Aviation Maintenance Training College (AMTC) Module 10 – Aviation Legislation

CHAPTER 4

AIR OPERATIONS

10.4.1 Commercial Air Transport / Commercial Operations

ICAO
An operator that, for remuneration, provides scheduled or non-scheduled services of
passengers, freight or mail. Also includes small-scale operators, such as air taxis, that provide
commercial air transport services. The Standards and Recommended Practices contained in Annex 6,
Part I, shall be applicable to the operation of aero planes by operators authorized to conduct
international commercial air transport operations.

Note 1
Standards and Recommended Practices applicable to international general aviation operations
with aero planes are to be found in Annex 6, Part II.

Note 2
Standards and Recommended Practices applicable to international commercial air transport
operations or international general aviation operations with helicopters are to be found in Annex 6, Part
III.

EASA
The European Union has published Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 laying down
technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations. This EU Regulation
has an impact on how National Aviation authorities (NAA) and Operators work and demonstrate their
compliance with regulations. This course introduces in detail the regulation for Commercial Air
Transport with Aero planes.

SCOPE
The following types of civil air operations are within the scope of Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 and
its subsequent amendment:

• Specialized and non-specialized

• Commercial and non-commercial
• With complex motor-powered aircraft and with other-than complex motor-powered aircraft.
Specialized Operations
The term ‘specialized operations’ refers to activities meeting the following criteria
• The aircraft is flown close to the surface to fulfill the mission
• Abnormal maneuvers are performed

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• Special equipment is necessary to fulfill the mission and which affects the maneuverability
of the aircraft
• Substances are released from the aircraft during the flight where these substances are either
harmful or affect the maneuverability of the aircraft
• External loads or goods are lifted or towed; or
• Persons enter or leave the aircraft during flight operations not meeting the above criteria are
. non-specialized’.
operations not meeting the above criteria are non-specialized

Commercial Operations
• An aircraft operation involving the transport of passengers, cargo and / or mail for
remuneration or hire

• Operations involving the transport of passengers, cargo or mail not for remuneration or hire
are ‘non-commercial

Complex Aircraft
The term ‘complex motor-powered aircraft’ refers to: An airplane:

• With a maximum certified take-off mass exceeding 5700Kg; or

• Certified for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nineteen; or
• Certified for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots; or equipped with a
turbojet engine(s) or more than one turboprop engine.
• A helicopter certified
• For a maximum take-off mass exceeding 3175 Kg.
• For a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nine.
• For operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots.
• A tilt rotor aircraft an aircraft not meeting the above criteria is an ‘other-than complex motor-
powered aircraft’.

Contents of Regulations

Annex I - Definitions
Annex II - Authority Requirements for Air Operations (Part-ARO)
Annex III - Organization Requirements for Air Operations (Part-ORO)
Annex IV - Commercial Air Transport Operations (Part-CAT)
Annex V - Specific Approvals (Part-SPA)
Annex VI - Non-Commercial Operations with Complex Motor-Powered Aircraft (Part-NCC)
Annex VII - Non-Commercial Operations with other-than Complex Motor-Powered Aircraft (Part-
NCO)
Annex VIII - Specialized Operations (Part-SPO)

define authority organization and comm to specify complex or other than complex specialized operation

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10.4.2 Air Operators Certificates

General

• After the issuance of an Airline License to an operator by the Federal Government of Pakistan,
it is a regulatory requirement to obtain an Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
• The purpose of an AOC (Air Operators Certificate) is to ensure that any person or company
operating aircraft for the purpose of commercial air transportation do so in a regulated and safe
manner.
• It is a requirement of ICAO Annex 6, (Operation of Aircraft), EU-OPS and CARs 1994 that the
AOC shall be granted before any commercial operation takes place.
• The operator shall comply with all the requirements of Civil Aviation Regulations, and ensure
that:-
o The applicant has demonstrated that his Equipment, Ground Handling, Organization
Staffing and Training Program are adequate to secure the safe operation of the types of
aircraft to be included in the AOC.
o The applicant can establish and maintain a satisfactory method of supervision of the Flight
Operation.
o The aircraft are provided with servicing and maintenance facility and a system of
maintenance control is established.
o The management structure is appropriate and personnel selected by the operator for
specified management positions have required experience and qualification.
o Manuals have been prepared in advance which describe in detail how company personnel
are required to carry out their duties.
o Aircraft meet the appropriate standards and have been proven in flight to be acceptable to
the operation proposed.

