I
Definition of Terms
1. Airworthiness means that an aircraft, its engines, propellers, and components and accessories, are of proper design and construction, and are safe for air navigation purposes, such design and construction being consistent with accepted engineering practice and in accordance with aerodynamic laws and aircraft science.

2.         Aircraft - any contrivance now known or hereafter invented, used, or designed for navigation of, or flight in the air.

3.         Appliances means instruments, equipment, apparatus, parts, appurtenances, or accessories, of whatever description, which are used or capable of being or intended to be used in the navigation, operation, or control of aircraft in flight (including parachutes, communication equipment and any other mechanism or mechanisms installed in or attached to aircraft during flight), and which are not a part or parts of aircraft, aircraft engines or propellers.

4.         Aircraft Engine means an engine used or intended to be used for propulsion of aircraft and includes all parts, appurtenances, and accessories thereof other than propellers.

5.         Airmen means any individual who engages, as the person in command or as pilot, mechanic, flight radio operator or member of the crew, in the navigation of aircraft while underway, and any individual who is directly in charge of inspection, maintenance, overhauling or repair of aircraft, aircraft engine, propellers, or appliances; and any individual who serves in the capacity or aircraft dispatcher or air-traffic control operator.

6.         Civil Aircraft means any aircraft other than a public aircraft.

II
Guidelines
1.         A Certificate of Aircraft Registration is a pre-requisite to securing Airworthiness Certificate.

2.         Certificate of Airworthiness shall be valid for one year.

3.         Issuance of Provisional Aircraft Permit (PAP) shall be issued only to those applicants who have scheduled flight for the same day and to those operating outside of Metro Manila; and shall be valid only for one (1) month.

4.         An ATO Aircraft Inspector shall be required to board the aircraft during scheduled test flight to evaluate the performance of the aircraft, its engine, other components and accessories.

5.         Test flight shall be carried out locally on Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and shall be conducted by a rated Pilot.

6.         Test flight shall be conducted only when all requirements in applying for Airworthiness Certificate have been complied with.

7.         All outstanding accounts (operational charges) should be settled first before an application for Airworthiness Certification can be processed.

8.         Any person who operates a civil aircraft in violation of civil air regulations shall be subject to the penalties prescribed for such act as embodied in Republic Act 776.

III
Procedures
A. For Original/Annual Airworthiness Certification

1.         Applicant/owner submits request for inspection and secure from the Registration Clerk of the Aviation Safety Division for application form for Airworthiness Certificate.

2.         Registration Clerk issues Application Form (ATO-Form No. 1029) together with Annual Inspection Report (ATO-Form No. 1030) and Radio, Electronics and Instrument Inspection Report (ATO-Form No. 013E) to applicant.

3.         Applicant/owner fills up and submits the notarized Application Form (ATO-Form No. 1029) with supporting documents to the Registration Clerk.

Aside from the accomplished forms mentioned above, the applicant/owner is also required to attach the following documents, to wit:

1. Work Done Report (Certified by licensed Aircraft Mechanic)
   
   
2. Instrument and Equipment List of the Aircraft
   
   
3. Current Aircraft Radio License or application from the National Telecommunications Commission
   
   
4. Weight and Balance Report (every two (2) years for air carrier aircraft) or after major repair

4. Registration Clerk forwards request for inspection together with supporting documents to the Section Chief concerned for assignment of Aircraft Inspector.

5. Section Chief reviews application and assigns Aircraft Inspector to inspect said aircraft.

6. Aircraft Inspector reviews and evaluates the application and supporting documents submitted by the applicant.

7. Applicant/owner schedules aircraft for physical inspection.

8. Aircraft Inspector conducts physical inspection of the aircraft and makes recommendation for a test flight.

9. Registration Clerk prepares Test Flight Permit (TFP) (ATO-Form No. 1042) and forwards the same to assigned Aircraft Inspector.

