THAKUR INSTITUTE OF AVIATION

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TRAINING NOTES
(10.4 -Aircraft Operation)

Topic Level
10.4 -Aircraft Operation (CAP 3100) 2

Air Operator
Certification Manual

SR. NO. CAP OPERATION TYPE Rule

01 CAP 3100 Scheduled Operator’s 134
02 CAP 3200 Aircraft Leasing Manual -
Scheduled Commuter Services and Non-
03 CAP 3300 134A
Scheduled Operator’s
Preparation and Certification of Operations
04 CAP 8100 -
Manual

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ABBREVIATIONS
AFM - Airplane Flight Manual
AIC - Aeronautical Information Circular
AIP - Aeronautical Information Publication
AIRAC - Aeronautical Information Regulation And Control
AOC - Air Operator Certificate
APM - Airworthiness Procedures Manual
AWOP - All Weather Operations
CAME- Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Exposition
CAR- Civil Aviation Requirements
CDL - Configuration Deviation List
CSI - Cabin Safety Inspector
C of A - Certificate of Airworthiness
C of R - Certificate of Registration
DGCA - Director General of Civil Aviation
DGR - Dangerous Goods Regulations
EDTO - Extended Diversion Time Operations
ETOPS - Extended Twin Engine Operations
FOI - Flight Operations Inspector
OM - Operations Manual
ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organization
LOFT - Line Oriented Flight Training
MEL - Minimum Equipment List
MMEL - Master Minimum Equipment List
MNPS - Minimum navigational performance specifications
NOTAM - Notice to Airmen
Ops Spec - Operations Specifications
PBN - Performance Based Navigation
RNAV - Area Navigation
RNP - Required Navigational Performance
RVSM - Reduced Vertical Separation Minima
SARPs - Standards and Recommended Practices
SOPs - Standard Operating Procedures

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CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION

• In accordance with Rule 134 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 no persons shall operate an air transport
service to, from and within India without permission of the Central Government. The authority to
grant the permission has been delegated by the government to DGCA, which is granted in the form of
an Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

• AOC specifies the nature and scope of operations granted to an air operator together with the terms,
conditions and limitations applicable to such operations. An operator is required and expected to
ensure that all operations undertaken are well within the requirements specified in the AOC.

• Accordingly, AOCs for operating the following types of air transport services are presently issued by
DGCA to applicants who meet the laid down requirements for the specific type of air transport service:
• Scheduled Air Transport Service (Passenger)
• Scheduled Air Transport Service (Cargo)

 The AOC is issued are granted in compliance with the provisions of Annex 6 Part I.

 Applicable Rules and Requirements

 In discharge of its responsibilities for regulating air transportation and ensuring safety of aircraft
operations, DGCA has laid down detailed rules, regulations and procedures under the provisions
of Aircraft Act, 1934.

 The main responsibility for the safe conduct of the operations and for compliance with the laws,
rules, regulations and directions issued from time to time is that of the operator.

 These laws and regulations cannot in themselves provide the operator with comprehensive and
detailed instructions on which to base his operations. The operator should, therefore, develop his
own detailed operating procedures necessary for safety, regularity and efficiency of operations
within the framework of the laws, rules, regulations, and directions issued by DGCA from time to
time.

 While requirements on various aspects relating to air transport services are laid down in the
Aircraft Rules, 1937, Civil Aviation requirements and ICAO Annexes, the following documents
stipulate the specific requirements for grant of an AOC to operate air transport services.

I. Schedule XI and rule 134A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 - Requirements for Grant of Air
Operator Certificate for Scheduled Operations.
II. Civil Aviation Requirement, Section 3, Series 'C' Part II - Minimum Requirements for Grant of
Permission and to Operate Scheduled Air Transport Services.
III. Civil Aviation Requirement, Section 3, Series 'C' Part IV - Minimum Requirements for Grant
of Permission and operation of Air Transport Services (Cargo).

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 Purpose of AOC:
 The purpose of an AOC is to certify that specified commercial air transport operations are authorized
by DGCA and are to be conducted in compliance with applicable regulations and rules.

 The DGCA issues the AOC in two parts, the AOC itself and the associated operations specifications
(Ops Spec) that specifies the nature and scope of operations authorized together with relevant
conditions and limitations (e.g. EDTO, RNP, RVSM, LVO, MNPS,)

 The DGCA is authorized to suspend or cancel an AOC, if one or more of the conditions stipulated
therein is breached or not maintained to the same level as demonstrated at the initial certification.

