AIR LAW
What Does CAAP mean?
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is
the national aviation authority responsible for
overseeing and regulating all civil aviation activities in
the country.
Its primary mission is to ensure safe, economical, and
efficient air travel by implementing and enforcing civil
aviation policies.
CAAP also investigates aviation accidents through its
Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB).
What does CAAP do?
Why do we need CAAP?
What CAAP Does
Policy and Regulation: Implementing and enforcing civil
aviation policies and regulations.
Air Traffic Services: Operating and maintaining air traffic control
and navigation facilities.
Safety and Security: Ensuring the safety and security of civil
aviation operations.
Licensing and Certification: Issuing licenses and certificates to
aviation professionals, such as pilots and aircraft mechanics, and
certifying aircraft and aviation training organizations.
Airport Management: Administering and operating national
airports and other aviation facilities.
Licenses and Their
Validity
CAAP issues various licenses for different aviation
professionals.
Pilot Licenses
Student Pilot License
(SPL): The first step for aspiring pilots. It allows you to fly an
aircraft under the supervision of a flight instructor.
Minimum Requirements:
Age: Be at least 16 years old
Language: Be able to read, speak, write, and understand
English, as it's the international language of Aviation.
Medical: Hold a valid Class 2 Medical Certificate, obtained
from an aviation medical examiner (AME), to prove you're
physically and mentally fit to fly.
Private Pilot License
(PPL) is the next step, enabling you to fly an aircraft for
personal use and carry passengers without being compensated.
Minimum Requirements:
Age: Be at least 17 years old
Flight Time: Complete a minimum of 40 hours of flight time
(in some countries, it may be 45 hours), including:
20 hours of flight training with an instructor.
10 hours of solo flight time.
Specific hours of cross-country, night, and instrument training
Commercial Pilot License
(CPL) allows you to be paid for flying, such as for cargo or
charter flights. This is a prerequisite for becoming an airline pilot
Minimum Requirements:
Age: Be at least 18 years old.
Prior License: Must already hold a Private Pilot License.
Flight Time: Log a minimum of 250 hours of flight time, which
must include a specified number of hours as a pilot-in-command
(PIC), as well as cross-country and instrument training.
Aircraft Maintenance
Licenses
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
(AMT) License: This is for individuals who maintain and
repair aircraft.
Validity: 5 years.
Ratings:
Airframe: Allows work on the aircraft's body, wings, and
other structural parts.
Powerplant: Allows work on the aircraft's engines.
Airframe and Powerplant (A&P): A combined rating
for both.
Aircraft Maintenance Specialist
(AMS) License: For specialists who work on specific
aircraft systems.
Validity: 5 years.
Ratings: Can include ratings for avionics (aircraft
electronics), propellers, and other specialized
systems.
PCAR
(Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations)
Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations
(PCAR)
The Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR) are the main
rules for aviation in the Philippines. Managed by the Civil
Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), they act as the
official guide for everyone in the aviation industry—like pilots,
airlines, flight schools, maintenance crews, and drone users.
These rules follow international safety standards set by the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to keep aviation
in the Philippines safe and in line with global practices.
Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations
(PCAR)
The Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR) are the main
rules for aviation in the Philippines. Managed by the Civil
Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), they act as the
official guide for everyone in the aviation industry—like pilots,
airlines, flight schools, maintenance crews, and drone users.
These rules follow international safety standards set by the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to keep aviation
in the Philippines safe and in line with global practices.
Chapters of PCAR
Part 1: General Policies: Sets the basic rules, definitions, and administrative
procedures for licenses and certificates.
Part 2: Personnel Licensing: Governs the licensing requirements for pilots,
mechanics, air traffic controllers, and other aviation professionals.
Part 3: Approved Training Organizations: Regulates and certifies aviation schools to
ensure they meet standards for training and facilities.
Part 4: Aircraft Registration & Marking: Outlines the rules for registering aircraft in
the Philippines, including how they must be marked.
Part 6: Approved Maintenance Organizations: Certifies and regulates maintenance
and repair shops to ensure they follow proper safety procedures.
Part 7: sets the minimum requirements for the instruments and equipment that all
aircraft must have to be considered safe to fly
Part 8: Operations: Covers the rules for operating aircraft, including flight rules, crew
duties, and flight planning.
Part 9: Air Operator Certification: Details the requirements for airlines and other
commercial operators to get certified and operate legally.
