1. Reasons for Amendment

As helicopter safety risks, such as recent private helicopter accidents and fatalities, increase, this amendment aims to strengthen the physical examination for elderly commercial pilots by shortening the validity period of physical examination for commercial helicopter pilots aged 60 years or older to six months, the same as for pilots engaged in the air transport service, as part of safety measures to mitigate related risks and secure safe operation.

This amendment also aims to improve and supplement some deficiencies that have emerged in the operation of the current system, such as clarifying the qualifications of instructors at approved training organizations for aviation maintenance technician courses and the experience of taking flight training certification and instrument flight certification review examinations and extending the flight approval period to increase the convenience of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV; drone) users.

2. Major Provisions

A. Flight recorders for all helicopters used in Korea have not been developed, so make it possible to operate an alternative device that can monitor cockpit flight data, etc., in lieu of flight recorders for helicopters used for transportation and business (Article 109 (1))

B. Relax regulations on the approval of extended operations of flight time between diversion airports (Article 215 (4) and Attached Form 82)

In the meantime, extended operations of flight time between diversion airports have been approved for airlines with experience operating the aircraft type for more than 12 months. However, according to international standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), airlines with less than 12 months of experience operating the aircraft or no operational experience at all are also allowed to apply for the approval of extended operations of flight time between diversion airports. So, this amendment aims to introduce this system in Korea.

C. Rationalize UAV flight approval period regulations (Article 308 (3) and (7))

1) Allow the flight approval period to be extended from the current six months to 12 months for flights made repeatedly in a flight-restricted airspace in the same area by using a UAV among ultra-light vehicles.

2) In cases where UAVs with a maximum take-off weight of 7 kg or less are flown at an altitude of 20 meters or lower on school grounds within control zones or no-fly zones for educational purposes during regular classes or after school, allow approving the extension of the flight approval period from the current six months to 12 months.

D. Include in the matters to be observed by ultra-light vehicle pilots to record flight time, take-off/landing locations, pre/post-flight check results and actions, etc., for timely performance of preventive maintenance through vehicle management history of paragliders and powered paragliders (Article 310 (5))

E. Regarding flight training exam application experience requirements for those who wish to receive the beginner (for airplanes, airships, helicopters, or gliders) pilot training certification and instrument flight certification review, recognize the experience corresponding to flight training accompanied by a person who has a pilot training certificate and has pilot training flight experience (Article 125) (Attached Table 4 No. 1 (b))

F. Extend and apply the aviation medical certificate validity period of six months that is applicable to persons aged 60 years or older engaged in air transportation service and persons aged 40 years or older engaged in air transportation service carrying passengers with one pilot to commercial pilots aged 60 years or older (Attached Table 8)

G. It is pointed out that those who have majored in aviation medicine, psychology, or philosophy among the qualification requirements for instructors at approved training organizations for aviation maintenance technician courses is unclear. So, clarify that the wording of “those who have majored” shall refer to those who hold a bachelor's degree or higher (Attached Table 12 No. 9 (b) 1)A)(3))

H. Require an aircraft-use business entity to report to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport or the president of the Regional Aviation Administration when boarding any person in addition to the total number of people on board according to the flight plan submitted by the aircraft-use business entity to the air traffic service agency in accordance with Articles 182 and 183 of the Enforcement Rule of the Aviation Safety Act (Attached Table 20-2)