Considerations Related to EASA Aircraft Flight Manual and Supplements

Considerations Related to EASA Aircraft Flight Manual and Supplements, presented by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

Introduction

The International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) Annex 8 requires that each aircraft be provided with a flight manual, placards, or other document stating the approved limitations within which the aircraft is considered airworthy as defined by the appropriate airworthiness requirements, additional instructions, and information necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.

An Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) is part of the type design as required by the type certification basis that the aircraft was originally certificated to.

       »  In some cases the original certification requirements are changed by a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), mandating the provision of an AFM even though the original type certification basis did not require the provision of an AFM.
       »  All AFMs are identified by a part number like any other critical part of the aircraft.
       »  The primary source for identifying the AFM applicable to a particular aircraft is the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS).

Note: If there is uncertainty as to which AFM is applicable to a particular aircraft, the type certificate (TC) holder or the manufacturer should provide that information based on the make, model, and serial number of the aircraft.

Related to AFM Changes

The showing of compliance for a change to an AFM associated with a modification/repair design should be covered in the approved technical data

       »  The showing of compliance for a change to an AFM generated by requirements of a specific regulation, including applicable operational regulations, should be covered in the technical data prepared in accordance with the requirements supporting the applicable regulation.

 AFM Supplements

       »  The AFM amendment or supplement should be in the same format and structure as the existing AFM, and should clearly specify the design change or other approval to which the amendment or supplement relates.
       »  It is not necessary to exactly replicate every aspect of the AFM format, but the amendment or supplement should be as similar as practicable in order to facilitate its use.

The operator should ensure that the aircraft Flight Manual is at the latest revision status and incorporates all the applicable flight manual supplements associated with any design changes that have been embodied on the aircraft. 

       »  The AFM should contain Supplements, change sheets, revisions, etc. relay instructions issued by the aircraft manufacturer or modification provider.
       »  AFM Supplements also serve to alert the aircraft operator of any safety issues highlighted by EASA.

Note: The modification package will state if there is a Flight Manual supplement associated with the modification.

EASA has implemented a change in the way it is treating applications for the approval of stand-alone revisions of the Flight Manual.

       »  The applications should now be submitted via the Applicant Portal by selecting the correlating category of design change.
       »  The ensuing EASA approval will be issued as a Minor or Major Change approval.

Note: In cases of changes to an FM Supplement in relation to an EASA approved STC, EASA may also issue a revised or new STC.

Responsibility for AFM Amendments

With new privilege 21.A.263(c)(4) published in Commission Regulation (EU) No 748/2012, DOA Holders can now approve revisions affecting the approved sections of the AFM.

This privilege is not an EASA "delegation", but a right given to DOA Holders. Consequently, the statement “EASA approved” traditionally shown on each page of the AFM shall be deleted or replaced by a statement “Approved” in pages revised and approved by the DOA Holder.

       »  The AFM log of revisions shall indicate who has approved each revision, whether EASA or one DOA Holder.
       »  Supplements to the AFM proposed as part of an STC will remain EASA approved.
       »  For non-TC holders, the publication of a revision to an AFM is only possible as a supplement.

Demonstration of Compliance

Demonstration of compliance required by point 21.A.95(b)(1) and (2)

       »  The applicant needs to demonstrate compliance with the certification basis established for the minor change for all areas that are either physically changed or functionally affected by the minor change.
Compliance documents: the compliance demonstration should be recorded in compliance documents.
For minor changes, one comprehensive compliance document may be sufficient, provided that it contains evidence of all aspects of the compliance demonstration. AMC 21.A.20(c) can also be used, where applicable
Means of compliance: the applicant should define and record the means (calculation, test or analysis, etc.) by which compliance is demonstrated.

Ref - Appendix A to AMC 21.A.15(b) may be used to describe how compliance is demonstrated.

Next Steps

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) and Sofema Online (SOL) provide EASA Regulatory Compliant and Vocational training including more than 20 courses specifically related to Part 21/CS 25 - for details please see the websites or email team@sassofia.com