 Prior to issuing an AOC, the DGCA needs to be satisfied that the operator conforms to all the
requirements of relevant rules, requirements and associated guidance published by the DGCA and in
that:

1. The aircraft shall meet the appropriate standards of airworthiness and operational requirements,
thereby equipped with all mandatory items for communication, navigation, surveillance and safety and
emergency equipment in accordance with the applicable Civil Aviation Requirements published by the
DGCA, for safe, secure, efficient and regular operations of proposed services;

2. The operator has provided for adequate servicing and maintenance of the aircraft and established an
effective system of maintenance control for this purpose;

3. The operator has provided for an effective means of operational control of the aircraft that he
intends to operate. This should include the policies and procedures covering the type of operations,
the pre-departure functions, the dispatch functions, flight following, dual responsibility if any,
continuation of flight, termination or en-route diversion of flight;

4. The organizational structure, staffing and administrative facilities in the areas such as operations,
maintenance and/or all other associated areas of the operator is appropriate and the nominee
5. s for the Designated Post Holders have adequate experience and required qualifications and are
acceptable to and approved by the DGCA as in Appendix H in this manual;

6. Detailed procedures, techniques and guidance are included in Operator’s Manuals giving specific
instructions / information as to how the operator’s personnel are required to carry out their duties and
functions and such manuals shall receive approval from the DGCA;

7. Flight & cabin crew and all other personnel required for operation of aircraft (e.g. Dispatches, ground
handling staff) are qualified and trained as per published requirements and are available in sufficient
numbers to carry out operations;

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8. Operations organization of the operator have their FDTL Scheme approved as per the limitations for
flight time, flight duty periods, duty periods and rest periods for fatigue management of flight & cabin
crewmembers as given in the relevant CARs;

9. All required training and checking programmes, instructors/ check pilot and training infrastructure
including training/ checking facilities (local, in-house outsource and abroad) simulators, and any other
synthetic devices have the approval of DGCA, where applicable;

10. Type(s) of aircraft are approved for the proposed operations and are suitable for the proposed
operations and they are available in sufficient numbers;

11. Facilities and ancillary services required for the proposed operations have been organized to ensure
safe, secure, efficient and regular operation;

12. Potential and actual liabilities of the operator in respect of aircraft, crew, passengers, cargo and third
party are covered with an insurance policy; (Carriage by Air Act, 1972) 12.An effective safety
management systems is in place;

13. Flight safety documents system is in place;

14. Flight data analysis programme & system of preservation of data is in place;

15. Air operator makes available to flight crew and operational personnel, at all aerodromes authorized in
its AOC and corresponding operations specifications, information contained in the AIP, AIRAC, AIC, pre-
flight aeronautical information, including dissemination of weather data and NOTAMS for the safety,
regularity and efficiency of air navigation;

16. Policy and procedures for flight crew to record and report on routine meteorological observation
during en-route and climb-out phases of the flight and special and other non-routine observations such
as severe turbulence, thunderstorms, volcanic ash, serve mountain waves, severe icing, heavy dust
storms during any phase of the flight is established;

17. An accident victim relief programme has been drawn up as per guidance of ICAO CIR- 285/AN/166;

18. An arrangement for the removal of disabled aircraft on the runway has been drawn up in consultation
with the airport operator;

19. Operational requirements in relation to Ground handling, Passenger handling & public safety,
provision of operational information to crew, arrangements of proposed fuel policy, flight and cabin
crew scheduling, operations support services, operational loading and load control, take off & landing
minima of the operator are in place;

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20. Installations, equipment and staff facilities associated with base & stations are adequate for the
proposed operation;

21. Requirements related to transportation of Dangerous Goods by air are adhered and documented;

22. Maintenance requirements in relation to technical data, fuelling, maintenance facilities, weight and
balance, aircraft servicing, spares holding/ stores control, MEL, CDL, maintenance release,
accomplishment/ control of airworthiness directives, maintenance systems, time-in-service/
maintenance records, maintenance contractual agreements and Defects reporting system of the
operator are adhered and documented;

23. Any other element identified as a requirement during the certification process is in place and is
sufficient to ensure the conduct of operation with the type(s) of aircraft to be operated.

 Air Operator’s Certificate

 The AOC and the associated Operations Specifications specify the nature and scope of the
authorizations in relation to the technical competency of the airline for safe, secure, efficient and
regular operation of air services.