• The operator shall be issued with the following type of AOC for Commercial Operations Airline,
Charter, and Aerial Work after successful demonstration of the regulatory requirements to CAA.
• Once certificated, the operator is responsible for ongoing compliance with the requirements of
relevant legislation. The CAA is required to continually monitor the operation to ensure
compliance. Failure by the operator to comply may result in suspension or cancellation of the
AOC.

CAA Rules 1994 of AOC

• In accordance with CARs 1994, Part XI, regarding Licensing &Certification of Commercial Air
Operations, Section 3, Air Operator Certificate, Rule 186 of CAR 1994, Operators to hold an
Air Operator Certificate states that:
o Notwithstanding the provisions of Part XI (Licensing &Certification of Commercial Air
Operations), Section 2(Licensing of Commercial Operators) of this Part, an aircraft shall not
fly for the purpose of:
▪ Regular public transport;
▪ Charter; or
▪ Aerial work; Unless the operator of that aircraft holds an air operator certificate issued by the
Director General.

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• In accordance with Rule 187 of CAR 1994, DGCAA Pakistan issues or renews AOC to a
company

• CAR 187 further requires that AOC holders should have adequate maintenance facilities,
equipment and staff for safe operation.

• Flight Standards Directorate is the authorized office to accept and process the formal
application of the operator for grant of AOC.
• The relevant requirements have been prescribed in the latest revision of ANO-001-FSXX on
"Requirements for the Issue, Renewal& continued validity of Air Operators Certificate”.
Airworthiness Directorate co-ordinates with Director Flight Standards for compliance with
airworthiness aspects of Issuance of an AOC.

Note:

AOC Guide (PCAAD-617) contains guidance on the issue of an Air Operator Certificate

Types of Air Operator Certificate (AOC)

Regular Public Transport

An aircraft operation involving the transport of passengers, cargo or mail for remuneration or hire.
In accordance with Civil Aviation Rules 1994, National Aviation Policy-2015 and Air Navigation Order
ANO-001-ATNR, Regular Public Transport (RPT) License is issued by DG CAA after the approval of
the Federal Government for carriage of passengers and cargo by air.

Charter
An aircraft operation other than a commercial air transport operation or an aerial work operation.
In accordance with Civil Aviation Rules 1994, National Aviation Policy-2015 and Air Navigation Order
ANO-001-ATNR, Charter License is issued by DG CAA after the approval of the Federal Government,
where applicable, for carriage of passengers and cargo in the following categories:

• Charter –Domestic
o Class-I
o Class-II

• Charter –International
o Class-I
o Class-II
All up weight
Class-I mean operation with aircraft having AUW of less than 5700 Kgs.
Class-II means operations without any aircraft weight limitations.

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Aerial Work License

An aircraft operation in which an aircraft is used for specialized services such as agriculture,
construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, aerial advertisement,
etc In accordance with Civil Aviation Rules 1994, National Aviation Policy-2015 and Air Navigation
Order ANO-001-ATNR, Aerial Work License is issued by DG CAA after the approval of the Federal
Government, where applicable, for carriage of passengers and cargo in the following categories: -

• Aerial Work – Domestic

o Class-I
o Class-II

• Aerial Work – International

o Class-I
o Class-II
Class-I means operation with aircraft having AUW of less than 5700 Kgs.
Class-II means operation with aircraft having AUW 5700 and above.

Contents of an AOC
The AOC shall contain at least the following information and shall follow the layout of Appendix “A”

• The State of the Operator and the Issuing Authority.

• AOC Number and its expiration date.
• The Operator’s name, trading name (if different) and address of the Principal place of business.
• The date of issue and the name, signature and title of the authority representative.
• The location in a control document carried on board, where the contact details of the operational
management can be found.

Operations Specifications

• There are certain conditions and limitations attached to the AOC which are named as
Operations Specifications.

• Operations Specifications are issued using the subject matter for each part as follows:

o General Provisions
o En-route Authorizations Limitations
o Aerodrome Authorization and Limitations
o Aircraft Maintenance
o Mass Balance
o Interchange Of Equipment Operations
o Aircraft Leasing Operations

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• Within each of the parts outlined above, there are standard and non-standard (operator
specific) paragraphs that have been or will be developed either by an operator or the CAA to
govern different aspects of operations as required.

• Only those parts that apply to a particular operator will be issued to that operator. Any additional
requirements contemplated by an operator may be authorized through the operator
amendment procedures outlined herein. The final decision as to that part of paragraph does or
does not apply or the specific language in that part or paragraph shall be the Director General's
decision.

Validity of an AOC

• An AOC issued under CARs 94, shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issue
or renewal, unless earlier suspended or cancelled by Director General, CAA.

• The Air Operator Certificate and/or the License issued under the Rules shall be non-
transferable.

• The AOC shall lapse if the Operator ceases to continue his operation for more than 45 days;
and shall be subject to reevaluation of the Operator’s Operation for validation of AOC.

• If an AOC has not been renewed after one year of its issue/renewal, under Rule 54 or Rule 188
(as applicable), the AOC shall be deemed invalid.

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AWNOT-065-AWRG
This Airworthiness Notice is applicable to all organizations interested for issue, extension &
renewal of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

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10.4.3 Operator’s Responsibilities, in Particular Regarding Continuing

Airworthiness and Maintenance

M.A.201 Responsibilities

ANO.M.A.201 Responsibilities

(a) The owner is responsible for the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft and shall ensure
that no flight takes place unless:
1. the aircraft is maintained in an airworthy condition, and;

2. any operational and emergency equipment fitted is correctly installed and

serviceable or clearly identified as unserviceable, and;

3. the airworthiness certificate remains valid, and;

4. the maintenance of the aircraft is performed in accordance with the approved

maintenance programme as specified in ANO.M.A.302.

(b) When the aircraft is leased, the responsibilities of the owner are transferred to the lessee
if:

1. the lessee is stipulated on the registration document, or;

2. detailed in the leasing contract.

When reference is made in this ANO to the "owner", the term owner covers the owner or
the lessee, as applicable.

(c) Any person or organisation performing maintenance shall be responsible for the tasks
performed.

(d) Reserved

(e) In order to satisfy the responsibilities of paragraph (a),

this
(i) The owner of an aircraft may contract the tasks associated with continuing airworthiness
to a continuing airworthiness management organisation approved in accordance with
Section A, Subpart G of this ANO-M. In this case, the continuing airworthiness
management organisation assumes responsibility for the proper accomplishment of
these tasks.

(ii) An owner who decides to manage the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft under
its own responsibility, without a contract in accordance with Appendix I, may
in spite of that nevertheless make a limited contract with a continuing airworthiness management
organisation approved in accordance with Section A, Subpart G of this ANO-M, for
the development of the maintenance programme and its approval in accordance with
point ANO.M.A.302. In that case, the limited contract transfers the

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responsibility for the development and approval of the maintenance programme to

the contracted continuing airworthiness management organisation.

(f) In the case of large aircraft, in order to satisfy the responsibilities of paragraph (a) the
owner of an aircraft shall ensure that the tasks associated with continuing airworthiness
are performed by an approved continuing airworthiness management organisation. A
written contract shall be made in accordance with Appendix I. In this case, the continuing
airworthiness management organisation assumes responsibility for the proper
accomplishment of these tasks.

(g) Maintenance of large aircraft, aircraft used for commercial air transport and components
thereof shall be carried out by an ANO-145 approved maintenance organisation.

(h) In the case of commercial air transport the operator is responsible for the continuing
airworthiness of the aircraft it operates and shall:
in accordance with
1. be approved, as part of the air operator certificate issued by PCAA, pursuant to
ANO-M.A. Subpart G for the aircraft it operates; and

2. be approved in accordance with ANO-145 or contract such an organisation; and

3. ensure that paragraph (a) is satisfied.

(i) When an operator is required to hold a certificate for commercial operations, other than for
commercial air transport, it shall:

1. be appropriately approved, pursuant to ANO-M.A. Subpart G, for the management

of the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft it operates or contract such an
organisation; and
2. be appropriately approved in accordance with ANO-M.A. Subpart F or ANO-145, or
contract such organisations; and
3. ensure that paragraph (a) is satisfied.

(j) The owner/operator shall ensure that any person authorised by PCAA is granted access to
any of its facilities, aircraft or documents related to its activities, including any subcontracted activities,
to determine compliance with this ANO.

10.4.4 Aircraft Maintenance Program

Regulation
• In accordance with Annex 6 (Operation of Aircraft), Part 1, Chapter 8.3 (Maintenance Program)
and ANO-024-FSXX (Commercial Air Transport Operations Aero planes), D8.3 (Maintenance
Program).

o The operator shall provide, for the use and guidance of maintenance and operational
personnel concerned, a maintenance program, approved by the State of Registry,
containing the information required by (b). The design and application of the operator’s
maintenance program shall observe Human Factors principles.
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available
o Copies of all amendments to the maintenance program shall be furnished promptly to all
organizations or persons to whom the maintenance program has been issued.

