The Department of Civil Aviation in Cyprus, known as (DCA) consisting of over 1000 (Permanent and temporary) staff, has its headquarters located in the capital of Nicosia. The DCA is responsible to the Minister of Communications and Works, for the activities on all Civil Aviation matters, such as Air Transport, General Aviation, Airports, Air Traffic Services within Nicosia FIR, Training, and Aeronautical Information Services.
DCA frequently represents Cyprus at different fora, locally and abroad, i.e. ICAO, ECAC, JAA, EUROCONTROL, IATA,
etc.
The spectrum of activities of the DCA, cover the Technical and Operational requirements arising from the Air Transport operations performed by the National Carrier and other "Onshore" Companies registered in Cyprus, or 'Offshore' companies allowing foreign participation, and having prior permission by the Cyprus Central Bank, operating commercially anywhere, except Cyprus. Furthermore, Flight Training, performed by local Flying clubs, and for Private or pleasure Flying.
There are two main sections within the Department, directly under the control of the Director of the Department.
Air Transport
International Traffic
Bilateral Air Services Agreements
Scheduled flights, inclusive tour charter flights, and military flights.
Airlines
Larnaca International Airport
Pafos International Airport
Air Traffic Services
Air Traffic
Safety Regulation Section
Statistical Information for Larnaca and Pafos Airports for year 2000
Aircraft Movements 53000
Passengers 6.26 million
Cargo in tons 33400
Bilateral Agreements 45 (plus 11 initialed)
Aircraft movements within FIR 212000
Revenue 42.1 million
Expenditure 21 million
Air Traffic Services 70000
The DCA Radio Navigational Aids i.e. VORs, DMEs, NDBs and ILSs are normally operated and maintained by the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority, and are regularly calibrated by an approved calibration unit.
Continuous efforts are made for the repair and additions to both airports to improve the standards as well as their efficiency.
There is also a Master plan for further development of these airports, and a project Management Team for the inspection of the construction drawings, and the tender documents. Furthermore this team acts as the co coordinator for the preparation of the documents for the financing by the BOT method.
Efforts are also continuously made for the harmonization of the Air Transport Policy with E.U - acquis communitaire.
Furthermore, negotiations are in hand for an agreement on access to the common aviation area (European Common Aviation Area).
Further down I shall deal separately in each of the main areas i.e. Legislation, Airworthiness, Registration, and Licensing and Approvals.
1. Legislation
For the years before our independence, being a British Colony, DCA
Followed the UK Legislation. Since however our independence in 1960,
DCA has been using as a basis the above UK 1955 legislation as applicable
at that time, but amended or supplemented periodically to meet ICAO and other policies, by issuing Aeronautical Information Circulars covering Technical and Operational topics.
Since 1999 and until present the DCA with an expert from the EU Member-country supported by the Law office of the Republic initialized the drafting of the new Law on Air Transport aligned with the relevant acquis. The final draft of the law is expected to be submitted to the Government for final ratification by the Parliament.
At the same time the DCA in view of Cyprus orientation to join the EEC, has decided to adopt the JAR OPS 1 & 3, JAR145, JAR FCL, and JAR66 Regulations and Requirements, for aircraft to be used for Hire and reward, operating under an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) which shall have to be complied with to coincide with our Annexation to EEC.
In this direction a contract funded by EEC through JAA consultants are preparing a report so as to suggest ways for improvement and to facilitate the Department meeting the EEC standards.
For this purpose the Section "Safety Regulation Section" under the Air Traffic has been created dealing with items 2, 3. And 4 here below.
For General Aviation, DCA s standards shall continue to apply unless those may be superceded by JAA policy in the future.
2. Airworthiness
Airworthiness standards are set as per the prescribed policies dictated basically by ICAO, and developed further, by the DCA with orientation towards JAA requirements.
