How do I start an operation?  

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TO ALL INITIAL OPERATORS

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FIVE PHASES AOC PROCESS -  PERIOD: Approximately  6 - 12 months from CIPC applicatioon for PTY Ltd registration (service is out-sourced), ASL application with NDoT, AOC applicaiton. 

 

According to ICAO Standards, the SACAA has introduced a new 5 Phase Air Operating Certificate process with immediate effect to keep South Africa ICAO compliant.

 

The Initial Point of Contact (IPOC) or Inquiry Stage:

 

• The Operator contacts the SACAA Flight Operations Department.

• The Operator introduces him/her self to the relevant Parts i.e. 121,135,127or141.

• The relevant Head of Operations will then introduce the applicant to the 5phase process.

• The applicant will be supplied with the POPS Bundle.

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The Applicant submits the completed POPS bundle to the Head of Operations, who will then appoint a team of inspectors to guide the operator through the 5 stages.

 

1. Pre-Application Meeting:

 

The team will meet with the applicant and will introduce the whole process. They will supply all required documents and Guidance Material to the Client to progress to the next stage.

 

2. Formal Application Phase:

 

The Team will ensure that the Formal Application Documentation is assessed and verified and will then advise the applicant to forward the documents to the ASLC and the fee, to the Department of Transport. This phase will be completed by the Council.

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3. Documentation Verification and Approval Phase:

 

At this phase the many required documents, i.e. Operations Manual, Maintenance Control Manual, Minimum Equipment List, Training Manuals and Manuals of Procedures will be submitted together with the required Statements of Compliance to the SACAA, to be checked by the appropriate Inspectorate.

 

4. Demonstration Phase:

 

During this phase the Operator will be required to demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirements i.e. Route flight, Evacuation/Ditching drills and any other requirement made by the Commissioner. For example, the Operator will be called to make a flight or flights empty except for crew and the CAA, to one or all of his proposed destinations. During these flights they will be called on to demonstrate their ability to control and manage a variety of unusual and emergency conditions. In the US the operator can be called on to carry out 100 hours of proving flights. On a long haul flight to maybe London, the operator will operate this flight empty and will be required to demonstrate a diversion on route! In South Africa, we will at least need to comply with the ICAO requirements, which are less restrictive.

 

In addition, any special approvals, i.e. RVSM/ETOPS and CAT II/III ILS will have to be approved and demonstrated.

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5. Inspection and Certification Phase:

 

This will consist of the normal pre-AOC inspection. On satisfactory conclusion, the inspector will then recommend whether the AOC be issued or NOT.