EASA Compliant Documentation Support

Sofema Aviation Services Delivers CAMO, Quality and 145 related Training Support for Emirates Airlines

Sofema Aviation Services commenced operations in March 2008, SAS is located in Sofia, Bulgaria, operating on several continents we are a Global, Professional, Airline, MRO and Ground Operations, Support, Consulting and Training Company.

Benefiting from a broad industry experience, we understand the importance of helping organisations exceed the challenge of managing regulatory compliance to ensure optimum organisational competence through consultancy and specific training support.

SAS expects more than 2000 students to complete regulatory and vocational training both through the classroom and online during 2015.

The Emirates story started in 1985 with the launch of services with just two aircraft. Today, Emirates has one of the world’s biggest fleets with 70 Airbus A380s and 150 Boeing 777s, offering customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies.
Emirates proudly boasts a growing network of worldwide destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine and world-class service.
At the beginning of 2013 SAS commenced in house training for Emirates Aviation, delivering initially a 3 day Maintenance Planning training course considering both regulatory drivers, obligations and best practice to deliver effective Maintenance Planning Training.

This course was repeated again twice during 2014 to provide additional focus the Maintenance Planning Training and was split into two specific 2 Day Training courses offering basic and advanced over a 4 day period.

After the successful completion of several maintenance planning training courses SAS was invited to deliver a dedicated course for the Airworthiness Review Team responsible for managing the Airworthiness Review Certificate of the Emirates Fleet, this course focused on a detailed understanding of the requirements to maintain compliance with CAR M.
Following the ARC training course SAS was invited to run a series of 3 day courses to provide the Quality Auditors with a shared understanding of the best practice to deliver effective auditing within both the CAMO and 145 environment.

With the successful completion of the Quality Assurance training program, SAS was invited to deliver a series of Production Planning training courses for BASE Maintenance Staff.

Commented Steven Bentley MD of SAS “ It is interesting to see how successful organisations, and without doubt Emirates is standing proud in terms of success, typically demonstrate a specific and positive focus in respect of the need for training. It is also immediately evident to see benefits when an organisation embraces not just training which is driven by mandatory regulatory requirements, but also training which is directly connected to the specific development of competence. Without doubt such a proactive attitude provides the organisation with not just a significant return on investment, but has a direct bearing on the positive attitude, culture and behaviour of the team members.“

Within SAS we are very pleased to have been able to support Emirates and look forward to the opportunity to continue to provide training support.
Sofema Aviation Services would be very pleased to support your organisation across a range of potential business services, consultancy and training, please email us office@sassofia.com

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Development & Delivery of Approved – Aerodrome & Safety Management Manuals

Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar

CASE Study Delivered by Rustom Sutaria – Sofema Aviation Services Consultant and Regulatory Trainer

Introduction

Qatar sits on a peninsula in the Arabian Gulf neighbouring Saudi Arabia and a day’s drive from United Arab Emirates. Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (airport code DOH) opened in April of 2014.

All carrier operations have moved to Hamad International’s new 600,000 square meter terminal. Hamad International Airport has an initial annual capacity of 29 million passengers, some estimates suggest the airport could handle up to 93 million per year, making it the second largest airport in the region after Dubai. (It is expected to handle 320,000 aircraft movements and 2 million tonnes of cargo annually.)

Scope of Required Activity

With a significant growth in traffic and the associated operational requirements the maintenance of an effective Safety Management System remains paramount

Rustom Sutaria was engaged to deliver project co-ordination, management, guidance together with the duty to support and assist in obtaining the necessary Qatar Civil Aviation Authority ( QCAA) approval.

Because it was necessary to maintain operations at the “old” Doha International Airport a template was developed which was then used to facilitate the implementation of SMS both within the existing airport, as well as to support the requirement for the development and introduction of required manuals at the new Hamad International Airport in 4 months.

Project Elements

Preliminary Research & fact-finding, to establish a full understanding of the regulatory framework together with the operational needs to deliver the most efficient process.

A series of site visit arranged to ensure all elements which needed to be addressed where identified and included in the documentation process, including landside, airside (terminal & ramp) operations for both the new and the existing airports.

Information and data mining performed to understand the “as is” (full “Gap Analysis” was carried out to benchmark the current situation and to establish the work load and to develop an implementation timeline.

Detailed analysis performed to examine the current procedures and processes both to ensure compliance, identifying any shortfalls and gaps as well as utilising the opportunity to recommend optimising improvements to the processes and procedures associated within airfield operations, safety department and security department.

To ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated approach to airport operation and safety management project co-ordination was undertaken to liaise with all relevant airport departments, as well as external bodies including airfield engineering, NATS, etc

Development, Approval & Implementation

The following activities performed to ensure that (Procedures and Manuals) were completed and approved demonstrating full compliance with both ICAO Annex 14 – Aerodromes, Document 9859 – Safety Management Manual & QCAA requirements:

– Production and roll-out of Doha International Airport Aerodrome Manual
– Production & Roll-out of Doha International Airport Safety Manual
– Presentation of Aerodrome & Safety Manuals to QCAA for final approval.
– Development & delivery of related operating procedures in support of manuals.

Continuous Process Review

Throughout the above activities, driven by development and a deeper understanding of the optimum processes in context of ICAO Annex 14, Document 9859 and airport organisational structure was audited & assessed and where appropriate subjected to further enhancement in context of the newer and more complex Hamad Int’l Airport.

Such steps were taken to strengthen and/or enhance existing elements including procedural & management changes, introduced through the Operational Readiness & Airport Transfer Team.

Sofema Aviation Services would be very pleased to support your organisation across a range of potential business services, consultancy and training, please email us office@sassofia.com

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In-Sourcing of Continuing Airworthiness Management Functions for the Boeing BBJ Fleet

Delivered by Rustom Sutaria  – Sofema Aviation Services Consultant and Regulatory Trainer

 In-Sourcing of Continuing Airworthiness Management Functions for the Boeing BBJ Fleet Royal Jet, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Introduction

Royal Jet is an award-winning international luxury flight services provider headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is jointly owned by Abu Dhabi Aviation and the Presidential Flight Authority or PFA, the royal flight service.

Operating a varied fleet of BBJs, Global 5000, Gulfstream 300, LearJet 60 XR and LearJet 60, this FBO provides a wide range of services including Luxury VIP Aircraft Charter, Medical Evacuation Services (Medevac), Charter Brokerage, a Fixed Base Operation (FBO)/VIP Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport as well as aircraft Management and acquisition.

Scope of Required Activity

Previously, the bulk of the continuing airworthiness management of the Royal Jet BBJ fleet was being handled by the company’s co-owner ‘Presidential Flight Authority’.  Owing to operational changes at PFA, it was decided that Royal Jet should make alternative arrangements as regards the oversight of it’s aircraft.  The business determined that in-sourcing of CAMO functions was the best approach.

Rustom Sutaria was engaged to deliver project co-ordination, management, guidance together with the duty to support and assist in obtaining the necessary General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) approval in connection with the ‘Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition’, ‘Quality Manual’ & ‘Policy & Procedures Manual’.

Additionally, Rus was also asked to plan, implement and roll-out Trax MRO software together with supporting procedures which ranged from development of workflow diagrams to detailed procedural development.

A necessary requirement of this project was to perform a ‘Gap Analysis’ of the existing CAMO & CAME with a view to identification of operational shortfalls in terms of personnel, and procedural issues that would present themselves as the CAMO underwent re-development, and functionalities that were previously out-sourced, had been re-introduced to the organisation.  Rus was asked to get get involved with the selection/interview process, as well as make recommended changes to process and procedure.

Project Elements

Preliminary Research & fact-finding was accomplished, to establish a full understanding of the regulatory framework together with the operational needs to deliver the most efficient processes and procedures.

This involved a series of site visitswith Royal Jet & PFA arranged to ensure all elements which needed to be addressed wereidentified and included in the process of introducing Trax and re-developing the RJ CAMO.

A full ‘Gap Analysis’ together with data-gathering and bench-marking was performed in order to understand workload requirements and to develop a project timeline.

Rus was asked to deliver the following:

  • Review & re-write of CAR M Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition.
  • Review & re-write of CAR M Quality Manual
  • Re-development and introduction of existing & new internal procedures i.a.w. best practices and GCAA requirements
  • Re-development and introduction of existing & new interface procedures and processes to the customers and suppliers
  • Planned &Managed the introduction of the Trax MRO Software system including introduction of hardware, Oracle databases, data migration, verification, training & ‘Go-Live’.
  • Developed Trax CAR M processes, developed & delivered training.
  • Liaise with Royal Jet, Trax and the Presidential Flight of the UAE.

