The following circular is issued for information, guidance and compliance.

( M.R. Sivaraman )

Director General of Civil Avition

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[File No. 4/1/85-AI(I)]

Subject : REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATION OF MICROLIGHT AIRCRAFT

For the operation of Microlight aircraft the following rules and regulations shall apply:

1. DEFINITIONS

1. "Microlight Aircraft (single seater)" means fixed wing aircraft with maximum all up weight or not exceeding 330 kg. And a wing area not less than 10 so metres and which is designed to carry not more than one person
2. "Microlight Aircraft (two seater)" means a fixed wing aircraft with a maximum all up weight of not exceeding 450 kg. And a wing area not less than 10 so metres and which is designed to carry not more than two persons.
3. "Microlight Aircraft" means microlight aircraft (single seater) and microlight aircraft (two seater) and excludes hang gliders and para-planes.
4. ‘Permit to Fly’ in relation to microlight aircraft, means a document issued by the Director General of Civil Aviation authorising the flight of a microlight aircraft in accordance with the rules.

1. No Microlight Aircraft shall be flown unless the following conditions are complied with:

1. The Microlight Aircraft is registered in the Civil Aircraft Register and meets the minimum design requirements which the Director General may specify by general or special order;
2. The microlight aircraft possesses a valid Permit to Fly issued by the DGCA, specifying the area of operation and the structural limitations relating to aerobatics, loading engine and airspeed of the microlight aircraft.
3. The microlight aircraft is fitted with such instruments and equipments and in such manner as are provided in rule 57 of these rules; and
4. The microlight aircraft complies with the requirements relating to maintenance standards and certification in accordance with rule 60 of these rules.

For the issue of ‘Permit to Fly’ an application may be made to DGCA in the prescribed proforma given in Annex-I.

2. MAINTENANCE OF MICROLIGHT AIRCRAFT

Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule 2 of Rule 60 which deals with licensing of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, the microlight aircraft may be certified by any AME holding licence in the appropriate category. No type rated licence will be issued for microlight aircraft.

Detailed requirements for the maintenance, certification and registration of microlight aircraft are given in CAR series ‘F’ Part XII.

3. OPERATION OF MICROLIGHT AIRCRAFT

Microlight aircraft shall be flown by a pilot having Students Pilots Licence (Microlight Aircraft) or by a pilot having Microlight Aircraft Pilots Licence.

1. The requirements for issue of Students Pilots Licence (Microlight Aircraft) shall be as follows:

1. Age - He shall not be less than 17 years of age on the date of application.
2. Medical Fitness - He shall produce on prescribed proforma a certificate of physical fitness from an approved, medical practitioner after undergoing a medical examination, during which he shall have established his medical fitness on the basis of compliance with the requirements as notified by the Director General under rule 39B.
3. Knowledge - He shall pass a written/oral examination in the following subjects unless he has held a Pilot’s licence of a higher order, or is able to produce evidence in the manner laid down by the Director General that he is conversant with the following subjects :

1. Air Regulations - including flight rules, air traffic control practices and procedures mainly pertaining to local and cross country flights under Visual Flight Rules ;
2. Air Navigation - Elementary principles of Air Naviation, including elementary knowledge of aeronautical maps, magnetism, magnetic compasses, simple navigational instruments and single flight landing;
3. Aviation Meteorology - Elementary knowledge of Meteorology;

1. Security Clearance - Security clearance from the concerned state Police authorities will be obtained by the Director General.

1. Validity - The period of validity shall commence from the date of issue or renewal of the licence. The licence shall be valid for a period not exceeding 12 months from the date of medical examination. The licence shall lapse on the holder obtaining Pilot’s licence of a higher order for the same category of aircraft.
2. Renewal - The licence may be renewed for a period not exceeding 12 months from the date of a fresh medical examination.
3. Aircraft Rating - The licence shall indicate the class and the types of microlight aircraft the holder is entitled to fly. Only those types of microlight aircraft may be entered in respect of which the candidate has passed the examination in aircraft and engines.
4. Privileges - Subject to the validity of endorsements and ratings in the licence, the holder of a Student Pilots Licence (Microlight Aircraft) is entitled to fly within Indian Territory only, as Pilot-in-Command of any microlight aircraft, entered in the aircraft rating of his licence. Provided that :

1. He shall fly at all times under the authority and supervision of a Flight Instructor or an Approved Examiner;
2. He shall fly under Visual Flight Rules only;
3. He shall not carry passengers, animals and goods or fly for hire, reward or remuneration of any king;
4. He shall not undertake cross-country flights unless he has a minimum of 5 hours of solo flight time on microlight aircraft and has passed the examinations mentioned in sub-clauses (ii) and (iii) of clause (d) of paragraph 1.

