SUMMARY REPORT ON THE SAFETY OVERSIGHT AUDIT FOLLOW-UP OF THE DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION AND METEOROLOGY OF OMAN

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1 ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme SUMMARY REPORT ON THE SAFETY OVERSIGHT AUDIT FOLLOW-UP OF THE DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION AND METEOROLOGY OF OMAN (Muscat, 27 to 29 September 2003) International Civil Aviation Organization

2 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background ICAO UNIVERSAL SAFETY OVERSIGHT AUDIT PROGRAMME Summary Report on the Safety Oversight Audit Follow-up of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Meteorology of Oman (Muscat, 27 to 29 September 2003) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Meteorology (DGCAM) of Oman was initially assessed under the voluntary ICAO Safety Oversight Assessment Programme from 21 to 27 March 1997 by an ICAO assessment team. Subsequently, an audit was carried out from 14 to 19 April 2001 pursuant to Assembly Resolution A32-11 and in accordance with the updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed to on 10 May 2000 between Oman and ICAO. The objective of the audit was twofold. Primarily, its objective was to fulfil the mandate given to ICAO pursuant to the above-mentioned Assembly Resolution. Secondly, the audit was conducted with the objective of ascertaining the progress made in the implementation of the recommendations forwarded during the voluntary assessment conducted in 1997 and to re-ascertain the safety oversight capability of the DGCAM of Oman. The audit also aimed at ensuring that Oman was in conformity with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), as contained in Annexes 1, 6 and 8 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) and related provisions in other Annexes, guidance material and relevant safety-related practices in general use in the aviation industry On 19 June 2001, Oman submitted an action plan addressing all the findings and recommendations contained in the audit interim report and also submitted, on 7 August 2001 and 23 October 2001, comments and clarifications of some of the items contained in the audit interim report. The action plan submitted was reviewed by the Safety Oversight Audit (SOA) Section and was found to be satisfactory. The action plan and comments provided were taken into consideration in the preparation of the final and summary reports. The summary report was distributed to all Contracting States by State letter AN 19/1-02/26 in March Objectives and activities of the audit follow-up mission The audit follow-up mission was conducted in accordance with Article 18 of the MOU and the ICAO Safety Oversight Audit Manual (Doc 9735). The objective of this mission was to validate the implementation of the corrective action plan and to ascertain the status of the progress made, which enables ICAO to update the information contained in the audit findings and differences database (AFDD) and also to inform other Contracting States on the status of the safety oversight system of Oman through a non-confidential summary report. It is important to appreciate in this respect that audit follow-up missions are not audits and are not designed to evaluate all aspects of a State s aviation framework or safety oversight system.

3 CIVIL AVIATION ACTIVITIES IN OMAN At the time of the audit follow-up mission, civil aviation activities in Oman included: a) number of technical staff employed by the organization at Headquarters 10 b) number of regional offices 1 c) number of technical staff employed at regional offices 4 d) number of active pilot licences 566 e) number of active flight crew licences other than pilot licences (flight engineer and flight navigator) 8 f) number of aviation training establishments 3 g) number of active licences other than flight crew licences 674 h) number of commercial air transport operators 2 i) number of air operator certificates (AOCs) issued 2 j) number of aircraft operations inspectors 3 k) number of aircraft registered in Oman 55 l) number of currently valid certificates of airworthiness issued 55 m) number of approved maintenance organizations (AMOs) 4 n) number of non-approved aircraft maintenance organizations 0 o) number of design organizations 0 p) number of aircraft manufacturing organizations 0 q) number of aircraft parts or equipment manufacturing organizations 0 r) number of aircraft type certificates issued 0 s) number of type certificates other than aircraft issued 0 t) number of aircraft airworthiness inspectors 5 3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3.1 Oman has made significant progress in the harmonization of its regulatory framework with ICAO provisions by implementing regulations, systems and procedures relating to safety oversight. A new set of regulations addressing most civil aviation areas has been adopted, based mainly on the European Joint Aviation Requirements (JARs) and ICAO SARPs. In addition, an amendment to the Civil Aviation Law of

