Chapter 1 · The Regulatory Framework
| Item | Value / rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Convention signed / in force | 7 Dec 1944 / 4 Apr 1947 | ICAO |
| ICAO Annexes | 19 | ICAO |
| Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam in force | 1 January 2025 (Act 16 of 2024) | BVA 2024 s.1 |
| Max punishment, most offences | 2 years and/or ₹1 crore | BVA 2024 ss.25–27 |
| Compounding limit / repeat-offence bar | ₹1 crore / within 5 years | BVA 2024 s.30 |
| Complaint to court | Within 1 year of knowledge | BVA 2024 s.31 |
| Appeal time limit | 30 days (+ up to 30 days) | BVA 2024 s.33 |
| Rules laid before Parliament | 30 days | BVA 2024 s.35 |
| Draft CAR public comment period | 30 days | Rule 133A(2) |
| Rule 133B approval validity | Up to 5 years; 10 years for scheduled airline maintenance | Rule 133B(3A) |
| Foreign organisation acceptance | Up to 2 years | Rule 133BA |
| CMPA — aeroplane | > 5 700 kg MTOM, > 19 seats, ≥ 2 pilots, turbojet or > 1 turboprop | CAR-M M.3 |
| CMPA — helicopter | > 3 175 kg MTOM, > 9 seats, ≥ 2 pilots, or tilt-rotor | CAR-M M.3 |
| ‘Light aircraft’ for CAR-ML | Aeroplanes ≤ 2 730 kg; rotorcraft ≤ 1 200 kg / 4 occupants; other LA2 | AAC 4 of 2024 |
| New CAR-M/145/CAMO/CAO/ML effective | 1 January 2025 | AAC 4 & 5 of 2024 |
| CAR-M Subpart F & G end | 31 July 2026 | AAC 4 of 2024 |
Chapter 2 · The Aircraft Rules, 1937 for Engineers
| Item | Value / rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fuelling distance from buildings | ≥ 15 m, outdoors | Rule 25A |
| No smoking / naked flame during fuelling | Within 30 m | Rule 25A |
| Fuelling Danger Zone | Polygon 3 m from wings and fuelling vehicle | Rule 25A |
| Non-flameproof GSE distance | 15 m (gasoline/wide-cut) · 6 m (kerosene) | Rule 25A |
| Persons near aircraft during fuelling | Only authorised staff within 15 m | Rule 25A |
| ‘Large aeroplane’ for SMS | AUW > 5 700 kg | Rule 29D |
| Registration mark reservation | 1 year (+1 year at a time) | Rule 30(1B) |
| Temporary C of R (import by air) | Until first landing at a customs aerodrome | Rule 32 |
| Registration marks | VT-XXX (three capital letters, hyphen) | Rule 37 |
| AME licence — age / education | 18 years / 10+2 PCM | Rule 61(5) |
| AME licence validity | Max 10 years, renewable 10 years | Rule 61(11) |
| Authorisation under Rule 61 | Max 1 year; 3 months' tasks in preceding year to renew | Rule 61(11)(b) |
| Flight crew log book retention | ≥ 5 years after last entry | Rule 67A |
| Approved maintenance system validity | 10 yrs scheduled · 5 yrs commuter/NSOP · 2 yrs 134B | Rule 155A |
Chapter 3 · CAR-66: Certifying Staff Licensing
| Item | Value / rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| AME licence — minimum age / education | 18 years / 10+2 PCM | 66.A.15 |
| Exam pass mark / negative marking | 75% / none | App. II |
| Retake a failed module after | 30 days | App. II §1.5 |
| Maximum exam attempts | 3 in any 12 months | App. II §1.6 |
| Module 10 — Cat A | 32 questions · 40 minutes | App. II §2 |
| Module 10 — B1/B2/B2L/B3 | 44 questions · 55 minutes | App. II §2 |
| Time per question | 75 seconds (nominal) | App. II §1.2 |
| Module pass / credit validity | 10 years | 66.A.25 |
| Experience A, B1.2, B1.4, B3 | 3 yrs · 2 with degree · 1 with CAR-147 | 66.A.30 |
| Experience B1.1, B1.3, B2 | 5 yrs · 3 with degree · 2 with CAR-147 | 66.A.30 |
| Adding a B2L system rating | 3 months per rating | 66.A.30 |
