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Aviation Law and Regulations

Most countries are a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and as such signed the "Chicago Convention 1944" (111 pages, 2 Mb). Aviation rules and regulations in member countries are based on the recommendations of the ICAO. This is necessary to get a certain worldwide standard for safety, airports, crew licensing and other important aviation matters.

These recommendations are published by ICAO in Annexes and Documents. Member countries should then process the recommendations in their aviation law and regulations.

As of March 2008 any pilot with a PPL license or higher is required by ICAO to obtain Language Proficiency Endorsement with his Radio Telephony license. This is to make sure that the level of english used by pilots on the radio is of a required standard. All pilots with an RT license obtained before March 2008 will get a LPE level 4 automatically when they renew their PPL and this LPE-4 is valid for 3 years. A LPE-5 is valid for six years and a LPE level 6 is a lifetime endorsement and needs no renewal. Read ICAO Doc 9835/AN453 (149 pages, 1 Mb) for more info.

In April 2008 the Netherlands changed and optimized its airspace structure to encourage the use of Mode S and radio in an effort to minimize the entry of uncontrolled traffic in controlled airspace without permission. The role of SSR transponders (mode-S) and radio communications are very important. ATC operations are optimized as a result of these measures. Keep you aviation maps up to date as things have changed.

In July 2008 it will be mandatory by ICAO to carry an Emergency Locator Transmittor (ELT) operating on 406 MHz on all International GA flights. The old ELTs (121,5 and 243 MHz) will not be monitored anymore by CORPAS/SARSAT satellites as of Feb, 1st 2009.

Below we have listed the most important organizations with information on international and national aviation regulations. It is wise to check these sites for the latest rules and regulations before flying into these areas.

Mode S Transponders regulations

Below information on Mode S transponders, as they are mandatory in European airspace:

Worldwide Regulations

International organizations:

  • IAOPA -- International Counsel of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
  • AOPA -- Main office of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
  • ICAO -- International Civil Aviation Organization, promotes understanding and security through cooperative aviation regulation
  • IATA -- International Air Transport Association is the governing Body that creates regulation for international air transport
  • Transport Canada -- Direct link to the AIR section of Transport Canada
  • Federal Aviation Administration -- FAA, FAR's, pilot licenses and certificates, airports, education and more
  • Australian Government Civil Aviation Safety Authority -- All about flying Down Under, see next link for NZ
  • Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand -- Rules, safety, medical and more information from the CAA of New Zealand
  • Russian Air Code -- Aviation Code of the Russian Federation
  • DGCA -- Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India
  • CAA of China -- Civil Aviation Administration of China (site is in chinese)

European Regulations

Regulations about flying in Europe, crossing country borders and more.

  • EUROCONTROL -- The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation
  • JAA - Europe -- Website of The Joint Aviation Authorities Europe
  • EASA - Europe -- Website of European Aviation Safety Agency
  • Belgo Control -- Belgium AIS site, flight planning and Meteo information
  • NVAV - Border crossings -- Information about border crossings and flying to foreign countries with experimental aircraft
Organizations concerned with regulations and flying in the Netherlands:

  • AOPA Netherlands -- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Dutch branch
  • IVW - Dutch -- Main site of Inspectorate of Transport and Water Management
  • NVAV -- Nederlandse Vereniging voor Amateur Vliegtuigbouw, everything on building experimental aircraft in the Netherlands
  • KNVvL -- Koninklijke Nederlandse Vereniging voor Luchtvaart
  • VFR Flight Rules - AIC-B 03/03 -- This Aeronautical Information Circular (pdf file) contains the rules for flying in the Netherlands
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