High Risk Commercial SPO

High risk activities are those which pose a high risk in particular to third parties on the ground. Each activity will need to be assessed by the operator. If they believe the activity will pose a high risk they must apply to TM CAD or their EASA member state competent authority for a High Risk Authorisation.

Each activity has to be assessed against the specific nature of the activity, the environment in which it is conducted and whether the activity poses a high risk in particular to third parties on the ground.

Note: Only COMMERCIAL SPO-operators require a High Risk Authorisation (HRA). The CAD has published a list of high risk commercial specialised operations for which an authorisation is required in OAN 01/17.

Applying for High Risk Authorisation

A commercial specialised operator shall apply for and obtain an authorisation issued by the CAD prior to commencing a high risk commercial specialised operation:

a) that is carried out over an area where the safety of third parties on the ground is likely to be endangered in the event of an emergency, or
b) that, as determined by the competent authority of the place where the operation is conducted, due to its specific nature and the local environment in which it is conducted, poses a high risk, in particular to third parties on the ground.

The operator shall provide the following information to the CAD:

a) the official name and business name, address, and mailing address;
b) a description of the management system, including organisational structure;
c) a description of the proposed operation, including the type(s), and number of aircraft to be operated;
d) the risk assessment documentation and related standard operating procedures, required by SPO.OP.230;
e) a statement that all the documentation sent to the competent authority has been verified by the operator and found in compliance with the applicable requirements.

When satisfied with the risk assessment and SOP, the CAD shall issue the authorisation, as established in Appendix IV of Part-ARO (EASA Form 151). It is CAD policy that such an authorisation is issued for a period not exceeding 2 years. The duration of the authorisation may be even shorter depending on the nature of the operation.

The conditions under which an operator is authorised to conduct one or more high risk commercial specialised operations are specified in the authorisation.

In case where the authorisation for a cross-border high risk commercial specialised operation is required, the competent authority of the operator shall review the operator’s risk assessment documentation and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in coordination with the competent authority of the place where the operation is planned to be conducted. When both authorities are satisfied with the risk assessment and SOPs, the competent authority of the operator shall issue the authorisation.

For initial application, changes or renewal of authorisation, an operator is required to submit Form 0318.