| Category C (CMPA) | 3 yrs incl. 12 months base support | 66.A.30 |
| Recent experience | ≥ 1 year (additions ≥ 3 months) | 66.A.30(d) |
| Experience window / defence | 10 years / 15 years | 66.A.30(f) |
| Non-civil equivalence | 12 years + 1 year civil | 66.A.30(e) |
| Recency to exercise privileges | 6 months in preceding 2 years | 66.A.20(b) |
| Renew expired licence | Within 4 years; 6 months' experience in 24 | 66.A.40(e) |
| Produce licence on request | Within 24 hours | 66.A.55 |
| Type training / OJT window | Within 3 years of application | App. III |
| OJT after theory | ≥ 50% of tasks | App. III §6 |
| Component authorisation age | 21 years | 66.A.205 |
| Component authorisation validity | 1 year; 3 months in 12 + refresher in 24 | 66.A.220 |
| Rule 61(8) authorisation | ≤ 1 year; 3 months on similar type | Sec 2 Series L Part IX |
| Foreign licence validation | ≤ 1 year initial; 1 yr exp after type, 6 months recent | Sec 2 Series L Part XVI |
| Continuation training | Every 2 years | 145.A.35(d) · AAC 4/2018 |
Chapter 4 · CAR-145: Approved Maintenance Organisations
| Item | Value / rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CAR-145 Issue 3 effective | 1 January 2025 | 145.A.05 |
| Issue 2 organisations to comply by | 31 July 2026 | 145.A.05 · AAC 5/2024 |
| Class A1 / A2 | Aeroplanes > 5 700 kg / ≤ 5 700 kg | Terms of approval |
| Component ratings | C1 – C22 (by ATA chapter) | Terms of approval |
| Certifying / support staff minimum age | 21 years | 145.A.35(l) |
| Actual maintenance experience | 6 months in any consecutive 2 years | 145.A.35(c) |
| Recurrent training | Each 2-year period | 145.A.35(d) |
| Produce certification authorisation | Within 24 hours | 145.A.35(k) |
| B2 using A-type privileges | A task training + 6 months documented experience | 145.A.35(n) |
| One-off authorisation — experience | ≥ 5 years + valid ICAO licence on type | 145.A.30(j)(5) |
| One-off authorisation — report to DGCA | Within 7 days | 145.A.30(j)(5) |
| CAR-ML airworthiness review staff | 1 yr (sailplanes/balloons) · 3 yrs (others) | 145.A.37 |
| Electronic records back-up | Within 24 hours of an entry | 145.A.45(e) |
| Maintenance records & CRS retention | 3 years from the CRS date | 145.A.55(a) |
| ARC records retention | 3 years after ARC issue | 145.A.55(b) |
| Management system & contract records | 5 years | 145.A.55(c) |
| Initial mandatory occurrence report | Within 72 hours | 145.A.60(d) |
| Approval validity | Per Rule 133B — 5 yrs (10 yrs airline maintenance) | 145.A.90 |
| ‘Full-time’ (small organisations GM) | ≥ 35 hours per week | GM1 145.A.10 |
Chapter 5 · CAR-CAO, CAR-147 and Other Approved Organisations
| Item | Value / rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CAO — type listing threshold | Aeroplanes > 2 730 kg · helicopters > 1 200 kg or > 4 occupants | CAO.A.020 |
| CAO one-off authorisation | ≥ 3 years' experience + ICAO licence | CAO.A.040 |
| CAO maintenance records | 3 years | CAO.A.090 |
| CAO quality monitoring records | ≥ 2 years | CAO.A.100 |
| CAR-147 Basic — B1.1, B1.3, B1.4, B2 | 2 400 h (50–60% theory) | 147 Basic App. I |
| CAR-147 Basic — B1.2 / B3 | 2 000 h / 1 000 h | 147 Basic App. I |
| CAR-147 Basic — A1, A3, A4 / A2 | 800 h / 650 h (30–35% theory) | 147 Basic App. I |
| Knowledge class size | ≤ 30 students; ≤ 2 batches/category/year | 147 Basic |
| Minimum attendance | 90% of tuition hours | 147 Basic |
