GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION

TECHNICAL CENTRE, OPP SAFDURJUNG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI

CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 8 – AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS
SERIES O PART VII
ISSUE III, 03 MARCH 2022 EFFECTIVE: FORTHWITH
FILE NO: AV.22024/20/2011-FSD

Subject: Requirement for Preparation of Operations Manual

1. Introduction

1.1 All air operators are required to maintain an Operations Manual (OM) detailingthe
organization’s policies on operations. The Operations Manual shall be used by
flight crew and all other operations personnel while carrying out operations. The
current version of the operations manual shall be distributed to all relevant
personnel including flight crew. Current version of OM shall also be maintained
in each operations office such as training center, dispatch, OCC, station offices
used by flight crew and other operations personnel of the operator.

1.2 This Civil Aviation Requirement lays down the organization and contents of an
Operations Manual in compliance with ICAO Annex 6 Parts I, II and III. This CAR
also lays down the procedure for the preparation and updating of the Operations
Manual and its approval by DGCA.

1.3 This CAR is issued under the provisions of Rules 140B and 133A of the Aircraft
Rules, 1937.

2. Applicability

2.1 This CAR is applicable to all commercial and general aviation operators.

3. Organization and Contents of the Operations Manual

3.1 The Operations Manual shall be organized and contain at least the information as
stipulated in accordance with: -

(i) Appendix A to this CAR – For Commercial Aeroplanes Operations.

(ii) Appendix B to this CAR – For Commercial Helicopter Operations.

(iii) Appendix C to this CAR – For General Aviation Operations (Aeroplanes and
Helicopters).

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4. Manual Preparation and Approval.

4.1 The operator shall prepare the Operations Manual in accordance to the
requirements stipulated in this CAR.

4.2 The operator is required to include all the mandatory provisions/ requirement
stated in the applicable regulations and CARs issued by DGCA and guidance
materials given in the applicable Circulars/ Notices/ Directions issued by the
DGCA, from time to time.

4.3 The Operations Manual may be issued in separate parts corresponding to specific
aspects of an operation. It shall include the instructions and information necessary
to enable the personnel concerned to perform their duties safely.

4.4 Wherever separate manuals have been prepared on different aspects of operation
(on topics such as Dangerous Goods, Training Manual, Search and Rescue
Manual, Security Manual etc.) reference of such manual shall be given in the
particular chapter of Operations Manual.

4.5 The application for approval of an Operations Manual shall be accompanied with:

(i) Draft Operations Manual (in two copies) along with one soft copy.

(ii) A compliance statement with all applicable regulations and a cross

reference to the location in the Operations Manual where such provisions
have been incorporated.

4.6 The Operator shall specify a revision cycle for acceptance of DGCA for later
revisions. The revision cycle shall not exceed six months for Scheduled operators
and one year for all other operators.

5. Amendment / Revision of the Operations Manual.

5.1 The OM shall be kept up to date so as to ensure that it complies with the latest
applicable regulations, requirements, circulars, notices and OEM / type certifying
authorities’ safety bulletins/ associated directives.

5.2 All changes to applicable regulations, CARs, circulars, notices and directions shall
be incorporated during each revision.

5.3 All amendments shall require a thorough evaluation of implications and a detailed
safety risk assessment by the operator, if required.

5.4 Draft amendments to the Operations Manual shall be submitted to DGCA (Flight
Standards Directorate) as per the revision cycle.

5.5 An application for amendment to the Operations Manual shall be accompanied

with:

(i) Draft amendment pages of the Operations Manual (in soft copy) on eGCA.

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(ii) a compliance statement with all applicable regulations and a cross reference
to the location in the Operations Manual where such provisions have been
incorporated/ modified;

(iii) details of the reason for the amendment.

5.6 Amendments to regulations, operational exigencies which require an immediate

revision of the Operations Manual and cannot be planned for the next Operations
Manual revision cycle may be approved by DGCA as ‘Temporary Revisions
(TRs)’.

5.7 Application for approval of TRs shall be made as per Para 5.5.

5.8 All Temporary Revisions (TRs) shall be incorporated in the Operations Manual
during the next revision cycle.

6. Updation and access to the Operations Manual

6.1 The Operator shall ensure that the Operations Manual, its revisions/ amendments
including Temporary Revisions, if any are distributed as per the distribution list. In
case the Operations Manual is planned to be made available electronically, the
access shall also be provided to DGCA (Flight Standards Directorate).

