Article 6 Issue of air operators' certificates
Subject to article 7 of this Order, an aircraft registered in the United Kingdom shall not fly on any flight for the purpose of public transport, otherwise than under and in accordance with the terms of an air operator’s certificate granted to the operator of the aircraft under paragraph (2), certifying that the holder of the certificate is competent to secure that aircraft operated by him on such flights as that in question are operated safely.
The CAA shall grant an air operator’s certificate if it is satisfied that the applicant is competent, having regard in particular to his previous conduct and experience, his equipment, organisation, staffing, maintenance and other arrangements, to secure the safe operation of aircraft of the types specified in the certificate on flights of the description and for the purposes so specified.
A certificate may be granted subject to such conditions as the CAA thinks fit and shall, subject to article 81 of this Order, remain in force for the period specified in the certificate.