• A maintenance program for each aero plane as required by D8.3 shall contain the following
information:
o Maintenance tasks and the intervals at which these are to be performed, taking into account
the anticipated utilization of the aero plane
o When applicable, a continuing structural integrity program.

o Procedures for changing or deviating from i) and ii) above.

o When applicable condition monitoring and reliability program descriptions for aircraft
systems, components and engines.

Maintenance tasks and intervals that have been specified as mandatory in approval of the type design
shall be identified as such.

Recommendation

The maintenance program should be based on maintenance program information made

available by the State of Design or by the organization responsible for the type design, and any
additional applicable experience.
Note: Maintenance Program requirements are further defined in Module 10 booklet, sub-module 10.6
(ANO.M.A.302)

Aircraft Maintenance Program

• A transport aircraft operator is responsible for his maintenance program and has to get it
approved by his civil aviation authority/state of registry. Maintenance Program used by the
organization, to maintain aircraft / aircraft components, is developed from Maintenance
Planning Document (MPD) and MPD is provided by the aircraft type certificate holder/aircraft
manufacturer and duly approved by the authorities.

• The MPD of the manufacturer is the synthesis of three different sources.

o The MRB (Maintenance Review Board), principal process,

o The certification regulations of the aircraft type and its operational demands,
o The follow-up of the aircraft operation and the feed-back from experience which leads to
additional specific tasks to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft.

• Maintenance of each aircraft shall be organized in accordance with an aircraft maintenance

program.

• The aircraft maintenance program and any subsequent amendments shall be approved by the
competent authority

• The aircraft maintenance program must establish compliance with:

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o instructions issued by the competent authority;

o instructions for continuing airworthiness

• The aircraft maintenance program shall contain details, including frequency, of all maintenance
to be carried out, including any specific tasks linked to the type and the specificity of operations.

• For large aircraft, when the maintenance program is based on maintenance steering group
logic or on condition monitoring the aircraft maintenance program shall include a reliability
program.

• The aircraft maintenance program shall be subject to periodic reviews and amended
accordingly when necessary. These reviews shall ensure that the program continues to be valid
in light of the operating experience and instructions from the competent authority whilst taking
into account new and/or modified maintenance instructions promulgated by the type certificate
and supplementary type certificate holders.

• Maintenance Program shall comprise of:

o Scheduled Tasks
▪ Scheduled Tasks shall be performed respecting MPD at defined threshold & repeat
intervals. General Threshold quoted are:
▪ Calendar life (Months, years, multiples, etc)
▪ Flight cycles (FC)

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▪ Flight Hours (FH)

▪ Landings.

• Unscheduled Tasks

o Unscheduled tasks are defined as the result from additional requirements from the
Authorities, manufacturers or customer Such additional requirements, are:
o Airworthiness Directives/Service Bulletins/AOTs
o Continuous follow up of acceptable/just deferred defects
o Organization Bulletins/Orders requiring periodical check or inspection
o Maintenance reports
o Pilot Reported defects

The MRB Report (Maintenance Review Board)

This report provides to the operators the minimum and initial maintenance program of the
aircraft, with the tasks and application frequencies for systems, power plant and structure. The
objective of this document is to serve as a basis for each operator to elaborate his own maintenance
program which will be in turn approved by the airworthiness authorities of his country. The organization
of the report reflects the organization of the work of which it combines the results.
• General rules applicable at the total aircraft program
• Maintenance program systems and power plant
• Maintenance program structures
• Zonal Maintenance Program specific chapter: Specific American (US)requirements.

Maintenance Planning Document (MPD)

As indicated above the MRB report only contains the initial maintenance program of the aircraft,
at the time of its first commercial operation. The MPD is destined to follow that initial document to
incorporate the evolution during the life of the aircraft which can thirty or more years. These evolutions
are taken from five different sources:
• The airworthiness directives imposed by the certification authorities.
• The SIL (service information letters) of the aircraft manufacturer.
• The SB (service bulletins) for inspection.
• The SB (service bulletins) for modification.
• The evolutions of safe-life.
Their impact on the maintenance tasks and their periodicity are permanently incorporated into the
MPD.

10.4.5 MEL / CDL

• Rule 31 of CARs 94 states that a regular public transport aircraft, or charter aircraft registered
in Pakistan shall not fly unless all the items of equipment; which are included in the minimum
equipment list in the approved Flight Manual, or other certification document for the aircraft, as

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being required to be serviceable for the particular operation, are serviceable. No amendment
shall be made to a minimum equipment list; except with the approval of the Director General.

