Presented by Sofema Online (SOL) 

Introduction - Typically refers to the continuous surveillance and inspection of organisational and operational practices to ensure they meet established regulatory and internal standards.

It's a critical component of SMS, (do you agree?) Ensuring that safety measures are not only designed but also effectively implemented and maintained over time.

Note - Safety Management Systems (SMS) are systematic approaches to managing safety, including the necessary organizational structures, accountabilities, policies, and procedures. The core components of an SMS include safety policy, safety risk management, safety assurance, and safety promotion.

EASA Aviation organizations can successfully integrate SMS and compliance monitoring within a single organisational function. This integration not only enhances safety and quality but also aligns with EASA's regulatory requirements, ultimately fostering an organizational culture that prioritizes safety without creating stakeholder conflicts.

Presented by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

Introduction

In the context of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations, the distinction between Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) is not just a matter of semantics but a regulatory requirement. EASA mandates that QA and QC serve distinct, yet complementary roles within the aviation sector, specifically emphasizing the independence of QA from production processes, in contrast to QC's direct involvement.

The requirement for QA to remain independent from, yet collaboratively engaged with, QC and production processes, highlights EASA's nuanced approach to aviation safety and quality control.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers key elements of Data Collection to support the use of the EASA Management System Assessment Tool.

Introduction Collecting Data

The safety data that an organisation should collect, should depend on the type of operations it performs, and its degree of digitalization (e.g. automated data-capturing systems).

• • Filtered information will support the assessment of risks for data-rich organisations whereas organisations lacking data will rely more on expert judgement, risks known in the same profiling sector, or data pools (e.g., collaborative approach, risk sector profile);
• • Data-rich organisations will be inclined to buy software supported by a robust risk assessment methodology to classify the risks in a more analytical, coherent approach.
• • The volume of occurrence reports (voluntary and mandatory) as well as means and resources to manage them will depend on the safety culture; open-reporting culture, just culture; the magnitude of the operations and their criticality;

Sofema Online (SOL) considers the typical obligations of an operator related to Winter Operations De-icing & Anti-icing.

Introduction

The responsibilities of aircraft operators regarding effective de-icing and anti-icing are crucial for ensuring safety during winter operations. These responsibilities are guided by several SAE International documents and standards, notably AS6285, AS6286, and AS6332, which collectively form the Globalized Aircraft Deicing Standards.

The responsibilities of aircraft operators regarding effective de-icing and anti-icing of aircraft are crucial for ensuring saf

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the regulatory requirements related to Aerodrome Operator Management.

Introduction

SUBPART D — MANAGEMENT — AERODROME OPERATORS (ADR.OR.D) ADR.OR.D.005 (Management System) Regulation (EU) No 139/2014

The aerodrome operator shall implement and maintain a management system integrating a safety management system.

The management system shall include:

>>  Clearly defined lines of responsibility and accountability throughout the aerodrome operator, including a direct accountability for safety on the part of senior management;

>>  A description of the overall philosophies and principles of the aerodrome operator with regard to safety, referred to as the safety policy, signed by the accountable manager;

>>   A formal process that ensures that hazards in operations are identified;

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the necessary steps to perform a Failure Modes Effect Analysis (FMEA)

Introduction - Establish the context and purpose

The purpose of FMEA is to take actions to eliminate or reduce failures, starting with the highest-priority ones. FMEA is a dynamic tool and should be revisited over time, especially after changes have been made in the design or process.

>> Define the system, subsystem, or process to be analyzed. Determine the scope, the reason for the analysis, and the team who will conduct the FMEA.

o This team should include a cross-section of experts from various fields such as design, manufacturing, quality, and reliability engineering.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the use of FMEA as part of the certification process.

Introduction

Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is a systematic, proactive method for evaluating a process or a system to identify where and how it might fail and to assess the relative impact of different failures in order to identify parts of the process that are most in need of change.

FMEA typically involves cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among different stakeholders, leading to a more comprehensive analysis.

Sofema Online (SOL ) www.sofemaonline.com considers the regulatory requirements related to Information Security Management (ISM) and the key compliance audit elements.

What is an EASA Aerodrome Information Security Threat?

