This chapter will analyse the following provisions related to the safe operation of aircraft engaged in international air transport: licensing of aeronautical personnel (Annex 1) aircraft opserations (Annex 6) including the carriage of dangerous goods by air (Annex 18) aircraft design, manufacture, maintenance (Annex 8) and identification (Annex 7) aircraft search and rescue (Annex 12) the investigation of aircraft accidents and incidents (Annex 13) as well as safety management (Annex 19).Īlthough human beings are vital to the chain of aircraft operations, they are also the most flexible and variable link. This international soft-law system facilitates the effective conduct of international air transportation, as supported by workforces of experts nominated by ICAO Member States to ensure that air transportation continues to be safe, secure, efficient and sustainable. Differences to SARPs notified by Member States are also part of the Annexes and are published in Supplements and in the Aeronautical Information Service. These documents are amended periodically to reflect current practices and procedures. Detailed technical specifications are expanded in manuals called Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANs), Regional Supplementary Procedures (SUPPs), Guidance Material and Circulars. “Recommended practices” means any specification for physical characteristics, configuration, materiel, performance, personnel, or procedure, the uniform application of which is recognized as desirable in the interest of safety, regularity, or efficiency of international air navigation, and to which Member States will endeavour to conform in accordance with the Convention.īecause of the technical complexity, SARPs are formulated in broad terms and restricted to essential requirements. “Standard” means any specification for physical characteristics, configuration, materiel, performance, personnel, or procedure, the uniform application of which is recognized as necessary for the safety or regularity of international air navigation and to which Member States will conform in accordance with the Convention in the event of impossibility of compliance, notification to the Council is compulsory under Article 38 of the Convention.

While they are not specifically defined in the Convention, the First ICAO Assembly provided definitions for both terms in each Annex, which are as follows (emphasis added): Article 37 of the Convention empowers the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to adopt international Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) which are contained in 19 Annexes to the Chicago Convention.

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