Airport Operators
a) Operations Manual - MOPS
The Aerodrome Operations Manual – MOPS is the document that contains conditions, standards and description of the procedures performed by the aerodrome operator in the provision of services to guarantee operational safety, as well as other administrative measures.
The MOPS approval by ANAC is a preliminary requirement for the airport certification.
The MOPS must contain the necessary and enough information for the proper understanding and performance of the operator's processes, taking into account the particularities applicable to the aerodrome.
Requirements for MOPS approval
The MOPS will be approved by ANAC if it complies with the pertinent requirements. A MOPS Compliance Statement must be sent by the aerodrome operator at the time of the Formal Application.
MOPS Model recommended by ANAC: download here. (available only in Portuguese)
Model of the Main list of MOPS content: download here. (available only in Portuguese)
MOPS Model for operators Class I-B
ANAC has developed this MOPS model to assist class I-B aerodrome operators in establishing and documenting the processes required by applicable regulations, in particular RBAC nº 153.
Class I-B aerodromes are those operating scheduled flights and embarking and disembarking up to 200,000 (two hundred thousand) passengers per year.
Download here: MOPS Model for operators I-B (available only in Portuguese)
b) Certification Inspection
The purpose of the certification inspection is to verify if rules, standards and practices adopted correspond to those contained in the MOPS and includes the aspects related to operational safety, especially:
1. Aerodrome operator organization
2. Safety Management System (SGSO)
3. Wildlife Hazard Management
4. Airport Infrastructure
5. Airport Operations
6. Airport Maintenance
7. Rescue and fire fighting
The scheduling of the certification inspection occurs when the evaluation of the Formal Application concludes that the MOPS submitted meets the requirements or has no non-compliances that could compromise the certification inspection.
The assignment of ANAC inspectors is to verify the adherence of MOPS information to the systems, services, processes and procedures developed at the airport.
c) Exemptions
When a non-compliance could not be resolved immediately or even in the medium/long term, the aerodrome operator may request ANAC a temporary or permanent exemption, in accordance with RBAC 11.
Exemption can be defined as a release, temporary or permanent, of compliance with the rule established by ANAC in RBAC or Resolution, when it is proven that the non-compliance does not affect the safety of operations or that the interested party is taking actions to guarantee the service to the public interest with a level of safety acceptable to ANAC.
In the certification process, it is possible that the type of operation desired in the operative specifications (EO) finds difficulties to reconcile with the existing infrastructure and its adequacy cannot be performed immediately. Therefore, the operator may request exemption from compliance with the infrastructure requirement, based on a robust risk analysis which demonstrates that the non-compliance does not significantly affect the operational safety.
The request for Exemption must be substantiated by an Operational Safety Analysis (AISO), an Aeronautical Study (EA) or a Compatibility Study (EC), as appropriate.
Access the list of all exemption requests reviewed in the certification processes
d) Equivalent Level of Safety (NESO)
Equivalent level of safety (NESO) means the condition in which there is no exact fulfillment of the requirement established by ANAC, but compensatory factors that reach the purpose of the requirement are adopted, thus guaranteeing an equivalent level of safety.
In the certification process, the type of operation planned in the Operative Specifications (EO) of the airport may find difficulties for an accurate compliance with the existing infrastructure, but it is possible to reach an equivalent level through operational restrictions and procedures. Therefore, RBAC 139 grants the possibility for the aerodrome operator to request a NESO.
The NESO request must be substantiated by an Operational Safety Impact Analysis (AISO), an Aeronautical Study (EA) or a Compatibility Study (CE), as appropriate.
e) Aeronautical Noise
Aeronautical noise comes from aircraft operations such as taxiing, approaching, landing, taking off, and aircraft engine testing. It is an intermittent noise or non-stationary noise, with high sound levels, capable of causing adverse effects to the population when exposed to excessive levels of that kind of noise.
Aeronautical noise represents a major challenge for any industry likewise in civil aviation and its strong growth forecasts to the coming years. Managing their impacts on communities near aerodromes requires a careful balance between protecting residents and recognizing the broader economic and social contributions of aviation activity.
The management of aeronautical noise problems involves several public and private entities, including the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), the Department of Airspace Control (DECEA), aerodrome operators, air operators, and municipalities, affected communities, environmental agencies, among others.
Within its responsibilities ANAC approved the Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulation (RBAC) No. 161 - “Aerodrome Noise Zoning Plans - NZP”. This regulation establishes the obligation for aerodrome operators to present a noise zoning plan (NZP), and require actions to make land use compatible with municipalities covered by noise curves.
The NZP is the document that aims to geographically represent the area of impact of aeronautical noise arising from operations at aerodromes and, together with the activities properly located in these areas, be the instrument that enables the development of aerodromes in harmony with the communities and neighborhoods.
In general, the NZP identifies the areas covered by aeronautical noise, helping municipalities as an instrument for decision-making on land use around aerodromes. Ideally, the areas most affected by noise should not be occupied by homes, schools, hospitals. It is up to the Municipality (Article 30, item VIII, of the Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil) to properly plan land occupation according to information provided in the NZP.
According to RBAC 161, aerodromes may fall under the application of a Basic Noise Zoning Plan (PBZR) or a Specific Noise Zoning Plan (PEZR). The PEZR is mandatory for all aerodromes that have presented above 7,000 annual average aircraft movements on the last 3 (three) years. For annual aircraft movement below this level, it is up to the aerodrome operator to choose the PBZR or PEZR. However, ANAC may request the preparation of a PEZR at any aerodrome, based on evidence of its need.