Air Law for Private Pilots: Definitions and Classifications

Scope and Duration: For the purposes of the definition in section $1$ of the Act, an accident includes an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft. This occurrence must take place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight until such time as all such persons have disembarked.

Criteria for Fatal or Serious Injury: An occurrence is classified as an accident if a person is fatally or seriously injured as a result of: * (i) Being in the aircraft. * (ii) Direct contact with any part of the aircraft, including parts which have become detached or are released from the aircraft. * (iii) Direct exposure to jet blast, rotor wake, or propeller wake.
Exclusions for Injuries: Injuries are not classified as an accident if they are from: * Natural causes. * Self-inflicted actions. * Actions inflicted by other persons. * Injuries to stowaways hiding outside the areas normally available to passengers and flight crew.
Criteria for Damage or Structural Failure: An occurrence is an accident if the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure which: * (i) Adversely affects the structural strength, performance, or flight characteristics of the aircraft. * (ii) Would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected component.

Exclusions for Damage: The following specific types of damage are not classified as accidents: * Engine failure or damage when the damage is limited to the engine, its cowlings, or accessories. * Damage limited to propellers, wing tips, antennae, tyres, brakes, or fairings. * Small dents or puncture holes in the aircraft skin.

Missing or Inaccessible Aircraft: An occurrence is classified as an accident if: * The aircraft is missing after an official search has been terminated and the wreckage has not been located. * The aircraft is in a place where it is completely inaccessible.

Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC): * Defined as a circular containing information that does not qualify for the origination of a NOTAM or for inclusion into the AIP. * Content relates to flight safety, air navigation, technical matters, administration, or legislative matters. * Issued by the Commissioner in terms of regulation $11.01.2$ .
Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP): * Defined as a publication containing information of a lasting character essential to air navigation. * Issued by the Commissioner in terms of regulation $11.01.12$ .
AIP Supplement (AIP SUP): * Consists of temporary changes to the information contained in the AIP. * These changes are published by means of special pages.

Airmanship: * Defined as the consistent use of good judgment and well-developed knowledge, skills, and attitudes to accomplish flight objectives.

Alternate Aerodrome: * An aerodrome to which an aircraft may proceed when it becomes impossible or inadvisable to proceed to or land at the aerodrome of intended landing. * Includes the following sub-categories: * Take-off alternate aerodrome. * En-route alternate aerodrome. * Destination alternate aerodrome.
Cloud Ceiling: * The height measured above the surface. * Refers specifically to the base of the lowest cloud below $20\,000\text{ feet}$ . * The cloud layer must cover more than half the sky (greater than $4/8$ okta).