The Air Operator's Certificate or AOC is a document issued by the CAA (in the UK and EU) and is a legal requirement for flights operated as public transport or commercial air transport. As well as being a legal requirement, it gives you the assurance that the organisation has been audited by the CAA on matters such as general competence, crew training, aircraft maintenance, aircraft loading, flight & fuel planning and many others. There is also a programme of continual surveillance so you can be sure that the procedures are up to date. For more information on the AOC click here www.caa.co.uk/aocholders
Using a company without an AOC for a flight classed as public or commercial air transport may be illegal and can invalidate any insurance claims.
Flights operated as Aerial Work do not need to have an AOC. See Public Transport or Aerial Work?