6.2 The Operator shall also ensure that all personnel are made aware of any the
contents of the Operations Manual including the amendments/ revisions that are
relevant to their duties.

6.3 The responsible personnel of the Operator shall immediately update all the
controlled hard copy and soft copies of the Operations Manual. Each operations
person shall have easy access to the relevant sections of the Operations Manual
pertaining to their duties.

6.4 Each holder of an Operations Manual, or appropriate parts of the Operations

Manual, shall be responsible for keeping their copy of the Operations Manual up
to date with the amendments or revisions provided by the operator.

6.5 Responsible post holder operations shall ensure that the latest controlled copy of
the Operations Manual is maintained on each aircraft either as hard copy or soft
copy.

7. Detailed guidance on the preparation of the Operations Manual is given in CAP

8100 – Preparation and Certification of Operations Manual.

(Arun Kumar)
Director General of Civil Aviation

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Appendix A

ORGANIZATION AND CONTENTS OF OPERATIONS MANUAL - AEROPLANES

1. Organization: The Operations Manual shall be issued in 4 separate parts

corresponding to specific aspects of operations and is organized in the following
structure:

1.1 OM (A) – General;

1.2 OM (B) – Type specific aircraft operating information;

1.3 OM (C) – Areas, routes and aerodromes; and

1.4 OM (D) – Training.

2. Contents

PART A: GENERAL

0. Administration and control of Operations Manual

0.1 Introduction

0.1.1 A statement that the manual complies with all applicable regulations and
with the terms and conditions of the applicable Air Operator Certificate.

0.1.2 A statement that the manual contains operational instructions that are to
be complied with by the relevant personnel.

0.1.3 A list and brief description of the various parts, their contents, applicability
and use.

0.1.4 Explanations and definitions of terms and words needed for the use of the
manual.

0.2 System of amendment and revision

1. Instructions outlining the responsibilities of operations personnel pertaining to the

conduct of flight operations.

2. Policies pertaining to the flight time, flight duty periods, duty period limitations and
rest requirements for flight and cabin crew members.

3. A list of navigational equipment to be carried including any requirements relating

to operations where performance-based navigation is prescribed.

4. Where relevant to the operations, the long-range navigation procedures, engine

failure procedure for EDTO and the nomination and utilization of diversion
aerodromes.

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5. The circumstances in which a radio listening watch is to be maintained.

6. The method for determining minimum flight altitudes

7. The method for determining aerodrome operating minima

8. Safety precautions during refueling and defueling when passengers are on board

9. Ground handling arrangements and procedures

10. Procedures, as prescribed in Annex 12, for Pilots-in-command observing an

accident.

11. The flight crew for each type of operation including the designation of the
succession of command.

12. Specific instructions for the computation of the quantities of fuel and oil to be
carried, taking into account all circumstances of the operation including the
possibility of loss of pressurization and the failure of one or more engines while en
route.

13. The conditions under which oxygen shall be used and the amount of oxygen
determined.

14. Instructions for mass and balance control

15. Instructions for the conduct and control of ground de-icing/anti-icing operations

16. The specifications for the operational flight plan

17. Standard operating procedures (SOP) for each phase of flight

18. Instructions on the use of normal checklists and the timing of their Use.

19. Departure contingency procedures

20. Instructions on the maintenance of altitude awareness and the use of automated
or flight crew altitude call-out.

21. Instructions on the use of autopilots and auto-throttles in IMC.

22. Instructions on the clarification and acceptance of ATC clearances, particularly

where terrain clearance is involved

23. Departure and approach briefings.

24. Route and destination familiarization.

25. Stabilized approach procedure.

26. Limitations on high rates of descent near the surface.

27. Conditions required to commence or to continue an instrument approach

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28. Instructions for the conduct of precision and non-precision instrument approach
procedures

29. Allocation of flight crew duties and procedures for the management of crew
workload during night and IMC instrument approach and landing operations

30. Instructions and training requirements for avoidance of controlled flight into terrain
and policy for the use of the ground proximity warning system (GPWS).

31. Policy, instructions, procedures and training requirements for the avoidance of
collisions and the use of airborne collision avoidance system (ACAS)

32. Information and instructions relating to the interception of civil aircraft including:

a) Procedures, as prescribed in CAR Section 9 Series C Part I, for pilots-in-

command of intercepted aircraft; and

b) Visual signals for use by intercepting and intercepted aircraft, as contained in

CAR Section 9 Series C Part I.