4 has been drafted and proposed for adoption through the official channels and is expected to be promulgated by June The DGCAM has also improved the tracking system of enforcement actions taken in accordance with enforcement provisions contained in the existing Civil Aviation Law. 3.2 The DGCAM has made good progress in the area of civil aviation organization subsequent to the audit carried out by ICAO. The Flight Safety Department has established a comprehensive library and developed guidelines and procedures for the technical staff, as well as improved the coordination between the relevant departments responsible for the certification and surveillance of air operators. A detailed accident investigation manual has also been developed containing provisions for the personnel involved in investigations. However, a training policy for the Flight Safety Department needs to be formalized. Furthermore, some areas are not yet addressed in the inspector manual, such as formal coordination between Headquarters in Muscat and the regional office located in Bahrain. 3.3 In the area of personnel licensing, the DGCAM has implemented the new Civil Aviation Regulations-Flight Crew Licensing (CAR-FCL), based on JAR-FCL 1 and 3 and ICAO Annex 1 provisions, and is developing an office procedures manual addressing licensing processes and the distribution of tasks between the regional office located in Bahrain and Headquarters in Muscat. The DGCAM has developed application forms for the validation and conversion of foreign licences, which highlight essential actions, such as the confirmation of the authenticity of the original licence as well as the related qualifications of the applicant. A medical board has also been recently established to assist the Licensing Section in aviation medicine matters. Concerning aviation training activities, the DGCAM has established a system for the approval and monitoring of the training programmes of air operators, as well as a system for the certification and inspection of aviation training centers. Furthermore, the DGCAM has established a surveillance programme and carries out random and scheduled inspections of training facilities and training courses, as well as the supervision of instructors and examiners. 3.4 The DGCAM has made significant progress in the area of aircraft operations. The regulatory framework applicable to aircraft operations has been reviewed, and new regulations applicable to aircraft operations, CAR-OPS, have been implemented, which contain provisions relating to the safe transport of dangerous goods by air. In addition, ICAO Doc 9284 Technical Instructions has been introduced by reference as part of the civil aviation regulations of Oman. The certification and the surveillance of air operators have been drastically improved, and the DGCAM has recruited additional experienced operations inspectors and implemented detailed job descriptions for operations and airworthiness inspectors, as well as checklists clearly indicating the related distribution of tasks and responsibilities. One principal operations inspector (POI) and one principal maintenance inspector (PMI) are designated for each operator, which also improve the coordination between operations and airworthiness/maintenance matters. 3.5 The DGCAM has made significant progress in the implementation of ICAO SARPs relating to airworthiness of aircraft since the audit. Requirements have been revised or issued to adequately address specialized maintenance activities, such as non-destructive testing (NDT) and welding, special operations, such as extended range operations by twin-engined aeroplanes (ETOPS), all-weather operations (AWO), required navigation performance (RNP), and reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM), as well as the issuance of certificates of airworthiness for export. The new regulations and procedures require air operators to issue maintenance control manuals and to identify a least-risk bomb location in the flight manual. The mandatory requirement for air operators to audit subcontractors on a regular basis has been amplified, and the oversight of reliability programmes has been improved. Inspectors have been provided with access to the documentation of the organizations responsible for the type design, and airworthiness directives are

5 - 4 - adequately tracked. However, there is still a need for further improvement in the area of reporting malfunctions to the State of Design and organizations responsible for the type design of the aircraft, and the staffing level has not been increased since the audit and remains insufficient for the current inspection mandate. 4. RESULTS OF THE FOLLOW-UP MISSION 4.1 Primary aviation legislation and civil aviation regulations a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the recommendation to amend the Civil Aviation Law of 1975 to ensure its conformity with the Chicago Convention and its Annexes, the DGCAM indicated that it would review the existing legislation and propose any necessary changes to the Minister before October The new legislation is expected to be in place before June b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has established a committee for revising the Civil Aviation Law of 1975, and a new law has been drafted and proposed to the Minister of Transport and Communications for adoption through the official channels. The DGCAM expects the promulgation of the new Civil Aviation Law before June The ICAO recommendation remains open. Note. Subsequent to the audit follow-up mission, the DGCAM submitted updates on 27 April 2004 and 13 September 2004 indicating that the new Civil Aviation Law was promulgated on 7 August 2004 by Royal Decree 93/ a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to establish a system for the enforcement and recording of actions taken concerning contraventions to the Civil Aviation Law or regulations, the DGCAM indicated in its action plan that record-keeping of enforcement actions would be implemented beginning July 2001 by establishing and periodically monitoring enforcement files. b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has reviewed the processes relating to enforcement provisions contained in the Civil Aviation Law of 1975, Chapters 12 and 13 and implemented a system for their record. The DGCAM has also established enforcement files as well as a periodical review to ensure that the follow-up actions are taken. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need for the Government of Oman to amend its legislation to implement Article 83 bis, the DGCAM indicated in its action plan that it would review and amend the existing legislation, regulations and practices and implement a system of supervision and control to ensure that any transfer or delegation of tasks and functions is adequately executed. b) Validation of action proposed. The new draft Civil Aviation Law contains provisions for the transfer and acceptance of tasks and functions which are normally under the responsibility of the State of Registry, to the State of operator, by virtue of an agreement between the DGCAM and another civil aviation authority. The full

