GEN 1.7 DIFFERENCES FROM ICAO STANDARDS, RECOMMENDED PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES

1.7.1 GENERAL

1.7.1.1. The civil aviation regulations in Saudi Arabia generally conform to the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARP) of the ICAO Annexes and Procedures for Air Navigation (PANS). The tables provided in GEN 1.7.2 outline the significant differences from the ICAO SARPs and PANS. 1.7.1.2 Readers are reminded that the GACARs do address a number of subject areas not included in the ICAO Annexes.
These subject areas include:
  1. Kites, model aircraft and rockets (see GACAR Part 101)
  2. Recreational aviation using aircraft not eligible for a type certificate and/or airworthiness certificate (see GACAR Part 103)
  3. Parachuting (see GACAR Part 105)
  4. Aerial work (see GACAR Part 133)

1.7.1.2 TABLES OF SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES

Categories of significant differences are identified according to the following criteria
 
A = More exacting or exceeds the ICAO Standard or Recommended Practice (SARP) (Category A). This category applies when the Saudi Arabia regulation is more demanding than the corresponding SARP, or imposes an obligation which is not covered by a SARP.
 
B = Different in character to the ICAO SARP or other means of compliance This category applies when the Saudi Arabia regulation is different in character from the corresponding ICAO SARP, or when the Saudi Arabia regulation differs in principle, type or system from the corresponding SARP, without necessarily imposing an additional obligation.
 
C = Less protective than the ICAO SARP or only partially implemented.
 
NI = Not implemented. This category applies when no Saudi Arabia regulation has been promulgated to address the corresponding SARP, in whole or in part, but with the effect on international aviation being NIL
 
DIFFERENCES IN DEFINED TERMS WHERE THE MEANING IS IDENTICAL
ICAO Term Saudi Arabia Term
Aeroplane Airplane
Personnel licence Airman certificate
Certificate of airworthiness Airworthiness certificate
Maintenance release Approval for return to service
Approved maintenance organization Repair station
Co-pilot Second in command
 
ANNEX 1 PERSONNEL LICENSING (Eleventh Edition, Amendment 172)
Chapter 1 Definitions and General Rules Concerning Licences
Definitions The Saudi Arabia uses the term certificate instead of licence. B
1.2.5.1.2 The Saudi Arabia requires licence holders to record continued competency and currency in their logbooks or using their employer’s recordkeeping system. B
1.2.5.2.6 The Saudi Arabia does not permit the deferral of medical examinations. NI
Chapter 2 Licences and Ratings for Pilots
2.5 The Saudi Arabia has not implemented the multi-crew pilot licence. NI
3.2 The Saudi Arabia has not implemented the flight navigator licence. NI
Chapter 4 Licences and Ratings for Personnel other than Flight Crew Members
4.7 The Saudi Arabia has not implemented the aeronautical station operator licence. NI
Chapter 6 Medical Provisions for Licensing
6.3.2.6.1 For Class 1 medical, electrocardiographic examination required annually after reaching the 40th birthday. A
 