 Application for AOC The application for the issue of an AOC must be prepared in accordance with the
requirements prescribed in Appendix A of this manual.

 Continued Compliance
 Once certified, the operator is responsible for the continued compliance with the initial conditions of
certification and applicable legislative requirements and DGCA requirements promulgated from time
to time. The DGCA will maintain regular surveillance on the operator’s activities to ensure continued
compliance, in addition to conducting formal and detailed audits where the operator’s actual
operations are checked against approved procedures in the operator’s documents.

 Suspension/Cancellation or Revocation of AOC

 Failure on the part of the operator to comply with the applicable requirements may result in either
the imposing of administrative penalties or suspension/ cancellation or revocation of the AOC.
 An operator should note that in the event of a suspension/ cancellation or revocation of an AOC, the
operator needs to be recertified, with a process as determined by the DGCA based on the reason for
the suspension/ cancellation.

 An operator should note that even if an enforcement action was not taken by the DGCA, and
operations are conducted in breach of a condition or conditions of the AOC, such operations are
construed to be unauthorized and the operator is liable for enforcement action by the DGCA, on
detection of such occurrences even belatedly.

 The guidance for enforcement is given in detail in the Enforcement Policy & Procedures Manual.

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CHAPTER 2 – BACKGROUND
1. Certification Process
 The certification process requires the DGCA to ascertain through a systematic process whether or
not a prospective applicant has both the required ability and resources to comply with the
applicable legislative requirements and to fulfil the applicant’s actual and potential obligations for
operation of safe, secure, efficient and regular air transport services as proposed. This process
involves five distinct phases as stated below:

a) Pre-application.
• During this phase, the applicant conducts initial studies, prepares plans, makes inquiries from the DGCA
in regard to the opportunities available under the existing air services agreements and seeks advice as
to the validity of different proposals.

• The prospective applicant at this stage is required to submit a statement of intent to the DGCA
outlining the proposal and apply to Ministry of Civil Aviation for the issuance of a NOC (assessment
concerning the financial, economic and legal aspects).

• On the issuance of an NOC and the request of proposed operator thereafter, the DGCA arranges for a
pre-application meeting. However a pre-application meeting can also be conducted for a applicant
who does not have a NOC and needs to be guided on the process. In such cases the NOC will have to be
submitted by applicant prior to initiating the formal application stage. Receipt NOC in such cases will
constitute the completion of the pre-application stage

b) Formal application.
• On completion phase if applicant desires to proceed further than, the applicant is required to submit
the complete application (Appendix A) to the DGCA together with the fees and relevant documents
to support the intended operation and this will constitute initiation of the formal application phase.

• The DGCA will then make a formal assessment of the completeness of the applicant’s proposal and
invite the applicant for a Formal Application meeting where the details relating to the certification
process would be formally discussed.

c) Document evaluation.
• During this phase, the DGCA will undertake a detailed study of the applicant’s manuals and other
documents, which accompanied the formal application.

• The documentation must be complete, accurate and current to satisfy the DGCA’s requirements
qualification and experience of the nominee for designated potholders will be evaluated and the
designated post holder will interviewed. Approval/acceptance for the same will be granted. Before the
inspection phase can commence.

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• There will be series of discussions between the DGCA and the approved/accepted post holders of the
applicant at this stage in regard to establishing the validity/acceptability of the applicant’s proposals.

• It should be noted that the documents shall reflect precisely the mode and manner in which the
applicant intends conducting the proposed operations and once approved, they shall form a part of the
understanding between the DGCA and the operator in regard to future functioning of the operator.

d) Demonstration and Inspection prior to certification.

• During this phase, the applicant needs to demonstrate to the DGCA that the applicant is in a position
to conduct the proposed operations in accordance with the procedures detailed in the
documents/manuals reviewed during the previous phase utilizing the personnel/facilities/equipment
identified in the formal application.

• Aircraft, maintenance facilities and arrangements will be inspected. Training facilities, programmes and
training personnel will be evaluated. Company’s organizational structure, channels of communication,
delegation of powers, financial strength and sources of funding will be subjected to detailed scrutiny to
ensure that the company has sufficient resources, effective arrangement and control to satisfy its
obligations. Facilities for flight operations, ground handling, facilities and services for passenger,
baggage and cargo handling including dangerous goods and security arrangements would be evaluated.
Flight, cabin and technical crew, operations and maintenance staff, flight operations officers,
designated examiners/ flight engineers and load/trim personnel will also be assessed.

