📖 The lesson
Why this chapter exists
Besides the big “named” CARs, CAR Section 2 contains dozens of short Series/Part CARs. DGCA Module 10 papers regularly draw questions from them — especially Series X. The syllabus table allots 3 questions (B categories) to this national-requirements area. Here are the numbers that matter.
Weight and balance — Series X Part II
- Implements Rule 58: every aircraft is weighed and its CG determined.
- Aircraft of more than 2 000 kg MTOW are re-weighed every five years; those of 2 000 kg or less need no routine re-weighing.
- Re-weighing is also required after a major repair, major alteration or major change to the interior arrangement that cannot be computed accurately — DGCA's decision is final — and whenever DGCA requires.
- The Regional Airworthiness Office may grant an ad-hoc extension of the weighing period of up to 3 months.
- The weight schedule is prepared by a person approved by DGCA (or by the compliance monitoring manager of an approved organisation); a copy is displayed in a prominent place or carried on board, easily accessible.
- Empty weight excludes removable equipment and disposable load but includes fixed equipment and items like fixed ballast, hydraulic fluid and unusable fuel and oil.
Log books — Series X Part VI
Implements Rule 67 (journey, aircraft, engine, variable-pitch propeller and radio log books). Entries are made in ink or indelible pencil, signed and dated by the appropriately licensed AME or approved/authorised person, with the licence/approval number beneath the signature.
| Record | Preservation |
|---|---|
| Aircraft log book | Until the aircraft is permanently withdrawn and its C of R cancelled |
| Engine and propeller log books | Until the engine/propeller is permanently withdrawn from use |
| After an accident with damage beyond economic repair | Aircraft, engine and propeller log books kept 2 years after the accident |
| Journey log book / technical log / Flight Report Book | 36 months after the last entry |
| Other log books | 3 years from the last entry |
If log books are not kept as prescribed, the aircraft is deemed not to be maintained in an airworthy condition.
Taxy permit — Series X Part VIII
Engine starting and ground manoeuvring by untrained people can damage aircraft, so only qualified, approved engineering personnel may taxi:
- Issued by the operator's Quality Manager.
- The holder must have a valid, type-rated CAR-66 B1 licence for the specific aircraft/engine combination, be trained in taxying, and have his taxying ability assessed by a pilot of the operator qualified on type.
- Qualified to use the radiotelephone — otherwise the permit is endorsed to be accompanied by an RT licence holder.
- Conversant with the aerodrome layout, signs, markings, lighting, ATC phraseology and signals.
Flight testing — Series T Part II
A test flight checks that flight characteristics have not deteriorated, performance is as scheduled and equipment works. It is required:
- after a major inspection as specified by the manufacturer (scheduled airlines with an approved performance-monitoring system need not test each aircraft for the ARC — the Continuing Airworthiness Manager certifies continuous monitoring instead);
- at issue/extension of the ARC for aircraft other than scheduled airline aircraft if the ARC has expired or the aircraft has not flown in the 15 days before ARC expiry;
- after maintenance, repair or modification that affects flight characteristics;
- to evaluate fuel consumption, engine power, radio/radar/navigation or instruments that cannot be checked on the ground;
- after an engine change — on a twin, it may be waived where an approved engine ground-test procedure exists, but not if both engines are changed.
Before the flight, authorised certifying staff issue a certificate that the aircraft is fit for the test flight (in duplicate); the flight test report and adjustments are recorded.
Medical supplies and flammability — Series X Parts III and IV
- Part III: first-aid kits (for injuries in flight or minor accidents), a medical kit of life-saving drugs to be used only by a qualified medical practitioner, and a universal precaution kit. Scheduled airlines on international flights longer than 2 hours carry an AED.
- Part IV: flammability requirements for furnishing materials in every crew, passenger, cargo and baggage compartment (self-extinguishing, burn-test standards).
Fuel — Series H
- Part II — fuelling procedures: fuelling under supervision of a person nominated by the operator, by authorised oil-company staff; approved vehicles/installations only; no leaking equipment; fuelling zone extends 6 m radially from fuelling points, vents and equipment; efficient bonding between aircraft and fuel source, and earthing through apron earthing points. (Rule 25A distances: 15 m from buildings, 30 m no ignition sources.)