6 - 5 - implementation of related procedures and practices is on hold, pending the promulgation of the new Civil Aviation Law. The ICAO recommendation remains open. Note. Subsequent to the audit follow-up mission, the DGCAM submitted updates on 27 April 2004 and 13 September 2004 indicating that Article 61 of the new Civil Aviation Law implements Article 83 bis of the Chicago Convention and allows for the transfer of functions and tasks related to the State of Registry a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to review Oman CARs to eliminate conflicts between the adopted regulations based on other States requirements, the DGCAM indicated in its action plan that it would review, amend and publish the new CARs before December b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has launched a revision of all Oman CARs to ensure their adequacy and consistency, and to identify the existing conflicts and overlaps, as well as the existing differences between them and ICAO SARPs. A new set of regulations has been adopted, based mainly on European JARs and ICAO SARPs, and the DGCAM has established a system for amending the regulations issued. The recently adopted regulations address the majority of the civil aviation areas, and references to the regulations from other States are not used any more. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. Concerning the need to identify the differences between its national regulations and ICAO SARPs, the DGCAM indicated in its action plan that it would systematically verify the conformance of its regulations with ICAO SARPs, establish an amendment system before March 2002 and notify ICAO of any existing differences before 1 July b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has reviewed its civil aviation regulations in their entirety and implemented an internal procedure for the introduction of ICAO SARPs, the identification of existing differences between the national regulations and the ICAO SARPs and their notification to ICAO. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with. 4.2 Organization of civil aviation a) Action proposed by State. Concerning the need to establish specific guidelines and procedures for the supervision and control of the regional offices and for surveillance activities within these areas, the DGCAM indicated that it would review, amend and merge the airworthiness, flight operations and licensing manuals into one new Flight Safety Office Manual before October b) Validation of action proposed. The Flight Safety Department has assigned a POI and a PMI for each operator. The Flight Safety Department has reviewed the Airworthiness Inspector Handbook and has issued the new Flight Operations Inspector Handbook. These handbooks contain detailed guidance for various

7 - 6 - certification and surveillance activities; however, the specific responsibilities, delegations and authorizations of the regional office located in Bahrain and the coordination with Headquarters in Muscat have not yet been addressed. The Director of Flight Safety has issued a memorandum establishing the distribution of tasks between the offices, which needs to be completed to include all delegated tasks to the regional office in Bahrain. The Flight Safety Department is preparing an office procedures manual to address coordination processes and procedures, as well as the terms of reference of the regional office. This manual is expected to be implemented by the end of December The ICAO recommendation remains open. Note. Subsequent to the audit follow-up mission, the DGCAM submitted updates on 27 April 2004 and 13 September 2004 indicating that the Office Procedures Manual of the Flight Safety Department was issued, printed and distributed on 1 January a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the surveillance activities concerning the multinational airline and the sharing of tasks and functions related to safety oversight, the DGCAM indicated in its action plan that it would implement an enhanced surveillance system which would include improved planning, record-keeping and follow-up procedures for all air operators and maintenance organizations beginning January Concerning the oversight of a major international operator in Oman, the DGCAM clarified that it is the sole regulatory authority responsible for this operator and that no aviation functions are delegated to any of the civil aviation authorities of the co-owner States of this operator. b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM is the sole authority for all certifications and for the safety oversight of all aviation activities certified by Oman including AOC holders based in Oman and the multinational operator based in Bahrain. No civil aviation functions or tasks related to the safety oversight responsibilities of Oman have been delegated to any other civil aviation authority or any private agency. The DGCAM has also implemented a system for the surveillance of the multinational operator and has reinforced the human resources by recruiting two additional aviation safety inspectors. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. Concerning the need to establish a system including specific guidelines and procedures for the supervision and control of all air operators and AMOs to include domestic operators and maintenance subcontractors, the DGCAM indicated in its action plan that the existing guidelines and procedures would be improved and a comprehensive inspection programme would be established. b) Validation of action proposed. The Flight Safety Department has developed and issued the Flight Operations Inspector Handbook, which is also used by the regional office located in Bahrain. The guidelines included in the handbook have been developed from, and are complementary to, ICAO technical manuals and Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) advisory and guidance material. Checklists and forms

