AIR OPERATOR CERTIFICATION

(Annex 6)
Definitions
“Aircraft operating manual” means a manual, acceptable to the State, containing normal, abnormal and emergency
procedures, checklists, limitations, performance information, details of the aircraft systems and other material relevant
to the operation of the aircraft.
“Aircraft type” means all aircraft of the same basic design;
“Aircraft technical log” means a document carried on board an aircraft for recording defects and malfunctions
discovered during operation and for recording details of all maintenance carried out whilst the aircraft is operating
between scheduled visits to the base maintenance facility. It also contains operating information relevant to flight
safety and maintenance data that the operating crew needs to know
“Airframe” means the fuselage, booms, nacelles, cowlings, fairings, airfoil surfaces, including rotors but excluding
propellers and rotating airfoils of a power plant, and landing gear of an aircraft and their accessories and controls;
“Air Operator certificate (AOC)” means a certificate authorizing an operator to carry out specified commercial air
transport operations
“Aerial work" means an aircraft operation in which an aircraft issued for specialized services including, agriculture,
construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, and aerial advertisement;
“Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO)” means an organization approved to perform specific aircraft
maintenance activities by the Authority. These activities may include the inspection, overhaul, maintenance, repair or
modification and release to service of aircraft or aircraft components;
“Avionics” means the electronics and electrical systems on aircraft and spacecraft such as the navigation,
communications, flight data and control systems
“Certificate of release to service” means a certification made by an appropriately licensed personnel relating to
aircraft maintenance work that the work has been completed in a satisfactory manner in accordance with Regulations
and Standards
“Maintenance” means tasks required to ensure the continued airworthiness of an aircraft or aircraft components
including any one or combination of overhaul, repair, inspection, replacement, modification, and defect rectification
“Modification” means a change to the type design of an aircraft or aeronautical product which is not a repair.
“Wet lease” means a contractual arrangement where the leased aircraft is operated by flight crew members of the
Lessor
“Dry lease” means a contractual arrangement where the leased aircraft is operated by flight crew members of the
Lessee
“Major repair” means a repair of an aeronautical product that might appreciably affect the structural strength,
performance, powerplant, operation flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness or environmental
characteristics, or that will be embodied in the product using non-standard
Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO)" means an organization approved to perform-specific aircraft
maintenance by the Authority.
Air Operator Certificate
An Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is a certificate authorising an operator to carry out specified commercial air
transport operations. (ICAO Annex 6)
 It is an approval granted by the State in which the Operator is registered (national aviation authority)to an
aircraft operator to allow it to use aircraft for commercial purposes.
 Prior to commencing commercial air operations, the operator shall apply for and obtain an air operator
certificate (AOC) operator certificate)
 It specifies the type of operation that the Operator is licensed to perform.
 It sets out the conditions under which the authorized operations will be performed.
Categories
AOCs can be granted for one or more of the following activities:
• Regular public transport (RPT) (low capacity and high capacity)
• Charter (low capacity and high capacity)
• Aerial advertising
• Aerial photography
 • Aerial spotting
• Aerial surveying
• Air ambulance or aeromedical
• Firefighting
• Flight Training
Low capacity operations is when operating aircraft with under 38 passenger seats, high capacity is above that

Contents of Air Operator’s Certificate

a) A certificate number assigned to the AOC
b) Name and location of the main place of business of the Air Operators Certificate (AOC)
c) The State of the Operator and the issuing authority
d) Date of issue and period of validity;
e) The location, in a controlled document carried on board, where the contact details of operational management
can be found.
f) A certificate for public display issued by the Authority
g) Operation specifications containing the terms and conditions applicable to the certificate.
h) A description of the type of operations authorized
i) The type of aircraft authorized for use
j) The authorized areas of operations
k) Special limitations; and
l) Special authorizations/approvals e.g.:
• CAT II/III including minima:
MNPS
ETOPS
RNAV
RVSM
• Transportation of Dangerous goods.
• Authorization to provide cabin crew initial safety training
KCAA Requirements For Issue of AOC
The requirements for obtaining an AOC:
• Sufficient personnel with the required experience for the type of operations requested,
• Airworthy aircraft, suitable for the type of operations requested,
• Acceptable systems for the training of crew and the operation of the aircraft (Operations Manual)
• A quality system to ensure that all applicable regulations are followed,
• Key accountable staff, who are responsible for specific safety critical functions such as training, maintenance
and operations,
• Sufficient insurance to cover the injury or death of any passenger carried.
• Proof that the operator has sufficient finances to fund the operation
• Sufficient ground infrastructure (arrangements) for the supply of sufficient infrastructure, to support its
operations into the ports requested.
Applicant's Requirements for AOC
The air operator certificate (AOC) is issued to an aircraft if the applicant:—
(a) Is registered in the Kenya;
(b) Meets the applicable regulations and standards for an AOC;
(c) Is properly qualified and adequately staffed and equipped to conduct safe operations in commercial air transport
and maintenance of the aircraft;
(d) Holds a valid air service license issued under the Air Services Licensing Regulations; and
(e) Has an approved aircraft operator security programme in accordance with the Civil Aviation (Security)
Regulations, and meets any other requirements as specified by the Authority.
AOC Application Process
The 5-phase process is as follows:
Phase 1: Pre-application discussion
 • Discuss with CAA on your proposed business model and operations. CAA will get back on your suitability to
apply for an AOC and the general certification requirements.
• CAAS(AW)67 - Application for the initial issue of Air Operator Certificate (AOC) will be issued to you if you
want to continue with an AOC application.
Phase 2: Formal application
Complete and submit to CAA form CAA(AW)67 and all required Manuals and Exposition Documents (listed below),
with a non-refundable application fee as specified in the Second Schedule of the ANR-119

