Air Law and JCAA Procedures
Air Law and JCAA Procedures tests the Japanese legal framework and the practical rules you apply before and during flight: the Civil Aeronautics Act, Civil Aeronautics Regulations, AIP Japan, licensing and medical validity, airspace, flight plans, and incident reporting. The exam favours applied questions-what document, clearance, or report is required in a given situation.
Core rules
- Licence and medical: carry a valid pilot licence and current aviation medical certificate; privileges are limited by ratings and recent experience.
- Airspace: Japan applies ICAO airspace classes. Class A is IFR-only; controlled airspace requires a clearance. Class G is uncontrolled but not rule-free.
- Flight plans: file when required by JCAA procedures-typically cross-country flights in controlled airspace or designated areas-and close after landing.
- Altimetry: Japan uses QNH in hectopascals. Transition altitude is 14,000 ft; above it, set standard 1013.2 hPa and fly flight levels.
- Reports: notify JCAA/ATC of accidents, incidents, near misses, and dangerous goods occurrences.
Worked example
A flight is cleared to FL150 after departure from a field at 500 ft with QNH 1005 hPa. Below the transition altitude, the altimeter is set to 1005 hPa, so it reads field elevation on the ground. At 14,000 ft, the crew changes to 1013.2 hPa and reports leaving the transition altitude. The aircraft is then at flight level 150, which is a pressure altitude, not true altitude. The reasoning: QNH gives height above mean sea level; standard pressure gives flight levels shared by all aircraft.
Traps
Do not confuse QNH with QFE, or transition altitude with transition level. Do not assume Class G means no right-of-way or weather rules. A flight plan that is opened but not closed can trigger unnecessary search action.