Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC)
In this article, we will examine what an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) is and what it is for. How to get it? And what are the other details?
An AOC is a document that allows an air operator company to use aircraft for commercial purposes in certain subjects and areas. Operators must obtain an AOC from the competent aviation authority before conducting commercial air transport operations.
According to the definition of ICAO, AOC is a certificate authorizing an operator to carry out specified commercial air transport operations (ICAO Annex 6).
Besides, an AOC certificate refers to an Air Carrier Operating Certificate in the USA.
The AOC certificate is an approval given to the operating company by the relevant national aviation authority (NAA). The AOC document generally checks whether the necessary systems are in place to protect the operator’s assets, personnel and public safety. In addition, the AOC document determines which type of aviation activity the operator is permitted to and which type of aircraft it can use.
(For AOC of DRAGONFLY AVIATION SERVICES LIMITED click)
Which type of aviation activity is meant by this? The AOC document can be issued to operate in the areas listed below.
- Aerial surveying
- Aerial spotting
- Agricultural operations
- Aerial photography
- Aerial advertising
- Firefighting
- Air ambulance or aeromedical
- Flight training
- Charter
- Public transport
An aircraft operator cannot operate outside the fields of activity specified in the AOC document. AOC documents are approved by the National Aviation Authority (NAA), as we mentioned. Besides, let’s see what an AOC document covers in general. As an example, we can look at IR-OPS ORO.AOC (EU-OPS 1.175) details of the general rules for Air Operator’s Certification.
Safety Management System (SMS) and AOC
Modern Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders are required to implement a Safety Management System (SMS) as part of their operational framework. SMS enables operators to identify hazards, assess risks, monitor safety performance, and continuously improve aviation safety. During the AOC certification process, aviation authorities evaluate whether the operator has an effective SMS that complies with national and international regulations, including ICAO standards.
Recommended: Guide to Aircraft De-Icing and Anti-Icing Procedures
An AOC specifies:
(a) Name and location (principal place of business) of the operator;
(b) Date of issue and period of validity;
(c) Description of the type of operations authorized;
(d) Type(s) of airplane(s) authorized for use;
(e) Registration markings of the authorised aeroplane(s) except that operators may obtain approval for a system to inform the Authority about the registration markings for aeroplanes operated under its AOC;
(f) Authorized area of operation;
(g) Special limitations; and
(h) Special authorisations / approvals.
There are requirements that an aircraft operator must meet in order to obtain Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). These requirements are determined by the relevant NAA. However, we can mention some common conditions sought by all NAAs. These conditions are as follows:
Sufficient personnel with the required experience for the type of operations requested,
Airworthy aircraft, suitable for the type of operations requested,
Acceptable systems for the training of crew and the operation of the aircraft (Operations Manual).
• A quality system to ensure that all applicable regulations are followed:
The appointment of key accountable staff, who are responsible for specific safety-critical functions such as training, maintenance and operations,
• Carriers’ Liability Insurance (for Airlines) – Operators are to have sufficient insurance to cover the injury or death of any passenger carried.
* Proof that the operator has sufficient finances to fund the operation,
• The operator has sufficient ground infrastructure, or arrangements for the supply of sufficient infrastructure, to support its operations at the aerodromes requested.