10. Aircraft Inspector recommends approval of TFP and forwards same to Chief, Airworthiness Section for initial.  

11. Chief, Airworthiness Section initials under the name of the Chief, Aviation Safety Division.

12. Chief, Aviation Safety Division approves TFP.

13. Upon approval of the TFP, the Aircraft Inspector issues TFP to applicant/owner.

14. Applicant/owner coordinates with Aircraft Inspector on the schedule of the test flight.

15. Aircraft Inspector together with the Pilot and Mechanic evaluate the flight performance of the aircraft and its engine.

During the test flight, the Aircraft Inspector jots down observations/findings on the Test Flight Report (form applicable to the type of aircraft).

After the test flight, if aircraft performance is found satisfactory, the Pilot/Aircraft Mechanic signs the Aircraft Test Flight Report and Aircraft Inspector approves the Aircraft Test Flight Report.

A. If result of inspection is satisfactory: Registration Clerk shall prepare Airworthiness Certificate.

B. If not satisfactory: A re-inspection and re-test flight of the aircraft shall be conducted after correction of discrepancies.

A re-test flight shall not be required on aircraft if the minor discrepancies can be observed/corrected during ground test.

16. Applicant/owner pays Inspection and Airworthiness fees (P150.00) and presents Official Receipt (OR) to the Registration Clerk.

17. Registration Clerk prepares Airworthiness Certificate (AC) (ATO-Form No. 1064) or Provisional Aircraft Permit (PAP) (ATO-Form No. 1044).

Forwards Airworthiness Certificate or PAP to Chief, Airworthiness Section for initial.

18. For Standard Airworthiness Certificate - The Chief, Aviation Safety Division initials Airworthiness Certificate and forwards to Assistant Secretary for Air Transportation for signature.

For Provisional Aircraft Permit: - The Chief, Airworthiness Section initials under the name of the Chief, Aviation Safety Division. Forwards documents to Chief, Aviation Safety Division.

The issuance of a PAP, which is valid only for a period of thirty (30) days, shall be given only to those applicants who have scheduled flight/s for the same day and for those operating outside of Metro Manila.

19. Chief, Aviation Safety Division signs permit.

20. Registration Clerk issues Airworthiness Certificate or Provisional Aircraft Permit to applicant/owner.

B. For Maintenance and Repair of Aircraft for Continuing Airworthiness Certificate

Upon completion of repair works -

1. Applicant/owner prepares and submits a written request for inspection of aircraft to the Aviation Safety Division through the Registration Clerk.

2. Registration Clerk issues Engine and/or Propeller Change Report (ATO Form No. 1087), as the case may be.

3. Applicant/owner submits accomplished Engine/Propeller/Rotor Blades Change Report Form, as the case may be.

The following should be attached to this report:

a. Work Done Report (certified by a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer)

b. New Engine/Propeller/Rotor Blades replacement, as the case may be.

a. Importation papers

b. Custom Clearance

c. Export Certificate of Airworthiness

d. Airworthiness tag

c. Overhauled Engine/Propeller/Rotor Blades replacement

a. Origin

b. Overhaul papers including agency that performed overhaul work.

c. Export Certificate of Airworthiness or Airworthiness Approval or Serviceable Tag

d. Transferred Engine/Propeller

- From what aircraft was the engine/propeller has been removed.

a. If aircraft engine/propeller is repaired in the Philippines:

Certification from an ATO-Rated Repair Station that the aircraft engine/propeller has been repaired.

b.    If the aircraft engine/propeller is repaired in a foreign country:


4. Registration Clerk forwards request for inspection together with the supporting documents to the Section Chief concerned for assignment of Aircraft Inspector.

