14 November 2007
The CAA has launched a campaign to warn air travellers of the problems which can be faced when paying to travel with an operator which does not hold an AOC (Air Operator Certificate).
The points are raised in a new leaflet which the CAA has issued, called ‘Is my flight legal’. It sets out in a simple way what the AOC is, what it’s for and how you can check whether any operator holds an AOC. The accompanying press release also explains some of the situations in which an AOC may be required, including:
• Scheduled and charter airline flights
• A businessman paying to be flown in a light aircraft to get to a meeting
• Paying for a helicopter flight to motor racing or horse racing events
• Where the passenger pays for a flight in an ex-military or historic aircraft
• A pleasure flight at an air display or other event
• Payment to be carried as a passenger on another person’s flying lesson
• A flight in a balloon where a payment is made or voucher purchased.here a payment is made or voucher purchased.
“Not only is this a safety issue, in that extra procedures, training and checks required for an AOC may not have taken place, but also passengers’ life insurances may be invalidated,” says David Chapman, who is the CAA Head of Flight Operations.
“As well as alerting passengers, the CAA will continue to investigate and, if necessary, prosecute companies and individuals that fail to follow the requirements.”
