JAR-OPS covers the operational requirements of any civil aircraft operated by an operator whose main place of business is within a JAA Member State for the purpose of commercial air transportation.

JAR-OPS 1 covers the requirements for aeroplane operators whereas JAR-OPS 3 covers helicopter operators. Where aspects of JAR-OPS are common to both aeroplanes and helicopters the numbers 1 and 3 are either omitted or replaced with a #, whichever is clearer.