- Part III — aviation fuel at airports: storage, handling and quality control of fuel.
- Organisations supplying fuel are approved under Series E Part VI (Chapter 5).
Instruments and recorders — Series I
| CAR | Key requirement |
|---|---|
| I Part II | Instruments and equipment for flying training organisations and aerial work |
| I Part V — FDR | FDRs retain at least the last 25 hours of operation (with specified exceptions); carriage depends on MTOM (e.g. above 5 700 kg, above 27 000 kg) and C of A date; periodic read-out and checks of recorder serviceability |
| I Part VI — CVR | Aeroplanes over 27 000 kg with first C of A on or after 1 Jan 2022: CVR retains the last 25 hours; cockpit audio recording systems (CARS) required from 1 Jan 2025 retain at least the last 2 hours; turbine aeroplanes of 2 250–5 700 kg operated by more than one pilot need a CVR or CARS |
| I Part VII — GPWS | All turbine aeroplanes above 5 700 kg or authorised for more than 9 passengers: GPWS with a forward-looking terrain avoidance function; terrain/obstacle database kept current |
| I Part VIII — ACAS | CAT turbine aeroplanes above 15 000 kg, or more than 30 passengers, or payload above 3 tonnes: ACAS II (TCAS II v7.1 is equivalent). ACAS I gives traffic advisories only; ACAS II adds vertical resolution advisories |
Radio — Series R
- Part II — installation of communication, navigation and radar equipment (approved type, approved installation, kept serviceable — Rule 57).
- Part IV — Mode A/C and Mode S transponders. Mode S allows discrete (selective) interrogation of each aircraft via its unique address and a data link, and supports ACAS II resolution advisories.
Age of imported aircraft — Series F Part XX
| Aircraft | Import limit |
|---|---|
| Pressurised, passenger (scheduled/non-scheduled) or GA | Not completed 20 years or 65% of design economic life in pressurisation cycles, whichever is earlier. If older than 18 years, it must have flown at least 100 hours in the last 6 months (unless major maintenance with a satisfactory test flight in that period) |
| Unpressurised | Case by case; flown 50 hours in the last 6 months; normally not more than 25 years old |
| Cargo | Not completed 25 years or 75% of design economic life in pressurisation cycles |
Rationale: manufacturers typically set a design economic life around 20 years or 60 000 landings/pressurisation cycles; beyond it corrosion and fatigue in inaccessible areas become a concern. Local acquisition of Indian-registered aircraft maintained to DGCA procedures is exempt.
Light aircraft CARs
| CAR | Aircraft | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| F Part XIII | Gliders | Airworthiness requirements for gliders |
| F Part XIV | Microlight | Single-seat: AUW ≤ 330 kg; two-seat: AUW ≤ 450 kg; wing area ≥ 10 m² |
| F Part XV | Hot air balloons | Manufacture, registration and airworthiness control |
| F Part XXIV | Gyroplanes | Light gyroplanes: ≤ 2 occupants, AUW ≤ 600 kg, day VFR only; a gyroplane has a non-power-driven rotor in forward flight |
| O Part VI | Powered hang gliders | Manufacture, registration and operation |
These aircraft are certified by category L, A, B1 or B3 licence holders or authorised persons (66.A.100) and generally hold a special C of A (Series F Part XXIII).
Chapter summary
- W&B: > 2 000 kg re-weigh every 5 years (+3 months extension); after major repair/alteration; weight schedule displayed.
- Log books: ink/indelible pencil + licence number; journey/tech log 36 months; others 3 years; accident write-off 2 years.
- Taxy permit: Quality Manager issues to type-rated B1, trained and pilot-assessed, RT-qualified.
- Test flight: after major inspection, ARC expired / not flown 15 days (non-airline), flight-affecting maintenance, engine change.
- FDR 25 h; CVR 25 h (> 27 t, C of A ≥ 2022); CARS 2 h; GPWS > 5 700 kg or > 9 pax; ACAS II > 15 t or > 30 pax.
- Import age: pressurised pax 20 yrs / 65%; cargo 25 yrs / 75%; unpressurised normally ≤ 25 yrs.
- Microlight 330/450 kg; light gyroplane 600 kg, 2 occupants, day VFR.