Aircraft Operations, Safety and Security Certification, Saudi Arabia
The Client
The Helicopter Company (THC) was set up in 2018 by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund to support the development of luxury tourism, corporate travel and private charter services. THC was the first helicopter services provider in the country to obtain an AOC for domestic, commercial inter-city travel.
THC also provides a range of commercial helicopter services including Emergency Medical Services.
The Challenge
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), responsible for licensing all air transport related activity, issued a revised code of safety regulations, GACAR, to align regulations for all civil aviation services with ICAO safety standards. This came into effect March 1st 2016.
The promulgation of GACAR requires all aircraft registered in Saudi Arabia and/or operating under a certified operator to be compliant with the relevant ‘air operator’s certificate’ (AOC); AOC Part 121S, 121U, 121US, 133 or 135 for commercial operators; GACAR Part 125 for private ones. A complex undertaking, the application-to-certification process can take up to a year to complete depending on the size of an operator’s fleet, the nature of its business and on whether the application is new or a recertification.
The Service
KAMS worked with THC providing end-to-end full air operator certification service managing the five-phase process from application to approval and certification. KAMS delivered Part 121 and 133 Air Operator Certificate plus Part 145 Repair Station Approval for THC.
This service leverages extensive business relationships and operational working experience with GACA to facilitate the approval and certification process. A two-tier services it includes
Seamless, end-to-end certification delivery: Conducting and managing the certification process from application to final approval and certification.
Advice and Support: Providing support and advice to help clients navigate the certification process.
Deliverables
- Certifications completed: GACAR Part 121SU / 145 / 133 / 135
- Development and Implementation of a complete Safety Management System (ISBAO)
- Development of the ‘Roadmap to Excellence’ – Complete Business Process Analysis and Transformation