8 - 7 - are included to provide inspectors with the necessary tools to assess operators compliance with regulatory requirements. The manual contains a template for an annual audit plan according to the applicable regulations, CAR OPS 1, including the area of maintenance responsibilities of the operators, as well as CAR 145 related to maintenance organizations. The DGCAM has established an annual inspection programme covering AOC holders and AMO activities, in adherence to relevant ICAO guidance material. However, a review of the 2002/2003 audit plan indicated that most of the scheduled audits have not been performed due to a shortage of flight operations and airworthiness/maintenance inspectors. Furthermore, the maintenance aspects of flight operations needs to be transferred to the Airworthiness Inspector Handbook, which needs to be reviewed in accordance with the methodology and policies of the new Flight Operations Inspector Handbook. In particular, the establishment of an annual maintenance audit plan is required, as no formal plan exists for auditing operators and maintenance organizations in addition to the annual visit. The ICAO recommendation remains open. Note. Subsequent to the audit follow-up mission, the DGCAM submitted updates on 27 April 2004 and 13 September 2004 indicating that one additional flight operations inspector has been recruited since 1 March 2004, and the recruitment of one additional flight operations inspector and one airworthiness inspector is progressing. In addition, maintenance aspects of flight operations have been transferred to the Airworthiness Inspector Handbook, and an annual maintenance audit plan of operators has been established a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to recruit and train appropriately qualified technical staff, the DGCAM indicated that it would establish a written policy for the recruitment of qualified inspectors, before 30 November 2001, and institute a training policy and programme for technical staff to be approved by the Director General and implemented beginning January b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has established a recruitment policy and published a comprehensive recruitment manual detailing terms of reference and minimum qualifications for the technical posts, as well as the various steps of the recruitment process. Although annual training programmes have been developed, in practice, for the technical staff, a training policy, formal recurrent training and administrative procedures have not yet been formalized in a written document. The Flight Safety Department is developing an office procedures manual, which should address general requirements and policies for training. The ICAO recommendation remains open. Note. Subsequent to the audit follow-up mission, the DGCAM submitted updates on 27 April 2004 and 13 September 2004 indicating that it has issued the Office Procedures Manual of the Flight Safety Department, which contains the training policy, recurrent training and administrative procedures a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to establish an adequately furnished technical library, the DGCAM indicated that it would centralize and

9 - 8 - expand the flight safety technical library to ensure the availability of all relevant aviation safety documents, manuals and aviation periodicals before August The new system would include a designated librarian and procedures for the timely acquisition of publications, before January b) Validation of action proposed. A new flight safety central technical library has been established with all required documents, manuals and books including the operations manuals of the operators. Subscriptions to various web sites have been arranged, including access to comprehensive sites of organizations responsible for the type design. A detailed procedures manual for the Flight Safety Technical Library has been developed, and a system has been established for the timely acquisition of publications, information and revisions important to aviation safety. Furthermore, a designated technical librarian responsible for cataloguing and maintaining the archival material has been recruited to work under the Director of Flight Safety. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to establish a system for the investigation of aviation accidents, the DGCAM indicated that it would develop a system before November 2002, including all necessary criteria, policies and procedures for convening an accident investigation board. The DGCAM clarified that its current practice is to invite experts from foreign governments and local aviation companies to serve on short-term accident investigation boards when needed. This eliminates the perception of any conflict of interest and maintains transparency during the course of investigations. b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has developed a comprehensive accident investigation manual, which provides information and guidance to investigators from the Flight Safety Department who are involved in organizing and conducting aviation accident investigations. The manual defines the composition of the investigation team and makes provisions to call for accident specialists from foreign accident investigation bureaux depending on the scope and severity of the accident. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with. 4.3 Personnel licensing and training a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to review the personnel licensing regulations in order to implement all ICAO Annex 1 provisions, the DGCAM indicated that it would review and amend the CARs, as necessary, before July b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has reviewed the personnel licensing and training regulations and implemented new regulations, the CAR-FCL, to replace CAR 61. The CAR-FCL are based on JAR-FCL 1 and 3 and ICAO Annex 1 provisions, and do not refer to any regulations from other States. The CAR-FCL have been assessed to ensure consistency and coherence, and existing differences between these regulations and ICAO Annex 1 have been identified and notified to ICAO. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with.