33. For aeroplanes intended to be operated above 15 000 m (49 000 ft):

a) Procedures which will enable the pilot to determine the best course of action
to take in the event of exposure to solar cosmic radiation; and

b) procedures in the event that a decision to descent is taken, covering:

1) the necessity of giving the appropriate ATS unit prior warning of the
situation and of obtaining a provisional descent clearance; and

2) the action to be taken in the event that communication with the ATS unit
cannot be established or is interrupted.

34. Details of the safety management system (SMS) provided.

35. Information and instructions on the carriage of dangerous goods, including action
to be taken in the event of an emergency.

36. Security instruction and guidance

37. The search procedure checklist provided

38. Instructions and training requirements for the use of Head-Up Displays (HUD) and
Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) equipment as applicable.

39. Instructions and training requirements for the use of the EFB, as applicable.

40. PBN, as applicable.

41. RVSM, as applicable.

42. MNPS, as applicable.

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43. Single pilot Night IFR, as applicable.

44. Additional requirements for operations by single-engine turbine-powered

aeroplanes at night and/ or in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), as
applicable.

Part B : AIRCRAFT OPERATING INFORMATION.

1. Certification limitations and operating limitations.

2. The normal, abnormal and emergency procedures to be used by the flight crew and the
checklists relating thereto.

3. Operating instructions and information on climb performance with all engines

operating, if provided.

4. Flight planning data for pre-flight and in-flight planning with different thrust/ power and
speed settings.

5. The maximum crosswind and tailwind components for each aeroplane type operated
and the reductions to be applied to these values having regard to gusts, low visibility,
runway surface conditions, crew experience, use of autopilot, abnormal or emergency
circumstances, or any other relevant operational factors

6. Instructions and data for mass and balance calculations

7. Instructions for aircraft loading and securing of loads.

8. Aircraft systems, associated controls and instructions for their use.

9. The minimum equipment list for the aeroplane types operated and specific operations
authorized.

10. Checklist of emergency and safety equipment and instructions for its use.

11. Emergency evacuation procedures, including type-specific procedures, crew

coordination, assignment of crew’s emergency positions and the emergency duties
assigned to each crew member.

12. The normal, abnormal and emergency procedures to be used by the cabin crew, the
checklists relating thereto and aircraft systems information as required, including a
statement related to the necessary procedures for the coordination between flight and
cabin crew.

13. Survival and emergency equipment for different routes and the necessary procedures
to verify its normal functioning before takeoff, including procedures to determine the
required amount of oxygen and quantity available.

14. The ground-air visual code for use by survivors, as contained in CAR Section 9 Series
S Part I.

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PART C: ROUTES AND AERODROMES.

1. A route guide to ensure that the flight crew will have, for each flight, information relating
to communication facilities, navigation aids, aerodromes, instrument approaches,
instrument arrivals and instrument departures as applicable for the operation, and such
other information as the operator may deem necessary for the proper conduct of flight
operations.

2. The minimum flight altitudes for each route to be flown.

3. Aerodrome operating minima for each of the aerodromes that are likely to be used as
aerodromes of intended landing or as alternate aerodromes.

4. The increase of aerodrome operating minima in case of degradation of approach or

aerodrome facilities.

5. Instructions for determining aerodrome operating minima for instrument approaches

using HUD and EVS

6. The necessary information for compliance with all flight profiles required by regulations,
including but not limited to, the determination of:

a) take-off runway length requirements for dry, wet and contaminated conditions,
including those dictated by system failures which affect the take-off distance;

b) take-off climb limitations;

c) en-route climb limitations;

d) approach climb limitations and landing climb limitations

e) landing runway length requirements for dry, wet and contaminated conditions,
including systems failures which affect the landing distance; and supplementary
information, such as tire speed limitations.

7. Specific Aerodrome SOPs, if applicable (e.g. for operations to IAF or state government
airports). The SOPs shall include as a minimum: -

a) Location, orientation, layout(including surface) and aerodrome category(if

applicable)

b) Specific hazards

c) Aircraft Performance and limitations

d) Crew Qualification

e) Departure/ Arrival procedures

f) Contingency procedures

g) Hours of Operation

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h) ATS procedures

i) Safety services

j) Operational control procedures

k) Ground Handling Arrangements

l) Emergency Response Plan

PART D: TRAINING

1. Details of flight crew training programme

1.1 Training syllabi and checking programmes for flight crew.

1.2 Conversion training which must include:

a) Type rating course (if changing to a new type);

b) Operators Conversion course (if changing to a new operator or a new type

for the same operator);

c) Supervised Line Flying;

d) Crew resource management training.

e) Type/ Rating re-qualification training requirements

1.3 Recurrent training and checking which must include:

a) Type or variant of aeroplane on which the crewmember is required to

operate;

b) Ground refresher training;

c) Aeroplane/ flight simulator training;

d) Emergency and safety equipment training and checking;

e) CRM training;

f) Line checks.

1.4 Route/Role/Area competence qualification.

1.5 Special training for special operations.

1.6 Training syllabi and selection procedures for DEs/ TREs/TRIs/ LTCs

2. Details of cabin crew duties training programme.

2.1 Training syllabi and checking programmes for cabin crew including:

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a) Initial training;

b) Conversion and difference training;

c) Recurrent training;

d) Refresher training;

3. Details of the flight operations officer/flight dispatcher training programme when

employed in conjunction with a method of flight supervision.

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Appendix B

ORGANIZATION AND CONTENTS OF OPERATIONS MANUAL – HELICOPTERS

1. Organization: The Operations Manual shall be issued in 4 separate parts

corresponding to specific aspects of operations and is organized in the following
structure:

1.1 OM (A) – General;

1.2 OM (B) – Type specific aircraft operating information;

1.3 OM (C) – Areas, routes and aerodromes; and

1.4 OM (D) – Training.

2. Contents

PART A: GENERAL

0. Administration and control of OM

a) Introduction

0.a.1 A statement that the manual complies with all applicable regulations and
with the terms and conditions of the applicable Air Operator Certificate.

0.a.2 A statement that the manual contains operational instructions that are to
be complied with by the relevant personnel.

0.a.3 A list and brief description of the various parts, their contents, applicability
and use.

0.a.4 Explanations and definitions of terms and words needed for the use of the
manual.

b) System of amendment and revision

1. Instructions outlining the responsibilities of operations personnel pertaining to the

conduct of flight operations.

2. Policies pertaining to the flight time, flight duty periods, duty period limitations and
rest requirements for flight and cabin crew members.

3. A list of navigational equipment to be carried, including any requirements relating

to operations where performance-based navigation is prescribed.

4. The circumstances in which a radio listening watch is to be maintained.

5. The method for determining minimum flight altitudes.

6. The method for determining aerodrome operating minima.

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7. Safety precautions during refueling and defueling when passengers are on board.

8. Ground handling arrangements and procedures.

9. Procedures, as prescribed in Annex 12, for Pilots-in-command observing an

accident.

10. The flight crew for each type of operation including the designation of the
succession of command.

11. Specific instructions for the computation of the quantities of fuel and oil to be carried,
taking into account all circumstances of the operation including the possibility of the
failure of one or more engines while enroute.

12. The conditions under which oxygen shall be used and the amount of oxygen
determined.

13. Instructions for mass and balance control.

14. Instructions for the conduct and control of ground de-icing/anti-icing operations

15. The specifications for the operational flight plan.

16. Standard operating procedures (SOP) for each phase of flight.

17. Instructions on the use of normal checklists and the timing of their use.

18. Departure contingency procedures.

19. Instructions on the maintenance of altitude awareness.

20. Instructions on the clarification and acceptance of ATC clearances, particularly

where terrain clearance is involved

21. Departure and approach briefings.

22. Route and destination familiarization.

23. Conditions required to commence or to continue an instrument approach

24. Instructions for the conduct of precision and non-precision instrument approach
procedures.

25. Allocation of flight crew duties and procedures for the management of crew
workload during night and IMC instrument approach and landing operations

26. Information and instructions relating to the interception of civil aircraft including:

a) Procedures, as prescribed in CAR Section 9 Series C Part I, for pilots-in-

command of intercepted aircraft; and

b) Visual signals for use by intercepting and intercepted aircraft, as contained in

CAR Section 9 Series C Part I.
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27. Details of the safety management system (SMS) provided.

28. Information and instructions on the carriage of dangerous goods, including action
to be taken in the event of an emergency.

29. Security instruction and guidance

30. The search procedure checklist provided

31. Instructions and training requirements for the use of Head-Up Displays (HUD) and
Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) equipment as applicable.

