scope:

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

The Procedures for Air Navigation Services - Aircraft Operations (PANS-OPS) consists of three volumes as follows:

Volume I - Flight Procedures

Volume II - Construction of Visual and Instrument Flight Procedures

Volume III - Aircraft Operating Procedures

The division of the PANS-OPS into the two volumes was accomplished in 1979 as a result of an extensive amendment to the obstacle clearance criteria and the construction of approach-to-land procedures. Prior to 1979, all PANS-OPS material was contained in a single document. Table A shows the origin of amendments together with a list of the principal subjects involved and the dates on which the PANS-OPS and the amendments were approved by the Council and when they became applicable. PANS-OPS, Volume III, applicable in 2018, was created from Part III of Volume I with the intention to separate the provisions related to aircraft operating procedures from the requirements for flying the procedures designed in accordance with the criteria provided in Volume II.

Volume I - Flight Procedures describes the operational requirements for flying the procedures designed in accordance with the criteria provided in Volume II.

Volume II - Construction of Visual and Instrument Flight Procedures is intended for the guidance of procedures specialists and describes the essential areas and obstacle clearance requirements for the achievement of safe, regular instrument flight operations. It provides the basic guidelines to States, and those operators and organizations producing instrument flight charts, that will result in uniform practices at all aerodromes where instrument flight procedures are carried out.

Volume III - Aircraft Operating Procedures describes operational procedures recommended for the guidance of flight operations personnel and flight crew.

All three volumes present coverage of operational practices that are beyond the scope of Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) but with respect to which a measure of international uniformity is desirable.

The design of procedures in accordance with PANS-OPS criteria assumes normal operations. It is the responsibility of the operator to provide contingency procedures for abnormal and emergency operations.