Air Operator's Certificate

[Huron Topp]

Having some trouble getting TC to answer what seems to be a simple question. I'm trying to set up a helo operation in Nova Scotia for an Australian company. Does anyone know whether this is done using a Canadian AOC or a Foreign AOC under the CAR's?

[PaperTiger]

AFAIK a Canadian AOC is only available to individuals or organizations which qualify as 'Canadian' under section 55 of the Canada Transportation Act (the 75% ownership thing).

My own experience was several decades ago so most probably irrelevant, but we ended up piggybacking an existing AOC and placing the airplanes on the Canadian register. Don't think there was such a thing as a Foreign AOC back then.

[Huron Topp]

We'd rather not do the piggyback deal, but at the same time figuring out how to get the 75% ownership covered while still maintaining a rather large foreign investor is gonna be a paperwork nightmare.. .. .The FAOC is written rather ambiguously and seems to point at operators only transiting into and out of Canada. Nothing about operating in Canada.

[PaperTiger]

There is a reference to a 'Canadian Base' in section 701.08(f)(iv). Still not sure what it really says though after reading it a couple of times.. .<a href="http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation/regserv/carac/CARS/cars/701e.htm" target="_blank">http://www.tc.gc.ca/aviation/regs erv/carac/CARS/cars/701e.htm</a>. . . . <small>[ 05 March 2002, 20:05: Message edited by: PaperTiger ]</small>

[paco]

Dunno if this will help (extracted from CARs in Plain English)..... .. .700.04/703.07/723.07. .Any Canadian, a citizen, permanent resident or corporation of a foreign state that already holds one in that state and meets the requirements may hold an AOC. A citizen, permanent resident or corporation of the USA or Mexico may hold one for aerial work in the shape of a specialty air service, for which authorisation is required in any case.. .. .You must operate safely, that is, with a decent organizational structure, operational control system, training and maintenance programs. Ground handling services and equipment must also be adequate, as must the aircraft, for which you must have legal custody and control of at least one in the relevant category, for which you may also need a MEL.. .. .The management must be employed full-time and consist of at least an Ops Manager, Chief Pilot, and, if you don’t have an AMO certificate, maintenance manager, and a flight attendant manager if you propose to run an airline. In between those, you can expect to employ the usual fleet managers, safety officers, etc., if required. You can contract management out, but the other operator must be authorized in its own AOC for a similar operation and comply with Commercial Air Service Standards.. .. .You also need an Ops Manual.. .. .Aircraft Requirements - 700.05. .. .For Canadian-registered aircraft, a Canadian type certificate and flight authority. Foreign aircraft must be authorized under Part II and approved under Part V without one.. .. .Application For an AOC. .. .For Aerial Work, you only need Form 26-0440, which describes the work you are doing and the suitability of the bases, aircraft types, supervisory personnel and the maintenance organization.. .. .Otherwise, you require Form 26-0045 Airport, which includes information about the main and sub-bases, and all scheduled points. You also need Form 26-0046 Aircraft, for each aeroplane by registration, Form 26-0047 Personnel (with resumes and statements of qualification for each position), Form 26-0048 Maintenance Facilities, and Form 26-0448 Cabin Safety.. .. .You need written permission to operate from anywhere, which means talking to the Local Airport Authority. If you can’t get it, and they don’t specifically stop you, lease agreements, etc, signed and supported by resumes for each supervisory position will do instead.. .. .All outfits need to supply details of Maintenance Control Procedures, the Ops Manual, SOPs, MELs, nominations for Company Check Pilot and crash charts (if the type has not previously been operated in Canada), as applicable.. .. .regards. .Phil