ANNEX 2 – RULES OF THE AIR (Tenth Edition, Amendment 44)
The rules of the air generally conform with Annex 2 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and those portions, applicable to aircraft, of the Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Air Traffic Management (Doc 4444) and the Regional Supplementary Procedures (Doc 7030) in force for the MID part of the MID / ASIA Region.All airspace users are reminded that the rules are applicable to all aircraft operations in Saudi Arabian airspace and territory, whether or not within JEDDAH FIR, except when specifically stated to the contrary.
3.2.5 Aircraft operating into, or out of, any aerodrome not listed in Part 3 - Aerodromes of the Saudi Arabian AIP must conduct its flight in accordance with visual flight rules and during daylight hours only. A
3.3.1.2 The entire airspace specified in GEN 3.3 paragraph 2 on page GEN 3.3 is a designated area pursuant to 3.3.1.2 c) and d) within which submission of a flight plan is mandatory for all arriving, departing and overflying aircraft. A
3.3.1.4 Timing for submission of filing flight plans before departure.
FPL must be submitted not less than 30 min before departure for all TFC OPS WI JED FIR:
All non-scheduled flights intending to operate within or overfly a restricted area or to land at Al
Ahsa, Jazan / King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, Jubail, KhamisMushait / King Khaled Air Base , King
Khaled Military City , Nejran , Sharurah , Tabuk / Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz , Al Kharj / Prince
Sultan Air Base , Dhahran / King Abdulaziz Air Base, although having permission to operate
domestic flights into those aerodromes , are required to submit their flight plan to the Air Defence
Notification Centre ( OEJDYXYX ) to obtain approval prior to departure as follows
a) Normal routine: flights - not less than twenty-four hours before departure.
b) Urgent flights - not less than twelve hours before departure.
c) Emergency flights, for example, hospital aircraft - not less than two hours before departure
: 		B
3.3.2 Requirement to include the reservation number in the contents of a filed flight plan. A
3.6.3.1 The entire airspace specified in GEN 3.3 paragraph 2 is a designated area within which all flights, whether controlled or not, must make position reports as specified. A
4.3 Prohibition of VFR flights at night.
Unless otherwise authorized by the President or for local flights in accordance with conditions prescribed by the appropriate ATC facility, no person may operate an aircraft under VFR in the period from sunset to sunrise in Saudi Arabia airspace. 		A
4.4 VFR flights is limited to 12,500 feet MSL and below. A
 
ANNEX 3 METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL AIR NAVIGATION
(Eighteenth Edition, Amendment 76)
NIL    
 
ANNEX 4 – AERONAUTICAL CHARTS
(Eleventh Edition, Amendment 60)
NIL  
 
ANNEX 5 – UNITS OF MEASURMENT TO BE USED IN AIR- GROUND COMMUNICATION (Fifth Edition, Amendment 17)
3.2.2 The GACAR use the following additional non- SI units:
a) Distance (long)= nautical miles (NM)
b) Elevation/Distance (vertical) = feet (ft)
c) Speed ( horizontal) =knot (kt)
d) Speed ( vertical ) = feet (ft) per minute 		B 
 
ANNEX 6 – OPERATION OF AIRCRAFT
(Ninth Edition)
Part I International Commercial Air Transport – Aeroplanes (Amendment 38)
Chapter 4 Flight Operations  
4.9.2 The Saudi Arabia allows turbo-jets that are certificated in the normal category for single pilot operations B
Chapter 6 Aeroplane Instruments, Equipment and Flight Documents  
6.5.3.1 Life rafts and signaling equipment required beyond 50 NM or 30 minutes unless otherwise authorized. A
6.18.2 The Saudi Arabia regulations do not require ACAS II for aeroplanes less than 5700 kg. C
Part II International General Aviation – Aeroplanes(amendment 33)
Section 3 Large and Turbojet Aeroplanes
The Saudi Arabia regulations require these operators to be certificated. B
Part III International Operations – Helicopters(AMENDMENT 19)
Section II International Commercial Air Transport  
NIL    
Section III International General Aviation  
The Saudi Arabia regulations require operators of large helicopters to be certificated similar to large aeroplanes. B
5.2.1 The Saudi Arabia has no provision that visual landmarks used in VFR be located at least every 60 NM (110km) C
 
ANNEX 7 – AIRCRAFT NATIONALITY AND REGISTRATION MARKS
(Sixth Edition, Amendment 6)
4.2.5, 9.1 The identification plate is not required to have nationality or registration marks although if no marks are included then a separate plate containing the nationality and registration marks is required to be installed. B
 
