GCAA PPL Air Law flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

UAE civil aviation primary law

Federal Law No. 20 of 1991 on Civil Aviation establishes the GCAA as the competent authority and provides the legal basis for the Civil Aviation Regulations.

GCAA Civil Aviation Regulations

The CARs are the GCAA's regulatory instruments, numbered by part (e.g. Part II licensing, Part IV airworthiness), modelled on ICAO Annexes and binding on operators and licence holders.

Notice of Proposed Amendment

An NPA is published by the GCAA during rulemaking to consult on a proposed change to the CARs before the final text is issued.

AIP and AIRAC cycle

The Aeronautical Information Publication contains regulatory and operational information; amendments follow the 28-day AIRAC cycle, with NOTAMs for urgent changes.

GCAA inspector powers

GCAA inspectors may enter premises, inspect aircraft and records, and suspend or revoke licences or certificates where non-compliance with the CARs is found.

PPL minimum age

An applicant for a PPL must be at least 17 years old and hold a valid Class 2 medical certificate before exercising the privileges of the licence.

PPL experience requirements

Before the PPL skill test the applicant needs at least 45 hours total, including 25 hours dual and 10 hours solo, with 5 hours solo cross-country.

PPL passenger recency

To carry passengers, a PPL holder must have completed 3 take-offs and 3 landings in the preceding 90 days on the same type or class.

Class 2 medical validity

A Class 2 medical certificate is generally valid 24 months for holders under 40 and 12 months for holders aged 40 and over, subject to the examiner's determination.

PPL privileges limitation

A PPL does not permit flying for hire or reward, commercial passenger transport, or flight in IMC without an instrument or IMC rating.

Converging right-of-way rule

When two aircraft of the same category converge, the aircraft on the right has right-of-way; head-on both turn right; the overtaken aircraft has right-of-way.

VMC minima below 3,000 ft

In Class G below 3,000 ft AMSL, VFR requires 5 km flight visibility and 1,500 m horizontal and 300 m (1,000 ft) vertical distance from cloud.

Quadrantal cruising levels

Magnetic tracks 000–179° use odd thousands and 180–359° use even thousands; the rule applies in feet below the transition altitude.

VFR speed limit 250 kt

Below 10,000 ft the maximum IAS is 250 kt; within 10 NM of a Class C/D aerodrome it is 200 kt, and 230 kt in Class C/D below 10,000 ft.

Minimum safe altitude rule

Flight must be at least 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within 600 m in congested areas, or 500 ft elsewhere, except during take-off and landing.

Class A airspace

Class A airspace permits IFR flights only, and ATC provides separation between all aircraft; VFR flight is not permitted in Class A.

Class C airspace

Class C permits IFR and VFR; IFR is separated from all aircraft, and VFR receives traffic information about other VFR and separation from IFR.

Class G airspace

Class G is uncontrolled airspace where IFR and VFR are permitted and ATC does not provide separation; pilots are responsible for their own separation.

Transponder emergency codes

Squawk 7700 for emergency, 7600 for radio failure, and 7500 for unlawful interference; Mode C altitude reporting is required in controlled airspace.

Lost communication VMC

If radio failure occurs in VMC, the pilot continues under VFR, lands at the nearest suitable aerodrome, and informs ATC as soon as practicable.

UAE nationality mark A6

UAE-registered aircraft carry the nationality mark A6 followed by three letters, displayed on the aircraft in accordance with CAR Part IV requirements.

Certificate of Registration

The GCAA issues the Certificate of Registration; changes of ownership or address and deregistration must be notified to the authority.

Certificate of Airworthiness

The C of A is issued by the GCAA and remains valid only if the approved maintenance programme and applicable airworthiness directives are complied with.

Documents carried on board

Aircraft must carry the Certificate of Registration, Certificate of Airworthiness, crew licences and medicals, journey log, and the aircraft radio station licence.

Mass and balance requirement

The aircraft must be loaded within certified mass and centre-of-gravity limits; loading calculations must be completed before flight and retained.

VFR fuel reserve

VFR day flights require a final reserve of 30 minutes at holding speed; night or IFR flights require 45 minutes, in addition to contingency fuel.

PIC pre-flight responsibility

Before flight the PIC must confirm airworthiness, fuel and oil sufficiency, mass and balance within limits, and that all required documents are on board.

Emergency deviation authority

In an emergency the PIC may deviate from the rules to the extent necessary, but must report the deviation to the GCAA when requested.

PPL commercial restriction

Aircraft operated under a PPL may not be used for commercial air transport; cost-sharing is permitted only under the conditions set out in the CARs.

ICAO standard phraseology

Standard ICAO phraseology must be used for all communications; clearances involving runway, altitude, heading, frequency, or squawk must be read back.

Emergency frequency 121.5

121.5 MHz is the international aeronautical emergency frequency, used for distress calls and ELT homing; VHF band covers 118.000–136.975 MHz.

Mandatory occurrence report

Accidents and serious incidents must be reported to the GCAA as soon as practicable; serious incidents within 24 hours, using the prescribed occurrence report form.