General operations

070 Operational ProceduresChapter 1

Operations manual and authority

Key fact

The Operations Manual must be followed except in emergencies. The PIC is responsible for following procedures. It applies to commercial air transport (passengers and cargo for remuneration). Parts: A — general/company wide; B — type specific; C — aerodrome and routes; D — training. Crew members must receive Parts A and B for personal study. Prepared in English but may be translated for staffing needs.

Key fact

SMS (Safety Management System): recommended if MCTOM over 20,000 kg; mandatory if MCTOM over 27,000 kg. Includes a Safety Review Board chaired by the Accountable Manager. Flight data monitoring required if MCTOM over 27,000 kg.

Key definitions

Term	Meaning
MOPSC	Maximum Operational Passenger Seating Configuration
MCTOM	Maximum Certified Take-Off Mass
OEI	One Engine Inoperative
AEO	All Engines Operative
ETOPS	Extended Range Twin Engine Operational Performance Standards
Isolated aerodrome	No destination alternate available

AOC and documentation

Key fact

AOC granted by the NAA to conduct CAT — requires personnel, assets, safety systems, accountable manager, and Operations Manual. Required documents: Certificate of Registration, Airworthiness, Noise Certification, AOC, Radio License, Third Party Liability Insurance, valid flight crew licences. Tech log kept 36 months after last entry. Operational flight plan, M&B, dangerous goods docs kept 3 months.

Flight planning and alternates

Take-off alternate

Key fact

Required when return to departure aerodrome is not possible due to weather or performance. 2 engines: within 1 hour OEI. 3–4 engines: within 2 hours OEI. Weather at ETA ± 1 hour within planning minima.

Destination alternate

Key fact

Always required unless isolated aerodrome OR: total flight time under 6 hours, 2+ separate runways at destination, and weather ± 1 hour ETA shows visibility 5 km+ and ceiling at least 2,000 ft AAL or circling height + 500 ft (whichever greater). 2 destination alternates required if weather below planning minima ± 1 hour ETA or no met information at destination.

Planning minima

Approach type	Planning minima
CAT II & III	CAT I RVR
CAT I	NPA RVR; ceiling at or above MDH
NPA	NPA RVR/VIS + 1,000 m; ceiling MDH + 200 ft
Circling	Circling visibility and MDH

Key fact

ETOPS alternate planning: Precision — DA/H + 200 ft, RVR/VIS + 800 m; NPA/Circling — MDA/H + 400 ft, RVR/VIS + 1,500 m. Isolated aerodrome additional fuel: jets 2 hours normal cruise + final reserve; pistons lesser of 45 min + 15% cruise or 2 hours.

Approach continuation rules

Key fact

DA/H under 1,000 ft AAL: approach may be commenced regardless of conditions; cannot continue below 1,000 ft AAL if RVR/VIS below minima. If RVR drops below minima after passing 1,000 ft AAL, may continue to DA/H or MDA/H. Must discontinue if required visual parameters not met and maintained by DA/H or MDA/H.

Key fact

DA/H over 1,000 ft AAL: cannot continue into the final approach segment (usually marked by OM) if below minima. Same discontinuation rule at DA/H or MDA/H.

ILS categories and circling

CAT	DH	RVR
I	200 ft	550 m
II	100 ft	300 m
IIIA	100 ft or none	200 m
IIIB	50 ft or none	75 m (fail-operational rollout)
IIIC	None	No limit

Category	VAT (1.3 Vso)	MDH	Vis (m)	Max circling speed
A	under 91 kts	400 ft	1,500	100 kts
B	91–120 kts	500 ft	1,600	135 kts
C	121–140 kts	600 ft	2,400	180 kts
D	141–165 kts	700 ft	3,600	205 kts

System minima (facility DH/MDH)

Facility	Lowest DH/MDH
ILS/MLS/GLS	200 ft
GNSS/SBAS/LPV	200 ft
GNSS (LNAV)	250 ft
ILS LOC only	250 ft
VOR/DME	250 ft
NDB/DME	300 ft
VOR / SRA (1 nm)	300 ft
NDB	350 ft

ETOPS

Class	Criteria	OEI time
A	MOPSC ≥ 20 or MCTOM ≥ 45,360 kg	60 min
A	MOPSC under 20 or MCTOM under 45,360 kg	120 min
B & C (non-ETOPS)	—	120 min or 300 nm (lesser)

Key fact

Turbojet destination LDA factored by 0.6; alternate LDA by 0.7. Final reserve: 30 min at holding speed 1,500 ft (jets) or 45 min (reciprocating).

Crew requirements

Key fact

Minimum 2 pilots for turbojets and turboprops with MOPSC over 9. Cabin crew: required when MOPSC over 19 — 1 per 50 seats (fraction thereof) on same deck; minimum age 18; senior cabin crew needs 12 months experience. Line check — 12 months; LPC — 12 months; OPC — 6 months; Dangerous goods — 24 months.

Exam trap

VAT = 1.3 × Vso (or 1.23 × Vs1G for jets). MDH referenced to threshold elevation when threshold is more than 2 m below aerodrome elevation. Ceiling irrelevant for precision approach operating minima. Back-beam approaches are not approved for commercial operations.