• If the DGCA is satisfied with the above arrangements, proving flight(s) will be conducted to one or
more destinations of intended operations, as determined by the DGCA.

• This phase may reveal the need for some operational changes, which in turn may require the applicant
to make amendments to the documents originally submitted.

• All elements must be satisfactorily completed before proceeding to the certification phase. During
this phase, administrative action to formally approve then , the aircraft, facilities and procedures
specified in the Operations Manual, CAME, Training & Checking organization will also be undertaken.

e) Certification.
When all the previous phases have been satisfactorily completed, the DGCA will issue the Air
Operator’s Certificate and the associated Operations Specifications.

 Responsibility of the Applicant

 A major objective of the air operator certification is to ensure that an applicant for an AOC is fully
aware and has clearly understood at the very outset the actual & potential obligations arising out of
the proposed operations (especially the legal & social responsibilities) and the financial commitment
Required to sustain the proposed operations in conformity with the published civil aviation
requirements relating to safety, efficiency and regularity of air transportation.

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 Accordingly, an Air Operator Certificate will not be issued until the DGCA is fully convinced and
satisfied beyond any doubt that all requirements for issue of an Air Operator’s Certificate have been
complied with, prior to commencement of the proposed operations and that the operator has both the
required aptitude and resources to maintain proposed services without compromising any of the initial
conditions of certification.

 The type of aircraft proposed may require the applicant to provide DGCA staff with type specific
training if DGCA does not have type qualified Inspectors on its strength. The applicant will be
responsible for cost of training of a maximum of 2 FOI and 2 AWI, as also any other officer(s) of the
certification team as specified during certification process.

 It should be noted that type endorsement training for the FOI will involve ground and flight simulator
time. The inspector(s) must have completed their training either before any member of the operator
commences their training or at the same time that the first crew members of the prospective operator
receives their training.

 In the event, the holder of an AOC inducts or replaces any of their Aircraft with a new type of aircraft or
an aircraft for which type qualified inspectors are not available with DGCA at the time in service, the
AOC holder shall incur the same responsibilities and expenses as outlined above.

 Authorization for the issue of an Air Operator’s Certificate

 Initial issue of an AOC together with the Operations Specification, which is required for the intended
operations, will be issued once the certification team makes the required recommendations and the
Project Manager submits the completed and signed checklists to project coordinator in the Air
Transport Directorate.

 Responsibility of the Applicant with regard to the training of DGCA Inspectors

 The type of aircraft proposed, if not previously registered in India, may require the applicant to provide
the DGCA staff with type specific training. The applicant will be responsible for the cost of training of at
least two Flight Operations Inspectors, two Airworthiness Inspectors and any other officer(s).

 Schedule of Events
 This is a written statement to be provided by the applicant in a form as specified in Appendix B,
containing a list of items, documents, manuals, activities, aircraft, and/or facility acquisition or
procurements which the applicant must accomplish or make ready, including the dates on which they
will be submitted to the DGCA for approval or will be ready for the DGCA inspection. The Schedule of
Events shall be pre-coordinated with the Project Manager in charge of the certification process.
Revision to timelines is mandatory in the event the Project Manager foresees the inability of the
applicant or certification team to perform given task as per original schedule.

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 Statement of Compliance (Declaration of Conformance)
 Statement of compliance is a declaration by an applicant that the applicant is aware of and has a plan
that is approved by DGCA to satisfy all pertinent regulations and applicable safety standards
promulgated by the DGCA. The statement is in the form of a detailed list of CARs and Advisory Circulars
that will be applicable to the operations proposed. The applicant is required to provide a brief
narrative, describing the intended method of compliance, which shall be achieved against each item of
the regulatory requirements. The format of the compliance statement to be completed by an applicant
is found in Appendix C.

 Where the operator does not or cannot comply with the normal requirements and seeks a concession
in lieu, the Compliance Statement should reflect that a particular concession has been sought. Under
these conditions, approval of the Compliance Statement is contingent on approval of each requested
concession.

 The Operator will ensure the compliance of New CARs & Circulars, and give periodic updates to their
POI. Operators, after receiving the formal authorization for flight operations through an AOP and
associated Operations Specification, shall ensure compliance with all changes to DGCA regulations as
issued from time to time and provide an update to the respective inspector.

 Air Operator’s Certificate and Operations Specifications (Ops Specs)

 The format of Air Operator’s Permit and Operations Specifications is placed at Appendix E.

