Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com looks at challenges related to Competence Oversight
What do we mean by Competence?
Essentially, we mean a bringing together of skills, knowledge and attitude to a workplace role
How do we assess Competence?
We need to develop Organisational Tools to manage competence throughout the business
Note – Consider that failed businesses are often an indicator of poor competence – whether it is related to Marketing / Product / Management Control / Delivery or Customer Satisfaction – In each area requires a high level of competence.
Where does the regulatory authority sit in this picture?
Not where you may at first believe – because the purpose and focus of the CAA is to ensure “legal Compliance” with the regulations – So therefore competence for the Authority focuses on both the understanding of the legal obligations and a demonstration of the ability of the organisation or person to deliver. (This can be seen by considering the Post Holder Pre-Requisites )
To a degree, we can evidence some areas of Competence by referencing Qualifications & Experience
For example, consider a Pilot – here we have a clearly defined and “mapped out” learning path – heavily regulated and measured throughout the journey.
What about a Post Holder where is an equivalent level of criteria mapped out related to Competence?
Consider a set of Competence Measures related to Conflict Resolution
1/ The ability to analyse and interpret evidence from primary and secondary sources, including charts, graphs.
2/ To be able to determine the accuracy and validity of information by separating fact and opinion and recognizing bias;
To be able to engage with multiple cause-and-effect relationships that impact the situation;
3/ To be able to defend conclusions orally and in writing to a wide range of audiences, using evidence from sources.
Note: Competence across the business is essential to the health and well being and compliance with the regulations is a step on the journey & not the destination.
General Comment (EASA) The operator should ensure that the contracted organisation has the necessary authorisation or approval when required, and commands the resources and competence to undertake the task
Nominated Postholders – Competence
General. Nominated Postholders should, in the normal way, be expected to satisfy the Authority that they possess the appropriate experience and licensing requirements
(In particular cases, and exceptionally, the Authority may accept a nomination which does not meet the requirements in full but, in this circumstance, the nominee should be able to demonstrate experience which the Authority will accept as being comparable and also the ability to perform effectively the functions associated with the post and with the scale of the operation.)
The qualifications and level of experience of post holders and key operational staff will vary according to the scope and size of the proposed operations. Post holders and key operational staff shall have an understanding with Human Factors and Human Performance limitation besides the following specific requirements.
The following are the posts that must be accepted by the GCAA:
(a)Accountable Manager
(b)Post Holder Flight Operations
(c)Post Holder Continuing Airworthiness – Management (if applicable).
(d)Post Holder Crew Training
(e)Post Holder Ground Operations
(f)Post Holder Aviation Security
(g)Post Holder Quality Assurance
(h)Post Holder Safety Management System (SMS)
Nominated postholders should have:
- Practical experience and expertise in the application of aviation safety standards and safe operating practices;
- Comprehensive knowledge of:
- EASA / CAR-OPS (As appropriate) and any associated requirements and procedures;
- The AOC holder’s Operations Specifications;
- The need for, and content of, the relevant parts of the AOC holder’s Operations Manual;
- Familiarity with Quality Systems;
- Appropriate management experience in a comparable organisation; and
- Five years of relevant work experience of which at least two years should be from the aeronautical industry in an appropriate position.
Flight Operations PH
The nominated postholder or his deputy should hold a valid Flight Crew Licence appropriate to the type of operation conducted under the AOC in accordance with the following:
If the AOC/Authorization includes aeroplanes certificated for a minimum crew of 2 pilots – An Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence issued or validated by the Authority:
If the AOC/Authorization is limited to aeroplanes certificated for a minimum crew of 1 pilot – A Commercial Pilot’s Licence, and if appropriate to the operation, an Instrument Rating issued or validated by the Authority.
Maintenance System PH
The nominated postholder should possess the following:
- Relevant engineering degree, or aircraft maintenance technician with additional education acceptable to the Authority. ‘Relevant engineering degree’ means an engineering degree from Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Avionic or other studies relevant to the maintenance of aircraft/aircraft components.
- Thorough familiarity with the organisation’s Continuous Airworthiness Management Exposition.
- Knowledge of the relevant type(s) of aircraft.
- Knowledge of maintenance methods.
Post Holder Continuing Airworthiness Management
- Practical experience, knowledge, relevant qualifications and expertise for the areas they manage
- Working knowledge of CAR M and the Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation Exposition
- Familiarity with the organisation’s quality system
- Working knowledge of aviation safety standards and continuing airworthiness management practices and the ability to manage a facility in such an environment
- Appropriate management experience
- Appropriate familiarity with the product
- Appropriately qualified as per AMC M 706
- The post holder shall not be employed in any other organisation and shall have a full-time employment contract with the organization;
- Shall not hold any other position in the company unless acceptable to the Authority;
- Shall have comprehensive knowledge of UAE Laws and Regulations.
Crew Training PH The nominated postholder or his deputy should be a current Type Rating Instructor on a type/class operated under the AOC/Authorization.
The nominated Postholder should have a thorough knowledge of the AOC/Authorization holder’s crew training concept for Flight Crew and for Cabin Crew when relevant.
Ground Operations PH
The nominated postholder should have a thorough knowledge of the AOC/Authorization holder’s ground operations concept.
Security PH. The nominated postholder should have a thorough knowledge of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme, the operator’s security programme, security training requirements and threat assessment. The nominated post holder should have successfully attended AVSEC 1, 2, and 3 basic and AVSEC professional manager’s courses, as of 2014 the Post Holder Security shall be UAE national (refer to UAE GCAA Security Department Directives).
Quality PH
The post holder Quality assurance may be further separated into two areas:
-QA Operations;
-QA Maintenance.
As a general guideline, he/she shall:
- -Hold or has held a license relevant with aircraft type to be operated;
- -Hold or has held a previous similar position or at least managerial appointment such as an auditor or other similar appointments;
- -Have 5 years of working experience, 2 of which in aviation organisational experience;
- -Have completed auditing techniques training;
- -Not be employed in any other organisation and he shall have a full-time employment contract with the organization;
- -Not hold any other position in the company;
- -Have sound knowledge in the fields of flight operations, maintenance, crew training and ground operations, including the standards required by the Authority, and any additional requirements defined by the operator.
Post Holder SMS
To serve as a post holder SMS, a person must be trained and have knowledge of all aspects of SMS. The training required shall cover all elements of the SMS system including safety risk management, safety assurance, safety promotion and quality.
Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com and our online partner SofemaOnline www.sofemaonline.com offer classroom and regulatory training compliant with EASA, FAA and UAE GCAA Regulations and include vocational training – for details please email office@sassofia.com
