No approach for regulation despite rice tycoons frenzy for helicopters

Anyone using aircraft for domestic and international operation should obtain licences from the CAA which is the regulatory body

CAA Director-General Daminda Rambukwella said there is a five-step process and none of them had contacted his office 

Anybody can go for air shows and see the aircraft, but that doesn’t mean they have owned an  aircraft. The first thing is that they should inform us that they are going to start an airline. That is for getting the application for AOC

By Kelum Bandara

Despite the hype created regarding plans by two rice mill owners turned billionaires to purchase aircraft, none of them have so far approached the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAA) to secure the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) , an official said yesterday. Billionaires Dudley Sirisena and Mithrapala Lankeshwara said that they intend to purchase helicopters for personal and commercial use.  

Anyone using aircraft for domestic and international operation should obtain licences from the CAA which is the regulatory body.  

Asked for a comment about the planned investment in the domestic aviation industry, CAA Director-General Daminda Rambukwella said there is a five-step process and none of them had contacted his office.  

“Anybody can go for air shows and see the aircraft, but that doesn’t mean they have owned ant aircraft. The first thing is that they should inform us that they are going to start a airline . That is for getting the application for AOC,” he said.  

“There are several types of operations.Then, we evaluate .We ask them to come for a pre-application procedure,” he said.  

An applicant must first appoint key management and technical personnel, including an accountable manager, quality manager, licensed engineers and type-rated pilots. Detailed operational and engineering manuals must then be prepared and submitted for evaluation. The aircraft must also be brought under the Sri Lankan registry and obtain both a Certificate of Registration and a Certificate of Airworthiness.  

If the aircraft type is new to the registry, CAA inspectors are required to examine it, and the operator must demonstrate adequate facilities, including hangars, maintenance arrangements, and operational control systems. A proving flight is also mandatory, during which inspectors assess passenger handling, emergency procedures and ground arrangements.  

The entire process can take up to six months, depending on the readiness of the applicant. Only after completing all requirements, the Authority will issue an AOC along with operational specifications.  

Meanwhile, Mr.Mithrapala said he would travel to the United States next month to purchase the plane.   

“I had plans earlier. But I had to go to another country for business purposes. I will be going to the U.S. next month ,” he said.