ANNEX 8 – AIRWORTHINESS OF AIRCRAFT
(Eleventh Edition, Amendment 104)
PART II PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFICATION AND CONTINUING AIRWORTHINESS
Chapter 1 Type Certification
1.2 The Saudi Arabia has adopted the airworthiness design codes of the United States of America. B
1.4.2 The Saudi Arabia renders as valid type certificates issued by the United States of America and does not issue any type certificates of its own. B
Chapter 3 Certificate of Airworthiness
3.2.3 The Saudi Arabia requires renewal of all airworthiness certificates on a periodic basis (usually one year). B
PART IIIA LARGE AEROPLANES
The Saudi Arabia has adopted the airworthiness design codes for large airplanes in 14 CFR Parts 23 and 25 of the United States of America.
Chapter 4 Design and Construction
4.1.6 (b), 4.1.6 (g), 4.1.6 (h), 4.1.6 (i) The Saudi Arabia does not have similar requirements. Work has begun in an effort to amend the regulations with the purpose of eventually meeting the intent of these provisions. C
Chapter 8 Instruments and Equipment
8.4.2.b This provision addresses the lights’ effect on outside observers in reference to “harmful dazzle.” The regulations do not address the effect of aircraft lights on outside observers. However, visibility to other pilots and the lights’ effect on the flight crew is addressed. C
Chapter 9 Operating Information and Procedures
9.3.5 The Saudi Arabia does not have similar requirements concerning least risk bomb location. Work has begun in an effort to amend the regulations with the purpose of eventually meeting the intent of these provisions. C
Chapter 11 Security
11.2, 11.3, 11.4 With the exception of the door required by 11.3, the Saudi Arabia does not have similar requirements. Work has begun in an effort to amend the regulations with the purpose of eventually meeting the intent of these provisions.  
PART IIIB LARGE AEROPLANES
The Saudi Arabia has adopted the airworthiness design codes large airplanes in 14 CFR Parts 23 and 25 of the United States of America.
PART IVA HELICOPTERS
The Saudi Arabia has adopted the airworthiness design codes for rotorcraft in14 CFR Parts 27 and 29 of the United States of America.
PART IVB HELICOPTERS  
The Saudi Arabia has adopted the airworthiness design codes for rotorcraft in 14 CFR Parts 27 and 29 of the United States of America.
PART V SMALL AEROPLANES  
The Saudi Arabia has adopted the airworthiness design codes for small airplanes in 14 CFR Part 23 of the United States of America.
8.5.e The regulations do not address the impact of fuel spillage on emergency lighting systems. C
PART VI ENGINES  
The Saudi Arabia has adopted the airworthiness design codes for engines in 14 CFR Part 33 of the United States of America.
PART VII PROPELLORS  
The Saudi Arabia has adopted the airworthiness design codes for propellers in 14 CFR Part 35 of the United States of America.
B.2 The regulations do not require a failure analysis. C
C.2.c The regulations do not contain bird impact or lightning strike requirements. C
 
ANNEX 9 – FACILITATION
(Thirteenth Edition, Amendment 24)
Chapter 2 Entry and Departure of Aircraft
2.6 The passenger manifest is required. A
2.11 A list of the number of pieces of accompanied baggage is required. A
2.23 Disinsecting of an aircraft on a through flight is not required. Aircraft leaving an area infected with yellow fever or AedesAegypti for an area receptive to these diseases or where these diseases have been eradicated require disinsection. B
2.39, 2.40 The list of details required in applications for prior authorization is greater than that prescribes in this recommended practice. A
Chapter 3 Entry and Departure of Persons and their Baggage
3.19 Tourist cards and visas are not given at aerodromes of entry. Both must be obtained before arrival in Saudi Arabia. Entry visas are required for all visitors to Saudi Arabia. A
3.26 Supplementary information such as proof of religion is required in addition to the information given in the passenger's identity documents. A
3.27 Saudi Arabia embarkation / disembarkation cards do not conform to the format in Appendix 5 of Annex 9. A
3.67 Crew licenses not acceptable in lieu of passports and visas. A
Chapter 4 Entry and Departure of Cargo and other Articles  
4.22 A cargo manifest or certified copy of the manifest is required for the clearance of export cargo. A
Chapter 5 Inadmissible Persons and Deportees  
 
