International Civil Aviation Organization
ICAOSection 01: Organizations & Authorities
Definition
A specialized agency of the United Nations established by the Chicago Convention (1944) to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation worldwide. ICAO develops Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), Procedures for Air Navigation Services (PANS), and guidance material that serve as the foundation for national aviation regulations across its 193 member States.
Where This Shows Up
ICAO does not itself certify aircraft or operators. Instead, it establishes the international framework that national authorities implement through their own domestic regulations. Compliance with ICAO SARPs is monitored through the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
Primary Sources
The founding treaty establishing ICAO and the principles governing international air navigation.
The consolidated text of the Chicago Convention including all amendments.
Artifacts Produced
Technical specifications adopted by the ICAO Council under Article 37 of the Chicago Convention. Standards are mandatory for member States; Recommended Practices are desirable but not binding.
Operational procedures approved by the ICAO Council that supplement the SARPs.
The 19 technical annexes to the Chicago Convention containing all SARPs organized by subject area.
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