Introduction

The Regulation 180, 184,185,186, 187 and 251  of Air Navigation Regulations of 1955, Chapter XIII “Air Services Operations”, requires a person intending to operate an aircraft for private, aerial work, charter or regular public transport services to obtain an authorisation from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is  referred to as an Air Operator Certificate (AOC). The Air Operator Certificate  specifies the nature and scope of operations granted to an air operator together with the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to such operations. An operator is required and expected to ensure that all operations undertaken are well within the requirements specified in the AOC

Classification of Operations;

• Private Operations: is in which an aircraft is used for the private use of the owner. Carriage of any person or cargo in this aircraft shall not be for hire or reward. Carriage of goods shall be for purposes other than for trade.
  
  
• Aerial Work Operations: is in which an aircraft is used for the following purposes.
  
  • Aerial observation
  • Aerial spotting
  • Pest & disease control
  • Seed sowing
  • Advertising
  • Flying training
  • Ambulance functions
  • Carriage for purposes of trade, of goods which are the property of the pilot, or the owner or the hirer of the aircraft: or
  • Police or customs functions or the services of a Government  department.
    
    
• Charter Operations: is in which an aircraft is used for the carriage of passengers or cargo for hire or reward to or from any place, but which are not conducted in accordance with fixed schedules to and from fixed terminals
  
  
• Regular public transport operations:is in which aircraft are used for the carriage of passengers or cargo for hire or reward in accordance with fixed schedules to and from fixed terminals over specific routes with or without stopping places between terminals.
  
  
• Foreign Air Operators: is in which aircraft are used by other states  to conduct operations into Sri Lanka

No aircraft shall be used for any class of operations unless the particular type of aircraft is approved in writing for such use by the DGCA. All requirements that a person shall comply in order to obtain an AOC is specified in SLCAP 4100- Air Operator Certification Manual which can be referred to under Guidance Material All persons intending to operate aircraft under the classification of Foreign Air Operator shall comply to the requirements as specified in SLCAP 4105- Foreign Air Operator Certification Manual.