Flights for Specialized Operations

Last Update on 08/12/2020

Carrying out Specific Specialized Flight Operations Activity within the Nicosia FIR

General Information

Operators who are interested to carry out Specific Specialized Flight Operations Activity within the Nicosia FIR, should have a Permit, issued by the Department of Civil Aviation, of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works.

In accordance with the Aeronautical Information Circular AIC C003/2019 (see “Related Documents”) and in accordance with AMC1 SPO GEN.005-Scope of Annex VIII Part SPO of the EU Reg. 965/2012, on Air Operations, the following is a list of activities that can be considered as Specialized Operations:

  1. Helicopter external loads operations;
  2. Helicopter survey operations;
  3. Human external cargo operations;
  4. Parachute operations and skydiving;
  5. Agricultural flights;
  6. Aerial photography flights;
  7. Glider towing;
  8. Aerial advertising flights;
  9. Calibration flights;
  10. Construction work flights, including stringing power line operations, clearing saw operations;
  11. Oil spill work;
  12. Avalanche mining operations;
  13. Survey operations, including aerial mapping operations, pollution control activity;
  14. News media flights, television and movie flights;
  15. Special events flights, including such as flying display, competition flights;
  16. Aerobatic flights;
  17. Animal herding and rescue flights and veterinary dropping flights;
  18. Maritime funeral operations;
  19. Scientific research flights (other than those under Annex II of Regulation (EU) 216/2008); and
  20. Cloud seeding.

For any other operations not included above, the pilot in command, can apply the criteria specified in AMC NCO.SPEC.100 of the EU Reg. 965/2012 to determine whether an activity falls within the scope of specialized operations (See the Aeronautical Information Circular AIC C003/2019, see “Related Documents”).

During the assessment of the application for a Specific Specialized Operations Activity within the Nicosia FIR , the Department of Civil Aviation takes into account air traffic rules, opinions, criteria and recommendations of other services, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, Ministry of Defence, Cyprus Police and any other Government Service involved or affected by these activities.

The application Form DCA/SPO/1 (APPENDIX 3 of the Aeronautical Information Circular AIC C003/2019, (see “Applications & Documents”)) for the approval of a Specific Specialized Operations Activity within the Nicosia FIR, can be submitted either through the PSC Cyprus or by contacting directly the competent authority.

The application should be received at least 20 working days in advance of the commencement date of the activity, to the following address:

Department of Civil Aviation
27 Pindarou Street
1429, Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel.: +357 22 404 122/136/185
Fax : +357 22 766 547
Email: director@dca.mcw.gov.cy, sstephanou@dca.mcw.gov.cy, mioannou@dca.mcw.gov.cy
Website: http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/dca

  1. The application should be accompanied by the following documents:

    1. An official letter from the applicant stating the scope, purpose and details of the requested special operations activity;
    2. Copy of the Map with the areas, sites and flight routing of the flight activity;
    3. A valid Specialized or High Risk Specialized Operations Certificate, issued on the name of the operator, in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) 965/2012, on the name of the Operator, to carry out the specific requested special operations activity, within the Republic of Cyprus;
    4. Valid aircraft certificates (Certificate of Registration, Certificate of Airworthiness, Airworthiness Review Certificate, Radio licence, Noise Certificate);
    5. Valid Pilots Certificates (Pilots Licences and Medical Certificates);
    6. Valid Insurance Certificate issued on the name of the operator, covering third party and passenger liability, in accordance with the limits provided by the Commission Regulation (EU) 785/2004;
    7. Approvals from other Governmental or local Authorities concerned, such as Police, National Guard, Municipalities, Antiquities Dept., etc., authorizing the requested activity;
    8. Application for airspace reservation in accordance with AIC A004/2010 (Flexible Use of Airspace in Cyprus) as applicable (see “Applications & Documents”).

    Notes:

    1. An official Greek or English translation should be submitted for any or all of the above documents issued in any other language;
    2. Onsite inspections may be carried out by the Department of Civil Aviation on the aircraft to ensure flight safety and in areas outside the airport in case of helicopter landings outside licensed airports/strips;
    3. In the case when the specific specialized operations activity is carried out by a foreign organization, the Department recommends the assignment of a local representative to facilitate the approval procedure and assist in the coordination of the flight activity.

There are no fees applicable.

The applicant is informed regarding the authorization decision within fifteen (15) working days from the date that the application form and supporting documents were duly submitted. In case, other Ministries are involved, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Defence, the applicant may be informed regarding the authorization decision within one-two months.

The duration of the license for the aerophotography of Cyprus Areas depends on the application.

Administrative Action Against a Competent Authority’s Decision

Any person may file an Administrative Action at the Administrative court against a decision, act or omission of any competent authority or body.

Pursuant to Article 146 of the Constitution, an Administrative Action may be lodged within 75 days from the date of the decision or act or omission or from the day when such decision or act or omission was notified to the applicant.

The Administrative Court acts as a cassation Court and not as a substantive Court. In other words, the Administrative Court may:
I. Dismiss the Administrative Action
II. Annul wholly or partially the contested decision or act
III. Compel the relevant authority or body to take a certain action

After a decision is annulled, the authority and/or public body must reverse things back to the state prior to when the concerned decision and/or act was executed and reexamine.

Appeal Information

An Appeal may be filed against the Administrative Court’s first-instance decision within a period of 42 days from the date such a decision was given.

At the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal Section) hearing, the contested issue of the appeal remains the legality of the decision or act already adjudicated. However, such a revision of the legality of the decision or act is solely examined on the matters and the extent that the two parties have limited the reasons in the relevant notice of appeal.

The decision adopted by the Supreme Court is considered final in relation to the matter that has been judged.

In case of approval, the written consent of the applicant together with a statement of acceptance and full and strict compliance of all the terms and conditions contained in the permit is required.

Authorised persons for specific specialized operations activity within the Nicosia FIR, should comply with the terms and conditions of the license issued by the Department of Civil Aviation.

In the case of an aerial photography activity the operator should also comply with the terms and conditions as defined by the Ministry of Defence, with regards to the inspection of the aerial photography product.

The Department of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Defence, supervise the contact of the approved Specialized Operations Activity within the Nicosia FIR.

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