1.
Air Law regulations in Kenya state that VFR flights must not take off or land at an aerodrome within a
CTR or enter the aerodrome traffic zone or traffic pattern when the ceiling is less than 1,500 ft or the
ground visibility is less than 5km, except when a clearance is obtained from an ATC unit.
VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flights are those where pilots navigate using visual references on the ground
and in the air, rather than relying solely on instruments. In Kenya, regulations prohibit VFR flights
from taking off or landing at an aerodrome within a CTR (Controlled Traffic Region) or entering the
aerodrome traffic zone or traffic pattern when the ceiling is less than 1,500 ft or the ground visibility
is less than 5km, unless the pilot obtains clearance from an ATC (Air Traffic Control) unit. This
regulation is in place to ensure safety by preventing VFR flights from entering areas of high traffic or
poor visibility.
2. The Director General of Civil Aviation has no power to exempt operations of radio in aircraft, carriage
of dangerous goods, carriage of munitions of war and prohibition of aircraft to fly, as per the Civil
Aviation Act.
The Director General of Civil Aviation in Kenya does not have the power to exempt certain operations
or requirements under the Civil Aviation Act. These include the use of radio in aircraft, the carriage of
dangerous goods or munitions of war, and the prohibition of aircraft to fly. This means that all
aircraft operating in Kenya must comply with the regulations set out in the Civil Aviation Act.
3. Kenya has three different classes of airspace, and an aircraft registered in Kenya must carry a load
sheet, crew licenses, technical log, and certificate of registration on a flight for the purpose of aerial
work.
Kenya has three classes of airspace: Class A, Class B, and Class C. Class A is the highest airspace,
covering altitudes above FL195 (Flight Level 195, or 19,500 ft). Class B airspace covers areas around
major airports, while Class C airspace covers smaller airports and areas of lower traffic. In addition,
aircraft registered in Kenya must carry certain documents, such as a load sheet, crew licenses,
technical log, and certificate of registration, when flying for the purpose of aerial work (such as
commercial or agricultural flying).
4. For flights requiring special clearances to North Eastern Province, etc., the Office of the President
requires 24 hours prior to flight authorization.
Certain areas in Kenya, such as North Eastern Province, require special clearance before flights can
take place. In these cases, the Office of the President requires 24 hours prior notice before
authorizing the flight.
5. To gain a CPL(A) or CPL(B) in Kenya, a minimum of 1,500 hours or 35 hours of flying experience is
required, respectively.
To obtain a CPL (Commercial Pilot License) in Kenya, a minimum of 1,500 hours of flying experience
is required for CPL(A) (fixed-wing aircraft) and 35 hours of flying experience for CPL(B) (helicopters).
6. Aircraft registered in Kenya must carry a certificate of airworthiness, crew licenses, technical log, and
certificate of registration on a flight for a purpose other than public transport or aerial work.
All aircraft registered in Kenya must carry certain documents when flying for purposes other than
public transport or aerial work. These include a certificate of airworthiness, crew licenses, technical
log, and certificate of registration.
7. The final authority as to the disposition of the aircraft is the Pilot-in-command.
The Pilot-in-command (PIC) is the final authority on board an aircraft and has ultimate responsibility
for the safety of the flight. This includes decisions regarding the disposition of the aircraft.
8. A white dumbbell with black stripes across each disc at right angles to the shaft indicates that take-
off and landings are confined to paved areas.
The white dumbbell with black stripes across each disc at right angles to the shaft is a symbol used
to indicate that take-offs and landings are only permitted on paved areas. This is important for pilots
to be aware of as it can affect their flight planning and safety.
9. 2000 flying hours and 3 months preservation of weight records are the minimum requirements for an
ATPL(A) in Kenya.
An ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License) is the highest level of pilot certification and allows the
holder to act as pilot-in-command of an aircraft in commercial operations. In Kenya, the minimum
requirements for obtaining an ATPL(A) include 2000 flying hours and the preservation of weight
records for 3 months.
10. After an aircraft is weighed, the center of gravity should be determined, and the weight records must
be preserved for 3 months.
After an aircraft is weighed, it is important to determine its center of gravity. This is because the
aircraft's weight distribution affects its stability and maneuverability. The weight records must be
preserved for 3 months to ensure that the aircraft remains within safe limits and to comply with
regulatory requirements.
11. An ATS (Air Traffic Services) flight plan for an international flight must be filed at least 30 minutes
before start clearance or taxi clearance is requested.
For international flights, an ATS flight plan must be filed at least 30 minutes before start clearance or
taxi clearance is requested. This plan includes information such as the flight route, destination, and
expected time of arrival.
12. Flight radiotelephony operators, commercial pilots (airships) and (balloons) do not require medical
examination before license initial issue or renewal.
Flight radiotelephony operators, commercial pilots of airships, and commercial pilots of balloons do
not require a medical examination before their license is initially issued or renewed. However, this
may not apply to other types of pilots, such as those flying fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters.
