27 February 2019
THAILAND AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATION
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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 must hold an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) before the anticipated start of operations and you are required by :
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I. Initial Application for AOC
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The application for, and grant of, an AOC is a complex process, application must be made at least 90 days before the anticipated start of operations. The processing time is dependent on your ability to comply with our regulatory requirements, which include:
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Demonstration of an appropriate organisational structure;
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Method of operational control;
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Supervision of flight operations;
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Training programme; and
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Maintenance arrangements.
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II. AOC Ownership
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An applicant for Thai AOC must have their principal place of business in the Kingdom of Thailand and operate HS-registered aircraft, will certain exceptions.
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A post holder in an AOC may not hold a post in another AOC without the approval of the CAAT.
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An AOC is not a saleable commodity and cannot be transferred from one legal entity to another.
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The fee paid for one AOC application cannot be transferred to another, even in the event of the first application being withdrawn.
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In the event that a company is sold as going concern, it will remain the same legal entity and the AOC will continue to be in force provided that the management is considered competent.
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A new company established for the purpose of purchasing the aircraft stc. from an AOC holder is a new legal entity and must apply for a new AOC prior to the commencement of commercial operations.
III. AOC Application Phase
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The 5-phases are explained briefly below:
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A preliminary discussion is held whereby basic information and general certification requirements are discussed, and an application form is provided when the applicant desires to continue with the AOC application. The applicants’ key management and staff will meet with the Authority to discuss and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions about the application process. You will be provided with an overview of the certification process and made aware of the various department responsible for financial, economic and legal matters, and for the necessment of your financial resources and ability to support the proposed operations.
You should be prepared to discuss and demonstrate that you have considered:
a) The organisation of the company
b) Where your operation will be based and the location of your principal place of business
c) The Intended AOC management structure
d) The competence of the individuals who will be working for the operation
e) How the AOC will be financed
f) What sort of Operation you require
g) What aircraft you intend to operate
h) What is area you intend to operate in
i) Your understanding of the regulations and requirements
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If the phase meeting is satisfactory and both parties are in agreement that the application may proceed you will be asked to submit a formal application. You will then be provided with an AOC Application package that includes the following documents:
a) A draft schedule of events in the Application certification process
b) The Operations Manual Checklist
c) An AOC Approvals Document template
d) The Aircraft Equipment checklist template
e) Template OPS form 4, to be completed for each nominated post holder
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2) Formal Application Phase
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This phase begins when the applicant submits the completed application letter with attachments containing the information required by the CAAT comprising a formal application package.
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The application letter shall be signed by the applicant's Accountable Executive and shall contain at least the following information:
a) a statement that application serves as a formal application for an AOC;
b) the name and address of the applicant;
c) the location and address of the applicant's principal place of business and the main base of operations;
d) a description of the applicant's business organization and corporate structure, name, and addresses of those entities and individuals having a major financial interest;
e) the name and address of the applicant's legal representative;
f) the identity of key management personal – Refer to AOCR, Chapter 1
g) the nature of the proposed operations
h) the desired date for the operation to commence.
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The attachments that need to accompany the formal application letter are:
a) the identification of the operation specifications sought with information on how associated conditions will be met.
b) the schedule of events in the certification process with appropriate events addressed and target dates;
c) an initial statement of compliance or detailed description of how the applicant intends to show compliance with each provision of the air navigation regulations; – Statement of Compliance to the AOC Requirement
d) the management structure and key staff members including, functional tasks, lines of reporting-authority-accountabilities, titles, names, backgrounds, qualifications, and experience, with regulatory requirements satisfied;
e) the details of the SMS framework
f) a list of designated destination and alternate aerodromes for scheduled services, areas of operation for non-scheduled services and bases for operations, as appropriate to the intended operations;
g) a list of aircraft to be operated;
h) documents of purchase, leases, contracts or letters of intent;
i) arrangements for crew and ground personnel training and qualification, facilities and equipment required and available;
j) the operations manual, properly structure on Parts A, B, C and D;
k) the GeneralMaintenance Manual (GMM);
l) detail of the method of control and supervision of operations to be used;
m) Complete Forms 107, 108, 109.
n) The detail of the Quality Management System
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Documents to be submitted – Refer to AOCR, Chapter 1 and RCAB 85
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Important to Know:
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The applicant shall complete Form: OPS Form 100, OPS Form 101, and OPS Form 4 and all required Manuals (Listed in Document to be submitted) and submit to CAAT.
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Please, complete forms: CAAT Form CL 107, CAAT Form CL 108 and CAAT Form CL 109
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3) Document Evaluation Phase
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A thorough evaluation of all the manuals, documents, and attachments etc. This is to ensure that all documentation meets the required standards and requirements. All manuals and documents submitted will also be retrained by the Authority during the currency of an AOC.
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4) Demonstration and Evaluation Phase
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The applicant demonstrates to CAAT an ability to comply with regulations and safe operating practices to ensure that the applicant has an adequate organisation, the method of control and supervision of flight operations, training programme, ground handling, and maintenance through proving flights for evaluation by CAAT.
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CAAT will normally call for a meeting with the applicant to review the results or any findings to be resolved before the Certification phase.
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After all, documentation has been assessed to be complete, the AOC will be issued with the corresponding operations specifications to enable the applicant to commence revenue operations.
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Valid of initial of AOC not more than 2 years.
IV. The Renewal of an AOC
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The operator needs to apply for renewal of the AOC using form (Application for renewal/variation to an air operator certificate), including any other forms or documents may be required that was submitted prior to the original certification and should be received by CAAT at least 60 days before the expiration date of the AOC. The audit and routine inspection results will be used to assess whether the operator can continue to hold an AOC.
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Valid of renewed AOC not more than 5 years.
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Application for Renewal/Variation to an Air Operator Certificate
V. AOC Charges
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The CAAT charges for an AOC. The cost of an AOC is based upon the type and weight of aircraft that you intend to operate.
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The charge for the initial issue of an AOC is determined by the planned scope and scale of the operation.
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The CAAT charges for an AOC – Refer to Announcement of CAAT B.E.2561
VI. List of Thai Air Operator Certificate Holder
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For more information on the application process for an air operator certificate, Please contact us: