Recent blog posts

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the elements involved in an effective component replacement program.

Introduction

Effective management of aircraft components is an essential aspect of aircraft maintenance programs and plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of aircraft operations. Proper management of aircraft components helps to prevent unscheduled maintenance, reduce operational downtime, and ensure that aircraft systems and equipment are always in top working condition.

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com – considers the specific requirements driven by EU 2023/203 (Information Security and Cyber Risks)

Introduction & Background

» Continuing airworthiness management organisations and maintenance organisations are to implement and maintain a management system to manage safety risks. (ref Annex II, point 3.1(b), to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139)
» Pilot training organisations, cabin crew training organisations, aero-medical centres for aircrew and operators of flight simulation training devices are to implement and maintain a management system to manage safety risks. (ref Annex IV, point 3.3(b) and point 5(b), to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139
» Air Operators are to implement and maintain a management system to manage safety risks. (Ref Annex V, point 8.1(c), to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, air operators are to implement and maintain a management system to manage safety risks.)

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the requirements to ensure compliance with UAE GCAA Regulatory requirements related to the Fabrication of Parts

Introduction

The GCAA acceptance for the fabrication of parts by the approved maintenance organisation should be formalized through the approval of a detailed procedure in the Maintenance Organisation Exposition.

Note: Fabrication, inspection assembly and test should be clearly within the technical and procedural capability of the organisation;

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the Performance-Based Oversight (PBO) approach proscribed by EASA.

Introduction

EASA's risk-based and performance-based oversight approach is designed to ensure that the aviation industry operates safely, efficiently, and sustainably while minimizing risks to passengers, crew, and the environment.

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com reviews the EASA recommended process for moving through the risk assessment process.

Introduction

Managing the safety risks related to a change is a standard component of SMS, as specified in multiple EASA regulations for a Management System (AMC1 ORO.GEN.200(a)(1);(2);(3);(5) Management system

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the various challenges faced by the organization related to the effectiveness of the risk assessment process.

Introduction

Driven by ICAO, SMS provides an approach that encourages proactive behaviour to support the development of barriers to inhibit potential exposures.

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com takes a Risk Assessment deep dive to examine the ICAO 5x5 Risk Assessment tool.

Introduction

The purpose of a risk matrix is to enable the categorization, prioritization, and benchmarking / Comparison of a data set (hazards or potential hazards).

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com reviews the process and procedures to ensure compliance with Performance of Maintenance in respect of the management of Critical Tasks.

Introduction CAR 145.48 Performance of Maintenance

The organisation shall establish, implement and maintain procedures to ensure that:

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What functions are served by the following groups?

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com takes a detailed look at the role & purpose of the Safety Groups within an EASA Compliant Part 145 Organisation.

» Safety Review Board (SRB)
» Safety Action Group (SAG)
» Safety Expert Group (SEG)

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General Overview of Changes to GCAA CAR 145 presented by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com 

This revision of Gulf Civil Aviation Authority Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) - CAR V - Airworthiness Regulations contains multiple changes and the following is a summary only – for full details please see the specific content.

UAE GCC CAR 145 sets out the requirements for the maintenance organization's approval of an aircraft or aircraft component. The regulation ensures that the maintenance organization has the appropriate procedures, equipment, personnel, and facilities to perform maintenance, repair, and overhaul of aircraft or aircraft components in compliance with applicable airworthiness requirements.

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Posted by on in Regulatory

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the key elements of the Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP) Task Optimization.

Introduction

Aircraft maintenance program task optimization is a critical goal for airlines and other aviation organizations.

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the primary differences between short and long-term maintenance planning.

Introduction

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Posted by on in Regulatory

Sofema Online (SOL) considers the effect of embracing NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming) techniques as part of our strategy to persuade.

Introduction What Does NLP Do?

» NLP operates through the conscious use of language to bring about changes in someone's thoughts and behavior.
» NLP tries to detect and modify unconscious biases or limitations of an individual's map of the world.

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com looks at a number of developing relationships in the field of aviation certification & maintenance.

Introduction

Bilateral agreements and arrangements allow the airworthiness certification of civil aeronautical products to be shared between two countries.

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com – considers best practices and challenges related to the recovery of aircraft suffering from accidents & incidents.

Having aircraft recovery processes & procedures in place is essential for efficient airport operations, closing a runway even for a short time typically creates a significant problem with associated costs and loss of revenue for example related to aircraft diversions and flight airspace.

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the role and responsibility of the Ground Handling Agent during an Operational Emergency.

Introduction

It is not usual for Operators to have their own Ground Handling Support Staff at Destination Airports and in any event to only have a very small core group of “own staff” at a given airport. As such it is typical to rely on the Ground Handling Agent (GHA) for direct support in the event of a crises which affects the operator’s aircraft or passengers.

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com looks at some of the common questions associated with the use of FAA 8130-3.

Introduction - Does the 8130-3 Guidance Seem Confusing?

8130-3 was not designed to be solely a return-to-service document for use in complying with 14 CFR 43.9. Its other uses include export airworthiness approvals of Class II and Class III products; conformity determinations; identifying the airworthiness approval status of products (engines and propellers) in domestic transactions; airworthiness approval of parts and appliances under 14 CFR 21.305; and splitting bulk shipments of previously shipped parts.

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the role of Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) within the context of the organisations Safety Management System.

Introduction

The FDM programme is an essential component of the Safety Management System (SMS) both in terms of hazard identification as well as safety performance monitoring and measurement.

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Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the change introduced into Part 21 subpart G effective from March 2023.

Introduction

EASA has clarified that effective 7th March 2023 (2-year transition for existing organisations) a design or production organisation shall have a management system made of two elements:

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Sofema Online (SOL)  www.sofemaonline.com considers the FAA requirements ref. US-EU MAG change 8

Introduction

Approval for Release or Return to Service of a U.S.-Registered Aircraft and Foreign-Registered Aircraft Operating Under 14 CFR includes the following elements:

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