Definitions, Abbreviations and Editorial Conventions
Defines the terms, abbreviations, and editorial conventions used throughout the GACARs. Incorporates definitions from the ICAO Annexes to the Chicago Convention as an integral part of KSA Civil Aviation Law.
Units of Measurement to be Used in Air and Ground Operations
Prescribes the units of measurement to be used in air and ground operations within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ensuring consistency with ICAO Annex 5.
False and Misleading Statements
Prohibits false and misleading statements made to the General Authority of Civil Aviation in any application, certificate, report, or record required to be kept under the GACARs.
Mandatory Reporting of Accidents, Incidents and Statistics
Aviation safety occurrences that represent a risk to aviation safety require mandatory reporting to the President.
Safety Management Systems
Applies to certificate holders under GACAR Parts 119, 139, 141, 142, 143, 145, 151, and 170.
Problematic Use of Psychoactive Substances; Prevention and Safety Programs
Establishes programs to prevent accidents and injuries resulting from the problematic use of psychoactive substances by employees who perform safety-sensitive functions in aviation.
Aircraft Under an Agreement for Transfer of Functions and Duties (Article 83 bis)
Modification and repair responsibilities of Saudi Arabian registered aircraft must be processed through GACA and for foreign registered aircraft through the State of Registry.
General Rulemaking Procedures
The President may issue and promulgate regulatory exemptions. Any person may petition the President for an exemption from all or part of a regulatory requirement.
Compliance Enforcement Procedures, Petitions for Reconsideration, and Appeals
Governs compliance enforcement procedures and petitions for reconsideration under Saudi Civil Aviation Law.
Certification Procedures for Products and Articles
GACA Recognized Foreign NAAs include FAA, EASA, and other ICAO Contracting State authorities accepted by GACA.
Airworthiness Standards: Normal, Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category Airplanes
Adopts 14 CFR Part 23 by reference, with KSA-specific exceptions noted in Subpart B.
Airworthiness Standards: Transport Category Airplanes
Adopts 14 CFR Part 25 (Transport Category Airplanes) by reference, with KSA-specific exceptions noted in Subpart B.
Continued Airworthiness and Safety Improvements for Transport Category Airplanes
Applies to transport category, turbine-powered airplanes with 30+ passenger capacity or 3,400 kg+ payload capacity.
Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft
Adopts 14 CFR Part 27 (Normal Category Rotorcraft) by reference, with KSA-specific exceptions noted in Subpart B.
Airworthiness Standards: Transport Category Rotorcraft
Adopts 14 CFR Part 29 (Transport Category Rotorcraft) by reference, with KSA-specific exceptions noted in Subpart B.
Airworthiness Standards: Manned Free Balloons
Adopts 14 CFR Part 31 (Manned Free Balloons) by reference, with KSA-specific exceptions noted in Subpart B.
Airworthiness Standards: Aircraft Engines
Adopts 14 CFR Part 33 (Aircraft Engines) by reference, with KSA-specific exceptions noted in Subpart B.
Fuel Venting and Exhaust Emission Requirements for Turbine Engine Powered Airplanes
Aircraft must be designed to prevent intentional discharge of liquid fuel from fuel nozzle manifolds resulting from engine shutdown.
Airworthiness Standards: Propellers
Adopts 14 CFR Part 35 (Propellers) by reference, with KSA-specific exceptions noted in Subpart B.
Noise Standards: Aircraft Type and Airworthiness Certification
Aircraft must meet airworthiness regulations under all conditions in which compliance with noise standards is shown.
Airworthiness Directives
Covers airworthiness directives applicable to the aircraft type, engines, propellers, and articles issued by GACA and the state of design.
Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration
Prescribes who may approve aircraft, airframes, engines, propellers, appliances, or component parts for return to service after maintenance.
Identification and Registration Marking
Prescribes marking requirements for articles produced under GACAR Part 21. Articles must conform to approved design and be in safe condition.
Aircraft Registration
Aircraft may be registered in KSA only when not registered in a foreign country and owned by a KSA citizen or KSA-based entity.
Registration and Marking Requirements for Model Aircraft and Small Unmanned Aircraft
Unmanned aircraft must be registered by its owner using the legal name. Owner must be 18 years of age or older.
Flight Simulation Training Devices and Aviation Training Devices
Prescribes rules governing initial and continuing qualification of FSTDs and ATDs used for flight crew certification requirements.
Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, Ground Instructors, and Flight Engineers
Prescribes requirements for issuing pilot, flight instructor, ground instructor, and flight engineer certificates and ratings.
Air Traffic Services Personnel Licensing and Ratings
Prescribes requirements for issuing and maintaining ATS licenses, associated ratings, unit endorsements, and authorizations.
Certification: Aircraft Dispatchers and Cabin Crew Members
Prescribes certification requirements for aircraft dispatchers and cabin crew members including prohibitions on test fraud.