| Practical in real environment | ≥ 30% | 147 Basic |
| Instructor updating training | Every 24 months (≥ 35 h basic) | 147.A.105 |
| CAR-147 approval validity | ≤ 5 years | 147.A.155 |
| No batch inducted | 2 consecutive years → approval may be withdrawn | 147 Basic |
| Rule 133BA acceptance (FAMO/FAO) | ≤ 2 years | Rule 133BA |
Chapter 6 · Independent Certifying Staff
| Item | Value / rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Complex task — pressurised skin damage | > 15 cm (6 in) | CAR-M App. VII |
| CRS entry in aircraft records | ≤ 30 days after completion | ML.A.305(a) |
| Detailed maintenance records (CAR-ML) | ≥ 36 months after release | ML.A.305(h) |
| Owner-authorised person experience | ≥ 3 years | M.A.801(c) · ML.A.801(c) |
| Re-check owner-authorised release | 7 days (CAR-ML non-commercial: 30 days) | M.A.801(c) · ML.A.801(c) |
| Notify CAMO/CAO/DGCA | Within 7 days | M.A.801(c) |
| Pilot-owner maintenance (CAR-M) | Non-complex aircraft ≤ 2 730 kg, not commercial | M.A.803 |
| CAR-ML ARC | Issued by DGCA, valid 1 year | ML.A.901 |
Chapter 7 · Air Operations
| Item | Value / rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule XI aeroplane minimum | Multi-engine ≥ 5 700 kg (helicopter ≥ 3 175 kg) | Sec 3 C-II §7.1 |
| Scheduled fleet requirement | 5 aircraft, within 1 year of AOC | Sec 3 C-II §7.2–7.3 |
| MoCA NOC validity | 3 years | Sec 3 C-II §5.11 |
| AOC renewal application | ≥ 90 days before expiry | Sec 3 C-II §15.2 |
| NSOP paid-up capital | ₹2 cr (≤2 a/c) · ₹5 cr (≤5) · ₹10 cr (≤10) · ₹15 cr (>10) | Sec 3 C-III §4.2 |
| Operator status records | 90 days after permanent withdrawal | Sec 8 O-II §8.4.2 |
| Operator detailed release records | 1 year after release | Sec 8 O-II §8.4.2 |
| EDTO thresholds | 60 min (twins, scheduled) · 90 (NSOP ≤19 seats) · 120 (3+ engines) | Sec 8 S-I §4.1 |
| EDTO IFSD targets | 0.05 (≤120) · 0.03 (≤180) · 0.01 (>180) per 1 000 eng hr | Sec 8 S-I |
| CAT II | DH 100–200 ft · RVR ≥ 300 m | Sec 8 C-I §11.4 |
| CAT IIIA | DH < 100 ft or none · RVR ≥ 175 m | Sec 8 C-I §11.5 |
| CAT IIIB | DH < 50 ft or none · RVR 50–175 m | Sec 8 C-I §11.5 |
| RVSM | FL290–FL410 · 1 000 ft · alt hold ±50 ft | Sec 8 S-II |
| RVSM altitude alert | ±300 ft (TC applied ≤ 9 Apr 1997) / ±200 ft (after) | Sec 8 S-II §8.1.4 |
| RNAV 5 accuracy | ±5 NM for 95% of flight time | OC 7/2014 |
| MEL categories | B 3 days · C 10 days · D 120 days | Sec 2 B-I §3.1 |
| MEL revision after MMEL change | Within 90 days | Sec 2 B-I §4.5 |
Chapter 8 · Certification of Aircraft, Parts and Appliances
| Item | Value / rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Report possible unsafe condition (design holder) | ≤ 72 hours | CAR-21 21.3A |
| AD minimum contents | Condition · aircraft · actions · compliance time · effective date | CAR-21 21.3B |
| C of A application form | CA-25 | CAR-21 21.174 |
| Export C of A for validation | Issued ≤ 60 days before application | Sec 2 F-III |
| C of A categories | Normal (5 sub-div.) · Special (racing, research) · Aerobatic | Sec 2 F-III App. C |
| Special flight permit purposes | 17 (21.701(a)) | CAR-21 Subpart P |
| Cape Town Convention accession | 31 March 2008 | Sec 2 F-I |
| Mod & repair design approval (non-OEM data) | Rule 52(3) · Sec 6 Series A Part V | Sec 6 A-V |
Chapter 9 · Continuing Airworthiness: CAR-M, CAR-ML and CAR-CAMO
| Item | Value / rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Occurrence report (owner / CAMO) | ≤ 72 hours to DGCA + design holder | M.A.202 |
