SofemaOnline.com looks at the role of the EASA Quality Assurance / Compliance Manager

The following details the Specific role of the Compliance Manager in a combined Quality System (OPS +145)

1) Be responsible for establishing, documenting, developing and managing the Compliance System and for ensuring that it continues to comply with regulatory requirements and to meet the needs of the business.

2) Ensure that all quality related policies and procedures detailed in the Operations, Quality and Company Exposition manuals are adhered to and carry out an ongoing review of the adequacy and effectiveness of Compliance System procedures.

3) Maintain and keep current all Compliance Audit and inspection records for review at any time by the Competent authority and other external bodies as appropriate.

4) Liaise with the authority as may be appropriate on matters related to the Quality System.

5) Establish procedures for dealing with non-conformities, monitoring non conformity reports and taking corrective/preventive action in response to audit findings.

6) Notify the Accountable Manager and senior management when Management Review meetings are scheduled and present internal audit reports.

7) Review the Quality Systems of new subcontractors who impact the operation and organize audits of their quality assurance systems.

8) Monitor compliance with and adequacy of procedures to ensure airworthy aircraft at all times via an audit program and that all maintenance is performed in accordance with Approved data.

9) Monitor all contracted maintenance for compliance with contract conditions relevant to airworthiness and that contracted organizations have the relevant Part 145 Approvals and facilities.

10) Monitor the aircraft weighing program for compliance with OPS Requirement and Part M.

M.A.708 (b) 10.

11) Monitor all certificate renewals, including renewal test flights, relevant to the certification and operation of each company aircraft.

12) Control of the use and application of the Company Minimum Equipment List insofar as it affects airworthiness. 

13) Grant authorization to individuals to certify the Certificate of Release to Service and special authorizations to issue Certificate of Maintenance Review and renewal recommendations for Certificates of Airworthiness.

14) Grant authorizations to individuals to issue EASA Form 1 for work carried out under the Part 145 Approval.

15) Coordinate reports of unairworthy conditions.

16) Support the definition of the syllabus of training, in conjunction with the relevant Post Holder and Business Area Owner.

17) Ensure the organization holds all appropriate technical publications, specifications and drawings and that they are amended as required.

18) Establish a Materials Management Inspection section by the granting of Stores Inspection authority to suitable individuals.

19) Conduct all Airworthiness Technical Review meetings.

20) Coordinate all aspects of the Company Exposition / Quality Manual and the negotiation with the Regulatory Authority of any changes required to the documents, or to the Terms of Approval granted by the Authority to the company.

21) Maintain the Company’s Regulatory Approvals.

22) Ensure that all staff who carry out Quality Inspections and Compliance audits are adequately trained.

23) Analyze all relevant data and circulate it within the company for information, with recommendations for improvement in quality standards as required.

24) Have overall responsibility for the control of quality records.

25) Be the final authority in the authorization and acceptance of release to service of any aircraft or component part thereof, including but not limited to:

i) The issue of MEL repair period over-run authorities (RIO) (If relevant).

ii) The issue of Dispensations allowing the fitment of an aircraft component not having the appropriate release certification at overseas locations only in accordance with Part 145.A50 (f) (If relevant).

iii) The issue of Dispensations granting once off authorization for the circumstances described in Part 145.A.30 (j5) (If relevant).

For details of available training courses please see www.online.com or email online@sassofia.com