The Commander has the whole responsibility and Authority for the safe conduct of the flight, and the safety of the crew, the airplane, its cargo, and its supernumeraries. He must comply with the standing regulations and clearances received from the competent authorities. He maintains familiarity with relevant Maltese and international air legislation and agreed aviation practices and procedures. The Commander is the representative of CAC on-board the aircraft; the entire crew is at all times under the Commander's Authority. This Authority extends in addition to the whole of the crew duty period, including the stay away from the home base. The Commander is responsible and has the Authority with regard to the behavior, appearance and location of the entire crew during the whole duration of the crew's assignment. Not undertake duties for any other operator, without prior approval from the Flight Operations Manager. All FTLs must be respected in regard to Flight Duty Periods with all operators where duties are undertaken. The Commander ensures that operations are conducted in accordance with any restriction on the routes or the areas of operation specified by the competent authority. He conducts a crew briefing, relating information and particulars pertinent to the individual flight. The Commander shall, as soon as possible, report to the appropriate air traffic services (ATS) unit any hazardous weather or flight conditions encountered that are likely to affect the safety of other aircraft.

Responsibilities

• Comply with the Operations Manual.
• Determine and confirm aircraft airworthiness prior to flight, including review of ATL, MEL and CDL, ensuring required inspections are completed, aircraft configuration complies with CDL, and required instruments and equipment are serviceable except as permitted by MEL/CDL.
• Ensure all known or suspected defects are recorded in the ATL and that no flight departs unless defects affecting airworthiness are properly processed in accordance with MEL/CDL, and associated operational procedures are followed.
• Decide on acceptance or rejection of an aircraft with unserviceable items in accordance with MEL/CDL (OM‑B Ch. 8 & 9), with authority to reject the aircraft if dissatisfied with airworthiness or maintenance status.
• Ensure preflight inspections are completed in accordance with OM‑B Ch. 2, including exterior and interior inspections covering critical surfaces, controls, systems, emergency equipment, and structural integrity.
• Ensure required fuel, mass and balance, and aircraft performance are sufficient for safe completion of the planned flight, and that documentation is correctly completed and retained.
• Be responsible for the safety of the aircraft, crew, supernumeraries and cargo from arrival onboard until leaving the aircraft, and from commencement of taxi until engines are shut down at flight completion.
• Exercise full authority to issue commands and take necessary actions to ensure safety, including disembarkation of persons or cargo posing a safety risk, refusal of intoxicated persons (except medical cases), and refusal of inadmissible supernumeraries or persons in custody when safety is compromised.
• Ensure supernumeraries are briefed on emergency exits and safety equipment, that cabins, galleys, exits and escape paths are secured and unobstructed, and emergency equipment is accessible.
• Ensure all operational procedures, checklists and critical phase restrictions are complied with.
• Ensure flight recorders are not disabled, erased or improperly handled, and are preserved following occurrences, serious incidents or accidents in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Prior to take‑off, ensure weather, runway condition and aerodrome operating minima permit a safe departure.
• Ensure crew and supernumeraries are properly secured before take‑off and landing.
• Ensure required documents and manuals are carried, valid and available throughout the flight.
• Utilize the company safety reporting system in accordance with Chapter 11.
• Maintain a high standard of discipline, conduct and professional appearance as a representative of CAC.