An AOC specifies the: SUBPART C Operator certification and supervision Appendix 1 to OPS 1.175 Contents and conditions of the Air Operator Certificate (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 authorised; (d) Type(s) of aeroplane(s) authorised 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) Authorised areas of operation; (g) Special limitations; and (h) Special authorisations/approvals e.g.: CAT II/CAT III (including approved minima), (MNPS) Minimum navigation performance specifications, (ETOPS) Extended range operation twin engined aeroplanes, (RNAV) Area navigation, (RVSM) Reduced vertical separation minima, Transportation of dangerous goods, Authorisation to provide cabin crew initial safety training and, if applicable, to issue the attestation provided for in Subpart O, for those operators who provide such training directly or indirectly. SUBPART D Operational procedures OPS 1.192 Terminology The terms which are listed below are for use within the context of this regulation. (a) Adequate Aerodrome. An aerodrome which the operator considers to be satisfactory, taking account of the applicable performance requirements and runway characteristics; at the expected time of use, the aerodrome will be available and equipped with necessary ancillary services such as ATS, sufficient lighting, communications, weather reporting, navaids and emergency services. (b) ETOPS (Extended range operations for two engine aeroplanes). ETOPS operations are those with two engine aeroplanes approved by the Authority (ETOPS approval), to operate beyond the threshold distance determined in accordance with OPS 1.245 (a) from an Adequate Aerodrome. (c) Adequate ETOPS en-route alternate aerodrome. An adequate aerodrome, which additionally, at the expected time of use, has an ATS facility and at least one instrument approach procedure. (d) En-route alternate (ERA) aerodrome. An adequate aerodrome along the route, which may be required at the planning stage. (e) 3 % ERA. An en-route alternate aerodrome selected for the purposes of reducing contingency fuel to 3 %. (f) Isolated aerodrome. If acceptable to the Authority, the destination aerodrome can be considered as an isolated aerodrome, if the fuel required (diversion plus final) to the nearest adequate destination alternate aerodrome is more than:
For aeroplanes with reciprocating engines, fuel to fly for 45 minutes plus 15 % of the flight time planned to be spent at cruising level or two hours, whichever is less; or For aeroplanes with turbine engines, fuel to fly for two hours at normal cruise consumption above the destination aerodrome, including final reserve fuel. (g) Equivalent position. A position that can be established by means of a DME distance, a suitably located NDB or VOR, SRE or PAR fix or any other suitable fix between three and five miles from threshold that independently establishes the position of the aeroplane. (h) Critical phases of flight. Critical phases of flight are the take-off run, the take-off flight path, the final approach, the landing, including the landing roll, and any other phases of flight at the discretion of the commander. (i) Contingency fuel. The fuel required to compensate for unforeseen factors which could have an influence on the fuel consumption to the destination aerodrome such as deviations of an individual aeroplane from the expected fuel consumption data, deviations from forecast meteorological conditions and deviations from planned routings and/or cruising levels/altitudes. (j) Separate runways. Runways at the same aerodrome that are separate landing surfaces. These runways may overlay or cross in such a way that if one of the runways is blocked, it will not prevent the planned type of operations on the other runway. Each runway shall have a separate approach procedure based on a separate navigation aid. (k) Approved one-engine-inoperative cruise speed. For ETOPS, the approved one-engine-inoperative cruise speed for the intended area of operation shall be a speed, within the certified limits of the aeroplane, selected by the operator and approved by the regulatory authority. (l) ETOPS area. An ETOPS area is an area containing airspace within which an ETOPS approved aeroplane remains in excess of the specified flying time in still air (in standard conditions) at the approved one-engineinoperative cruise speed from an adequate ETOPS route alternate aerodrome. (m) Dispatch. ETOPS planning minima applies until dispatch. Dispatch is when the aircraft first moves under its own power for the purpose of taking off. OPS 1.245 Maximum distance from an adequate aerodrome for two-engined aeroplanes without an ETOPS approval (See OPS 1.192) (a) Unless specifically approved by the Authority in accordance with OPS 1.246 (a) (ETOPS approval), an operator shall not operate a two-engined aeroplane over a route which contains a point further from an adequate aerodrome (under standard conditions in still air) than, in the case of: 1. Performance Class A aeroplanes with either: (i) a maximum approved passenger seating configuration of 20 or more; or (ii) a maximum take-off mass of 45 360 kg or more, the distance flown in 60 minutes at the one-engine-inoperative cruise speed determined in accordance with subparagraph (b) below; 2. Performance Class A aeroplanes with: (i) a maximum approved passenger seating configuration of 19 or less; and (ii) a maximum take-off mass less than 45 360 kg,