10 a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need for coordination between the regional office and Headquarters concerning personnel licensing matters, the DGCAM indicated that it would review the licensing process in order to establish the functions and responsibilities of Headquarters and the regional personnel licensing sections and would develop a new Flight Safety Office manual to clearly delineate all necessary functions and responsibilities before October The DGCAM also indicated that it would establish a new medical board staffed with appropriately qualified medical personnel by May 2002, and a system for the appointment and supervision of designated examiners before June b) Validation of action proposed. The re-organization of personnel licensing processes in Oman and the distribution of tasks and responsibilities between the regional office located in Bahrain and Headquarters in Muscat is still on going. The DGCAM has already launched a corrective action plan to develop an office procedures manual addressing the distribution of tasks. Furthermore, the scope of activities of all offices has already been reviewed. The Chief of the Personnel Licensing Section is still located in the regional office in Bahrain, and coordination with Headquarters has been improved through the establishment of a network in addition to weekly coordination meetings. A medical board has also been recently established to assist the Personnel Licensing Section in aviation medicine matters. The DGCAM is expecting to finalize the office procedures manual before the end of March The ICAO recommendation remains open. Note. Subsequent to the audit follow-up mission, the DGCAM submitted updates on 27 April 2004 and 13 September 2004 indicating that it has issued the Office Procedures Manual of the Flight Safety Department which contains personnel licensing procedures a) Action proposed by State. With regard to the need to establish technical guidelines for licensing personnel, the DGCAM indicated that it would develop and distribute a personnel licensing handbook describing all procedures related to personnel licensing before May 2002 and provide appropriate orientation training to concerned personnel before July b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has developed clear processes addressing personnel licensing tasks and functions as well as application forms for the validation and conversion of foreign licences. Applications for validation and conversion of flight crew licences are always received through the AOC holder employing the licence applicants, and personnel licensing officers in Muscat and Bahrain are responsible for assessing the applications and related documents as well as confirming the authenticity of the original licence and the related qualifications of the applicant. A comprehensive personnel licensing procedures manual is under development, and a training programme for personnel licensing officers is presently being carried out. The DGCAM expects the implementation of the procedures manual by the end of December The ICAO recommendation remains open.

11 Note. Subsequent to the audit follow-up mission, the DGCAM submitted updates on 27 April 2004 and 13 September 2004 indicating that it has issued the Office Procedures Manual of the Flight Safety Department, which contains personnel licensing procedures a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to review the requirements for the issuance of licences on the basis of foreign licences and the validation procedures, the DGCAM indicated that it would review the licensing regulations and develop, before September 2002, a new Flight Safety Office manual to fully document procedures and requirements for the validation of a foreign licence and the issuance of an Omani licence on the basis of a foreign licence. Associated training and examination requirements would be established before 30 April The DGCAM also indicated that it does not intend to publish its procedures for the issuance of State licences based on foreign licences in its AIP because the information is available from Omani operators whose sponsorship is required for the issuance of a licence. b) Validation of action proposed. The CAR-FCL and additional standards contained in CAR 4.04, Section address licensing requirements and procedures for the validation and conversion of foreign licences. The DGCAM does not validate licences other than licences for flight crew members, and applications for validation and conversion of flight crew licences are always received through the AOC holder employing the licence applicant. There is no validation issued to individuals. The validation of a licence or the new Omani licence may be issued by the personnel licensing officers in Muscat and Bahrain, depending on the main base of the AOC holder, who are responsible for assessing the applications and related documents, as well as confirming the authenticity of the original licence and related qualifications of the applicant. The DGCAM does not issue a validation or conversion if the original licence is not in full compliance with ICAO Annex 1 and Oman personnel licensing regulations. Additional examinations are required depending on the experience of the applicant. In all cases, the applicant is required to pass a practical examination in a flight simulator. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to establish procedures for the administration and control of activities concerning licensing examinations, the DGCAM indicated that it would establish an effective control of the examination process, develop new procedures and amend the designated examiners manual, as necessary, to establish clear procedures, before the end of December The DGCAM noted that criteria for the designation of examiners is published in CAN 4-01, but clear guidelines would be established in the manual relating to the delegation of examination activities to these examiners, and also to the development, conduct and correction of written examinations. b) Validation of action proposed. Aviation examinations and licensing activities in Oman are divided into two separate branches: flight crew licensing activities, consisting solely in validation and conversion of foreign licences, and air traffic

12 controllers licensing activities. Concerning flight crew licensing activities, the DGCAM, in line with the implementation of CAR-FCL, has established a system for the administration, supervision and control of type-rating examinations and practical test delivery, including procedures for the designation and supervision of designated flight test examiners employed by the two AOC holders. The DGCAM is presently recruiting a team of three experienced pilots examiners to be fully responsible for evaluating the quality and the standardization of practical tests and examinations, as well as monitoring the delivery of flight and practical tests performed by the designated examiners employed by the two AOC holders. The DGCAM has developed a manual for examiners to ensure the consistent and uniform implementation of the CAR-FCL and related guidelines by the designees. Furthermore, routine standardization meetings involving DGCAM inspectors and the designated examiners are held to ensure the uniform application of guidance material. With respect to air traffic control licensing activities, training and examinations are carried out in an air traffic control academy, which also administers examinations to assess the skills of the applicants. The DGCAM issues the air traffic control licence on the basis of the final examination; however, it has not yet implemented a system for the control of the examinations related to this licence. The ICAO recommendation remains open. Note. Subsequent to the audit follow-up mission, the DGCAM submitted updates on 27 April 2004 and 13 September 2004 indicating that air traffic control licensing procedures addressing the control of air traffic control examinations have been introduced by regulation as CAN a) Action proposed by State. Concerning the need to improve the medical examination system, the DGCAM indicated that it would promulgate requirements for the designation of medical examiners and establish a system for the ongoing supervision of the designated examiners by June Circumstances in which a medical examination may be deferred and the period of deferment would be provided for in the CARs before December b) Validation of action proposed. Requirements and procedures for the designation of medical examiners have been established by the DGCAM in the CAR-FCL, in addition to the Aeromedical Board Procedure manual, which establishes the rules, functions and authority of the Aeromedical Board recently established by the DGCAM. The CAR-FCL establish the medical standards for various licences, classes of medical assessment, requirements and conditions for each class of medical assessments, as well as the validity of medical certificates, and contain requirements concerning experience, training and responsibilities of authorized medical examiners. The Aeromedical Board is responsible for the surveillance and management of the aviation medicine system and the development and establishment of policies, plans, standards and regulations governing the system for the designation of aviation medicine examiners (AMEs). Among its privileges, the board has the authority to issue a medical certificate to an applicant who does not meet the required standards and to carry out additional examinations or investigations, and to endorse the medical certificate with any limitation or