Detailed analysis of the current procedures and processes was also accomplished in order to ensure compliance, by identifying any shortfalls and gaps as well as utilising the opportunity to recommend optimising improvements to the processes and procedures associated with airfield operations, the safety and security departments.

The development of interface processes & procedures that ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated approach to airworthiness oversight, aircraft maintenance was also undertaken by liaising with all relevant FBO departments, as well as external bodies including GCAA, Trax, etc.

Development, Approval & Implementation

The following activities performed to ensure that (Procedures and Manuals) were completed and approved demonstrating full compliance with CAR M &other GCAA requirements:

  • Re-development, production and roll-out of Royal Jet Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition
  • Re-development, production & Roll-out of Royal Jet Quality Manual
  • Re-development, production & roll-out of Royal Jet Policies & Procedures Manual
  • Presentation of Manuals to RJ Quality Manager for final approval.

Continuous Process Review

Throughout the project, and driven by the development and a deeper understanding of Royal Jets Continuing Airworthiness Oversight duties, Rus was able to optimize these processes in context of GCAA CAR-M and Royal Jets’ organisational structure.

This facilitated the basis for quality & safety assurance through audit & assessment.

Such steps were taken to strengthen and/or enhance existing elements including procedural & management changes, introduced through RJs own Continuing Airworthiness Management Team.

Where appropriate Rus was able to further enhancement Safety & Quality in context of the newer and more complex Continuing Airworthiness Management remit.

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Nunavut Airports Division

Delivered by Q5SMS Team

Introduction

The Government of Nunavut Airports Division is responsible for the safe, efficient and effective management and operation of all airports in northern Canadian region of Nunavut. The airports Division ensures that the facilities, staff and equipment meet or exceed federal standards. This involves a close working relationship with the regulator, Transport Canada, as well as other government agencies that are contracted to operate and maintain the airports.

Scope of Required Activity

The Government of Nunavut Airports Division needed a more efficient means of gathering and reporting on their SMS data. Simultaneously they required a software tool that would meet the stringent requirements as set out by their country’s regulator, Transport Canada, a necessity that should have been taken into control.

Being an effective and adaptive tool for evolving SMS requirements, Q5 is providing and continuing to improve each year. The Government of Nunavut Airports Division is no longer overwhelmed with their paper-based system since Q5 is providing them with ease of use and solid support. When operating an airport, action items cannot be sassed, and Q5 added that peace-of-mind in knowing that everything would be tracked to completion.

Project Elements

The Government of Nunavut Airports Division use Q5 as the backbone to our SMS program, and primary safety data collection tool for the Airports Division. The SMS department use Q5 extensively for many aspects of our daily operations. These include:

1. Daily Airport Inspections

2. Fire & Rescue

3. Emergency Response

4. Runway Conditions Report (AMSCR)

5. PAPI (Navigational landing aid for aircraft) Checks

6. Event Reporting

7. CAPA (Corrective & Preventative Action) Tracking

8. Training Tracking

9. Annual Goal Progress Tracking

10. Audit Scheduling

11. Automated Email Reminders for Action Items

12. Dashboard Reporting

13. Trend on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

14. Detailed Search Functionality

The modular concept of Q5 met with the needs of the Airports Division.They use Q5 to manage our SMS needs for 24 airports located over a vast geographical expanse. Each location is able to use Q5 for their own location but is also able to contribute important information to the whole division (REWORD).

The Government of Nunavut Airports Division have been using the Q5 software since 2012 and each year we have incorporated more of the Q5 functionality into our daily SMS management. Yet we know there is still much more we can use Q5 for given the flexibility and functionality of the Q5 SMS software.

Development, Approval & Implementation

The following activities performed to ensure that (Procedures and Manuals) were completed and approved demonstrating full compliance with Q5SMS Aviation Software requirements:

– Real time Data

– Ease and Responsiveness of Information Sharing Among Employees and Management:

– Dashboard Reporting

– Key performance indicator

Continuous Process Review

Within SAS we are very pleased to have been able to support Nunavut Airports Division and look forward to the opportunity to continue to provide any kind of support.

Sofema Aviation Services would be very pleased to support your organisation across a range of potential business services, consultancy and training, please email us office@sassofia.com