the distance flown in 120 minutes or, if approved by the Authority, up to 180 minutes for turbo-jet aeroplanes, at the one-engine-inoperative cruise speed determined in accordance with subparagraph (b) below; 3. Performance Class B or C aeroplanes: (i) The distance flown in 120 minutes at the one-engine-inoperative cruise speed determined in accordance with subparagraph (b) below; or (ii) 300 nautical miles, whichever is less. (b) An operator shall determine a speed for the calculation of the maximum distance to an adequate aerodrome for each two-engined aeroplane type or variant operated, not exceeding VMO, based upon the true airspeed that the aeroplane can maintain with one-engine-inoperative. (c) An operator must ensure that the following data, specific to each type or variant, is included in the Operations Manual: 1. the one-engine-inoperative cruise speed determined in accordance with subparagraph (b) above; and 2. the maximum distance from an adequate aerodrome determined in accordance with subparagraphs (a) and (b) above. Note: The speeds specified above are only intended to be used for establishing the maximum distance from an adequate aerodrome. OPS 1.246 Extended range operations with two-engined aeroplanes (ETOPS) (See OPS 1.192) (a) An operator shall not conduct operations beyond the threshold distance determined in accordance with OPS 1.245 unless approved to do so by the Authority (ETOPS approval). (b) Prior to conducting an ETOPS flight, an operator shall ensure that an adequate ETOPS en-route alternate is available, within either the operator s approved diversion time, or a diversion time based on the MEL generated serviceability status of the aeroplane, whichever is shorter. (See also OPS 1.297 (d)). OPS 1.255 Fuel policy (See Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 to OPS 1.255) (a) An operator must establish a fuel policy for the purpose of flight planning and in-flight re-planning to ensure that every flight carries sufficient fuel for the planned operation and reserves to cover deviations from the planned operation. (b) An operator shall ensure that the planning of flights is at least based upon 1. and 2. below: 1. Procedures contained in the Operations Manual and data derived from: (i) data provided by the aeroplane manufacturer; or (ii) current aeroplane specific data derived from a fuel consumption monitoring system. 2. The operating conditions under which the flight is to be conducted including:
(i) realistic aeroplane fuel consumption data; (ii) anticipated masses; (iii) expected meteorological conditions; and (iv) air navigation services provider(s) procedures and restrictions. (c) An operator shall ensure that the pre-flight calculation of usable fuel required for a flight includes: 1. Taxi fuel; and 2. Trip fuel; and 3. Reserve fuel consisting of: (i) contingency fuel (see OPS 1.192); and (ii) alternate fuel, if a destination alternate aerodrome is required. (This does not preclude selection of the departure aerodrome as the destination alternate aerodrome); and (iii) final reserve fuel; and (iv) additional fuel, if required by the type of operation (e.g. ETOPS); and 4. extra fuel if required by the commander. (d) An operator shall ensure that in-flight re-planning procedures for calculating usable fuel required when a flight has to proceed along a route or to a destination aerodrome other than originally planned includes: 1. trip fuel for the remainder of the flight; and 2. reserve fuel consisting of: (i) contingency fuel; and (ii) alternate fuel, if a destination alternate aerodrome is required (this does not preclude selection of the departure aerodrome as the destination alternate aerodrome); and (iii) final reserve fuel; and (iv) additional fuel, if required by the type of operation (e.g. ETOPS); and 3. extra fuel if required by the commander OPS 1.295 Selection of aerodromes (a) An operator shall establish procedures for the selection of destination and/or alternate aerodromes in accordance with OPS 1.220 when planning a flight. (b) An operator must select and specify in the operational flight plan a take-off alternate aerodrome if it would not be possible to return to the departure aerodrome for meteorological or performance reasons. The take-off alternate aerodrome, in relation to the departure aerodrome, shall be located within: 1. for two-engined aeroplanes, either:
(i)one hour flight time at a one-engine-inoperative cruising speed according to the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) in still air standard conditions based on the actual take-off mass; or (ii) the operator s approved ETOPS diversion time, subject to any MEL restriction, up to a maximum of two hours, at the one-engine-inoperative cruising speed according to the AFM in still air standard conditions based on the actual take-off mass for aeroplanes and crews authorised for ETOPS; or 2. two hours flight time at a one-engine-inoperative cruising speed according to the AFM in still air standard conditions based on the actual take-off mass for three and four-engined aeroplanes; and 3. if the AFM does not contain a one-engine-inoperative cruising speed, the speed to be used for calculation must be that which is achieved with the remaining engine(s) set at maximum continuous power. (c) An operator must select at least one destination alternate for each IFR flight unless: 1. both: (i) the duration of the planned flight from take-off to landing or, in the event of in-flight replanning in accordance with OPS 1.255(d), the remaining flying time to destination does not exceed six hours, and or (ii) two separate runways (see OPS 1.192) are available and usable at the destination aerodrome and the appropriate weather reports or forecasts for the destination aerodrome, or any combination thereof, indicate that for the period from one hour before until one hour after the expected time of arrival at the destination aerodrome, the ceiling will be at least 2 000 ft or circling height + 500 ft, whichever is greater, and the visibility will be at least 5 km; 2. the destination aerodrome is isolated. (d) An operator must select two destination alternate aerodromes when: 1. the appropriate weather reports or forecasts for the destination aerodrome, or any combination thereof, indicate that during a period commencing one hour before and ending one hour after the estimated time of arrival, the weather conditions will be below the applicable planning minima (see OPS 1.297(b)); or 2. no meteorological information is available. (e) An operator shall specify any required alternate aerodrome(s) in the operational flight plan. OPS 1.297 Planning minima for IFR flights (a) Planning minima for a take-off alternate aerodrome. An operator shall only select an aerodrome as a take-off alternate aerodrome when the appropriate weather reports or forecasts or any combination thereof indicate that, during a period commencing one hour before and ending one hour after the estimated time of arrival at the aerodrome, the weather conditions will be at or above the applicable landing minima specified in accordance with OPS 1.225. The ceiling must be taken into account when the only approaches available are non-precision and/or circling approaches. Any limitation related to one-engine-inoperative operations must be taken into account. (b) Planning minima for a destination aerodrome (except isolated destination aerodromes). An operator shall only select the destination aerodrome and when: 1. the appropriate weather reports or forecasts, or any combination thereof, indicate that, during a period commencing one hour before and ending one hour after the estimated time of arrival at the aerodrome,
the weather conditions will be at or above the applicable planning minima as follows: (i) RVR/visibility specified in accordance with OPS 1.225; and (ii) For a non-precision approach or a circling approach, the ceiling at or above MDH; or 2. two destination alternate aerodromes are selected under OPS 1.295(d). (c) Planning minima for a: - destination alternate aerodrome, or - isolated aerodrome, or - 3 % ERA aerodrome, or - en-route alternate aerodrome required at the planning stage An operator shall only select an aerodrome for one of those purposes when the appropriate weather reports or forecasts, or any combination thereof, indicate that, during a period commencing one hour before and ending one hour after the estimated time of arrival at the aerodrome, the weather conditions will be at or above the planning minima in Table 1 below. Table 1 Planning minima Destination alternate aerodrome, isolated destination aerodrome, 3 % ERA and en-route alternate aerodrome Type of approach Planning minima Cat II and III Cat I (Note 1) Cat I Non-precision (Notes 1 and 2) Non-precision Non-precision (Notes 1 and 2) plus 200 ft / 1 000 m Circling Circling Note 1 RVR. Note 2 The ceiling must be at or above the MDH. (d) Planning minima for an ETOPS en-route alternate aerodrome. An operator shall only select an aerodrome as an ETOPS en-route alternate aerodrome when the appropriate weather reports or forecasts, or any combination thereof, indicate that, between the anticipated time of landing until one hour after the latest possible time of landing, conditions calculated by adding the additional limits of Table 2 will exist. An operator shall include in the Operations Manual the method for determining the operating minima at the planned ETOPS en-route alternate aerodrome. Table 2 Planning minima ETOPS Approach facility Alternate airfield ceiling Weather minima Visibility/RVR Precision approach procedure. Authorised DH/DA plus an Authorised visibility plus an increment of 200 ft increment Non-precision approach or circling approach Authorised MDH/MDA plus an increment of 400 ft of 800 metres Authorised visibility plus an increment of 1 500 metres
