EASA Regulatory Drivers for De-icing - Anti Icing Process Procedures & Training
Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the regulatory obligations to comply with EASA regulations related to De-Icing & Anti -Icing requirements.
Reference Documents
>> EASA_SIB_2017-11_1 Global Aircraft De-icing Standards
>> EASA_SIB_2018-12_1 Post De-icing/Anti-icing Checks
>> SAE AS6285 ‘Aircraft Ground Deicing/Anti-Icing Processes’ and ARP6257 ‘Aircraft Ground De/Anti-Icing Communication Phraseology for Flight and Ground Crews’.
>> SAE AS6286 ‘Training and Qualification Program for Deicing/Anti-icing of Aircraft on the Ground’, complemented by subdocuments AS6286/1, AS6286/2, AS6286/3, AS6286/4, AS6286/5 and AS6286/6.
>> SAE AS6332 ‘Aircraft Ground Deicing/Anti-icing Quality Management’.
>> ICAO 9640 ‘Manual of Aircraft Ground
>> Official FAA winter 2023-2024 holdover time guidelines
N 8900.667 FAA-Approved Deicing Program for Winter 2023–2024
Introduction
Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, specifically point CAT.OP.MPA.250, requires commercial air transport operators to ‘establish procedures to be followed when ground de-icing and anti-icing and related inspections of the aircraft are necessary to allow the safe operation of the aircraft’.
>> The same provisions are also required through SPO.OP.175 and NCC.OP.185, applicable to ‘Commercial operations other than commercial air transport’ and ‘Non-commercial operations with complex motor-powered aircraft’, respectively.
Guidance Material (GM) GM3 to CAT.OP.MPA.250 states that the basis for establishing the procedures for ground de-icing can be found in the Association of European Airlines (AEA) ‘Recommendations for de-icing/anti-icing of aircraft on the ground’ and AEA ‘Training recommendations and background information for de-icing/anti-icing of aircraft on the ground’. The AEA ‘Recommendations for de-icing/anti-icing of aircraft on the ground’ also contained a valid reference for the Holdover Time (HOT) tables used by European air operators.
Important Note - European airline association AEA closes down November 28, 2016
There is also similar GM related to the SPO.OP.175 and NCC.OP.185 provisions.
>> EASA recognizes the above SAE documented process and procedures
De-icing/Anti-icing Operations’.
>> Additionally, EASA considers the ‘FAA Holdover Time Guidelines’ as an acceptable reference for use by an air operator when developing the HOT table to be published in its operations manual, as required by European rules. The ‘FAA Holdover Time Guidelines’ need to be read in conjunction with the corresponding FAA 8900.xxx series Notice ‘Revised FAA-Approved Deicing Program Updates, Winter 20xx-20yy’.
EASA Recommendation(s):
SIB No.: 2018-12 - EASA recommends that air operators take note of this SIB, ensure that training of the involved personnel is conducted in accordance with the applicable procedures, and check their competency.
>> EASA recommends that air operators allow suitable time and ensure adequate visibility conditions for the de-icing personnel to properly conduct the de-icing of the aircraft, including the post de-icing checks.
>> EASA recommends that air operators disseminate the SIB to their contracted ground de-/anti-icing service providers and pay particular attention to the above-mentioned recommendations during their audits by checking compliance of the ground de-icing service providers with their training syllabi and operations manuals. This process should be captured through the operator’s management system.
>> EASA recommends that NAAs pay particular attention to the above-mentioned recommendations in their oversight programmes.
Next Steps
For Training Related to Aircraft De – Icing & Anti-Icing please see www.sassofia.com, www.sofemaonline.com. For questions please email Team@sassofia.com
