Aerodrome Regulations, Standards & Guidance Material

OVERVIEW OF AERODROME CERTIFICATION REGULATORY SYSTEM

There are two prerequisites in Fiji's aerodrome certification regulatory system. These are:

a) the provision in Fiji's Aviation Legislation enabling the development and promulgation of aerodrome regulations;

and

b) CAAF, the state entity that has been vested with the necessary authority to ensure compliance with the regulations.

BASIC AVIATION LAW

Fiji's Aviation Legislation, inter alia:

• authorizes the establishment of the CAAF, to be headed by a Chief Executive (CE) (CAA Act 1979);
• provides for the adoption of aerodrome certification regulations ; 
• entrusts the CE and CAAF to carry out the functions, duties and responsibilities to issue, review, transfer, refuse and cancel aerodrome certificates; develop, issue and amend Aerodrome Directives, Bulletins, Orders, etc., consistent with the regulations (CAA Act 1979);
• requires that CAAF, as the certification authority, to be satisfied that the holder of an aerodrome certificate is competent to ensure that the aerodrome, its associated airspace and the operating procedures are safe for use by aircraft (Reform Act 1999);
• provide for the necessary coordination with other agencies and service providers, such as aeronautical information services, air traffic services, designated meteorological authorities, and security, to ensure safe aircraft operations (CAA Act 1979 and Reform Act 1999);
• provide for the enforcement and imposition of sanctions for non-compliance with the regulations (CAA Act 1979 and Reform Act 1999); and
• provide for authorized personnel to have right of access to such places as necessary to carry out safety audits, inspections and testing as provided for in the regulations (CAA Act 1979 and Reform Act 1999).

AERODROME CERTIFICATION BASIC PRINCIPLES
Fijis Aviation Legislation and CAAF Standards includes provisions for:

• the mandatory certification of all or certain categories of aerodromes in accordance with criteria established in ICAO Annex 14. Note: ICAO has provisions that allow a State to decide to exempt aerodromes used by aircraft with less than a defined number of passenger seats from certification requirements and instead make other appropriate provisions in the regulations for ensuring the safety of operations at uncertified aerodromes, such as those relating to the movement area and visual aids;
• the certification procedure;
• the duties and responsibilities of aerodrome operators;
• safety audits, inspections and testing;
• the imposition of sanctions for contravention of, or failure to comply with, any of the provisions of the regulations; and
• the use of military aerodromes by civil aircraft.

The Civil Aviation (Reform) Act 1999 Section 10 requires that any person, who operates an aerodrome in Fiji, shall do so under a certificate or registration approval issued by the Authority:

• Fiji Civil Aviation Act & Promulgation (link)
• Fiji AIC (link)
• SD-AD (Link)
• Guidance Material from the current intranet (link)