Civil Aviation Act · 2024 Revised Edition · Part · Personnel
15. Aircraft commander
Official textFrom Attorney General's Chambers, unchanged
Every aircraft operator shall, for each flight segment of an aircraft, designate a suitably qualified member of the operating crew as commander of the aircraft and, where appropriate, another qualified member of the operating crew as assistant commander who shall, when necessary, assume command.
aircraft operator
“aircraft operator” means a person, organisation or enterprise engaged in or offering to engage in an aircraft operation;
The aircraft commander shall be solely responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft in flight and the safeguarding of the aircraft and persons and property aboard the aircraft. He shall at all times observe the
aircraft
“aircraft” means a machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface;
Rules of the Air Regulations, appropriate directions of air traffic controllers, obtain all relevant meteorological information available to him, and fulfill all other requirements which may be imposed by this Act.
Rules of the Air Regulations
“Rules of the Air Regulations” means the regulations of that citation made by the Minister under this Act;
The aircraft commander shall be the supreme decision-making authority aboard the aircraft and shall have all the necessary powers to take such steps and perform such actions as he may consider reasonably necessary to carry out his duties and responsibilities. The aircraft commander has the authority necessary to —
commander
“commander” means the pilot-in-command responsible for the safe operation of an aircraft and the safety of its occupants while the aircraft is in flight;
restrain persons on board who may be a threat to safety;
protect safety of persons and property on board;
Civil Aviation
maintain good order and discipline on board;
disembark persons who may be a threat to safety;
search persons or baggage on an aircraft and take possession of items which could be used in connection with any offence, as determined under the provisions of this Act.
The Director may impose such additional duties and responsibilities upon the aircraft commander as may be required in the interest of safety or security.
Director
“Director” means the Director of the Department, appointed under section 6;
Terms defined in s 2
aircraft
Defined · s 2“aircraft” means a machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface;
aircraft operator
Defined · s 2“aircraft operator” means a person, organisation or enterprise engaged in or offering to engage in an aircraft operation;
commander
Defined · s 2“commander” means the pilot-in-command responsible for the safe operation of an aircraft and the safety of its occupants while the aircraft is in flight;
Director
Defined · s 2“Director” means the Director of the Department, appointed under section 6;
in flight
Defined · s 2“in flight” means — (a) in the case of a piloted aircraft, from the moment when, after the crew has embarked in order to take-off, it first moves under its own power until the moment when it next comes to rest after landing; (b) in the case of a pilotless aircraft (including a glider), from the moment when it first moves for the purpose of taking off until the moment when it next comes to rest after landing; (c) in the case of an airship or free balloon, from the moment when it becomes detached from the surface until the moment when it becomes attached thereto or comes to rest;
operating crew
Defined · s 2“operating crew” means the aircraft commander and other licensed persons who are both on duty and charged with duties essential to the operation of the aircraft while it is in flight;
Rules of the Air Regulations
Defined · s 2“Rules of the Air Regulations” means the regulations of that citation made by the Minister under this Act;
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Aircraft Operations
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Air Transport
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Aerodromes
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Liability and Insurance
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Security of Civil Aviation
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