13 restriction. A system for the designation and surveillance of the AMEs, including the reporting of results to the DGCAM, has been established, and a total of eight AMEs, five in Bahrain and three in Muscat, have been designated accordingly. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to review the contents of the licences issued in Oman, the DGCAM indicated that it had taken the necessary actions to ensure that State licences conform to the physical specifications of Annex 1, Chapter 5. b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has established a new system for the issuance of personnel licences, and the format of the new licences now complies with ICAO Annex 1 requirements. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. Concerning the need to establish procedures and requirements for the certification and supervision of aviation training schools, the DGCAM indicated in its action plan that it would establish and publish these requirements before April b) Validation of action proposed. Aviation training activities in Oman are carried out mainly in the air traffic control training institutes. Other training activities, such as flight and cabin crew training, are carried out abroad. Training activities concerning the multinational operator are carried out in Bahrain and are directly under the supervision of the DGCAM staff located in the regional office. The DGCAM has established a system for the certification and inspection of all these aviation training centers, which is part of the recently implemented CAR-FCL. The system includes requirements and procedures for the designation of instructors, taking into consideration their qualifications and competency, and also procedures for approving and supervising approved training. The DGCAM carries out a surveillance programme consisting of random and scheduled inspections of training facilities, training courses, surveillance of instructors and examiners. Concerning aviation training facilities located in Europe or the United States, which are used for flight crew training and aircraft type rating activities, the DGCAM endorses the approval of the civil aviation authority where the training center is located and, in addition, conducts a monitoring programme in line with the monitoring of the flight crew training programme. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with. 4.4 Aircraft operations certification and supervision a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the recommendation to improve coordination between the Operations and Airworthiness Sections in the certification and surveillance of operators, the DGCAM indicated that it would initiate weekly meetings between the sections and would develop and implement coordination procedures for specific approvals beginning July The DGCAM also indicated that the financial evaluation of operators is reviewed annually at the DGCAM

14 budgetary review level with the involvement of the Flight Safety Department, as required. b) Validation of action proposed. The certification and surveillance of air operators is carried out according to the new aircraft operations regulations, CAR-OPS, and related processes and implementing standards. Formal coordination between the Operations and the Airworthiness Sections has been established, and the job descriptions for operations and airworthiness inspectors as well as the checklists used clearly indicate the related distribution of tasks and responsibilities. In addition, one POI and one PMI have been designated for each operator, which also improve the coordination between operations and airworthiness/maintenance matters. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to establish requirements delineating the duties of flight operations officers/dispatchers, the DGCAM indicated that the CARs would be appropriately amended before December Requirements would also be established by this date for the operator to include in the operations manual more detailed duties and responsibilities of the flight operations officers/dispatchers. b) Validation of action proposed. Requirements concerning training, duties and responsibilities of flight operations officers/flight dispatchers have been incorporated in the CAR-OPS. The DGCAM does not issue a flight operations officer/flight dispatcher licence; however, it approves the initial training and on-the-job training of flight operations officers/flight dispatchers carried out by the operators. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. Concerning the need to amend the CARs to include requirements for the operator to establish procedures with respect to the recency of experience of pilots (pilot-in-command and co-pilot), the DGCAM indicated that CAR requires an operator to ensure that a pilot-in-command does not operate an aircraft unless that pilot has made at least three take-offs and landings within the preceding ninety days. b) Validation of action proposed. The CAR-OPS contain requirements relating to flight crew training and recency of pilots. The operator is required to establish and maintain a training programme for flight crew members according to the CAR-OPS, addressing crew coordination and training in all types of emergencies, abnormal situations and procedures, knowledge and skills related to human performance as well as the safe transport of dangerous goods by air. The CAR-OPS also address requirements for recency and route qualifications for pilots and clearly specify that an operator is required to establish procedures for not assigning a pilot to act as pilot-in-command unless that pilot has made at least three take-offs and landings within the preceding ninety days on this type of aircraft and is currently qualified for all route segments of that flight. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with.