Certification: Mechanics and Repairmen
Prescribes requirements for mechanic certificates, repairman certificates, and light-sport aircraft repairman certificates.
Medical Standards and Certification
Prescribes medical standards and certification procedures for issuing medical certificates for airmen.
Ground Services Personnel Work Permit
All personnel performing ground services within certificated aerodromes in KSA must have documentary evidence of formal training.
Designated Airspace, Routes, Points and Minimum Altitudes
All airspace within KSA and airspace for which Saudi Arabia has accepted responsibility is designated and classified by authorized ANSPs.
Safe, Efficient Use and Preservation of the Navigable Airspace
Persons who propose construction or alteration must provide adequate notice to the President and file supplemental notice as requested.
General Operating and Flight Rules
Prescribes rules governing the operation of aircraft within the sovereign area and territorial waters of KSA, including waters within 3 NM of the KSA coast.
Special Air Traffic Rules
Prescribes air traffic rules for runways designated with a right hand traffic pattern.
Instrument Flight Procedures
All bearings, courses, tracks, headings, and radials are in degrees magnetic unless otherwise designated.
Security Control of Air Traffic
Persons operating aircraft in an ADIZ or Defense Area must comply with special security instructions issued by the President.
Unmanned Balloons, Kites, Amateur Rockets, Model Aircraft, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Prescribes rules governing the operation of unmanned balloons, kites, amateur rockets, model aircraft, and UAS in KSA.
Ultralight Vehicles
No person may conduct operations requiring a deviation from this part except under a written waiver issued by the President.
Parachute Operations
No person may conduct a parachute operation in controlled airspace without a functioning two-way radio system and established ATC communications.
Non-Recreational Civil Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Prescribes rules governing the operation of UAS in the Open and Specific Categories within KSA.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Air
Prescribes rules governing the offering, preparation, and transportation of dangerous goods by air in KSA.
Operations: Commercial Air Operations Manned Balloons
Prescribes rules governing domestic commercial operations of manned balloons holding a Balloon Operator Certificate.
Flight and Duty Limitations and Rest Requirements: Flight Crew Members
No certificate holder may exceed any provision of this part unless approved by the President under a Fatigue Risk Management System.
Certification: Saudi Arabian Commercial and Noncommercial Operations
Applies to persons operating or intending to operate civil aircraft in commercial or noncommercial operations requiring certification.
Operations: Commercial Air Operators Operating Transport Category Aircraft or Commuter Category Airplanes
Prescribes rules governing scheduled and unscheduled operations of commercial air operators operating transport category aircraft.
Operations: Noncommercial Operators Using Turbojets, Transport Category Aircraft, or Commuter Category Airplanes
Prescribes rules governing noncommercial operations of turbojets and transport category aircraft holding an Operator Authorization.
Operations: Foreign Air Carriers
A foreign air carrier may use only business names appearing in its authorizing documents, displayed legibly on the aircraft.
Aerial Work Operations
Governs aerial work operations including rotorcraft external load operations (RHO) and related certification requirements.
Operations: Commercial Air Operators Operating Other Than Transport Category Aircraft or Commuter Category Airplanes
Prescribes rules governing scheduled and unscheduled commercial operations of other than transport category aircraft.
Certification, Authorization and Operation of Water Aerodromes
No civil aerodromes or airfields may be constructed, used, or invested in KSA without approval of the President.
Certification, Authorization and Operation of Heliports
Heliports means aerodromes which include helideck and shipboard heliports. Governed under Article 33 of the Civil Aviation Law.
Certification and Operations of Aerodromes
Promulgated under Article 33 of the Civil Aviation Law. No civil aerodromes may be constructed or operated without approval of the President.
Pilot Schools
Prescribes requirements for issuing pilot school certificates, provisional pilot school certificates, associated ratings, and operations specifications.
Training Centers
Prescribes requirements governing the certification, approval, and operation of training centers and foreign training centers.
Flight Engineer, Cabin Crew Member, and Aircraft Dispatcher Training Schools
Prescribes requirements governing certification and operation of flight engineer, cabin crew, and aircraft dispatcher training schools.
Air Traffic Controller Schools
Prescribes requirements governing certification and operation of air traffic controller training schools and operations specifications.
Repair Stations
Describes how to obtain a repair station certificate and rules for certificated repair stations performing maintenance under GACAR Part 43.
Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools
Prescribes requirements for issuing aviation maintenance technician school certificates, associated ratings, and operations specifications.
Aviation Clubs
Prescribes rules governing certification and operation of Aviation Recreation Organizations promoting recreational aviation in KSA.
Ground Service Providers
Prescribes rules and technical requirements for organizations providing ground services at certificated aerodromes in KSA.
Environmental Sustainability Regulations
Regulations for certificated aerodromes (Parts 139, 138, 137), air operators (Part 119), and repair stations (Part 145).
Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)
Prescribes ICAO's CORSIA for implementation in KSA. Operators must measure and report CO₂ emissions from international flights.
Certification: Air Navigation Service Providers
Applies to each person providing or intending to provide an air navigation service in KSA requiring an ANSC.
Air Traffic Services
Prescribes rules governing ATS in KSA and the Jeddah FIR by ATS providers holding an ANSC under GACAR Part 170.
Instrument Flight Procedure Services
Prescribes rules governing design, development, validation, approval, and maintenance of IFPs for IFR operations in KSA.
Aeronautical Telecommunication Services
Prescribes rules governing aeronautical telecommunication services in KSA by providers holding an ANSC.
Aeronautical Information Services & Aeronautical Charts
Prescribes requirements for AIS and aeronautical chart providers holding an ANSC under GACAR Part 170.
Search and Rescue Services
SAR services must be established in KSA territory on a 24-hour basis to ensure assistance is rendered to persons in distress.
Meteorology Services for Air Navigation
No person may provide MET services for air navigation in KSA unless certificated by the President under GACAR Part 170.
Representatives of the President
Establishes requirements for certifying private persons as designated representatives for examining, inspecting, and testing persons and aircraft.
Protection of Submitted Safety Data and Safety Information
The President may provide submitted safety data or safety information to other agencies with safety responsibilities under specific conditions.
Repeals, Coming into Force, and Transitional Provisions
GACAR Parts come into force on March 1, 2016. GACAR Part 68 comes into force on June 1, 2016.
Aerodromes, Heliports, Vertiports and Water Aerodromes — Administration
Administrative guidance for GACA inspectors on the certification, authorization, surveillance, and oversight of aerodromes, heliports, vertiports, and water aerodromes in KSA.
Air Navigation Services — Certification & Administration
GACA inspector guidance for the certification of Air Navigation Service Providers and ongoing administrative oversight of ATS, MET, AIS, CNS, and SAR services.
Air Operator — Operational Approvals
Procedures and standards for GACA inspectors to evaluate, approve, and amend operational authorizations for certificated air operators.
Air Operator & Air Agency — Administration
Inspector guidance covering post-certification administration and continuous surveillance of air operators (Parts 121/125/135) and air agencies.
Air Operator & Air Agency — Certification
Five-phase certification process for new air operators and air agencies: pre-application, formal application, document compliance, demonstration & inspection, and certification.
Aircraft & Equipment — Certification
Inspector guidance for type certification, production approval, airworthiness certification, and continued airworthiness oversight under Parts 21, 23–36, 39, and 43.
Airmen — Certification
Guidance for certification of airmen — pilots, flight instructors, flight engineers, mechanics, repairmen, dispatchers, cabin crew, and ATS personnel.
Authorizing Documents
Standards and procedures for issuing, formatting, amending, and managing GACA-issued authorizing documents including AOCs and Operations Specifications.
Compliance Enforcement & Resolution of Identified Safety Deficiencies
Inspector procedures for documenting violations and safety deficiencies, applying compliance philosophy, and resolving findings to closure under GACAR Part 13.
CORSIA — Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme
Implementation guidance for ICAO's CORSIA in KSA, covering operator monitoring, reporting, and verification of CO₂ emissions.
Designees — Appointment & Management
Procedures for selection, appointment, training, supervision, renewal, and termination of GACA designees — DARs, DERs, DMEs under GACAR Part 183.
Foreign Air Operators — Authorization & Administration
Inspector guidance for authorization, ongoing administration, and ramp surveillance of foreign air carriers operating into KSA under GACAR Part 129.
General Guidance & Information
Cross-cutting guidance for GACA inspectors — safety policy, just culture, inspector responsibilities, and general administrative procedures.
Ground Services
Inspector guidance for certification, authorization, and surveillance of ground service providers, self-handlers, and GSE maintenance entities.
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous administrative procedures, special programs, and additional guidance not covered by the topical eBook volumes.
Safety Management Systems — General
Inspector guidance for acceptance, evaluation, and oversight of SMS implemented by certificate holders under GACAR Part 5.
Surveillance
Procedures and methodology for inspector-led surveillance of certificate holders — planning, scheduling, conducting, and documenting routine and special inspections.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Inspector guidance for registration, authorization, and surveillance of UAS operators under GACAR Parts 48, 101, and 107.
Change History
Master log of all amendments, version updates, and revisions across every Part and eBook volume of the GACARs.
Foreword to the GACARs
Establishes the legal basis, historical background, and ICAO compliance philosophy of the GACARs. Explains the relationship between Saudi regulations and 14 CFR / ICAO Annexes.
GACARs Map
Visual index of every GACAR Part organized by domain — Administrative & General, Airworthiness, Flight Operations, Air Navigation Services, Airports & Ground Operators, Licensing, and Training.