Air Operator Certificate

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Article Information
Category:	Certification
Content source:	SKYbrary
Content control:	EUROCONTROL

An Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is a certificate authorizing an operator to carry out specified commercial air transport operations. (ICAO Annex 6)

An operator shall not operate an aeroplane for the purpose of commercial air transportation otherwise than under, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC). (EU-OPS 1.175 (a))

EU-OPS 1.175 details the general rules for Air Operator Certification.

An AOC specifies the:

(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
• ETOPS
• RNAV
• RVSM
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods. (Appendix 1 to EU-OPS 1.175)

Further Reading

EU-OPS, especially EU-OPS 1.175 and ACJ OPS 1.175