Flight Operations Management & Technical Operations

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terminology from the lecture on flight operations management, regulatory postholder roles, certification requirements, operations manuals, and technical operations/MRO concepts.

Postholder Organization

A designated structure within an aviation company where nominated individuals are approved by the regulator to oversee specific operational areas and ensure safety and compliance.

Postholder

A person officially nominated and approved by the aviation authority who is accountable for the safety and proper functioning of a specific operational area such as flight operations, maintenance, or training.

Accountable Manager

The highest-ranking individual in an operator’s organization, personally responsible to the national authority for financing, safe operations, and proper maintenance of the fleet.

Director of Operations

Postholder responsible for overall flight operations, supervising crew scheduling, dispatch, and regulatory compliance.

Chief Pilot

Postholder in charge of pilot standards, line checks, and flight crew supervision within an airline.

Head of Training (Flight Crew)

Postholder who oversees development, delivery, and quality of all flight-crew training programs.

Director of Safety

Postholder accountable for the operator’s Safety Management System (SMS) and overall hazard identification and risk mitigation.

Quality Manager

Postholder who monitors compliance with aviation regulations and internal procedures through audits and quality assurance programs.

Safety Manager

Postholder ensuring continuous safety oversight and promotion of a positive safety culture, especially in AMOs and ATOs.

Air Operator Certificate (AOC)

Official approval issued by a national aviation authority authorizing an operator to conduct commercial air transport once it demonstrates adequate personnel, systems, and procedures.

Operations Specification

Section of the AOC that details authorized aircraft types, equipment, and geographical areas of operation.

AOC Audit

Comprehensive technical and economic inspection by the authority to verify an airline’s financial capacity, competence, and postholder organization before issuing or renewing an AOC.

Operations Manual (OM)

Authority-approved document in four parts that contains all operational procedures, policies, and training requirements issued to crew and operational staff.

OM Part A – General/Basic

Section of the Operations Manual covering basic principles, organizational responsibilities, and overall procedures.

OM Part B – Aeroplane Operating Matters

Aircraft-type-specific procedures and limitations contained in the Operations Manual.

OM Part C – Route and Aerodrome Information

Part of the Operations Manual providing route, area, and aerodrome data including charts.

OM Part D – Training

Operations Manual section detailing training principles, programs, and documentation requirements.

Technical Operations

Department responsible for ensuring aircraft maintenance, technical reliability, and economically optimized upkeep of the fleet.

Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul (MRO)

Collective term for all activities that keep aircraft airworthy, including preventive maintenance, repairs, and comprehensive overhauls.

Preventive Maintenance

Scheduled actions (lubrication, fluid refill, inspections) performed to avoid equipment failure.

Predictive Maintenance

Maintenance strategy using sensors and data analytics to forecast failures and schedule interventions before breakdowns occur.

Corrective Maintenance

Actions taken to fix defects or malfunctions after they have been detected in order to restore normal operation.

Routine Repairs

Small, regular repair tasks—inspection, cleaning, lubrication—aimed at preserving equipment integrity.

Emergency Repairs

Unplanned, urgent repairs conducted after sudden equipment failure, often causing downtime and higher cost.

Capital Repairs

Repairs or renovations performed on major fixed assets (facilities, large equipment) to restore or extend their usability.

Line Maintenance

Maintenance performed during active service at a line station; includes ramp checks and the A-check (12–36 h).

Base Maintenance

Heavy maintenance requiring extended aircraft downtime; includes C-checks lasting days or weeks.

A-Check

Largest line maintenance event involving up to 36 hours of inspections and minor tasks while aircraft remains in service rotation.

C-Check

Comprehensive base maintenance inspection requiring several days to weeks of ground time and significant man-hours.

System Engineering (Technical Ops)

Sub-team that evaluates and implements manufacturers’ technical instructions, manages maintenance schedules, and liaises with contracted maintenance organizations.

Minimum Equipment List (MEL)

Document listing equipment that may be inoperative for a limited time while maintaining safe flight; defines rectification timelines.

Airworthiness Directive (AD)

Legally mandatory manufacturer or authority instruction requiring corrective action to resolve an identified safety issue on aircraft.

Service Bulletin (SB)

Manufacturer’s recommended (sometimes mandatory) instructions outlining modifications or inspections to enhance safety or reliability.

Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO)

Entity certified under PCAR Part 6 authorized to perform aircraft maintenance; must staff postholders like Maintenance Manager and Quality Manager.

Approved Training Organization (ATO)

Organization certified under PCAR Part 3 to provide aviation training; must designate postholders such as Head of Training and Chief Flight Instructor.