What to submit:
– Operations Manual(s);
– Training Manual(s);
– Engineering Exposition Document(s) / Maintenance Control Manual(s);
– Aircraft Flight Manual
– Performance Schedules;
– Safety Management System Manual; and
– Any other relevant manuals/documents
Phase 3: Document evaluation
A thorough evaluation of your manuals, documents and attachments submitted will be conducted by CAA.
Phase 4: Demonstration and Inspection
• Demonstrate to CAA your ability to comply with regulations and safe operating practices.
• Demonstrate to CAA that your operator has an organisation structure, method of control and supervision of
flights, training, ground handling and maintenance through proving flights and evaluation of respective
organizations.
Phase 5: Certification
• After all the demonstrations and evaluations, including review of documentation, have been completed
satisfactorily, you will be awarded with the AOC and its applicable Operations Specifications.
• Periodic inspections of your operations will be conducted by CAAS to ensure continued compliance with the
regulations and safe operating practices.
Compliance with an Air Operator Certificate.
An Operator will not be granted an AOC, or a variation to an AOC, and that AOC will not remain valid unless:
(a) Aeroplanes operated have a standard Certificate of Airworthiness issued in accordance with the applicable
regulations.
(b) The maintenance system has been approved by the Authority in accordance with OPS maintenance requirements.
(c) The Authority is satisfied that the Operator has the ability to:
– Establish and maintain an adequate organisation.
– Establish and maintain a quality system in accordance with OPS
– Comply with required training programmes.
– Comply with maintenance requirements, consistent with the nature and extent of the operations specified,
including the relevant items prescribed in the requirements to hold an AOC.
– Comply with the conditions of the AOC.
(d) If the Authority is not satisfied that these requirements above have been met, it may require the conduct of one or
more demonstration flights operated as if they were commercial air transport flights.
• An applicant for an AOC, or variation of an AOC, shall allow the Authority to examine all safety aspects of the
proposed operation.
• An applicant for an AOC must:
i. Not hold an AOC issued by another Authority unless specifically approved by the Authorities
concerned.
ii. Have his principal place of business and, if any, his registered office located in the State responsible
for issuing the AOC.
iii. Satisfy the Authority that he is able to conduct safe operations.
• If an Operator has aeroplanes registered in different Member States, appropriate arrangements shall be made to
ensure appropriate safety oversight.
• An Operator shall grant the Authority access to his organisation and aeroplanes and shall ensure that, with respect
to maintenance, access is granted to any associated maintenance organisation, to determine continued compliance.
• An AOC will be varied, suspended or revoked if the Authority is no longer satisfied that the Operator can maintain
safe operations.
The Operator must satisfy the Authority that:
- Its organisation and management are suitable and properly matched to the scale and scope of the operation; and
- Procedures for the supervision of operations have been defined.
• The Operator must have nominated an accountable manager acceptable to the Authority who has corporate
authority for ensuring that all operations and maintenance activities can be financed and carried out to the standard
required by the Authority.
• The Operator must have nominated post holders, acceptable to the Authority, who are responsible for the
management and supervision of the following areas:
(1) Flight operations.
(2) The maintenance system.
(3) Crew training.
(4) Ground operations.
• A Person may hold more than one of the nominated posts if acceptable to the Authority but, for Operators who
employ 21 or more full time staff, a minimum of two persons are required to cover the four areas of responsibility.
• For Operators who employ 20 or less full time staff, one or more of the nominated posts may be filled by the
accountable manager if acceptable to the Authority.
• The Operator must:
o ensure that every flight is conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Operations Manual.
o arrange appropriate ground handling facilities to ensure the safe handling of its flights.
o ensure that its aeroplanes are equipped and its crews are qualified, as required for the area and type of
operation.
o comply with the maintenance requirements, in accordance with Part M, for all aeroplanes operated under
the terms of its AOC.
o provide the Authority with a copy of the Operations Manual, as specified in Subpart P and all amendments
or revisions to it.
o maintain operational support facilities at the main operating base appropriate for the area and type of
operation.
Variation & Validity of an AOC
AOC shall be valid for twelve months from the date of issue or renewal, unless:
• the Authority amends, suspends, revokes or otherwise terminates the certificate
• an AOC holder surrenders it to the Authority
• the Authority establishes that the Air Operator has suspended operations for more than 60 continuous days or
• the AOC holder notifies the Authority of the suspension of operations