Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) considers key issues related to the Air Operator Certificate (AOC), Surveillance, Operations Manual, Operating Facilities, Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS):

The Air Operator Certificate (AOC)

The Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is the fundamental authorization required for any operator to engage in commercial air transport operations.

• Issuance Dependencies: The State of the Operator shall issue an AOC only when the operator has demonstrated adequate organization, method of control and supervision of flight operations, training programme, as well as ground handling and maintenance arrangements consistent with the nature and extent of the operations specified.

• Validity: The continued validity of an AOC depends upon the operator maintaining these requirements under the supervision of the State of the Operator.

• Content of the AOC: The AOC must contain at least the following information:

>>State of the Operator and the issuing authority.

>>AOC number and expiration date.

>>Operator name, trading name (if different), and address of the principal place of business.

>>Date of issue and the name, signature, and title of the authority representative.

>>Location, in a controlled document carried on board, where contact details of operational management can be found.

Operations Specifications: Associated with the AOC, these must define the operations authorized, including specific approvals, conditions, and limitations.

Layout: The layout of both the AOC and the Operations Specifications must follow the specific templates provided in Appendix 6 of the Annex.

Surveillance

Certification is not a one-time event; it requires ongoing oversight to ensure safety standards are upheld.

• State Responsibility: The State of the Operator must establish a system for both the certification and the continued surveillance of the operator to ensure that the required standards of operations are maintained.

• Foreign Operators: States must also establish a programme with procedures for the surveillance of operations in their territory by foreign operators and for taking appropriate action when necessary to preserve safety. If a State identifies non-compliance or serious safety issues with a foreign operator, it must notify the operator and, if warranted, the State of the Operator and the State of Registry.

Operations Manual

The operator must provide an operations manual for the use and guidance of operations personnel.

• Structure: The operations manual must be organized with the following structure:

>>General: Responsibilities, fatigue management, navigation equipment lists, etc..

>>Aircraft Operating Information: Certification limitations, normal/abnormal/emergency procedures, performance data, checklists, etc..

>>Areas, Routes and Aerodromes: Route guides, minimum flight altitudes, aerodrome operating minima, etc..

>>Training: Flight crew and cabin crew training programmes.

• State Oversight: The State of the Operator requires the operator to provide a copy of the operations manual (and all amendments) for review and acceptance and, where required, approval.

• Updates: The manual must be amended or revised as necessary to ensure information is kept up to date, and these changes must be issued to all personnel required to use the manual.

Operating Facilities

The operator has distinct responsibilities regarding the infrastructure used for flights.

• Adequacy of Facilities: A flight shall not commence unless it has been ascertained by every reasonable means that the ground and/or water facilities available and directly required on such flight are adequate for the type of operation and are adequately operated.

• Reporting Inadequacies: The operator must ensure that any observed inadequacy of facilities is reported to the responsible authority without undue delay.

• Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (RFFS):

>>Assessment: As part of its Safety Management System (SMS), the operator must assess the level of RFFS protection available at any aerodrome intended to be specified in the operational flight plan.

>>Documentation: Information related to the level of RFFS protection deemed acceptable by the operator must be contained in the operations manual.

Operations Specifications Layout

The Operations Specifications are a formal document associated with the AOC that defines the specific authorizations, conditions, and limitations for a particular aircraft model.

The layout must contain the following information:

1. Header and General Information

>>Issuing Authority Contact Details: Telephone, Fax, and Email.

>>Operator Information: AOC Number, Operator Name, Trading Name, and Date of Issue.

>>Signature: Signature of the authority representative.

1. Aircraft and Operational Scope

• Aircraft Model: Precise designation

• Types of Operation: Checkboxes for Commercial Air Transportation (Passengers, Cargo, Other).

• Area(s) of Operation: Geographical areas or routes (e.g., coordinates, Flight Information Regions).

• Special Limitations: Any restrictions (e.g., VFR only, Day only).

1. Specific Approvals Table

The document must include a table listing specific approvals with columns for Yes/No, Description (criteria), and Remarks.

Specific Approval Details

• Dangerous Goods Policy and authorization for the transport of hazardous materials.

 

• Low Visibility Operations

 

>>Approach/Landing: Includes CAT category (II/III), Minimum Runway Visual Range (RVR) in meters, and Decision Height (ft).

 

>>Take-off: Minimum Runway Visual Range (RVR) in meters.

 

• Operational Credit(s) Specific airborne capabilities used to reduce minima, such as Head-Up Displays (HUD) or Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS).

 

• RVSM Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum authorization (marked as N/A if the aircraft ceiling is below FL 290).

 

• EDTO Extended Diversion Time Operations. This requires specifying both the Threshold Time (minutes) and the Maximum Diversion Time (minutes).

 

• PBN Operations Performance-Based Navigation specifications that require specific authorization, such as RNP AR APCH (Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required Approach).

 

• Continuing Airworthiness The name of the person or organization responsible for the aircraft's maintenance and the relevant regulation they follow.

 

• EFB Electronic Flight Bag functions and software used for safe flight operations.

 

• Other Any additional specific authorizations not covered above, such as Steep Approach or North Atlantic High Level Airspace (NAT HLA) approvals.

Operations Manual: Acceptance vs. Approval

The State of the Operator reviews the Operations Manual to ensure compliance with regulations. However, the level of scrutiny and formalization differs between "Acceptance" and "Approval."

Approval

• Definition: An "approval" is an active response by the State. It constitutes a formal finding or determination of compliance with applicable standards.

• Evidence: It is evidenced by a signature, a certificate, or a formal written instrument (e.g., a letter).

• Examples in Operations Manual: Specific items within the manual require formal approval, such as:

>>Minimum Equipment List (MEL).

>>Fatigue Management Policy (if using FRMS).

>>Method for Determining Aerodrome Operating Minima.

>>Flight Crew Training Programmes.

Acceptance

• Definition: "Acceptance" does not necessarily require an active response. The State may accept a matter if it does not specifically reject it after a review within a defined time period.

• Technical Evaluation: While less formal than approval, acceptance still requires the State to conduct a specific review or technical evaluation to ensure the content is satisfactory.

• Examples in Operations Manual:

>>General Content: The overall structure and content of the Operations Manual generally require acceptance.

>>Checklists: Details of aircraft-specific checklists.

>>Safety Procedures: Procedures for electronic navigation data management.

Why the distinction matters:

It allows States to prioritize their resources. Critical safety elements (like the MEL or training programs) undergo a rigorous approval process, while the broader procedural content of the manual undergoes acceptance to ensuring it meets standards without requiring a formal signature for every single page or minor update.

Next Steps

Sofema Aviation Services and Sofema Online provide Regulatory Compliant and Vocational Classroom, Webinar and Online Training For EASA, FAA, UAE GCAA, Saudi GACA, OTAR – Please see the websites or email team@sassofia.com