15 a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to amend the regulations to include a requirement for all turbine-engined aeroplanes of a maximum certified take-off mass in excess of kg or authorized to carry more that thirty passengers to be equipped with a GPWS, the DGCAM indicated that CAR (a) fully implements the ICAO requirements. However, as State regulations are somewhat more restrictive, a difference would be filed. b) Validation of action proposed. The recently implemented CAR-OPS contain requirements relating to aircraft equipment, including ICAO Standards concerning GPWS for various aircraft categories. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to include in the regulations all provisions of Annex 18 relating to the safe transport of dangerous goods by air, the DGCAM indicated in its action plan that the CARs would be reviewed and amended as necessary to ensure the implementation of all provisions of Annex 18 before December In addition, designated inspectors would receive additional training before February 2002, in order to function as dangerous goods specialists. b) Validation of action proposed. ICAO Doc 9284 Technical Instructions has been introduced by regulations as a reference in all matters concerning the safe transport of dangerous goods by air. Furthermore, the CAR-OPS also contain provisions relating to the transport of dangerous goods by air applicable to AOC holders, and in particular, training requirements for flight and cabin crew and other staff of the operator. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with. 4.5 Airworthiness of aircraft a) Action proposed by State. Concerning the need to establish procedures to ensure the transmission of information on faults, defects and malfunctions to the organization responsible for the type design of the aircraft and the access of airworthiness inspectors to appropriate design organization documentation, the DGCAM indicated that it has already developed procedures to ensure the mandatory information. The DGCAM also indicated that it would establish a system to track airworthiness directives issued by States of Design for all aircraft on the Omani register before July 2002 and to acquire any missing document in the technical library and update existing manuals before August b) Validation of action proposed. The Flight Safety Department has developed an electronic database in order to track airworthiness directives (ADs) applicable to aircraft and equipment used in Oman. Furthermore, compliance with ADs is verified during the renewal of the certificate of airworthiness, and an updated AD status is kept in each aircraft file. By using comprehensive web sites of aircraft manufacturers and the newly established technical library, airworthiness inspectors have an improved access to documents of design organizations. Civil Aviation Notice (CAN) 3-19 addresses the mandatory notification of faults, defects, malfunctions and other occurrences affecting the continuing airworthiness of aircraft

16 to the DGCAM by using of a Service Difficulty Report (SDR) form. However, this CAN does not mention the requirement to notify the organization responsible for the design. Furthermore, no regulation or procedure addresses the obligation of Oman to inform the State of Design once the DGCAM issues its own mandatory airworthiness directives as established by CAR 39. The ICAO recommendation remains open. Note. Subsequent to the audit follow-up mission, the DGCAM submitted updates on 27 April 2004 and 13 September 2004 indicating that CAN 3-19 addressing the mandatory notification of faults, defects, malfunctions and other occurrences affecting the continuing airworthiness of aircraft to the DGCAM was revised to introduce the requirement to notify the organization responsible for the design. In addition, CAR 39 was revised to introduce the obligation of Oman to inform the State of Design once the DGCAM issues its own mandatory airworthiness directives a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to recruit additional airworthiness inspectors to enhance its safety oversight capabilities, the DGCAM indicated that two airworthiness inspectors were away on training at the time of the audit and no additional inspectors would be required after their return. The DGCAM also indicated that additional specialty training would be arranged for existing inspectors, after the approval of the training fund, before 31 January 2002, and a specialized training plan would be implemented before 30 April b) Validation of action proposed. The level of staffing in the Airworthiness Section has not changed since the audit, although the workload has increased due to the introduction of new regulations, such as CAR OPS 1 Commercial Air Transportation (Aeroplanes), Subpart M, Aeroplane Maintenance. There is a need for further review of the capability of the Airworthiness Section to ensure that responsibilities are properly discharged, in particular, in conducting audits in addition to the annual renewal visit. Personnel from the industry have shown interest in becoming employees of the DGCAM; however, the remuneration scale is lower than that of the industry, which limits the recruitment of experienced technical staff. The ICAO recommendation remains open. Note. Subsequent to the audit follow-up mission, the DGCAM submitted updates on 27 April 2004 and 13 September 2004 indicating that the hiring of one airworthiness inspector was under way. The finding on remuneration was brought to the attention of the Ministry of Civil Service, being the government body for employment a) Action proposed by State. With regard to the need to develop requirements and procedures for the certification of specialized maintenance activities, the DGCAM indicated in its action plan that it would establish and publish certification and surveillance requirements and procedures for these activities, including aircraft welding and NDT, before November 2002 and implement an audit plan for specialized maintenance activities before October 2001.

