of the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations that corresponds to ICAO Annex 1 and prescribes the requirements for issuing, renewal, and re-issuance of aviation personnel licenses, authorizations, and certificates.

Student Pilot Authorization Minimum Age

An applicant for a student pilot authorization shall be not less than $16$ years of age.

Private Pilot License (PPL) Minimum Age

An applicant for a Private Pilot License - Aeroplane (PPL(A)) shall be not less than $17$ years of age.

PPL(A) Flight Time Requirement

The requirement that an applicant for a PPL(A) complete not less than $40$ hours of flight time as pilot of airplanes, including completion of an approved training course.

PPL Solo Cross-Country Requirements

A minimum of $10$ hours of solo flight time under instructor supervision, including $5$ hours of solo cross-country flight time with at least one cross-country flight totaling not less than $270\text{ km}$ ($150\text{ nm}$) with full-stop landings at two different aerodromes.

PPL License Validity Period

The validity duration of a Private Pilot License, which is $5$ years.

Private Pilot License (PPL) Privileges

The privilege to act, but not for remuneration, as pilot-in-command or co-pilot of any airplane engaged in non-revenue flights.

Nighttime (PCAR 8.1.12)

The hours between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight or such other period between sunset and sunrise as may be prescribed by the appropriate authority.

Aircraft Category Ratings (Aircraft Certification)

The categories of aircraft certification: Normal, utility, aerobatic, transport, restricted, and experimental.

Aircraft Class Ratings (Aircraft Certification)

The classes of aircraft certification: Airplane (aeroplane), helicopter (rotorcraft), glider, free balloon (lighter-than-air), and power lift.

Inoperative Instruments Takeoff Restriction

The rule prohibiting any person from taking off an aircraft with inoperative instruments or equipment installed, except as authorized by the Authority.

Airworthiness Directives (AD) Compliance Responsibility

Mandatory safety directives that must be complied with; the registered owner or operator of an aircraft is responsible for ensuring compliance.

Primary Responsibility for Aircraft Airworthiness

The legal duty resting with the registered owner or operator of an aircraft to maintain it in an airworthy condition.

Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Authority and Responsibility

The designated pilot who holds final authority as to the operation of the aircraft and is responsible for determining if the aircraft is in safe condition for flight during pre-flight inspection.

90-Day Recency of Experience (PCAR Part 8.41.9)

The requirement that a pilot must have made three take-offs and landings as sole manipulator of the flight controls within the preceding $90$ days in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if required) or in an approved flight simulation training device before acting as PIC or co-pilot.

Flight Crew Alcohol Consumption Rule (8-Hour Rule)

The regulation stating a person may not act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft within $8$ hours after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, or while under the influence of alcohol.

Crewmember Drug and Impairment Restrictions

The strict prohibition against acting as a flight crewmember while using any drug that affects the person's faculties in any way contrary to safety.

Safety Belts and Shoulder Harnesses Requirement

Flight crewmembers must keep seat belts fastened during takeoff, landing, and all other times when seated at their station, and shoulder harnesses fastened during takeoff and landing unless the straps interfere with duties.

Flight Plan ATC Submission Lead Time

The mandatory pre-departure window requiring pilots to file a flight plan with the appropriate ATC facility at least $60$ minutes before departure.

VFR Daytime Fuel Reserve

The specific minimum fuel requirement for airplane flight under VFR during daylight hours: enough fuel to fly to the point of first intended landing and at least $30$ minutes thereafter.

VFR Nighttime Fuel Reserve

The specific minimum fuel requirement for airplane flight under VFR at night: enough fuel to fly to the point of first intended landing and at least $45$ minutes thereafter.

Pre-flight Action: Flights Away from Vicinity / IFR

Mandatory pre-flight preparation requiring the PIC to study available current weather reports and forecasts, and plan an alternative course of action if the flight cannot be completed as planned due to weather.

Movement Area Taxi Authorization (PCAR Part 8.8.1.1)

The requirement that a person at the controls taxiing an aircraft must be authorized by the owner/lessee, fully competent to taxi, radio-qualified if required, and instructed on airport layout, markings, lights, signals, and procedures.

Formation Flight Lateral and Vertical Limits

Operating limits in formation flight requiring each aircraft to maintain a distance not exceeding $1\text{ km}$ ($0.5\text{ nm}$) laterally and longitudinally and $30\text{ m}$ ($100\text{ ft}$) vertically from the flight leader.

Formation Flight Passenger-for-Hire Prohibition

The explicit regulation stating that no person may operate an aircraft carrying passengers for hire in formation flight.

Right-of-Way: Aircraft in Distress (PCAR Part 8.8.1.13)

The fundamental right-of-way rule giving an aircraft in distress right-of-way over all other air traffic.

