The Air Operations framework

Which operational Part applies?

The operator’s activity and aircraft complexity determine the framework.

Scope and Parts

Regulation 965/2012 establishes detailed operational rules for the operations within its scope. Part-ARO covers authority requirements; Part-ORO organisation requirements; Part-CAT commercial air transport; Part-SPA operations requiring specific approvals; Part-NCC non-commercial complex motor-powered aircraft; Part-NCO other non-commercial operations; and Part-SPO specialised operations. The regulation has defined scope and exclusions; it does not replace every rule for every aircraft.

A commercial flight is not automatically CAT: a specialised task can be SPO. Conversely, a non-commercial flight in a complex aircraft can attract NCC and organisational requirements. The operator must determine the correct regime rather than choose whichever checklist is shorter.

Definitions that change the regime

CAT transports passengers, cargo or mail for remuneration or other valuable consideration. A specialised operation uses the aircraft for activities such as agriculture, construction, photography, surveying or observation. A complex motor-powered aeroplane includes aircraft above the specified mass/seating/crew criteria or equipped with turbojet engine(s) or more than one turboprop engine, under the applicable definition.

Commercial operation is an operation for remuneration or other valuable consideration available to the public or performed under the specified contract where the customer has no control over the operator. The definitions determine obligations; an operator’s informal label does not decide the legal category.

Capability, navigation specification and approval

Aircraft equipment is necessary but not always sufficient.

RNAV and RNP

PBN uses navigation specifications with performance and functional requirements. RNAV permits operation on desired paths within the coverage/capability conditions; RNP adds onboard performance monitoring and alerting. A numeric designation normally refers to lateral accuracy in nautical miles for at least 95 percent of flight time, but the complete specification contains more than an accuracy number.

An RNP approach capability does not automatically authorise RNP AR APCH. The AR operation requires specific approval, supported by aircraft eligibility, operator procedures, training, maintenance and the prescribed assessment. Check required sensors, database currency and integrity, monitoring/alerting, contingency procedures and any chart restrictions.

Part-SPA and the operator

Specific approval regimes cover operations such as RVSM, low-visibility operations and RNP AR as applicable. Routine PBN operations may not require a separate specific approval under the current rule, but still require eligibility and compliance. A type rating or navigation receiver alone cannot establish the operator’s approval status.

The main content of the organisational and authority Parts is oversight, certification/declaration, management, manuals, training, compliance and continued control of the operation. This framework chapter identifies responsibility; the following ATS and procedure chapters teach the flight decisions.

Can you apply the rules?

Four original questions. Choose from the facts, then review the explanation.