This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the licensing process for general aviation operators in accordance with General Aviation Regulation (SHY-6B). The licensing process for general aviation operators is governed by the SHY-6B). In essence, there are two main steps to obtain a license. The first step involves establishing an organization that meets the standards outlined in SHY-6B, while the second step entails providing the necessary documentation as required by SHY-6B.
A. Establishing an Organization
1. Organizational Standards: Operators shall determine the nature, size and diversity of the field in which they will operate to have sufficient number and quality of personnel in its organization and to maintain them during the activity to ensure that the licence is granted.
2. Standards regarding founding and managing members:
a. The real or legal person founding partners of the operators and the founding partners representing the legal entity authorized managers of the operators must not be convicted for the crimes of banking, capital markets and smuggling offences defined in the legislation and punishable by imprisonment and theft, plunder, breach of trust, fraud, fraudulent bankruptcy, in money, values considered equal to money, precious stamps, seals, official documents, forgery of private documents, bid rigging, bid rigging, bid rigging, usury, embezzlement, embezzlement, extortion, bribery, laundering the proceeds of crime, offences against the security of the state, crimes against the constitutional order and offences against the functioning of the order or kidnapping or detention of means of transport.
b. Real persons who will carry out general aviation activities must be Turkish citizens and legal entities at least 51% of the shares must be registered shares and authorized to manage and represent the legal entity and according to the articles of association of the company, majority of the shareholders must be Turkish citizen shareholders.
3. Standards regarding the registry of aircrafts and structure of the fleet: At least one minimum owned or leased Aircraft must be under the operating responsibility of the operator and this aircraft is shown in the operating conditions. In case there are no aircraft in the fleet of the operator before/during the application, the operator is given a maximum period of six months to the operator for the acquisition of the aircraft. If no aircraft can be added to the operator's fleet within the given period, the license shall be cancelled by the General Directorate.
4. Standards regarding insurance: Operators must fulfil requirements set forth under Regulation on Passenger, Baggage, Cargo, and Mail Liability Insurance for Aircraft Operating in Turkey numbered and Regulation on Third Party Liability Insurance for Civil Aircrafts.
5. Standards regarding licensed personnel:
a. Operator must keep present a flight crew which has valid license, certificate, and additional license in relevant type/class according to the Pilot License Regulation.
b. Operators must satisfy standards set forth under Regulation on Continuous Flying Eligibility and Maintenance Responsibility.
c. Operators must prepare an Organization Handbook and submit the Handbook to the General Directorate and carries out its activities according to this Hand Book.
d. Organization Handbook must include following chapters:
1. Table of contents.
2. Revision tracking table.
3. Duties and responsibilities.
4. Personnel qualifications, on-the-job training, recent experience, refresher and orientation, diversity training requirements.
5. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
6. Special Operation control system; purpose in all types of operations carried out by the operator, scope, responsibility, terms of operation, requirements, restriction, cancellations, limits and safety operation implementation procedures or procedures covering the measures.
7. Flight duty time, flight time and rest time restrictions.
8. Flight planning, meteorological restrictions.
9. Flight performance restrictions, weight, balance, loading procedures.
10. Noise abatement procedures.
11. Fuel policy, monitoring.
12. Minimum equipment list - MEL (for aircraft required to use MEL).
13. Passenger, freight transport procedures.
14. FDR / CVR records, usage and protection procedures.
15. Carriage of dangerous goods.
16. Compliance Monitoring and Safety Management System.
17. Accident / Incident applications.
18. Record keeping, preservation and reporting procedures.
19. Aircraft general information, emergency list (POH).
20. Business operation area, aerodrome information, take-off and landing area characteristics.
B. Application Process
Operators must file a permit application to Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Application file must include as follow:
1. A certified copy of the Articles of Association for the establishment of the operator or a certified copy of the Turkish Trade Registry Gazette for the establishment. (Photocopy of identity card if real person)
2. Official documents showing the shareholder structure of the operator (Turkish Trade Registry Gazette, list of attendees)
3. Shareholders' background information, photocopy of identity card.
4. Capital and shareholder structures and Turkish Trade Registry Gazettes showing the respective information of the companies or enterprises affiliated.
5. Background information of the members and photocopies of identity cards of the members of Board of Directors.
6. Registration certificate showing authorization to represent and bind.
7. Detailed background information and photocopies of ID of the personnel who will work in the organization of the operator.
8. Registration certificates of the aircraft to be operated.
9. Airworthiness certificates of the aircraft to be operated.
10. Insurance policy copies.
11. Copy of operation manual.
12. Copy of maintenance manual.
13. Copy of maintenance agreement.
14. MEL approval application.
In conclusion, this article has provided examination of the keyfactors involved in the licensing process for general aviationoperators. The first crucial aspect discussed was the establishmentof a well-organized and compliant organization. This entailedexploring organizational standards, requirements pertaining tofounding and managing members, aircraft registration and fleetstructure, as well as considerations regarding insurance coverageand licensed personnel. Additionally, the second step of thelicensing process is the application procedure which is evaluatingthe necessary requirements for successful application submission.