Overview of EASA Regulations and EPAS Focus Points

Here we consider a broad overview of EASA regulations, focusing on the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) main objectives, priorities, and how they shape quality assurance efforts within the aviation sector.

EASA Regulations Overview

EASA regulations are comprehensive, covering all facets of aviation safety and enabling the demonstration of compliance with the relevant ICAO Standard and recommended practices. These regulations are divided into several annexes, referred to as "Parts," each addressing different areas of aviation:

Airworthiness

· Initial Airworthiness - Part-21: Governs the certification of aircraft and related products, parts, and appliances, as well as the certification of design and production organizations.

· Continuing Airworthiness Part-M, Part CAMO, Part CAO, Part-145, Part 147, Part-66, Part T & Part ML: These parts focus on the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector, detailing the requirements for continuing airworthiness and the certification and Training of maintenance personnel.

Flight Standards

· Regulation Aircrew - The Aircrew Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 serves to establish a comprehensive set of rules and standards related to the certification and regulation of aircrew within the European Union.

· Regulation Air OPS - primary purpose is to specify the technical requirements and administrative procedures related to the operation of aircraft under European Union member states' jurisdictions.

Regulation Third Country OPS (TCO)

· Regulation TCO - Oversees and ensures the safety of operations of non-European Union (non-EU) airlines, or "third country operators" (TCO), operating into, within, or out of the European Union.

>> This framework was implemented to harmonise safety standards and procedures for all airlines operating in the EU, regardless of their country of origin.

Air Traffic Management & Air Navigation Services

· Regulation ATCO - Sets the technical requirements and administrative procedures related to the licensing and certification of air traffic controllers within the European Union.

· Regulation ANS Provider - Common rules for: providers of air traffic management and air navigation services

· Regulation AUR - Airspace usage requirements & operating procedures

· Regulation ATM/ANS Oversight - Air Traffic Management/Air Navigation Services (ATM/ANS) — Provision of Services

· Regulation SERA - Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA)

Aerodromes

· Regulation ADR – Aerodrome Regulations

European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS)

Main Objectives and Priorities - EPAS's objectives are closely aligned with the goal of improving aviation safety and environmental sustainability. The plan identifies specific safety risks and outlines actions to mitigate these risks through regulatory changes, oversight activities, and safety promotion efforts.

· Enhancing operational safety: Including efforts to reduce runway excursions, loss of control in-flight (LOC-I), and mid-air collisions.

· Improving organizational safety: By strengthening safety management systems (SMS) across the industry, enhancing oversight capabilities, and promoting a positive safety culture within organizations.

· Addressing emerging threats: Such as cybersecurity threats to critical aviation infrastructure and the safe integration of drones into airspace.

· Environmental sustainability: EPAS also incorporates objectives related to reducing aviation's environmental footprint, focusing on noise reduction, lowering emissions, and promoting sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

Impact on Quality Assurance

The EPAS framework shapes quality assurance efforts within the aviation sector by setting clear safety objectives and standards that organizations must meet.

· Compliance with these standards requires a robust quality assurance process, ensuring that safety and environmental protection measures are effectively implemented and maintained.

· Organizations are encouraged to adopt proactive safety management practices, continuously assess and mitigate risks, and foster a safety-centric culture.

· The alignment of quality assurance practices with EPAS priorities ensures that the aviation sector not only meets the current regulatory requirements but also adapts to future challenges, enhancing safety and sustainability in the long term.

Next Steps

Sofema Aviation Services and SofemaOnline provide EASA Compliant Webinar, Classroom & Online training in over 50 Quality Assurance and Compliance Related Subjects – Please see the websites or email team@sassofia.com