Right-of-Way: Overtaking Aircraft

The rule establishing that an aircraft being overtaken has the right-of-way, and each overtaking pilot shall alter course to the right to pass well clear.

Right-of-Way: Towing or Refueling Aircraft

The rule providing that an aircraft towing or refueling other aircraft has right-of-way over all other engine-driven aircraft, except aircraft in distress.

Right-of-Way: Converging Aircraft of Same Category

When two aircraft of the same category converge at approximately the same altitude, the aircraft to the other's right has the right-of-way, and the aircraft on the left shall give way.

Right-of-Way: Head-On Approach

When aircraft are approaching each other head-on or nearly so, each pilot of each aircraft shall alter course to the right.

Right-of-Way: Landing Approach

When two or more aircraft are approaching an airport for landing, the aircraft at the lower altitude has the right-of-way, but shall not take advantage of this rule to cut in front of or overtake another.

Minimum Safe Altitude: General / Anywhere

An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, continuation of flight or an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

Minimum Safe Altitude: Congested Areas

Over any city, town, settlement, or open-air assembly of persons: an altitude of $300\text{ m}$ ($1{,}000\text{ ft}$) above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of $600\text{ m}$ ($2{,}000\text{ ft}$) of the aircraft.

Minimum Safe Altitude: Other than Congested Areas

An altitude of $150\text{ m}$ ($500\text{ ft}$) above the surface, and not closer than $150\text{ m}$ ($500\text{ ft}$) to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure over open water or sparsely populated areas.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) Clearance

An authorization granted to an aircraft to proceed under specified traffic conditions in controlled airspace.

Prohibited VFR Airspace (Class A)

The designated airspace classification in which all Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights are strictly prohibited.

VFR Control Zone Aerodrome Weather Minimums

Operating limits requiring a reported ceiling of at least $450\text{ m}$ ($1{,}500\text{ ft}$) and ground visibility of at least $5\text{ km}$ to land, takeoff, or enter traffic pattern airspace under VFR (unless ATC clearance is obtained).

Special VFR Flight Restrictions

VFR operations conducted under an ATC clearance in controlled airspace under exceptional circumstances with flight visibility of at least $5\text{ km}$ and remaining clear of clouds; prohibited between sunset and sunrise.

VFR In-Flight Two-Way Radio Failure Procedure

If two-way radio failure occurs in VFR under ATC control, the pilot must: (1) continue the flight under VFR, (2) land at the nearest suitable airport, and (3) report arrival to ATC by the most expeditious means possible.

$V_a$ (Maneuvering Speed)

The design maneuvering speed of an aircraft representing the speed at which full control deflection can be applied without causing structural damage.

$V_{le}$ (Maximum Landing Gear Extended Speed)

The maximum speed at which an aircraft can be safely flown with its landing gear extended.

$V_{fe}$ (Maximum Flaps Extended Speed)

The maximum speed permissible with wing flaps fully extended or extended to a specified setting.

$V_{NO}$ (Maximum Structural Cruising Speed)

The maximum structural cruising speed that should not be exceeded except in smooth air and with caution.

$V_x$ (Best Angle of Climb Speed)

The airspeed that provides the greatest gain in altitude in the shortest horizontal distance during climb after takeoff.

$V_y$ (Best Rate of Climb Speed)

The airspeed used by a pilot after takeoff to gain the most altitude in a given period of time.

PCAR Part 3

The part of the PCARs prescribing requirements governing the certification and operation of Approved Training Organizations (ATO).

PCAR Part 4

The part of the PCARs prescribing the requirements for registration of Civil Aircraft in the Philippines.

PCAR Part 7

The part of the PCARs prescribing the minimum instrument and equipment requirements for all aircraft operating in the Philippines.

PCAR Part 11

The part of the PCARs containing requirements for operators and operations considered to be aerial work in the Republic of the Philippines.

PCAR Part 13

The part of the PCARs containing requirements pertaining to notification, investigation, analysis, and reporting of aircraft incidents and accidents in the Philippines.

Private Pilot Pro Rata Expense Sharing

The privilege limitation stipulating that a private pilot may not pay less than the pro rata share of operating expenses (limited to fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees) when carrying passengers.

ATC Light Signal: Series of Green Flashes (on Ground)

An airport traffic control light gun signal directed to an aircraft on the ground signifying that the pilot is cleared to taxi.

Semi-Circular VFR Cruising Altitude Rule

The rule requiring aircraft flying above $3{,}000\text{ ft}$ AGL to maintain an odd thousand plus $500\text{ ft}$ on magnetic courses of $0^\circ$ through $179^\circ$, and an even thousand plus $500\text{ ft}$ on magnetic courses of $180^\circ$ through $359^\circ$.