5. Section Chief reviews application and assigns Aircraft Inspector to inspect said aircraft.

6. Aircraft Inspector reviews and evaluates the application and supporting documents submitted by the applicant/owner.  

7. Applicant/owner schedules aircraft for physical inspection.

8. Aircraft Inspector conducts physical inspection of the aircraft and makes recommendation for a test flight.

9. Registration Clerk prepares Test Flight Permit (TFP) (ATO-Form No. 1042) and forwards the same to assigned Aircraft Inspector.

10. Aircraft Inspector recommends approval of TFP and forwards same to Chief, Airworthiness Section for initial.

11. Chief, Airworthiness Section initials under the name of the Chief, Aviation Safety Division.

12. Chief, Aviation Safety Division approves TFP.

13. Upon approval of the TFP, the Aircraft Inspector issues TFP to applicant/owner.

14. Applicant/owner schedules the test flight.

15. Aircraft Inspector together with the Pilot and Mechanic evaluates and inspects the flight performance of the aircraft and its engine.

During the test flight, the ATO Aircraft Inspector jots down observations/findings on the Test Flight Report (form applicable to the type of aircraft).

After the test flight, if aircraft performance is found satisfactory, the Pilot signs the Aircraft Test Flight Report and ATO Aircraft Inspector approves the Aircraft Test Flight Report.

A. If result of inspection is satisfactory: - Registration Clerk shall prepare Aircraft Release (ATO Form No. 304)

B. If not satisfactory: - A re-inspection shall be conducted after correction of discrepancies.

A re-test flight shall not be required on aircraft provided that the minor discrepancies can be observed/corrected during ground test.

16. Applicant/owner pays Inspection Fee (P50.00) and presents Official Receipt to the Registration Clerk.

17. Registration Clerk prepares Aircraft Release (AR) and forwards the same to Chief, Airworthiness Section for initial.

18. The Chief, Airworthiness Section initials under the name of the Chief, Aviation Safety Division.  Forwards documents to Chief, Aviation Safety Division.

19. Chief, Aviation Safety Division signs AR.

20. Registration Clerk issues Aircraft Release to applicant/owner, signifying that the aircraft is returned back to service.

C. Returning RP-Registered Aircraft Back to Service

1. Major Aircraft Overhaul

Upon completion of aircraft overhaul:

1. Applicant/owner prepares and submits a written request for inspection of the accomplished overhaul to the Aviation Safety Division through the Registration Clerk.
   
   
2. Registration Clerk issues Application Form No. 1029 (Change in aircraft data) and Repair and Alteration Form.
   
   
3. Applicant/owner fills up and submits the notarized application form to the Registration Clerk.

The following documents are to be attached to the application:

1. Repair and Alteration Form
   
   
2. Work Done Report (certified by licensed Aircraft Mechanic or ATO-Rated Repair Station)
   
   
3. Aircraft Inspection Report (ATO Form as applicable to the type of aircraft)
   
   
4. Engine/Propeller Change Report Inspection Report (ATO Form No. 013D, if applicable)
   
   
5. Weight and Balance Report (if applicable)
   
   
6. Signed-Off Release Aircraft Logbook from rated repair station

For the guidance of all concerned, unless otherwise changed/altered, the following maintenance work on an aircraft requires inspection and test flight prior to returning back to service:

a. Engine change, except single engine change on four (4) engined aircraft.

b. Propeller, (except fixed pitch propeller) and its relative major component replacement.

c. Major overhaul, progressive major overhaul and repetitive block check/rotorcraft wing heavy check between 600 and 1200 hours, repair after accident/incident.

d. Structural major repairs and/or alterations.  

e. Complete re-rigging of an aircraft to correct dangerous flight characteristics.

f. Rectified reported recurring mechanical irregularities during flight that cannot be observed on the ground.

g. Airplane extended storage status (over 6 weeks)

h. Both carburator/FCU change on twin engine aircraft.

i. Wing change and/or removal and installation.

j. Stabilizer (either horizontal or vertical change) including control surfaces.

k. Main and tail rotor and its major sub-assembly, transmission system change for rotary wing.

