Air Law and Kenya Civil Aviation Regulations
Air Law and KCARs
This domain tests how a PPL holder applies the Civil Aviation Act, Kenya Civil Aviation Regulations (KCARs), ICAO Annexes and the Kenya AIP. Know the PPL privilege boundary: a PPL permits non-commercial PIC flight and carrying passengers, but not flying for hire or reward. A valid Class 2 medical and current rating are required before carrying passengers.
Core rules
- Documents: certificate of registration, certificate of airworthiness, pilot licence, medical, journey log, insurance and radio licence where applicable.
- VFR minima follow ICAO Annex 2 unless the Kenya AIP specifies otherwise: at or above 10,000 ft, 8 km flight visibility, 1,500 m horizontal and 1,000 ft vertical cloud separation; below 10,000 ft, 5 km visibility with the same cloud separation.
- Rules of the air cover right-of-way, lights, collision avoidance, clearance compliance and position reporting.
- Accidents and serious incidents are reported to KCAA; preserve evidence and records.
Worked example
A PPL holder is asked to fly a friend to Mombasa and accept KSh 40,000. The flight is not a genuine cost-share; it is hire or reward. Accepting would exceed PPL privileges and require a CPL plus commercial operator approvals. The correct action is to decline the paid flight.
Traps
Do not confuse PPL and CPL privileges. Do not treat the medical as optional. Do not apply foreign local minima when the Kenya AIP gives a different value. Read 'unless otherwise specified' carefully.