17 b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has issued CAN 3-29 dated 26 July 2003, which addresses the certification of personnel for specialized services, such as welding and NDT. CAN 3-29 makes reference to European Standard EN 4179 (NDT) and British CAR A8-10 (welding). Surveillance of these activities is carried out by the quality assurance audits of the AMOs, and in addition, audits have been conducted by the Flight Safety Department of the DGCAM. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. Concerning the need to establish an adequate system for monitoring ETOPS and significant defects, the DGCAM indicated that a letter would be sent to ETOPS operators before 31 July 2001, requiring them to report significant incidents and events affecting the ETOPS approval. b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has issued CAN 3-30 dated 26 July 2003, which formally introduces airworthiness standards for ETOPS, using the relevant JAA advisory leaflet as a reference for the certification aspects. The DGCAM has assured that these standards are reflected in the relevant manual of the air operators, which have been advised about the requirement to report ETOPS events/incidents. A special attention is given to these operations in the surveillance programme established by the DGCAM. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. With regard to the need to enforce the current requirements for all operators to implement an audit plan and to submit a list of all maintenance subcontractors, the DGCAM indicated that it would review and approve the audit plans for maintenance subcontracting beginning October 2001 and would enforce the existing regulatory requirements for certificated air operators to audit and inspect all maintenance subcontractors at least once each year. b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has requested air operators to provide audit plans for subcontracted maintenance as required by CAR OPS 1. These audit plans cover subcontracted maintenance activities to foreign line stations, vendors and overhaul agencies if a major maintenance visit is foreseen. Oman air operators have not entered into long-term maintenance contracts for the accomplishment of substantial maintenance. Air operators wishing to contract out a major maintenance event need the approval of the DGCAM and are required to perform a quality audit as a pre-condition. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. Concerning the need to establish requirements and procedures for the issuance of an export certificate of airworthiness for aircraft and aeronautical products, the DGCAM indicated that it would develop such requirements before July b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has issued CAN 3-28, Issuance of Export Airworthiness Certificate dated 26 July 2003, which provides detailed procedures for the application and issuance of export certificates of airworthiness. A review of a recent certificate by the ICAO audit follow-up team indicated that the

18 content adheres to ICAO guidance material. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. With regard to the need to establish procedures to maintain ongoing oversight of the reliability programmes and ensure that they meet the requirements of ICAO guidance material, the DGCAM indicated that, before 31 December 2001, it would establish procedures as necessary and have a DGCAM representative attend all air operator reliability meetings as an observer. b) Validation of action proposed. The PMI assigned to each air operator is either required to attend the monthly reliability meetings of the operator or to review the minutes of the meetings. Air operators have been advised to inform the Flight Safety Department about the meeting dates and need to send the reliability defect progress report to the authority. Furthermore, air operators are required to provide the monthly reliability report, and it is the duty of the assigned PMI to review it. The ICAO audit follow-up team reviewed a recent reliability report and found that it adhered to ICAO guidance material. Furthermore, the reliability programme is an item on the newly developed checklist of the Flight Operations Inspector Handbook. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. With respect to the need to establish the procedures for the approval of special operating provisions, i.e. RVSM, minimum navigation performance specifications (MNPS), RNP and Categories (CAT) II and III, the DGCAM indicated in its action plan that it would establish procedures for the approval of these provisions before 31 July 2002, to also include the formal coordination between the Operations and the Airworthiness Sections for the issuance of special operating provisions with weekly meetings and the implementation of various approval forms. b) Validation of action proposed. The DGCAM has issued CAN 3-30 dated 26 July 2003, concerning airworthiness standards and procedures for special operations, which formally introduces JAA advisory and guidance material related to all-weather operations, RVSM, RNP and MNPS in adherence to ICAO guidance material. Regular meetings are held between the Operations and Airworthiness Sections to coordinate the processes that need the expertise of both disciplines, and the approval forms require the signature of both sections. The ICAO recommendation has been complied with a) Action proposed by State. With regard to the need to require air operators to amend the CARs and prepare and submit to the DGCAM their maintenance control manuals, the DGCAM indicated that the CARs conform to ICAO Standards (CAR , , , , , , , and refer) and that all operators are required to submit a manual (CAR refers). b) Validation of action proposed. CAR OPS 1, Part and AMC-OPS include requirements for AOC holders to provide a maintenance management