Air Transport Operations
Commercial versus private
A PPL does not permit carrying passengers for hire or reward. Commercial air transport requires an air operator certificate (AOC) under the Nig. CARs and appropriately licensed crew. Cost-sharing is narrow: contributions must not amount to reward, and a flight organised for payment can still be commercial even if labelled "shared fuel".
Operational controls
- Operations manual and SOPs: the approved manual governs normal and emergency operation.
- MEL: defects may be deferred only under the approved minimum equipment list, with the stated conditions.
- Fuel policy: taxi, trip, contingency, alternate, final reserve and any additional fuel.
- Mass and balance: within certified limits for take-off, landing and en route.
- Weather minima and alternates: planned and monitored before and during flight.
- Dangerous goods and security: acceptance, loading and screening rules apply.
Worked example
A PPL holder is offered payment to fly three passengers to Abuja. Reasoning: payment makes the flight commercial. It requires an AOC, a CPL or ATPL as appropriate, an approved operations manual and commercial insurance. The aircraft's private C of A and private insurance likely exclude commercial use. The correct answer is to decline unless the full commercial framework is in place.
Traps that cost marks
- Abusing cost-sharing to disguise commercial flights.
- Assuming an AOC covers any aircraft, route or operation.
- Treating the MEL as permission to ignore any defect.
- Planning fuel to the minimum without reserves.
- Ignoring performance limits at high-altitude or hot Nigerian airports.