| Technical log history | 36 months before last entry | M.A.305(e) |
| CRS & detailed maintenance records | Until superseded, ≥ 36 months | M.A.305(e) |
| After permanent withdrawal | Key aircraft/engine/propeller data 12 months | M.A.305(e)(4) |
| ARC validity | 1 year | M.A.901(a) |
| ARC extensions by CAMO/CAO | Max twice, 1 year each (controlled environment) | M.A.901 |
| Controlled environment period | Preceding 12 months | M.A.901(b) |
| ARC extension anticipation | Up to 30 days | AMC M.A.901 |
| Physical survey anticipation | Up to 90 days | AMC M.A.901(n) |
| ARC by any chosen CAMO/CAO | Aircraft ≤ 2 730 kg not used by AOC holder | M.A.901(e) |
| ARC forms | CA Form 15a (DGCA) · 15b (CAMO/CAO) · 15c (CAR-ML) | CAR-M App. III · CAR-ML |
| CAMO airworthiness review staff | ≥ 5 yrs CAW experience + CAR-66 licence or degree | CAMO.A.310 |
| CAR-ML CRS entry | ≤ 30 days | ML.A.305 |
Chapter 10 · Oversight, Safety Management and Occurrence Reporting
| Item | Value / rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory occurrence report | ≤ 72 hours | Rule 29E · AAC 2/2024 · M.A.202 |
| Major defect — initial | Immediately by telephone to RAO | Sec 2 C-I §4.5 |
| Major defect — written | Within 72 hours (Appendix II) | Sec 2 C-I §4.5 |
| Repetitive defect | 3 times within 15 flight cycles | Sec 2 C-I §2.2.2 |
| Reliability statistics | Monthly (scheduled operators) | Sec 2 C-I §6.1 |
| SMS framework | 4 components · 12 elements | Sec 1 C-I §4.2 |
Chapter 11 · National Airworthiness Requirements (CAR Section 2)
| Item | Value / rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Re-weighing > 2 000 kg MTOW | Every 5 years (+ up to 3 months by RAO) | Sec 2 X-II §4.2 |
| Re-weighing ≤ 2 000 kg | Not routinely | Sec 2 X-II §4.1 |
| Journey log / tech log retention | 36 months after last entry | Sec 2 X-VI §11 |
| Other log books retention | 3 years after last entry | Sec 2 X-VI §11 |
| Log books after write-off accident | 2 years | Sec 2 X-VI §11 |
| Test flight trigger (non-airline ARC) | ARC expired or not flown 15 days before expiry | Sec 2 T-II §3.1 |
| FDR duration | Last 25 hours | Sec 2 I-V §4.5 |
| CVR (> 27 000 kg, C of A ≥ 1 Jan 2022) | Last 25 hours | Sec 2 I-VI §3.3 |
| CARS (C of A ≥ 1 Jan 2025) | Last 2 hours | Sec 2 I-VI §3.3 |
| GPWS with FLTA | Turbine > 5 700 kg or > 9 passengers | Sec 2 I-VII §3.1 |
| ACAS II (CAT) | Turbine > 15 000 kg, > 30 pax or > 3 t payload | Sec 2 I-VIII §5.1 |
| AED | Scheduled international flights > 2 hours | Sec 2 X-III |
| Fuelling zone | 6 m radius | Sec 2 H-II §2.2 |
| Import — pressurised passenger/GA | < 20 yrs or 65% design cycles; > 18 yrs: 100 h in 6 months | Sec 2 F-XX §3.1 |
| Import — unpressurised | Case by case, ≤ 25 yrs normally, 50 h in 6 months | Sec 2 F-XX §3.2 |
| Import — cargo | < 25 yrs or 75% design cycles | Sec 2 F-XX §3.3 |
| Microlight | 1 seat ≤ 330 kg · 2 seats ≤ 450 kg | Sec 2 F-XIV |
| Light gyroplane | ≤ 2 occupants · ≤ 600 kg · day VFR | Sec 2 F-XXIV |
Chapter 12 · Cybersecurity in Aviation Maintenance
| Item | Value / rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Reg. (EU) 2023/203 applicable | 22 February 2026 | Art. 16 |
| Reg. (EU) 2022/1645 applicable | 16 October 2025 | Art. 8 |
| Information security incident report | ≤ 72 hours to competent authority | IS.I.OR.230 |
| ISMS elements | 13 (IS.I.OR.200(a)) | IS.I.OR.200 |