32. Instructions and training requirements for the use of the EFB, as applicable.

PART B: AIRCRAFT OPERATING INFORMATION

1. Certification limitations and operating limitations.

2. The normal, abnormal and emergency procedures to be used by the flight crew and the
checklists relating thereto.

3. Flight planning data for pre-flight and in-flight planning with different thrust/ power and
speed settings.

4. Instructions and data for mass and balance calculations

5. Instructions for aircraft loading and securing of loads.

6. Aircraft systems, associated controls and instructions for their use.

7. The minimum equipment list for the helicopter types operated and specific operations
authorized.

8. Checklist of emergency and safety equipment and instructions for its use.

9. Emergency evacuation procedures, including type-specific procedures, crew

coordination, assignment of crew’s emergency positions and the emergency
duties assigned to each crew member.

10. The normal, abnormal and emergency procedures to be used by the cabin crew, the
checklists relating thereto and aircraft systems information as required, including a
statement related to the necessary procedures for the coordination between flight and
cabin crew.

11. Survival and emergency equipment for different routes and the necessary
procedures to verify its normal functioning before takeoff, including procedures
to determine the required amount of oxygen and quantity available.

12. The ground-air visual code for use by survivors, as contained in CAR Section 9 Series
S Part I.

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PART C: ROUTES AND AERODROMES.

1. A route guide to ensure that the flight crew will have, for each flight, information relating
to communication facilities, navigation aids, aerodromes, instrument approaches,
instrument arrivals and instrument departures as applicable for the operation, and such
other information as the operator may deem necessary for the proper conduct of flight
operations.

2. The minimum flight altitudes for each route to be flown.

3. Heliport/ aerodrome operating minima for each of the aerodromes that are likely to be
used as aerodromes of intended landing or as alternate aerodromes.

4. The increase of heliport/ aerodrome operating minima in case of degradation of

approach or heliport/ aerodrome facilities.

5. Instructions for determining aerodrome operating minima for instrument approaches

using HUD and EVS

6. Specific Heliport/ Helipad SOPs, if applicable. The SOPs shall include as a minimum:

a) Location, orientation, layout(including surface)

b) Specific hazards

c) Helicopter Performance and limitations

d) Crew Qualification

e) Departure/ Arrival procedures

f) Contingency procedures

g) Hours of Operation

h) ATS procedures

i) Safety services

j) Operational control procedures

k) Ground Handling Arrangements

l) Emergency Response Plan

PART D: TRAINING

1. Details of flight crew training programme

1.1 Training syllabi and checking programmes for flight crew.

1.2 Conversion training which must include:

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1.2.1 Type rating course (if changing to a new type);

1.2.2 Operators Conversion course (if changing to a new operator or a new type
for the same operator);

1.2.3 Supervised Line Flying, if applicable;

1.2.4 Crew resource management training.

1.2.5 Type/ Rating re-qualification training requirements

1.3 Recurrent training and checking which must include:

1.3.1 Type or variant of helicopter on which the crewmember is required

to operate;

1.3.2 Ground refresher training;

1.3.3 Helicopter/ flight simulator training;

1.3.4 Emergency and safety equipment training and checking;

1.3.5 CRM training;

1.3.6 Line checks.

1.4 Route/Role/Area competence qualification.

1.5 Special training for special operations.

1.6 Training syllabi and selection procedures for TREs/TRIs/ LTCs

2. Details of cabin crew duties training programme.

2.1 Training syllabi and checking programmes for cabin crew including:

2.1.1 Initial training;

2.1.2 Conversion and difference training;

2.1.3 Recurrent training;

2.1.4 Refresher training.

3. Details of the flight operations officer/flight dispatcher training programme when

employed in conjunction with a method of flight supervision.

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Appendix C

CONTENTS OF OPERATIONS MANUAL – GENERAL AVIATION

1. Table of contents;

2. Amendment control page and list of effective pages;

3. Duties, responsibilities and succession of management and operating personnel;

4. Operator safety management system;

5. Operational control system;

6. MEL;

7. Normal flight operations;

8. Standard operating procedures (SOPs);

9. Weather limitations;

10. Flight and duty time limitations;

11. Emergency operations;

12. Accident/incident considerations;

13. Personnel qualifications and training;

14. Record keeping;

15. A description of the maintenance control system;

16. Security procedures (where applicable);

17. Performance operating limitations;

18. Use/protection of FDR/CVR records (where applicable);

19. Handling of dangerous goods; and

20. Use of head-up displays (HUD), vision systems (VS).

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