Factual Information 2015:1.17 Organisational and Management Information/1.17.1.3
This page contains an extract from MH370/01/15 Factual Information which accompanied the (first) Interim Statement released by The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370 on 8th March 2015.
1.17.1.3 Flight Operations Sector
The Director of Flight Operations reports directly to the DGCA and is responsible for the operations of five divisions, namely: Flight Crew Licensing, Air Operator Regulatory, Flight Simulator, General Aviation and Flight Calibration.
The primary functions of the Flight Operations Sector include surveillance oversight on scheduled and non-scheduled air carriers, flight test and simulator training of pilots, flight crew licensing on examinations standards, General Aviation activities, airfields and airways calibration and the conduct of a joint technical audit with the Airworthiness Sector and Air Transport Sector for the issue or renewal of Air Operating Certificate (AOC) for scheduled and non-scheduled air carriers.
With respect to aircraft accidents or incidents investigation, pilots from this sector may be called upon, to assist the Air Accident Investigation Bureau, under the Ministry of Transport.
The sector has established the procedures for Mandatory Occurrence Reporting (MOR) Scheme Guidelines in the Flight Operations Notice for the air operators to comply with in DCA Malaysia website.
With respect to ICAO Annex 19 – Safety Management, the Flight Operations Sector has implemented the requirement under the Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) No: 06/2008 and in conjunction with ICAO Annex 6 Part 1 Chapter 3 paragraph 3.2.4 and 3.2.5 and Part III Chapter 1 paragraph 1.2.4 and 1.2.5 with effect from 1 January 2009 it requires all Malaysian AOC Holders to implement an integrated Safety Management Systems (SMS).
To date, 8 of the AOC Scheduled Operators have complied with the SMS requirements and approved by the Sector. The implementation of the SMS for the 16 Non-Scheduled Operators is being incorporated in stages.
The following documents: Flight Operations Surveillance Inspector Handbook, Flight Crew Licensing Handbook, Flight Operations Policy and Procedure Manual and Ramp Inspection Handbook form part of the sector procedure manual in carrying out their surveillance responsibilities.
As stated in the authorised Flight Examiner Handbook, each flight examiner is required to conduct at least six instrument flight checks and two type rating checks over the three-year period of their authorisation. In addition, they have to submit a quarterly activity report. In accordance with the Handbook, the authorised examiner has to pass an initial test upon appointment and a renewal test, to be conducted six months prior to the expiration of the authorisation. In between the tests, the examiner will also be the subject of one observation session to be conducted by the inspector.
The present activities of the Flight Operations Sector for surveillance oversight includes 8 Scheduled Operators, 21 Non-Scheduled Operators 8 Approved Flying Training Organisations, 16 new AOC applicants, 12 Flying Clubs, international flight en-route Inspections, domestic and international Station Facility Inspections and Ramp Inspections.
The frequency for Station Facility is once in every 2 years, the RAMP Inspection is 4 inspections at every originating en-route or destination stops, 4 inspections annually at every location but may depend on the safety performance of the operator while Base Inspection for Scheduled Operations and Non-Schedule Operations to be carried out on annual basis.
The sector has a total establishment of 28 pilot posts to manage the various divisions, and of which only 16 posts had been filled. The need for experienced pilots to fill up the various posts had been an issue for most authority body worldwide, unless better incentives are offered.
Source: Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370, 8 March 2015, Factual Information MH370/01/15
The Factual Information was updated in 2018 by the Safety Investigation Report MH370/01/2018 which added new content but did not include all of the previous data.