Under CAR OPS 2A.215, all Gibraltar-registered General Aviation aeroplane operators are required to develop, maintain, and keep current an Operations Manual before commencing flight operations. The manual must contain all instructions, policies, and procedures necessary to enable operations personnel to perform their duties safely and efficiently. It must be kept up to date, with all amendments distributed to the personnel responsible for its implementation.
The Operations Manual must address the subjects identified in Form OPS 17 – Operations Manual Compliance Declaration, including normal and emergency procedures, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), weather limitations, fatigue management, personnel training, Minimum Equipment List (MEL) procedures, and the procedures applicable to any specific operations conducted by the operator.
Where cabin crew are carried, the Operations Manual must also include the applicable cabin crew operating procedures, training requirements, safety and emergency procedures, and procedures for managing disruptive passengers, in accordance with CAP OPS 10 – Cabin Crew.
Operators are required to submit Form OPS 17 – Operations Manual Compliance Declaration to the GCAA as a declaration that the Operations Manual complies with the applicable requirements of CAR OPS 2A. Submission of Form OPS 17 does not constitute GCAA approval of the Operations Manual; it is the operator’s declaration that the manual has been developed in accordance with the regulatory requirements.
Note: Specific operational approvals, including PBN, RVSM, CPDLC, ADS, PBCS, EFB, HUD/EVS, All Weather Operations, Steep Approach Operations, Polar Route Operations, and any other applicable approvals, require separate GCAA approval. Where such approvals are sought, the Operations Manual must include the policies, procedures, and operating instructions applicable to each approved operation.
The following sections provide General Aviation operators with guidance on the operational approvals that may be required for specific operations. Each Specific Approval includes the applicable Civil Aviation Publication (CAP), approval requirements, and the relevant application form to be submitted to the GCAA.