ANNEX 10 – AERONAUTICAL TELECOMMUNICATION
(Sixth Edition, Amendment 89)
Volume I Radio Navigation Aids
Under the Saudi Arabia regulations flight inspection providers must be certificated (Ref. GACAR Part 173). A
The Saudi Arabia has not implemented GNSS or MLS. NI
Volume II Communication Procedures Including Those With PANS Status
NIL    
Volume III Communication Systems
NIL    
Volume IV Surveillance and Collision Avoidance Systems
NIL    
Volume V Aeronautical Radio Frequency Spectrum Utilization
NIL    
 
ANNEX 11 – AIR TRAFFIC SERVICES
(Thirteenth Edition, Amendment 49)
See related items under Annex 2    
Otherwise NIL    
 
ANNEX 12 – SEARCH AND RESCUE
(Eighth Edition, Amendment 18)
NIL    
 
ANNEX 13 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
(Tenth Edition, Amendment 14)
NIL    
 
ANNEX 14 – AERODROMES
Volume I Aerodrome Design and Operation (Sixth Edition, Amendment 11-B)
1.2 Only aerodromes that have been certificated have assurances that the specifications of Volume I apply. Saudi Arabia only certificates aerodromes that are serving scheduled commercial air transportation or as otherwise required by the civil aviation authority. Aerodromes that have been certificated are listed in the AIP. C
1.4 Saudi Arabia only certificates aerodromes that are serving scheduled commercial air transportation or as otherwise required by the civil aviation authority. Aerodromes that have been certificated are listed in the AIP. C
Volume II Heliports (Sixth Edition, Amendment 6)
1.2 Only heliports that have been certificated have assurances that the specifications of Volume II apply. Saudi Arabia only certificates heliports that are serving scheduled commercial air transportation or as otherwise required by the civil aviation authority. Heliports that have been certificated are listed in the AIP. C
5.2.2.4 A heliport identification marking for a heliport at a hospital must consist of a letter H, WHITE in color, on a RED CRESCENT B
 
ANNEX 15 – AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION SERVICES
(Fourteenth Edition, Amendment 38)
NIL    
 
ANNEX 16 – ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Volume I Aircraft Noise
(Seventh Edition, Amendment 11-B) 		 
Attachment G
(Ref. 2.3.2, Option 2) 		As permitted by Annex 16, the Saudi Arabia does not issue a noise certificate but instead includes a noise certification statement on the certificate of airworthiness and the certificated noise levels are documented in the aircraft flight manual. B
Otherwise NIL    
Volume II Aircraft Engine Emissions
(Third Edition, Amendment 8) 		 
NIL    
 
ANNEX 17 – SECURITY SAFEGUARDING INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION AGAINST ACTS OF UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE
(Ninth Edition, Amendment 14)
NIL    
 
ANNEX 18 – SAFE TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS BY AIR
(Fourth Edition, Amendment 11) The Saudi Arabia regulations require that no person may prepare dangerous goods for transportation by air unless they hold a dangerous goods preparer certificate. Additionally, no person may transport dangerous goods by air unless; (1) they are authorized to transport dangerous goods by air; and (2) the dangerous goods were prepared for transportation by air by a person holding a dangerous goods preparer certificate (Ref. GACAR Part 109). A
 
ANNEX 19 – SAFETY MANAGEMENT
(First Edition)
NIL    
 
PANS-ATM
(Fifteenth Edition, Amendment 6)
     
 
PANS-OPS
Volume I Flight Procedure
(Fifth Edition, Amendment 6)
NIL    
Volume II Construction of Visual and Instrument Flight Procedures
(Sixth Edition, Amendment 6)
Under the Saudi Arabia regulations designers and custodians of instrument flight procedures must be certificated (Ref. GACAR Part 172). A
 
PANS-TRG
(First Edition, Amendment 3)
NIL    
 
PANS-AERODROMES
(First Edition)
NIL    
 
PANS-ABC
(Eighth Edition, Amendment 30)
NIL