QuestionsQuestions (MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 02-93 s. 1993)
“Airworthiness” means the aircraft, its engines, propellers, and components/accessories are of proper design and construction, safe for air navigation, consistent with accepted engineering practice and in accordance with aerodynamic laws and aircraft science.
A Certificate of Aircraft Registration is a prerequisite to securing an Airworthiness Certificate.
It is valid for one (1) year.
An ATO Aircraft Inspector is required to board the aircraft during the scheduled test flight to evaluate aircraft performance, its engine, other components, and accessories.
Test flight shall be carried out locally on Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and conducted by a rated Pilot.
Test flight shall be conducted only when all requirements in applying for the Airworthiness Certificate have been complied with.
All outstanding accounts (operational charges) should be settled first before processing the application.
Any person who operates a civil aircraft in violation of civil air regulations is subject to the penalties prescribed for such act as embodied in Republic Act 776.
(1) Applicant/owner requests inspection and secures application form from the Registration Clerk; (2) Registration Clerk issues Application Form (ATO-1029) plus Annual Inspection Report (ATO-1030) and Radio/Electronics/Instrument Inspection Report (ATO-013E); (3) Applicant/owner fills and submits the notarized ATO-1029 with supporting documents to the Registration Clerk.
Examples include: (1) Work Done Report (certified by a licensed Aircraft Mechanic); (2) Instrument and Equipment List of the Aircraft; (3) Current Aircraft Radio License or NTC application; (4) Weight and Balance Report (every two years for air carrier aircraft) or after major repair.
The Registration Clerk prepares the Test Flight Permit (TFP) (ATO-Form 1042) and forwards it to the assigned Aircraft Inspector; the Inspector recommends approval, forwards to the Chief, Airworthiness Section for initial, then to the Chief, Aviation Safety Division for approval; after approval, the Inspector issues the TFP to the applicant so a properly authorized test flight can be conducted.
If aircraft performance is found satisfactory after the test flight, the Registration Clerk prepares the Airworthiness Certificate. If not satisfactory, discrepancies must be corrected and a re-inspection and re-test flight conducted (though a re-test may not be required for minor discrepancies observable/correctable during ground test).
(a) For Original/Annual Airworthiness Certification: Inspection and Airworthiness fees of P150.00. (b) For maintenance and repair for Continuing Airworthiness Certificate: Inspection Fee of P50.00.
The Aircraft Release (AR) (ATO Form No. 304), signed by the Chief, Aviation Safety Division, signifying the aircraft is returned back to service.
A test flight shall not be required if: (1) discrepancies during annual relicensing inspection by an ATO Airworthiness Inspector can be observed/corrected on ground test; (2) the annual relicensing inspection coincide with Check No. 1; and (3) the aircraft was operationally airworthy the day preceding annual inspection (with additional condition that items a and b apply to scheduled airlines having approval from the ATO).
A re-test flight shall not be required if the minor discrepancies can be observed/corrected during ground test.
The circular requires: (1) Weighing report if repair/alteration caused an increase in empty weight; and (2) Empty Weight and Gross Weight computation including Center of Gravity (CG) computation to substantiate that repair/alteration has not changed the aircraft CG limits.