As to the Engineering and Operational Airworthiness control, these are divided into two main groups, as follows:
a. Non Air Operators Certificate holders
This task, is undertaken by the DCA, who utilizes a team of delegated Airworthiness inspectors, and designated pilots, who are asked to carry out specific surveys, and tests, whenever the need arises, for aircraft registration, issue or renewal of C of A 's, embodiment of mandatory Airworthiness Directives, or modifications, re categorization of aircraft, granting of concessions, etc.
In each case, there are detailed written procedures that have to be followed.
To assist in this task, the DCA has a very comprehensive library, made also available to aircraft owners and operators, with all the necessary publications, such as of ICAO, UK CAA, FAA, JAA, as well as Airworthiness Directives, and Service bulletins with other technical information as supplied from aircraft manufacturers, of the types of aircraft on the Cyprus Register.
These publications are available in hard copies, microfilms, and CD Roms.
The DCA also, from time to time, issues their own Circulars to aircraft owners and operators advising them of the DCA policies on Engineering and Operational Airworthiness matters.
b. Air Operators Certificate holders
Prior to accepting an aircraft on the Cyprus register, DCA requests UK CAA under contractual arrangements to carry out the inspections detailed above and submit to the DCA their reports, on the basis of which it may be decided to register the aircraft or not.
Thereafter, the same procedure is followed, before the DCA can accept Issue or renewal of C of A 's, and issue or renewal of Air Operators Certificates.
Between renewals, the above Airworthiness Authority carry out for the DCA, the Engineering and Operational surveillance and Airworthiness control.
3. Registration.
The registration is open to applicants, under certain conditions, and DCA has so far, accepted aircraft, helicopters, amphibian aircraft, amateur built aircraft, and Ultra Light aircraft on their Register.
At present, there are approximately 94 aircraft and helicopters on the Cyprus register, classified mainly in the Transport, Private, and Aerial categories. These aircraft are operating locally, or overseas.
As it may already be known, the future Government policy is to open the Aircraft Register and attract more overseas operators, and in this direction, specific considerations are made in the legislation that is being drafted, to allow appropriate incentives.
A detailed computerized Registration system is available whereby full history may be traced since the date an aircraft has been placed on the Register up to date.
4. Licensing and Approvals
Licensing is divided into three areas.
a. DCA issues Private Pilot's licenses in accordance with an established course syllabus and examination procedures.
Assistant or Full Instructors ratings are also issued
b. The Validation of Foreign licenses, both for Engineers and Pilots, whereby in accordance with ICAO requirements, DCA issues a validation Certificate of license issued by a foreign country, provided that country is a Contracting ICAO State, and the applicant is aware of Cyprus legislation procedures and requirements.
Such a revalidation, allows the holder to exercise the privileges of his license on Cyprus registered aircraft.
So far, DCA has issued approximately 480 validation Certificates for pilots, and 42 for engineers.
c. DCA further more, provides their own training and examinations for Air controllers.
The future policy, as we understand, is to issue Commercial pilot licenses, and in this direction, the DCA is close to completing the necessary requirements for the course syllabus, and examination procedures.
It is to be noted however that the whole subject on Licensing is currently under review and drastic changes are in hand in order that DCA may comply with the stringent JAA FCL and JAR 66 requirements.
To this effect certain AICīs are to be issued to cover this important Topic, prior to our Annexation with Europe.
Approvals are also issued to Engineering and overseas maintenance Organizations, involved in engineering work, to enable them work and certify Cyprus registered aircraft.
The validity period for such approvals is restricted ordinarily, to the period that the company has a contractual arrangement with the Cypriot Operator.
DCA requirement prior to granting such an approval is primarily, to be an approved Company under its country's Company approval scheme, and specifically, recognized under UK CAA, or, JAA, regulations.
Furthermore, the company seeking for such an approval is subjected to DCA's physical inspection of their facilities.
The JAA volume JAR 145, "Approved Maintenance Organizations" gives all the specifications and detailed requirements for such an approval to be obtained
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