13. The highest priority for landing is an aircraft that is compelled to land, followed by military aircraft,
an aircraft on a diplomatic flight, and an air ambulance carrying a very sick person needing
immediate medical attention.
In Kenya, the highest priority for landing is given to an aircraft that is compelled to land due to an
emergency, followed by military aircraft, an aircraft on a diplomatic flight, and an air ambulance
carrying a very sick person who needs immediate medical attention. This ensures that those with
urgent needs receive priority attention.
14. If an aircraft lands at an aerodrome other than the planned destination, the pilot must inform a
responsible person at the aerodrome within 30 minutes, stating the reason for the landing.
If an aircraft lands at an aerodrome other than the planned destination, the pilot must inform a
responsible person at the aerodrome within 30 minutes. The pilot must also state the reason for the
landing, such as an emergency or diversion due to weather conditions.
15. The managing director of the Kenya Airports Authority has the authority for aircraft registration in
Kenya.
The managing director of the Kenya Airports Authority has the authority to oversee aircraft
registration in Kenya. This ensures that all aircraft operating in Kenyan airspace meet certain safety
and regulatory requirements.
16. The validity for Airline Transport Pilots Licence issued in Kenya is 6 months if the holder is 40 years or
more and 24 months if the holder is less than 40 years.
The validity period for an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) in Kenya varies based on the age of
the license holder. If the holder is 40 years or older, the ATPL is valid for 6 months. If the holder is
less than 40 years old, the ATPL is valid for 24 months. This means that license holders must renew
their license within the specified time frame to continue to fly as a commercial pilot.
17. A marshaller with arms extended and palms facing inwards, then swung from the extended position
inwards indicates chocks are inserted.
A marshaller is a person on the ground who guides aircraft into and out of parking positions using
hand signals. In Kenya, when a marshaller extends their arms with their palms facing inward and then
swings their arms inward, it indicates that chocks are being inserted to prevent the aircraft from
moving.
18. Search and Rescue Type I Sub-centers are: Air Traffic Control Units, District Police Units, Provincial
Police Units, and Navy Base Units.
Search and Rescue Type I Sub-centers are facilities that provide coordination and support for search
and rescue operations. In Kenya, Type I Sub-centers include Air Traffic Control Units, District Police
Units, Provincial Police Units, and Navy Base Units. These facilities work together to locate and rescue
individuals in distress.
19. A red square with a yellow diagonal inside the signal square indicates that aircraft may only land on
paved areas, and landing is prohibited due to the poor surface of the maneuvering area.
A red square with a yellow diagonal inside the signal square is a signal used to indicate that aircraft
may only land on paved areas, and landing is prohibited due to poor surface conditions on the
maneuvering area. This signal helps pilots determine where it is safe to land and ensures their safety
while on the ground.
20. Internationally recognized distress frequencies are 121.5 MHZ, 243 MHZ, 500 KHZ, and 2182 KHZ.
Internationally recognized distress frequencies are frequencies used by pilots to signal distress in the
event of an emergency. In Kenya, the internationally recognized distress frequencies include 121.5
MHz, 243 MHz, 500 kHz, and 2182 kHz. These frequencies are monitored by air traffic control and
search and rescue facilities to provide assistance to pilots in distress.
21. An aircraft operating in accordance with VFR, above the sea at altitudes between 4500 ft and 9000 ft
AMSL, outside controlled airspace shall maintain a distance from cloud of 1500 m horizontally and
1000 ft vertically and a flight visibility of 5 km.
When operating in accordance with VFR above the sea at altitudes between 4500 ft and 9000 ft
AMSL (Above Mean Sea Level), outside of controlled airspace, aircraft must maintain a distance from
clouds of at least 1500 m horizontally and 1000 ft vertically. In addition, a flight visibility of at least 5
km must be maintained.
22. Flight conditions (i.e., VMC visibility and distance from cloud) while on a VFR flight in Class C airspace
are visibility 8 km at and above 10,000 ft amsl, visibility 2 km below 10,000 ft amsl, horizontal
distance from cloud 1500 m, and vertical distance from cloud 1000 ft.
When flying in VFR in Class C airspace in Kenya, certain flight conditions must be maintained. These
include a visibility of at least 8 km at and above 10,000 ft AMSL and a visibility of at least 2 km below
10,000 ft AMSL. In addition, the aircraft must maintain a horizontal distance of at least 1500 m from
clouds and a vertical distance of at least 1000 ft from clouds.
23. Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (in feet) requirement of aircraft separation between flight
levels 290 and 410 in the Africa and Indian Ocean FIRS is 2000 ft.
The Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) is a system that allows
aircraft to fly at reduced vertical separation in certain airspace, increasing capacity and efficiency. In
the Africa and Indian Ocean FIRS (Flight Information Regions), the RVSM requirement for aircraft
separation between flight levels 290 and 410 is 2000 ft. This means that aircraft flying in this airspace
must maintain a vertical distance of at least 2000 ft from other aircraft to ensure safety.