# ICAO Annex 6 - Operation of Aircraft

> Overview of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices for aircraft operations.

- **Subject:** 070 — Operational Procedures
- **Section:** 071-01 — General Requirements
- **Topic code:** 071-01-01
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-04-01
- **Author:** Pablo Asensio Martínez
- **HTML version:** https://pilotsyllabus.com/en/operational-procedures/general-requirements/icao-annex-6/

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## Structure of Annex 6

![Aerial photograph of airliners in flight](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Aerial_photograph_of_airliners_in_flight.jpg)

ICAO Annex 6 is divided into three parts:
1.  **Part I**: International Commercial Air Transport – Aeroplanes.
2.  **Part II**: International General Aviation – Aeroplanes.
3.  **Part III**: International Operations – Helicopters.

## Key Concepts (Part I)

### Air Operator Certificate (AOC)
An authorization granted by the State of the Operator to an operator to carry out commercial air transport operations.
*   The operator must demonstrate the ability to conduct safe operations.
*   The AOC specifies the type of operations authorized (e.g., passenger/cargo, area of operation, aircraft types).

### Operations Manual (OM)
The operator must provide an Operations Manual for the use and guidance of operations personnel.
*   It must be amended or revised as necessary.
*   It contains standard operating procedures (SOPs), aircraft limitations, performance data, and route information.

### Responsibilities
*   **State of the Operator**: The state issuing the AOC. Responsible for oversight.
*   **State of Registry**: The state on whose register the aircraft is entered. Responsible for airworthiness.
*   **Pilot-in-Command (PIC)**: Responsible for the safety of the aircraft and occupants. Has final authority.

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