 The DGCA will appoint a team for the certification process. A certification team is a group of DGCA
Inspectors appointed to carry out the document reviews, inspections and assessments required
prior to certifying an applicant as suitable to hold an AOC.

 The size of the team will vary according to the size and complexity of the task(s) involved. The team
will be headed by a Project Manager, who shall be responsible for managing the overall
certification process and in particular, the coordination of the activities of operations and
airworthiness teams.

 Checklist for the issuance of an AOC is in Appendix J.

 The DGCA, if satisfied beyond any doubt that the applicant is capable of meeting the requirements
of the Aircraft Act and rules made there under, for operations of air services as proposed, an AOC
and Operations Specifications will be issued

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CHAPTER 3 - INITIAL ISSUE OF AN AOC
• Detailed process followed by DGCA is given in Chapter 4 of this manual. An applicant is free to make
contact with the DGCA without making a commitment to determine the feasibility of a proposal. An
applicant will formally notify the DGCA in the form of a Statement of intent once decided to proceed
with obtaining an AOC.
1. The Pre-Application phase
There are three distinct activities, which are conducted during this phase
a) Pre- Application - Statement of Intent
b) Pre-Application Meeting
c) Post Pre-Application Meeting

2. The Formal Application Phase

a) The formal application phase commences when the applicant forwards the formal application as
per Appendix A with its accompanying documentation, together with the fees.

b) The application should be signed by either the owner (when applying as an individual) or all
members of the Board of Directors when applying as a company.

c) When the formal application is received, the DGCA will arrange a formal application meeting,
subject to DGCA certification team confirming the Manuals and documents submitted are in order.

d) The formal application must be submitted at least Ninety (90) working days before the date of
intended revenue operations. A brief description, applicable attachments and a detailed checklist
of items to be covered in the formal application are placed at Appendix A.

 The Schedule of Events

• This is a list of items, activities, aircraft, and/or facility acquisitions, which must be accomplished or
made ready, including the dates on which they will be ready for the DGCA to inspect.

• It is important that the schedule be realistic and contains sufficient flexibility to allow for unforeseen
contingencies. A factor which must be considered when the schedule of events is forwarded is whether
the DGCA has operations and airworthiness inspectors already trained on the proposed aircraft type
and if not, how long will it take to train them.

 Manuals to be produced with the formal application

a) The Manuals (2 copies each) must accompany the application,

b) Detail on the contents of the various manuals is provided in the section related to the document
evaluation phase. In addition the applicant is required to provide details of the planned
organization, general policies, duties and responsibilities of personnel, channels of communication

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(hierarchy), airworthiness control policy, operational control policy and procedures. Such matters
are usually provided in Operations Manual and in Maintenance Control Manual/ CAME.

3. The Document Evaluation Phase

• During this phase, the DGCA inspectors will inspect the documents provided in support of the formal
application. The documents must specifically relate to the proposed operations.

• Aircraft Leasing has been dealt in CAP 3200: Aircraft Leasing Manual.

 Manual Standards
Any Manual /Document prepared by an applicant for the approval of the DGCA or to satisfy its
regulatory requirements shall contain the following, in order to ensure effective production,
amendment, distribution and/or uniform use of, or compliance with information relating to the
company requirements.

 Use of language in Manuals / Documents

The applicant shall ensure that all Manuals/ Documents are written in the English language and the
following words are used to give the meaning as indicated against such words.

“shall” or “must” – compliance is mandatory.

“will” – the action referred to will not take place at the present moment but there is a commitment to
comply with the requirement.
“should” – compliance is recommended but not compulsory.
“may” – there is discretion for the applicant/operator to apply alternate means of compliance or to
ignore the requirement.
Any specific instruction issued by the applicant to the operational staff shall be given using the words
“shall” or “must”.

 Safety Management Systems Programme

• An operator shall develop a Safety Management Systems Programme in conformity to the State’s
Safety Programme to ensure that all reasonable measures have been taken in order to identify
possible risks inherited in the system and human errors that may adversely affect flight safety
and to mitigate such risks and errors.

• The guidance material in addition to mandatory requirements are published in CAR Section 1 Series
C Part I.

• The operator shall ensure that all personnel involved in operations of aircraft are trained on SMS to
the satisfaction of DGCA.