NOTE: A test flight shall not be required on aircraft maintained under progressive check duly approved by ATO provided:

1. That the discrepancies during annual relicensing inspection by an ATO Airworthiness Inspector can be observed/corrected on ground test.
   
   
2. That the annual relicensing inspection coincide with Check No. 1.
   
   
3. That the aircraft was operationally airworthy the day preceding annual inspection (item a and b above, applies to scheduled airlines that have secured approval from the ATO).

4. From this point, the processing of the application for the issuance of airworthiness/aircraft release will follow the same procedures as those enumerated under the procedures in the issuance of Original/Annual Airworthiness.

NOTE: For aircraft owned by the Philippine Airlines (PAL), a number of test flights can be made until all the necessary requirements are satisfied and that no discrepancies are found by the Aircraft Inspector, or

if the discrepancy deviates from the provision of Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) of a particular aircraft.

2. For Aircraft Undergoing Major Repair/Alteration Due to Accidents (in coordination with Aircraft Engineering)

Upon completion of aircraft repair/alteration:

1. Applicant/owner prepares and submits a written request for inspection of the accomplished repair/alteration to the Aviation Safety Division through the Receiving Clerk.

Applicant/owner submits to the Aviation Safety Division working drawing representing the proposed repair or alteration procedures together with the substantiating proof of strength (stress analysis).

2. Receiving clerk forwards request and drawing(s) to Aircraft Engineering Section.

3. Aircraft Engineering studies and evaluates the working drawing(s) submitted by the applicant.

If the proposed repair/alteration scheme is found acceptable, documents are forwarded to the Chief, Aviation Safety Division (ASD) for approval.

4. Chief, ASD approves submitted drawing(s).

5. Forwards approved drawing(s) to the Chief, Aircraft Engineering Section.

6. Chief, Aircraft Engineering Section assigns Inspector/Aeronautical Engineer to look into compliance to the approved drawing and the workmanship.

The following reports shall be submitted/attached to the documents:

1. Weighing report, if repair/alteration caused an increase in empty weight of aircraft.
   
   
2. Empty Weight and Gross Weight Computation, Center of Gravity (CG) Computation - to substantiate that the repair/alteration has not changed the aircraft Center of Gravity limits.

If items "a" and "b" have been satisfied -

7. After submitting and accomplishing the above documents, the applicant/owner goes through the same procedures used in securing the Aircraft Release.

3. Engine/Propeller/Rotor Change

1. Applicant/owner prepares and submits a written request for inspection to the Aviation Safety Division through the Registration Clerk.
   
   
2. Registration Clerk issues Engine and/or Propeller Change Report (ATO Form No. 1087).
   
   
3. Applicant/owner submits accomplished Engine and/or Propeller Change Report Form.

The following should be attached to this report:

1. Work Done Report (certified by a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer)
   
   
2. New Engine/Propeller replacement
   

   a. Importation papers
   b. Custom Clearance
   c. Export Certificate of Airworthiness
   d. Applicable Logbook
   e. Serviceable Tag

3. Overhauled Engine/Propeller replacement
   
   a.         Origin
   b.         Overhaul papers including agency that performed overhaul work.
   c.         Applicable Logbook
   d.         Serviceable Tag
   
   
4. Transferred Engine/Propeller
   
   - From what aircraft was the engine/propeller has been removed.
   

   a. If aircraft engine/propeller is repaired in the Philippines:
   
   Certification from an ATO-Rated Repair Station that the aircraft engine/propeller has been repaired.
   
   b. If the aircraft engine/propeller is not repaired in the Philippines:
   
   - Work Done Report
   
   - Final Release of the foreign Rated Repair Station to be reflected in Aircraft Logbook

From this point, the procedures to be followed shall be the same as that for securing aircraft release.

For strict compliance.

Adopted: 15 Mar. 1993

(Sgd.) GERARDO C. PROTACIO
Assistant Secretary