If Thailand is your principal place of business and you intend to operate your aircraft for the purpose of Public Transport/Commercial Air Transport, you are required by the Regulation on Civil Aviation Board No. 85 on The Air Operator Certificate, Regulation on Civil Aviation Board No. 86 on Operation of Aircraft, and Air Operator Certificate Requirements (AOCR) to hold an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) before the anticipated start of operations.
The Air Operator Certificate Requirements (AOCR) standards, conditions, qualities, qualifications, and procedures necessary to qualify for and maintain an AOC, as well as incorporate new practices or procedures to ensure the safety of the travelling public.
INITIAL APPLICATION FOR AOC
1. The application for, and grant of, an AOC is a complicated process involving much effort and detailed work by both the applicant and the Authority. Hence, an applicant should contact the Authority as far in advance as possible, and submit all required manuals and documents, AT LEAST 90 DAYS BEFORE the anticipated start of operations. The time taken to process an application will depend on the completeness of the information submitted and the progress the applicant makes in demonstrating an adequate organisation, method of control and supervision of flight operations, training programme and maintenance arrangements consistent with the nature and extent of the operations specified. Nevertheless, no undertaking can be given for an AOC to be granted within any requested timeframe.
2. A 5-phase process for systematic handling of all AOC applications has been adopted.
The 5-phases are explained briefly below:
(a) Pre-application phase
This phase commences when a prospective applicant makes his initial inquiries regarding application for an AOC. A preliminary discussion is held whereby basic information and general certification requirements are discussed, and an application form (see the application process for an Air Operator Certificate below) is provided when the applicant desires to continue with the AOC application. When the information is sufficient including the financial status, a preapplication meeting is arranged, at which the applicants’ key management and staff will meet with the Authority to discuss the plans and specific aspects of the proposed operation.
(b) Formal application phase
This phase begins when the applicant submits the completed form and required manuals and exposition documents (General Maintenance Manuals – see AOCR Chapters 2, 4 and 8) to the Authority.
This phase shall commence at least 90 days before the desired start of revenue operations. After preliminary review to verify that the applicant has submitted the required information and attachments, a formal application meeting with the applicant’s management team will be arranged where detailed examination of all aspects of proposed aircraft types and their operations, management structure, ground and flight crew structure and training, premises, equipment, etc. will be conducted. The applicant’s proposed schedule of events for submissions, inspections and training of the Authority’s officers on the proposed aircraft type(s) (at the applicant’s expense) will be examined and agreed by both parties to guide the subsequent phases.
(c) Document evaluation phase
A thorough evaluation of all the manuals, documents and attachments etc. that are required by regulations to be submitted to support an AOC application will begin in this phase. This is to ensure that all documentation meets the required standards and requirements. All manuals and documents submitted will also be retained by the Authority during the currency of an AOC.
(d) Applicant’s demonstration and Authority’s evaluation phase
An applicant is required to demonstrate his ability to comply with regulations and safe operating practices before actual revenue operations can begin. This is to ensure that the applicant has an adequate organisation, method of control and supervision of flight operations, training programme as well as ground handling1 and maintenance arrangement that are consistent with the nature and extent of operations specified. These may include one or more proving flights where actual performance of activities (maintenance and ground handling and the use of dummy loads where appropriate) and operations, are observed and evaluated by the Authority.
All operations must be performed in accordance with applicant’s documents and manuals as reviewed in the previous phase. However, the Authority may require additional time or additional proving flights to validate the ability and overall safe operations before concluding this phase.
On completion of the demonstration and evaluation phase, the Authority will normally call for a meeting with the applicant to review the results or any findings to be resolved before the Certification phase.
(e) Certification phase
After all documentation has been assessed to be complete including both operational and financial capability, the demonstration phase has been completed satisfactorily, and the applicant is assessed to be competent, the AOC will be issued with the corresponding operations specifications (containing authorisations, limitations and provisions specific to each applicant) to enable the applicant to commence revenue operations.
3. If any significant deficiency is revealed at any stage of the evaluation process and the deficiency cannot be resolved by the interaction between the Authority and the applicant, the Authority will advise the applicant in writing of the nature of the deficiency and the actions required. The application will not be processed until the deficiency is resolved.
The following documents must be submitted to the Authority together with the completed form:
(a) Operations Manual
(b) Aircraft Flight Manual
(c) GMM – General Maintenance Manual
(d) Aircraft Maintenance Program Manual
(e) Minimum Equipment List
(f) Training Manual (Flight crew, Cabin Crew, Dispatcher and Ground staff)
(g) Dangerous Goods Manual (if applicable)
(h) Security Manual
(i) Safety Management Manual
(j) Emergency Manual
(k) Flight Operations Officer or Dispatcher Manual
(l) Cabin Crew Manual
(m) Quality Assurance Manual
(n) Other manual if the Authority required such as the Ground Handling / Services Manual Ground handling includes services that are necessary for an aircraft’s arrival at, and departure from, an airport, other than air traffic services.
Air Operator Certificate is normally valid for not more than 2 years for initial issue. Thereafter, it may be renewed for not more than 5 years subject to the satisfaction of the Authority. The type(s) of aircraft that may be flown and the associated operational approvals are specified in the operations specifications.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR AN AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATE, CLICK BELOW:
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE AOC REQUIREMENT, CLICK BELOW:
REGULATION AND GUIDANCE MATERIAL:
LIST OF THAILAND AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATE HOLDER
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR AN AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATE, PLEASE CONTACT US:
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, Flight Operations Standards Department.
333/105 Lak Si Plaza (Building 2, Floor 12th),
Khampheang Phet 6 Rd., Tarad Bang Khen,
Lak Si, Bangkok, Thailand 10210
Tel : 66+ 2568 8842 – 3
E-Mail : [email protected]
An officer will be assigned to guide you through the application process.