Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in an attempt to reduce compliance burden on non-scheduled operators have issued new regulations to simplify the airworthiness requirements. The new regulations will come into effect from January 1, 2025.

Currently, there are two primary Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) governing the continuing airworthiness of aircraft -- CAR-M and CAR-145. The new set of regulations include - CAR-ML, CAR-CAO and CAR-CAMO.

What is CAR-M regulation?

  • It covers the continuing airworthiness of all aircraft types, including those used for scheduled operations, non-scheduled operations, flying training, general aviation, and private operations

What is CAR-145 regulation

  • It specifies regulations for the maintenance of aircraft used in commercial operations and complex motor aircraft.

These regulations are applicable uniformly across organisations irrespective of size and for maintenance processes required for commercial as well as private aircraft.

What is the purpose of new regulations?

  • The new regulations are aligned with global standards of European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
  • the regulations seek to simplify airworthiness requirements for light aircraft and aircraft used by operators other than licensed air carrier
  • appropriate amendments have been made to CAR-M and CAR-145 regulations

DGCA has further claimed that these new and revised regulations will help the aviation industry in reducing compliance burden for operators/ organizations using non-complex aircraft as against aircraft that are complex including aircraft used in scheduled commercial operations.

Going ahead, the government is also vying for further improve regional connectivity in remote and Tier III cities along with promotion of seaplane operations under its flagship RCS-UDAN scheme.