Air Operations and Operator Responsibilities
Who is responsible for what
Air operations requirements (CAR Section 3, Series C for commercial air transport) place ultimate responsibility on the operator. The operator must ensure the aircraft is airworthy and maintained under an approved programme, that crew are licensed and trained, that mass and balance and performance are within limits, and that MEL (minimum equipment list) procedures are followed. The operator holds the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and is accountable to DGCA.
The operator's relationship with the CAMO and AMO is contractual: the CAMO manages airworthiness, the AMO performs maintenance, but the operator remains responsible. Defect reporting, occurrence reporting and mandatory occurrence reporting systems are operator obligations. The MEL allows dispatch with certain equipment inoperative, under defined conditions, and only if the MEL is approved.
Traps
A common trap is thinking the AMO's CRS absolves the operator - it does not. Another is treating the MEL as permission to fly with anything unserviceable; it is a controlled, approved document with conditions. A third is confusing dispatch with airworthiness: a valid CoA and ARC do not by themselves authorise a flight if the MEL or performance is not met.
Worked example / rule of thumb
If an item is inoperative and not in the MEL, the aircraft cannot be dispatched, even with a valid CoA and ARC. Airworthy ≠ dispatchable.