Procedures for AOC Certification
- Original certifications following the ICVM use a specific flowchart and AOC checklist to coordinate between Flight Operations and Airworthiness inspectors.
- All certification team members must submit inspection reports with recommendations on the applicant's operational safety to the Certification Project Manager.
- The initial AOC certification process follows standard activities outlined in CASORT, from application to issuance of the AOC and operations specifications.
- Softcopies of the flowchart, checklist, and standard activities are available in the Inspector Toolkit.
Use and Management of Job Aids
- Inspectors must systematically use appropriate Job Aids during evaluations and inspections.
- Job Aids must be retained in an Operator Job Aid Binder sorted by Action Number and Date, stored in designated offices depending on operator type (AOC, AMO, or ATO).
- Any findings or observations noted during inspections must be attached to the relevant Job Aid.
Communication and Record-Keeping Requirements
- All inspection and evaluation activities must be recorded in CASORT with detailed results.
- Follow-up and timely resolution of all observations and non-conformities is mandatory.
- Inspectors must conduct post-inspection debriefings with operator personnel addressing compliance, deficiencies, and necessary follow-up actions.
- If operators cannot be briefed immediately, this must be indicated in the inspection report.
- Some deficiencies may be corrected during the inspection and documented accordingly.
- The final inspection report concludes the inspection process and a copy must be provided to the operator irrespective of the outcome.
- Observations are defined as findings that enhance the system without safety or regulatory non-compliance implications and must be recorded in CASORT without leading to enforcement actions.
- All meetings conducted must be documented with reports detailing dates, venues, attendees, agendas, actions taken, and accompanied by signed attendance sheets.
Root Cause Analysis Requirement
- Inspectors are mandated to review the Resolution and Enforcement Manual chapters regarding root cause concepts to ensure strict adherence.
Important Legal Concepts
- Emphasis on coordination between different inspectorate functions (Flight Operations and Airworthiness).
- Systematic documentation and reporting to maintain transparent and effective regulatory oversight.
- Differentiation between observations and findings that may have regulatory consequences.
- Requirement for immediate communication and corrective measures to uphold operator safety standards.
This comprehensive guidance ensures that CAAP inspectors consistently perform their certification, inspection, and evaluation functions with uniformity, transparency, and accountability following international safety standards and internal regulatory requirements.