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• As a minimum the following shall be covered in the operators SMS programme.
1) The identification of safety hazards;
2) The necessary remedial action to mention an acceptable level of safety;
3) Continuous monitoring and regular assessment of the safety level achieved; and
4) Continuous improvement to the overall level of safety

 Passenger Safety Briefing Card

• An operator shall provide each passenger seat with a safety briefing card containing in
pictographic form, the information required.
• The safety briefing cards need to be provided to supplement oral briefings and be in particular to
the type and model of aircraft and the specific emergency equipment in use. The safety briefing
card shall have the prior approval of the DGCA.

• The passenger safety briefing card shall contain the following information as a minimum
1) When seat belts are to be fastened
2) Illustration showing the fastening, tightening and unfastening of seat belts.
3) When and how Oxygen equipment is to be used.
4) Restrictions on Smoking.
5) Location and method of opening emergency exits.
6) Use of evacuation slides
7) How to brace oneself while experiencing impact loads for all seat orientations.
8) Location and Use of Life Saving Rafts/Jackets for over water flights.
9) Routes from passenger area to emergency exits.
10) Restrictions on use of mobile phone, laptops, electronic devices, etc.

4. Proving/Validation Flights
• Proving flights will be required to demonstrate the readiness of the applicant to conduct
operations using the equipment, facilities, services and personnel identified in the application
and the associated documents in accordance with the procedures spelt out in the Operations
Manual. When these flights are conducted with passengers e.g. for re-certification of existing
operators the flights will be termed as validation flights. The scope and nature of proving flights
are detailed in Appendix ‘I’ Para 18.

• The applicant/operator will be required to conduct proving flights for the following purpose:
a) First issue of an AOC.
b) The introduction of a new aircraft type in the organization.
c) Prior to first operations by day or night to aerodromes above 4000 feet in elevation or having
MSA above 15000 feet.
d) Any other circumstances as considered necessary by DGCA

• Conduct of proving flight readiness check may be required for operations to a new international
destination.
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 Conduct of a proving flight

• Applicant for a scheduled operator’s permit with aeroplane AUW exceeding 5,700 kgs will be
required to conduct a minimum of 5 flight sectors on intended routes, with total duration of not less
than 10 flights hours.

• EDTO (more than 90 minutes) approvals for new aircraft/ engine combination will require two (2) EDTO
sectors on non-revenue flights. Further, EDTO time extension beyond this will require two (2) EDTO
sectors on revenue/non-revenue flights.

 Evacuation and Ditching Demonstration

• Evacuation and Ditching drills will be required to demonstrate the readiness of the applicant to
demonstrate its capability to carry out evacuation/ ditching in the event of an emergency.

5. Certification Phase
• Application for approval for special operations shall be submitted along with parawise compliance of
the CAR related to the operation. The supporting documents fulfilling requirements of the relevant CAR
and the specified Checklist shall also be submitted by the operator. The checklist should comprise the
compliance and its location in the notes section. Verification remarks column of the checklist will be
used by DGCA officer for reviewing the request for approval.

• PAWI shall scrutinise the application from airworthiness aspects and following satisfactory CAR
compliance, the same shall be forwarded to the POI for scrutiny of Operations aspects.

• POI will evaluate the documents and complete the job aids and forward the same to CFOI for issue of
approval letter for the Special operations.

• Approval copy for Special Ops will be forwarded to DAT for necessary action for inclusion into Ops
Specs.

• Upon successful completion of the proving flight or flights, the certification team will assess the
Operations specifications and review the Compliance Statement to ensure all requirements have been
satisfied for the approval of Op Specs and grant of an Air Operator Certificate.

6. Issue of an Air operator certificate

• Based on the recommendations of the Certification team, the Project manager will submit the file for
approval of the Competent Authority.

• Competent Authority, if satisfied, that the certification process has been conducted according to the
required standards, may approve the issuance of the AOC along with required Operations
Specifications certifying the competency of the applicant as an air operator.

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• An operator before starting operations shall have the schedule approved from DGCA

• Certified true copy of an AOC along with Operations Specification shall be carried on board each
aircraft operated by the operator.

7. Renewal of Air Operator certificate

• An applicant who is a holder of an AOC shall apply for the renewal, to the DGCA at least a minimum
of 90 days prior to the date of expiry. The requirements for renewal of the AOC shall be as per CAR
Section 3 Series C.

• A request for renewal of an AOC shall be forwarded to the DGCA in the prescribed form (Appendix L) at
least 90 days prior to the lapse of the validity of the AOC.

• The DGCA will then confirm a date for an inspection for AOC renewal.

SIGN. OF QUALITY MANAGER SIGN. OF TRAINING MANAGER

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