SUBPART L Communication and navigation equipment OPS 1.865 Communication and navigation equipment for operations under IFR, or under VFR over routes not navigated by reference to visual landmarks (a) An operator shall not operate an aeroplane under IFR, or under VFR over routes that cannot be navigated by reference to visual landmarks, unless the aeroplane is equipped with radio communication and SSR transponder and navigation equipment in accordance with the requirements of air traffic services in the area(s) of operation. (b) Radio equipment. An operator shall ensure that radio equipment comprises not less than: 1. two independent radio communication systems necessary under normal operating conditions to communicate with an appropriate ground station from any point on the route including diversions; and 2. SSR transponder equipment as required for the route being flown. (c) for short-haul operations in the NAT MNPS airspace not crossing the North Atlantic, an aeroplane may be equipped with one long range communication system (HF-system) only if alternative communication procedures are published for the airspace concerned. (d) Navigation equipment. An operator shall ensure that navigation equipment 1. Comprises not less than: (i)one VOR receiving system, one ADF system, one DME except that an ADF system need not be installed provided that the use of the ADF is not required in any phase of the planned flight; (ii) one ILS or MLS where ILS or MLS is required for approach navigation purposes; (iii) one marker beacon receiving system where a marker beacon is required for approach navigation purposes; (iv) an area navigation system when area navigation is required for the route being flown; (v) an additional DME system on any route, or part thereof, where navigation is based only on DME signals; (vi) an additional VOR receiving system on any route, or part thereof, where navigation is based only on VOR signals; (vii) an additional ADF system on any route, or part thereof, where navigation is based only on NDB signals; or 2. complies with the required navigation performance (RNP) type for operation in the airspace concerned. (e) An operator may operate an aeroplane that is not equipped with an ADF or with the navigation equipment specified in subparagraph(s) (c)1(vi) and/or (c)1(vii) above, provided that it is equipped with alternative equipment authorised, for the route being flown, by the Authority. The reliability and the accuracy of alternative equipment must allow safe navigation for the intended route. (f) An operator shall ensure that VHF communication equipment, ILS Localiser and VOR receivers installed on aeroplanes to be operated in IFR are of a type that has been approved as complying with the FM immunity performance standards. (g) An operator shall ensure that aeroplanes conducting ETOPS have a communication means capable of communicating with an appropriate ground station at normal and planned contingency altitudes. For ETOPS routes where voice communication facilities are available, voice communications shall be provided. For all ETOPS operations beyond 180 minutes, reliable communication technology, either voice based or data link, must be installed. Where voice communication facilities are not available and where voice communication is not possible or is of poor quality, communications using alternative systems must be ensured.
SUBPART P Manuals, logs and records OPS 1.1060 Operational flight plan (a) An operator must ensure that the operational flight plan used and the entries made during flight contain the following items: 1. aeroplane registration; 2. aeroplane type and variant; 3. date of flight; 4. flight identification; 5. names of flight crew members; 6. duty assignment of flight crew members; 7. place of departure; 8. time of departure (actual off-block time, take-off time); 9. place of arrival (planned and actual); 10. time of arrival (actual landing and on-block time); 11. type of operation (ETOPS, VFR, Ferry flight, etc.) 12. route and route segments with checkpoints/waypoints, distances, time and tracks; 13. planned cruising speed and flying times between check-points/waypoints. Estimated and actual times overhead; 14. safe altitudes and minimum levels; 15. planned altitudes and flight levels; 16. fuel calculations (records of in-flight fuel checks); 17. fuel on board when starting engines; 18. alternate(s) for destination and, where applicable, take-off and en-route, including information required in subparagraphs 12, 13, 14, and 15 above; 19. initial ATS flight plan clearance and subsequent re-clearance; 20. in-flight re-planning calculations; and 21. relevant meteorological information. (b) Items which are readily available in other documentation or from another acceptable source or are irrelevant to the type of operation may be omitted from the operational flight plan. (c) An operator must ensure that the operational flight plan and its use are described in the Operations Manual. (d) An operator shall ensure that all entries on the operational flight plan are made concurrently and that they are permanent in nature.