If I make an airplane (lets say for research/recreational purposes), what kind of certifications would be required to fly it? Moreover, would I need special permissions to actually fly the airplane? What are laws regarding this to a situation specific to India?
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asked Jul 9, 2015 at 12:39
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1$\begingroup$ I agree the question was probably too broad. For example a microlight or glider, a single engine general aviation plane, an established design built from a kit or plans, or a totally self-designed experimental aircraft, can all come under different rules and bodies in certain countries. And we would only get an authoritative answer if a self-builder in, say, India was here to read it. $\endgroup$– AndyJul 9, 2015 at 15:39
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$\begingroup$ Here's the DGCA CAR D2F-F18 explaining the rules and regulations pertaining to experimental aircraft $\endgroup$– user18035Nov 25, 2017 at 3:28
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1 Answer
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As Andy pointed out, this question is very broad (even if we're only talking about India). Your starting point should be the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) because they can tell you definitively what would be involved in getting a "homebuilt" aircraft approved to fly under Indian law.
Information about this is available on the DGCA website and is broadly similar to the FAA's "Experimental: Amateur-Built" certification requirements:
- The aircraft needs to be constructed in accordance with the DGCA's acceptable methods, techniques, and practices. Basically this means you can't use chewing gum as a structural fastener: The aircraft needs to be safe to fly.
- The aircraft will be inspected by a DGCA representative prior to being allowed to fly.
Note that the DGCA inspection is mainly looking for "obviously unsafe" conditions - they don't do a teardown inspection so if you used chewing gum as a structural fastener and subsequently that area is covered up by a wing skin the inspector won't know, but you will when the wing falls off on your test flight.
- You will need the DGCA to issue you a Certificate of Airworthiness before you can fly the aircraft around - that certificate is contingent on completing required test flights at the airport where the aircraft is based/built.
- You will need an appropriate pilot's license (and medical certificate if applicable) in order to fly the aircraft (this is also required to conduct the Certificate of Airworthiness test flights mentioned previously).