NOTE: Cross country flight in this Section means a flight to a point beyond a radius of 15 nautical miles from the aerodrome of departure.

4.2 Microlight aircraft Pilot’s Licence

1. Requirements for the issue of licence - An applicant for the issue of Microlight aircraft Pilot’s Licence shall satisfy the following requirements:

1. Medical Fitness - He shall produce on the prescribed proforma a certificate of physical fitness from an approved medical practitioner after undergoing a medical examination during which he shall have established his medical fitness, on the basis of compliance with the requirements as notified by the Director General under rule 39B;
2. Knowledge - He shall pass a written/oral examination in

1. Air Regulations - including flight rules, air traffic control practices and procedures and regulations concerning operation of private aircraft;
2. Air Navigation - Elementary principles, including elementary knowledge and use of aeronautical maps and charts, time, magnetic compasses, simple navigational instruments, radio aids fitted in the microlight aircraft and visual navigation;
3. Aviation Meteorology - Elementary aviation meteorology including significance of aerodrome meteorological observations and warning; elementary knowledge in reading meteorological charts and of meteorological procedures relating to cross - country flights; salient features of Indian climatology; weather limitations including wind components on the operation of microlight aircraft;
4. Aircraft and Engines - including elementary knowledge of aerodynamics and theory of flight, aircraft, engines, instruments, operating limitations handling, care and pre-questions pertaining to the class and the type of microlight aircraft for which microlight rating is desired.

1. Security Clearance - Security clearance from the concerned state police authorities will be obtained by the Director General;
2. Experience - The applicant should produce evidence of having completed not less than 30 hrs. of flight time on microlight aircraft, which shall include;

1. not less than 15 hrs. of solo flying out of which not less than 10 hrs shall have been done within the preceding 12 months of the date of application;
2. not less than 5 hours of cross-country flight time as the solo occupant of the microlight aircraft including a flight over a distance of not less than 40 nautical miles from the point of departure and at least one full stop landing at a suitable aerodrome or landing ground other than the aerodrome of departure.

1. In case of pilots holding a current Glider Pilot’s Licence with at least 50 hrs of glider flying as Pilot-in-Command the experience requirement shall be reduced by 50% except the requirements for cross-country flights. Pilots holding such licence shall also be exempted from examination in Air Regulations and Meteorology;
2. The holder of a current Private Pilot’s Licence (aeroplanes) or higher category of licences shall be required to carry out familiarisation flights of not less than three solo take offs and landings;
3. 50% of solo flying experience acquired during the preceding 24 months from the date of application subject to maximum of 10 hrs, may be credited towards the total flying experience required for other Pilot’s licences (aeroplanes).

1. Skill - He shall have demonstrated the competency to the satisfaction of an Approved Examiner by undergoing the prescribed flying tests on the type of microlight aircraft, to which the application for licence relates, within a period of six months immediately preceding the date of such application.

NOTE: Stalling and spinning shall be carried out only on the types of microlight aircraft approved and from the minimum altitude laid down by the Director General.

1. Validity - The period of validity shall commence from the date of issue or renewal of the licence. The licence shall be valid for a period of not less than 24 months from the date of medical examination, if the applicant is below 38 years of age; not exceeding 12 months from the date of medical examination, if the applicant is of 38 years of age or above, except where an applicant is medically examined for the renewal of his licence during 30 years immediately preceding the date of expiry of the licence, full period of validity, as applicable may be allowed from the date of expiry.
2. Renewal - the licence may be renewed on receipt of satisfactory evidence of the applicant -

1. having undergone a medical examination in accordance with clause (b) of paragraph 1;
2. having satisfactorily completed not less than 5 hours of flight time as Pilot-in-command within a period of 12 months immediately preceding the date of application for renewal or in lieu thereof, having satisfactorily completed the prescribed flying tests within six months immediately preceding the date of application.