• ANO-007- FSXX provides regulatory requirements and guidelines for provision of:

o Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) from the State of-design/ manufacturer and/or
State of Registry established for the aircraft type by the organization responsible for the
type design in conjunction with the State of Design.

o Minimum Equipment List (MEL), based on the Master Minimum Equipment List, from the
operator; and approved by the State of Operator.

o CDL / DDPG from the manufacturer.

MEL
An operator shall establish, for each airplane, a Minimum Equipment list (MEL) approved by
the Authority. This shall be based upon, but no less restrictive than, the relevant Master Minimum
Equipment List (MMEL) accepted by the Authority. An operator shall not operate an airplane other than
in accordance with the MEL unless permitted by the Authority. Any such permission will in no
circumstances permit operation outside the constraints of the MMEL.

CDL
• Configuration Deviation Lists (CDL) or their equivalent, are not a part of the MMEL/MEL. CDL
provide amplified actions on Operation and Maintenance procedures. Both are generally
combined and are issued by the manufacturer. CDL identify any external components of an
aircraft type, which may be missing for dispatch and any associated information on
performance corrections for such cases (e.g. missing landing gear doors, flap actuator fairings,
etc.). The CDL may be published as part of the CAA approved Flight Manual.

• Any part not included in the CDL must be considered necessary for flight. Therefore, without a
CDL, missing secondary mainframe engine parts would ground the airplane until repair or
replacement of the part is accomplished.

10.4.6 Documents to be carried On Board

• Documents to be carried on aircraft are mentioned in ICAO Doc 7300, Article 29 (Documents
carried in aircraft).

• PCAA rules 1994, Part XIII, Section 2, Rule 253 (Documents to be carried); An aircraft
registered in Pakistan other than a private aircraft shall not fly unless it carries:

o The certificate of Airworthiness issued in relation to that aircraft.

o The certificate of release to service and the certificate of maintenance review issued in
relation to that aircraft.

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o The aircraft Flight Manual or equivalent certification document.

o The licenses issued in respect of the radio equipment installed in the aircraft.

o If passengers are carried, a list of their names, places of embarkation and intended places
of disembarkation.

o If cargo is carried, bills of lading and manifests relating to that cargo.

o The Operations Manual or those parts of it relating to flight operations.

• Following aircraft certificates are carried on board. All such certificates have validity dates and are
subjected to renewal. Relevant ANO is ANO-007-AWRG (Aircraft Instruments, Equipment and
Documents for Flight).

• An aeroplane/helicopter shall be provided with manuals, placards or other documents specified

below.

o Flight manual, placards or other documents stating the approved limitations with which
the aero plane is considered airworthy as defined by the appropriate Airworthiness
requirements, and additional instructions and information necessary for the safety of the
aeroplane.

▪ Certificate of Registration
▪ Certificate of Airworthiness
▪ Certificate of Maintenance Review
▪ Certificate of Release to Service
▪ Certificate for Radio Installation
▪ Insurance Certificate
▪ PTA License for Radio Set Operators
▪ Approved weight and balance schedule
▪ Noise Certificate issued in accordance with the latest issue of Airworthiness Notice
No. AWNOT-062-AWXX.

10.4.7 Aircraft Placarding (Marking)

The aircraft must contain the specified markings and placards. Any information, instrument
markings and placards required for the safe operation if there are unusual design, operating or handling
characteristics. Each marking and placard described
• Must be displayed in a conspicuous place.
• May not be easily erased, disfigured or obscured.

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Instrument Markings
• When markings are on the cover glass of the instrument, there must be means to maintain
the correct alignment of the glass cover with the face of the dial.
• Each instrument marking must be clearly visible to the appropriate crew member.

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Markings of Break-In Points

Requirement of markings of break-in points is mentioned in ICAO Annex-6 (Part-I, Chapter

6.2.4), ANO-024-FSXX (D6.2.4) and ANO-007-AWRG (D2.8).

• If areas of the fuselage suitable for break-in by rescue crews in emergency are marked on
an aero plane such areas shall be marked as shown below. The color of the markings shall
be red or yellow, and if necessary, they shall be out-lined in white to contrast with the
background.
• If the corner marking are more than 2m apart, intermediate lines 9 cm x 3 cm shall be
inserted so that there is no more than 2m between adjacent markings. Note: This Standard
does not require any aero plane to have break-in areas.

Emergency Markings
Emergency markings are required to give information to passenger and crew. The location of
emergency exits, emergency lightning or floor proximity lightning, location of fire extinguishers, fire
axes, are identified with red letters and signs. Emergency exit placards meet specific criteria as they
have to be understood by all passengers (Clear, Simple and Precise operating instructions).

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