Air Operator Certificate (AOC) Variation

Air Operator Variation Process

Any subsequent changes to the previous approval by CAAT which is not limited to amendments to the Operations Specifications (OPS SPEC), and any changes which fall under the following categories, shall receive prior approval before implementing those variations as required by:

  Regulation of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand No. 26 on the Air Operator Certificate

  Regulation of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand No. 27 on the Operation of Air Operator Certificate holder

  Air Operator Certificate Requirements (AOCR)

 Helicopter Operations Requirements (Additional Requirement for Helicopter)

  The Announcement of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand “Certification fees issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand B.E. 2561”

Important to know:

1. Major Change

As result of request on major change, the Five Phases process will be applied with the applicant. Each phase is described with sufficient detail to enable the general understanding of entire variation process in following section. The five phases are comprising of:

Phase 1 – Pre – Preliminary Assessment Phase

Phase 2 – Preliminary Assessment Phase

Phase 3 – Document Evaluation Phase

Phase 4 – Demonstration and Inspection Phase

Phase 5 – Certification Phase

2. Minor Change

The minor change to the AOC may only require either desk-top review on the proposed amendments to company manuals or interview with relevant personnel. However, CAAT reserve the right to conduct an on-site inspection if it deems necessary for that particular variation and the previous performance of the applicant.

 Variation Process

Phase 1 – Pre – Preliminary Assessment Phase

• The Application for Variation to an AOC or the operations specifications shall be completed and submitted to CAAT no later than 45 days before the date of the intended anticipated start of operations  through the CAAT System (EMPIC). The completed application for the variation must include all the necessary information and supporting documentation.
• A prospective applicant who intends to apply for the Variation of an AOC  or the operations specifications shall provide the completed information as appropriate to reflect the requested change(s) by at least the following documents;

(a)  Intention letter to apply for the change of the Certificate

(b)  Application for Variation to an Air Operator Certificate (CAAT-OPS-AOCFM-201)

(c)  Application for Air Operator Certificate (CAAT-OPS-AOCFM-101)

(d)  Application for Operations Specification (CAAT-OPS-AOCFM-102)

(e)  List of Authorized Aircraft for Specific Approval (CAAT-OPS-AOCFM-154)

(f)   Application for Nomination for Air Operator Personnel Form (CAAT-OPS-AOCFM-106)

(g) Application for Schedule of Events (CAAT-OPS-AOCFM-107)

(h) The Company Management of Change (MOC) assessment

• If a change to the air operator certificate or the operations specifications affects the current procedure in the operator's manual, the following application and document, as applicable to the variation type and reflecting the requested change (s), should also be submitted to CAAT.

(a) Organization and Contents of an Operations Manual (CAAT-OPS-AOCFM-103)

(b) Operations Manual Critical Element (CAAT-OPS-AOCFM-104)

(c) Flight Safety Document System (CAAT-OPS-AOCFM-105)

 (d) Statement of Compliance Chapter 1 to 13 (CAAT-OPS-SOC-101 to CAAT-OPS-SOC-113 and/or CAAT-OPS-SOC-151)

(e) Applicable manuals and/or documents updated as appropriate to reflect the requested change(s).

• The applicant shall submit above documents through EMPIC for applying variation to CAAT
• Discuss with CAAT in order to request the advice on the variation process as well as to ensure mutual understanding of expectations of both parties and not limited to address any concerning issues.

Note:
The time frame above did not include the required trial period for Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) approval, which should include an additional minimum of 6 months. This additional duration may be reduced as appropriate based on to the operator’s risk assessments, risk mitigation and nature of operation.
 

Phase 2 – Preliminary Assessment Phase

• Assessment of the application package will only commence when CAAT has received the completed application package which included the required information and attachments for reference.
• If the application package is not correct or is insufficient, all or that particular part of the package will be returned to you for correction or completion. Failure to provide any supporting documentation within reasonable timeframes may result in the application for being stop variation process, and the applicant is required to start at Phase 1 again.

Phase 3 Document Evaluation Phase                                 

A thorough evaluation of all the manuals, documents, and attachments etc. This is to ensure that all documentation meets the required standards and requirements.

Phase 4 Demonstration and Inspection Phase

• Demonstrate to CAAT your ability to comply with regulations and safe operating practices.
• Demonstrate to CAAT 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 organisations.               

Phase 5 Certification Phase       

• After all the demonstrations and evaluations, including review of documentation, have been completed with satisfactory, the relevant amended page of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) or the corresponding Operations Specifications (OPS SPEC) and permission will be granted.

Variation Application Form 

Contact us

For more information on the application process for an air operator certificate, please contact us:

Air Operator Certificate (AOC)

Flight Operations Standards Department (OPS) The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand

222 Soi Vibhavadi Rangsit 28, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Chatuchak, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand 10900
TEL: 02-568-8800 ext.8843 Mobile: 063-205-8843  Email: [email protected]