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New rules could allow public to fly private aircraft

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications' legal affairs committee yesterday approved a draft regulation that would allow individuals to own and operate personal aircraft.

Lin Chih-ming (林志明), director of the Department of Navigation and Aviation, said yesterday that the ministry needed to amend other acts governing the management of personal aircraft before it could introduce the policy.

The amendments and related measures could be completed by the end of this year, he said.

The regulations would require aircraft owners to submit applications informing the government on how they plan to use the aircraft. They could only purchase the aircraft after the application is approved.

Lin said the aircraft would have to land at certified airports. When not in use, the aircraft must be parked at the airports' hard stands, Lin said, adding that imported aircraft would be restricted to those that have been in use for a maximum of 10 years and bear valid serial numbers.

For aircraft from Taiwan, the serial number would have to begin with the letter "B," followed by a five-digit number. Owners would have to apply for takeoff at domestic airports at least two days before a flight, he said.

Lin said that the Civil Aeronautics Administration would examine the capacity of 18 domestic airports to determine how they could be used to accommodate personal aircraft.

The number of passengers could not exceed 19, he said.
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