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EASA Basic Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1108/2009 (hereafter referred to as the ‘Basic Regulation’) included aerodromes and ATM/ANS into the European aviation safety regulatory system.
Notice of Proposed Amendment NPA 2011-20 (A) 09/12/2011 introduces rules applicable to aerodromes.
The Implementing Rules (IRs) will become applicable to to aerodromes which are open to ‘public use’, which serve commercial air transport and where operations using instrument approach or departure procedures are provided and: which have a paved runway of 800 metres or above; or exclusively serve helicopters.
EASA established three working groups, to develop the safety rules containing the detailed requirements with which related oversight authorities, aerodrome operator organisations, aerodrome design and operations have to comply with.
The working groups were given the task of developing draft IRs and were further directed to develop Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMCs), Certification Specifications (CSs) and, where appropriate, Guidance Material (GM).
The working groups developed the rules to be closely based on the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) contained in ICAO Annex 14, Volume 1, Aerodromes.
The Aerodrome rules are structured into three parts: ‘Part Authority Requirements (AR)’, ‘Part Organisation Requirements (OR)’ and ‘Part Operational Requirements (OPS)’.
Part-AR contains the requirements to be fulfilled by the competent authority. The part contains three sections, covering General Requirements, Management and Oversight, Certification and Enforcement.
Part-OR contains the requirements to be fulfilled by the aerodrome operator. The part contains five sections covering General Requirements, Certification — Declaration, Operator Responsibilities, Management and Manuals.
Part-OPS contains the requirements to be fulfilled by the aerodrome operator. The part contains three sections, covering Aerodrome Data, Aerodrome Operational Services, Equipment and Installations and Aerodrome Maintenance.
In addition to and in support of the aforementioned draft rules, EASA has produced a ‘Book 1’ of Certification Specifications (CSs) for aerodrome design that will be used to construct the certification basis.
Note that Heliports are not currently being addressed
Member States, as signatories to the Chicago Convention of 1944, are obliged to adopt the SARPs contained within the Annexes to that Convention. Member States, as signatories to the Chicago Convention, are obliged to certify and oversee their
aerodromes based on national legislation implementing the ICAO requirements. Within the EASA region, Member States have transferred to the European Union the power to legislate in the area of safety of aerodromes.
In respect of the Introduction to EASA Authority, Organisation and Operations Requirements for Aerodromes, therefore, as from the entry into force of the IRs, Member States will continue to certify and oversee their aerodromes, but in accordance with the Basic Regulation, its IRs and CSs.
The European rules will introduce standard processes for certification and oversight, managing and operating aerodromes based on the spirit of flexibility and of continuity of certificates as explained above.
The level of impact of these changes will vary depending on how Member States have chosen to adopt the ICAO SARPs so far, and how they will make future use of their discretion in the application of the individual aerodrome certification process.
EASA has been conscious throughout the development and drafting of the rules for aerodromes that Member States are able to easily transit to the future rules and that obligations placed on the Member States and on the industry are not greater than those
currently required by the ICAO SARPs. Equally, EASA has endeavoured to ensure the rules are easily understood and applied. It is anticipated that the adoption of the rules will lead to improved safety without creating undue burden or other adverse effect such as discontinuation of established and well working mechanisms.
Sofema Aviation Services are pleased to offer a two day training covering Part OPS Regulation Aerodrome the next course is taking place in Sofia Bulgaria on Tues October 16, 2012
Tags:
EASA, Regulation (EC) No 216/2008, Aerodromes, Basic Regulation
