Flight Operations

MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST

The CAP 03 | Minimum Equipment List provides guidance and specifies the means for an operator to produce MELs and procedures, so that an aircraft with unserviceable equipment may be dispatched in accordance with the applicable requirements of CAR OPS.

The formal application for MEL approval can be made using Form SM 03, which is required to be sent along with the tailored MEL and MMEL.

Since San Marino CAA recognises that the preparation of a MEL for submission can take a considerable period of time, we will consider applications from General Aviation aircraft for the issue of an approval to use the Master Minimum Equipment List for up to 30 days. The MMEL approval can be requested using Form SM 29.

DESIGNATED AIRSPACE

The CAP 04 | Designated Airspace Approval provides an overview of required aircraft equipment, generic training, procedures and operational approval requirements for operations in the following designated airspace:

RVSM - NAT HLA - RNP 4 - RNAV 5 (B-RNAV) - RNAV/RNP 10 - RNP APCH - RNP AR APCH - RNAV 1 (P-RNAV), RNP 1 & RNAV 2.

For aircraft operated privately under CAR OPS 2A, all applicants are required to provide evidence of navigation/altimetry capability (as appropriate) and declare in a Declaration of Compliance using Form SM 04, that the aircraft has suitably approved equipment (is eligible), the navigation database is valid, the pilot is suitably qualified and current with respect to the equipment and adequate procedures and checklists are in place.

ELECTRONIC FLIGHT BAG

The CAP 06 | Electronic Flight Bag provides information and CAA policy regarding the acceptable method of compliance for the certification, airworthiness and operational approval for both portable and installed Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) aircraft computing devices.

For aircraft operated privately under CAR OPS 2A Part 1 or CAR OPS 2H, Form SM 06A must be completed and submitted as a Declaration of Compliance.

For aircraft operated commercially under CAR OPS 1 or CAR OPS 2A Part 2 or CAR OPS 3, Form SM 06 must be submitted as part of the AOC approval process.

CONTROLLER/PILOT DATA LINK COMMUNICATIONS

The CAP 10 | Controller /Pilot Data Link Communications provides guidance material for the operation of San Marino registered aircraft utilising Future Air Navigation Systems (FANS) technology providing direct data link communication between the pilot and the Air Traffic Controller. The system is referred to as Controller/Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) and includes air traffic control clearances, pilot requests and position reporting as well as a company data link facility.

All aircraft operators with proven operational competency, training and documentation in RNP 4 and RVSM airspace procedures can request approval by submitting Form SM 30 accompanied by any required supporting documentation.

If you do not hold an approval for RNP 4 airspace from the San Marino CAA, you are then required to request approval by submitting Form SM 04 accompanied by any required operational supporting documentation.

STEEP APPROACH

Any San Marino registered aircraft planning to conduct steep approaches to airports where the initial approach angle is 4½° or greater such as London City (EGLC) in the UK, Sion (LSGS) and Lugano (LSZA) in Switzerland, require an approval from the CAA before the commencement of operations.

CAP 27 | Steep Approach Operations provides information on the application, required equipment, the approval process, as well as guidance on operational procedures and training.

A formal application to obtain a steep approach approval can be made using Form SM 135 (GA) or Form SM 135A (CAT).

ICAO 83BIS AGREEMENT

Any organisation that wishes to operate an aircraft for the purpose of Commercial Air Transport, may alternately to obtaining an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the CAA SMR, choose to operate commercially under a foreign AOC utilising an ICAO Article 83bis agreement.

An ICAO Article 83bis Agreement defines the division of regulatory oversight responsibilities between San Marino, as the State of Registry, and a foreign civil aviation authority, as State of the Operator, in relation to the operation of San Marino registered aircraft.

This means that aircraft registered in San Marino can be operated for commercial purposes by a foreign AOC holder.