1. Aircraft Rating - The licence shall indicate the class and type of microlight aircraft the holder is entitled to fly. An open rating for all conventional types of microlight aircraft may also be granted to a Microlight Aircraft Pilot who has satisfactorily completed on a microlight aircraft not less than 100 hours of flight time as Pilot-in-Command.
2. Extension of Rating - For extension of aircraft Rating, which includes an additional type of microlight aircraft an applicant shall be required to produce evidence of having passed oral examination in the aircraft and engines and of having satisfactorily completed the prescribed flying tests in respect of the type of microlight aircraft for which the aircraft rating is desired. The flying tests shall have been completed within a period of 6 months immediately preceding the date of application for extension of the Aircraft Rating.
3. Privileges - Subject to the validity of endorsement and ratings in the licence the privileges of the holder of a Microlight aircraft Pilot’s Licence shall be to act as Pilot-in-Command of any microlight aircraft which is entered in the Aircraft Rating of licence under Visual Flight Rules.

All operating requirements laid down in Indian Aircraft Rules 1937 and instruction/directions issued by the regulatory authority from time to time should be complied with unless otherwise authorised by the competent authority. The general operating requirements for microlight aircraft are given below :

1. Before commencement of microlight aircraft operations, the limits of area and height of operation should be intimated and prior clearance SHOULD BE OBTAINED FROM National Airports Authority. The area of operation of each individual microlight aircraft should be entered in its Journey Log Book.
2. All microlight aircraft are to be operate by an appropriately licensed pilot.
3. Each person on board a microlight aircraft should fasten safety harness at all times of the flight.
4. Wearing of crash helmet by every person on board a microlight aircraft during all phases of the flight is recommended.
5. Microlight aircraft should be operated under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
6. No person should operate a microlight aircraft in a manner that may create a collision hazard with respect to any aircraft/microlight aircraft/balloon.
7. Microlight aircraft should yield the right-of-way to airships, gliders and balloons.
8. Microlight aircraft should be flown only between hours of sunrise and sunset.
9. Except when necessary for take-off or landing or except by the permission from the appropriate Air Traffic Control units, a microlight aircraft should not be flown over the congested areas of cities, towns, settlements or over open area assembly of persons unless at such a height as will permit in the event of an emergency arising, a landing to be made without undue hazard to persons or property on the ground; this height should not be less than 1000 feet above the highest obstacle within a radius of 2000 feet from the microlight. Elsewhere, the microlight should not be flown at a height less than 500 feet above the ground or water.
10. No person should operate a microlight within an airport traffic area, control zone, terminal control area unless such flight has a prior authorisation from the Air Traffic Control Authority (ATC) having jurisdiction over the space. RT equipment should be on board for such flight.
11. The flight activities of microlights should be discontinued whenever so required by the ATC.
12. Cross-country flights of microlights should be with the permission of the appropriate ATC.
13. As a safety measures, a microlight aircraft should be flown away from the vicinity of airports.
14. A microlight aircraft should not be operated in restricted area except in accordance with the conditions of restrictions or by permission in writing from the appropriate authority.
15. Aerobatics should not be carried out on a microlight aircraft.
16. No person should be allowed to drop any object from a microlight aircraft during flight without specific permission from the DGCA and the local police authorities/district magistrate.
17. Before commencement of the flight the pilot should ensure that the area from which he intends to take-off/land is suitable for safe operation.
18. The pilot should take into account the prevailing weather conditions to ensure safe operation of the microlight aircraft.
19. Smoking in the microlight aircraft should be prohibited.
20. The microlight aircraft should be flown in accordance with the current procedures and limitations contained in the applicable technical publications and with the manufacturer’s instructions for the type and model of microlight aircraft.
21. No passenger should be taken on board for flight on a microlight aircraft except for the purpose of training.

6. SITE FOR MICROLIGHT OPERATIONS

1. The field should be well clear of villages, housing estates and residential or other buildings and high tress. The permission of the landowner or local authority must be obtained where necessary before the field is used for microlight operations therefrom.
2. There should be enough clear ground surrounding the field to allow a safe landing to be made following engine failure at any stage of the flight.
3. Windsocks or streamers should be provided to indicate wind direction to enable take-offs and landings to be made into wind wherever practicable.
4. There should be a minimum available length of 250 metre or more as advised by the manufacturer while taking off into the wind. Boundary obstruction on the take-off and landing paths should not exceed 2 metre (normal hedge). At the end of field length microlight aircraft should clear the obstacles minimum by 50 feet.
5. There should be no tall obstacles (trees, pylons, wires etc.) within 50 metre or as approved by the DGCA on either side of the take-off or approach paths.
6. The field should be reasonably level, smooth and well-drained. It the field has a slope or is a saucer-shaped, or the ground is soft, sufficient length should be available.
7. One or more fire extinguishers should be available on the microlight aircraft or in a car in the field or accessible in a nearby building.
8. A first aid kit should be available on site.

