OPERATIONS MANUAL DEVELOPMENT · Aero Support Group FZCO · Updated 22 October 2026
What the regulations require
- ICAO Annex 6, Part I requires the operator to provide an operations manual for the use and guidance of operations personnel, and Appendix 2 sets out its organisation and contents.
- EASA Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 requires the operator to establish an operations manual under ORO.MLR.100. Changes that affect the management system, the accountable manager, nominated persons or items the authority approves are handled under ORO.GEN.130, either with prior approval or through an approved procedure.
- IOSA requires the operator’s documentation system to cover each ISM section and to be controlled, current and available to the people who use it.
- Ground handlers working toward ISAGO need procedures that can be mapped provision by provision to IGOM, AHM and ICHM on the IATA Operational Portal.
The structure of an EASA operations manual
AMC to ORO.MLR.100 sets out the standard structure for commercial air transport operators:
- OM-A, General/Basic: organisation and responsibilities, the management system, operational control, flight time limitations, operating procedures that are not type-specific, dangerous goods, security and the handling of occurrences.
- OM-B, Aircraft operating matters: type-related information, including limitations, normal, abnormal and emergency procedures, performance, mass and balance, MEL and systems.
- OM-C, Route, role, area and aerodrome instructions: en-route and aerodrome information, operating minima and the guidance crews need for the areas flown.
- OM-D, Training: training programmes and checking for crew and other operations personnel.
Maintenance is described in the CAME of the CAMO and, where the operator holds its own Part-145 approval, in the MOE. It is not part of the OM-A to OM-D set.
Why manuals produce audit findings
- The manual is based on another operator’s text and describes aircraft, routes, systems or posts that the operator does not have.
- Procedures say what should happen but not who does it, when, or what record shows it was done.
- OM-A and the safety management documentation contradict each other, for example on reporting lines or risk acceptance.
- Type-specific content in OM-B has not been updated after a manufacturer revision or a change to the MEL.
- Changes are made without checking whether they need prior approval under ORO.GEN.130.
- Ground handlers keep a GOM that copies IGOM wording but does not record station variations or the risk assessments behind them.
How ASG develops operations manuals
1. Review. We read the existing documentation and interview the people who do the work, so the manual reflects actual practice.
2. Requirement mapping. We map the applicable requirements (Annex 6, Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, the national rules, the ISM or GOSM) to the manual structure, so every requirement has a home and every procedure has a reference.
3. Drafting. Procedures are written with clear owners, steps and records, in the language crews and staff use.
4. Review and submission. Nominated persons review the draft, and we prepare the items that need authority approval.
5. Implementation. We brief staff on the changes and set up document control so the organisation can maintain the manual itself.
Manuals we work on
- Operations manuals OM-A to OM-D for EASA, UK CAA and national authority operators.
- Ground operations manuals and station procedures for ISAGO and airline audits.
- Safety management manuals and integrated management system manuals.
- Dangerous goods, security and emergency response manuals.
- MOE, CAME and FAA repair station manuals, covered on our maintenance pages.
Conclusion
A good operations manual is one crews can use and auditors can verify. When it is written from the operator’s actual practice and mapped to each requirement, it also becomes the basis for compliance monitoring. ASG builds manuals to that standard.
Frequently asked questions
The four parts of an EASA commercial air transport operations manual: OM-A General/Basic, OM-B Aircraft operating matters, OM-C Route, role, area and aerodrome instructions, and OM-D Training.
No. Continuing airworthiness management is described in the CAME, and maintenance procedures in the MOE of the Part-145 organisation.
Under Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 the operator establishes the manual, and specific items require authority approval. Changes are managed under ORO.GEN.130, with prior approval where required.
A ground operations manual and station procedures aligned with IGOM and the AHM, with variations recorded and risk-assessed. ISAGO auditors check it against the GOSM and the IATA Operational Portal gap analysis.
Yes. Many engagements restructure and correct an existing manual rather than starting again, keeping the content that already reflects practice.
Key takeaways
- EASA operations manuals have four parts: OM-A to OM-D
- OM-B covers aircraft operating matters; maintenance is in the CAME and MOE
- Changes are managed under ORO.GEN.130
- Ground handlers align their GOM with IGOM, AHM and the GOSM
- Each procedure should have an owner, steps and a record
Need a manual written or restructured?
Tell us your operation and the authority or audit you are preparing for. ASG will propose a scope for the manual work.