SAFA & SACA Regulatory & Legislation Review
Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com introduces the role, purpose and applicable regulations related to the Ramp Inspection Programmes Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) and Safety Assessment of Community Aircraft (SACA)
EU Ramp Inspection Program
>> Used by third-country operators (SAFA) or
>> Used by operators under the regulatory oversight of another EU Member State (SACA)
The Programme is regulated by Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012
>> Provides for the inspection of aircraft suspected (based on e.g. safety-relevant information collected by the Participating States or on regular analysis of the centralised database performed by EASA)
o Of non-compliance with the applicable requirements (either international safety standards or EU standards).
Random Checks
Ramp inspections may also be carried out in the absence of any suspicion, in this case, a spot-check procedure is being used.
The applicable legal framework of the Programme contains the following:
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 of 5 October 2012;
- Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) and Guidance Material (GM) to Part-ARO, consolidated version, issue 3, Amendment 10 - 16 September 2019; and
- Ramp Inspection Manual (RIM), Issue 1, 20 March 2019.
AMC1 ARO.RAMP.125 Conduct of Ramp Inspections & ARO.RAMP.130 Categorization of findings ED Decision 2019/007/R
>> Inspectors should follow the inspection instructions as defined in the ramp inspection manual on the categorization of findings established by the Agency for inspections performed on aircraft used by third-country operators (SAFA) and on aircraft used by operators under the regulatory oversight of another Member State (SACA).
AMC1 ARO.RAMP.125(b) Conduct of ramp inspections (General Guidelines)
ED Decision 2019/007/R
>> CA should put in place appropriate procedures to allow the inspecting team unrestricted access to the aircraft to be inspected. (Ramp Inspectors should possess adequate credentials.)
>> The inspection should start as soon as possible and be as comprehensive as possible within the time and resources available.
>> For a limited amount of time a reduced number of items may be verified (Items selected accordingly in conformity with the objectives of the ramp inspection programme. (Items not being inspected may be inspected during the next inspection.)
>> During the inspection - should verify the rectification of previously identified non-compliances. (previous non-compliances should be prioritised over other items.)
Note: Ramp inspectors should not open by themselves any hatches, doors or panels, which are not intended to be operated by passengers during normal operations, nor should they operate or interfere with any aircraft controls or equipment.
>> When such actions are required for the scope of the inspection, the ramp inspectors should request the assistance of the operator’s personnel (flight crew, cabin crew, ground crew).
In each Participating State, aircraft of operators under the safety oversight of another Member State or of a third country can be subject to a ramp inspection, chiefly concerned with the aircraft documents and manuals, flight crew licenses, the apparent condition of the aircraft and the presence and condition of mandatory cabin safety equipment.
The applicable requirements for these inspections are:
>> The ICAO international standards for aircraft used by third-country operators.
>> The relevant EU requirements for aircraft used by operators under the regulatory oversight of another Member State.
>> Manufacturers’ standards when checking the technical condition of the aircraft; and
>> Published national standards (e.g. Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs)) that are declared applicable to all operators flying to that State.
These checks are carried out in accordance with a procedure which is common to all the Participating States. Their outcome is then subject to reports which also follow a common format.
Concerning Findings
In case of significant irregularities, the operator and the appropriate Aviation Authority (State of Operator or State of Registry) are contacted in order to arrive at corrective measures to be taken not only with regard to the aircraft inspected.
The main features of the EU Ramp Inspection Programme can be summarised as follows:
>> Its application by all Participating States – notably all ECAC States (EU Member States, non-EU ECAC States as well as non-EU States that have signed the EASA Working Arrangements);
>> The broad dissemination of inspection results through a centralised database;
>> Its bottom-up approach: the programme is built around ramp inspections of aircraft;
>> Non-discriminatory approach: obligation for the participating EU Member States, in addition to third country aircraft, to inspect EU aircraft as well, on the basis of the EU requirements.
Next Steps
Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com and Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com provide regulatory compliant as well as vocational training courses please see the website or email team@sassofia.com for additional guidance.