6. Where any person contravenes or fail to comply with these rules or with the directions issued or the requirements laid down pursuant to those rules, the Central Govt. may suspend or cancel any certificate, rating, licence, authorisation or approval granted to such person, or endorse any adverse remarks thereon.

8. SECURITY ASPECTS

1. The aircraft shall not be sold or disposed of in any way to any person or firm without production of certificate from the DGCA. The certificate will be granted by the latter after verifying the antecedents of the perspective buyers through the local policy authorities.
2. Before registration of aircraft in the name of any person or firm, full particulars thereof shall be obtained in the prescribed proforma and security vetting thereof shall be completed through the local police authorities.
3. One time security clearance of the manufacturer, owner/operator shall be obtained from the local police authorities before initial commencement of operations.
4. The aircraft shall not be flown over the entire air space over the territory of Delhi and areas falling within 50 Kms. from the international borders. The aircraft shall also not be flown over an assembly of persons or over any congested area or a restricted areas including cantonment areas, defence installations etc. unless prior permission in writing is obtained from the appropriate authorities. The restricted areas shall be notified by the DGCA from time to time in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
5. The owner/operator shall be responsible for the safe custody, security and access control of the aircraft.
6. Normal security measures shall be ensured at the place of operation before each flight.
7. Functional perimeter/radius of operation and flying heights of the aircraft shall not permit flying over cantonment area/defence installation.
8. No remote sensing appurtenances except those required for the safe operation of the aircraft shall be carried in the aircraft.
9. The aircraft shall be parked at registered airports/approved places only.
10. Severe penalties/action will be taken against the defaulters.

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1. Name of Owner

2. Address (in full)
3. Nationality
4. Name and address of applicant.

(To be completed in cases in

which the applicant is not the

owner of the aircraft).

5. Constructor of Aircraft
6. Nationality & Registration Marks
7. Description of Aircraft:

1. Type (Name & Description)
2. Constructor’s No.
3. Type of engine
4. Maximum number of persons to

be carried including crew

5. Maximum All Up Weight (Kg)
6. Wing Area (Sq. Meters)

2. Area of operation of Microlight

Aircraft as cleared by

NAA/appropriate ATC authority

3. Names and Licence Nos. of pilots

Who may fly this aircraft.

(Microlight pilot licence holders) :

4. Purpose for which the aircraft

___________________________________________________________________

I hereby declare that the above particulars are true in every respect. I am aware of the rules and regulations promulgated by the DGCA for the operation and maintenance of microlight aircraft and undertake to abide by them.

Date Place Signatures of the Applicant

Documents which must accompany an application for the issue of a permit to Fly for the Microlight Aircraft.

1. Certificate of Erection signed by an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer holding current Indian A.M>E. licence in Category ‘A’ confirming that aircraft has been assembled as per manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Certificate of Flying Test signed by a pilot holding a current C.P.L. and specially authorised by DGCA, quoting DGCA authorisation number and date.
3. Document certifying the clearance of area of operation from NAA/appropriate ATC authority.
4. Operator’s hand book or aircraft flight manual.

1. (a) Name of Applicant in Full (in Block Letters)

Surname Name Aliases, if any

____________________________________________________________

1. Parentage :

1. Present address in full, including Police Station :

3. (a) Permanent address in full, including Police Station ;

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

1. If originally a resident of a country other than India, address in that country and the date of migration to India,

4. Nationality :

1. Date and place of birth, with full address :

______________________________________________________________

2. Profession/occupation after the age of 18 years :

______________________________________________________________

3. Particulars of places, with full address, where the applicant has resided for more than a year during the preceding ten years :

1. Particulars of relatives living abroad with their full address :

8. Is the applicant or any of his relatives a member of social or cultural organisation, which is associated with or assisted by a foreign Mission or organisation?

______________________________________________________________

9. Has the applicant visited a foreign country recently? If so, details thereof :

______________________________________________________________

10. Has the applicant ever been arrested, prosecuted, kept under detention, or convicted by a court? Give details :

Certified that the information furnished in this proforma is correct and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. I am aware that furnishing of wrong information or suppression of factual or material information will disentitle me from grant of the licence/permit.

DATE : Signature of the Applicant