(1)Reasons for Proposal

This Amendment aims to reduce public inconvenience by enabling pilots of unmanned aerial vehicles among ultra-light vehicles to apply for approval to fly in an airspace within which the flight of ultra-light vehicle is restricted, etc., when applying for approval to fly at night, etc., thereby prescribing matters delegated to it under the Amendment to the Aviation Safety Act (Act No. 16643, promulgated on Nov. 26, 2019, to enter into force on May 27, 2020) as well as other matters necessary for their enforcement, and to improve and supplement certain shortcomings that have surfaced during operation of the current system by prescribing that when designating an Approved Training Organization for training of pilots, matters regarding return of education and training fees such as surety insurance subscription, etc., shall be checked, etc.

(2) Major Provisions

A. Provision of a procedure for providing notice in case of false application for aviation medical certification (Article 93)

In case an applicant for aviation medical certification omits his/her medical history, etc., when filing his/her application, and such fact is subsequently discovered by the aviation medical examiner during the medical examination, there is currently no procedure by which the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport provides notice.

B. Provision of measures for protecting pilot trainees such as return of education and training fees, etc. (Article 104)

When applying for designation as an Approved Training Organization, the applicant shall be required to include in its training plans whether it has surety insurance in place, etc., and in the training operation criteria issued when designated as an Approved Training Organization shall include content on return of education and training fees.

C. Strengthened management of Approved Training Organizations for light aircraft (Articles 295 and 295-2)

In order to manage Approved Training Organizations for light aircraft pilots, changes in the education and training system such as changes in instructor status, etc., shall be registered in the Integrated Aviation Education and Training Management System, and criteria for imposing administrative measures in case of violations of the law shall be provided.

D. Strengthened obligation to acquire certification of unmanned aerial vehicle pilot (Article 306)

The requirement for a pilot certification, which currently only applies to those over 12 kg used in ultra-light vehicle-use industries, shall apply to those over 250 g without regard to their use, such that a pilot certification, including completion of online training, etc., shall be required.

E. Relaxation of unmanned aerial vehicle airspace restrictions (Article 308)

To enable drones to be flown in restricted airspace within elementary, middle, and high school sports grounds for education purposes, ultra-light vehicles with maximum takeoff weight not exceeding 7 kg may be operated within an altitude of 20 m.

F. Provision of a system for disclosure of aviation safety investment information by aviation transport businesses (Article 317-2)

Detailed items to be included in safety investment breakdowns such as expenses, etc. made in aircraft operation (maintenance, purchase of spare parts, etc.) and maintenance of aircraft maintenance facilities, etc., shall be newly established, and the scope of safety investment related disclosures such as safety investment made during the past 2 years, safety investment plans for the upcoming 2 years, etc., shall be provided.