• Information security threat may be any circumstance or event with the potential to adversely

>> Impact the operation, systems and/or constituents due to

• Human action (accidental, casual or purposeful, intentional or unintentional, mistaken)
• Resulting from unauthorised access, use, disclosure, denial, disruption, modification, or
• Destruction of information and/or information system interfaces.
• This includes malware and the effects of external systems on dependent systems but does not include physical threats.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com takes a look at the potential level of exposure across the Aviation Ecosphere.

Introduction

Cybersecurity risks in the aviation industry are a growing concern, especially as we move forward from 2024 to 2030. These risks encompass various domains within the industry, including air traffic control systems, aircraft avionics, airport operations, and passenger data systems.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com takes a deep dive into Inventory Control Processes

• Aviation Supply Chain Management, strategies, techniques, and tools for efficient inventory control, is a multifaceted topic with various challenges and best practices.
• Consider the following:

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com takes a deep dive into Integrated Inventory Management Systems

Introduction - Integrating Lead Time Management and Just-In-Time (JIT) inventory management.

The primary focus is on reducing the time it takes to receive goods once they are ordered. This includes optimizing supplier lead times, internal processing times, and transportation times. Involves understanding and effectively coordinating the two concepts.

SofemaOnline (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the regulations driving EWIS compliance within the European EASA jurisdiction.

Introduction

The origins of EASA's focus on EWIS can be traced back to various incidents in the aviation industry that highlighted the risks associated with electrical faults leading to in-flight smoke and fire events. These incidents underscored the need for rigorous maintenance and training practices to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com Considers the Training requirements in support of the Aerodrome Management Regulatory Requirements

Applicable to Operations, Rescue and firefighting, and Maintenance Personnel

• Safety training should address safety responsibilities, including adherence to all operating and safety procedures, and recognizing and reporting hazards;
• The training objectives should include the organisation’s safety policy and safety management system fundamentals, and overview;
• The contents should include:

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

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the key elements of an effective Safety Audit.

Introduction

Performing safety management system (SMS) audits by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Annex 19 requirements involves a thorough assessment of an organization's safety practices, focusing on risk and performance rather than mere compliance.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the requirements to ensure compliance with  - GM1 ATM/ANS.OR.B.005 Management system (ED Decision 2020/008/R)

Definitions and Concept of a Management System

• ISO 9000 series of standards define a management system as a 'set of interrelated or interacting elements to establish policy and objectives and to achieve those objectives'.
• Another available definition of management system is the following: ‘The structure, processes and resources needed to establish an organisation's policy and objectives and to achieve those objectives.'
• Traditionally, separate management systems were developed to address issues such as safety, quality, environment, health and safety, finance, human resources, information technology and data protection. However, it is foreseen that more and more the services providers will establish integrated management systems following the harmonised set of requirements in this Regulation.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com looks at the role of EASA Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1645. Issues with Managing Cybersecurity in Aviation and Best Practices for Cybersecurity Management.

Introduction

The Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1645, adopted on July 14, 2022, provides specific rules for managing information security risks in the aviation sector. This regulation is a supplement to the broader Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, which sets out common rules in civil aviation and establishes the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the process by which to audit ATM/ANS Safety Management Systems - Regulation (EU) 2017/373

Why perform a compliance audit of SMS?

It is necessary to carry out compliance audits to ensure that the organisation remains in compliance with both EASA regulations for example - Regulation (EU) 2017/373 as well as internally documented processes & Procedures – The safety Management System like all other organisational elements should be “independently audited”.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com reviews the development of CPCP from Standalone to incorporation within the MRB process

Introduction “Corrosion Prevention and Control Programme” (CPCP)

This means a document reflecting a systematic approach to prevent and control corrosion in an aeroplane’s primary structure, consisting of basic corrosion tasks, including inspections, areas subject to those tasks, defined corrosion levels and compliance times (implementation thresholds and repeat intervals).

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the requirements to comply with Maintenance Annex Guidance (MAG) change 8

Introduction      

Contracting to EASA-approved Facilities

If the repair station sends an article to another organization that is EASA-approved and FAA-certificated, and that person or entity exercises the privileges of its certificate by assuming responsibility for approving for return to service each item on which it has worked, that process is not considered contracting (Ensure the contracted organization is properly certificated to perform that work.)