Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com considers the fundamental roles and responsibilities of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Introduction
EASA sits at the centre of the European Union’s strategy for aviation safety. Its mission is to promote the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation.
- The Agency develops common safety and environmental rules at the European level.
- EASA monitors the implementation of standards through inspections in the Member States and provides the necessary technical expertise, training and research.
- The Agency works hand in hand with the National Aviation Authorities (NAAs) of the Member States and relies on their expertise and know-how to implement and enforce safety standards.
EASA consists of Several Main Bodies:
- The Management Board defines the Agency’s general direction, adopts the budget, and approves the annual work program.
o It comprises one representative from each EU Member State, two representatives from the European Commission, and a number of non-voting representatives from different sectors of the industry.
- The Executive Director manages the Agency under the supervision of the Management Board.
o The Director is responsible for administrative and budgetary management, the preparation of the annual work program, the implementation of safety and environmental protection standards, and the proposal of regulatory measures.
- The staff of the Agency assist the Executive Director in the management of the Agency. They carry out tasks in the fields of technical assistance, certification, regulation, inspection, investigation, and training, among others.
- Committees and Working Groups
o EASA works with a number of Committees and Working Groups, which comprise industry representatives and experts from NAAs.
o They provide valuable advice and support to the Agency in its standard-setting activities.
- The Agency’s organisational structure is organised into directorates dealing with various domains such as flight standards, certification, resources and support, strategy and safety management, etc.
o Each directorate comprises departments focusing on more specific aspects of civil aviation safety.
- The Rulemaking Board assists EASA in developing and adopting aviation regulations. It consists of representatives from Member States, industry, and other stakeholders.
o The Rulemaking Board provides technical expertise, conducts impact assessments, and reviews proposed regulations before their adoption.
- The Certification Board oversees the certification process for aeronautical products, organizations, and personnel.
o It ensures that certification activities are conducted in accordance with EASA regulations and international standards.
o The Certification Board is responsible for granting or revoking certificates, conducting audits, and ensuring the ongoing compliance of certified entities.
- The Standardization Board develops and maintains the standards and procedures for EASA’s activities. It ensures that EASA’s work is consistent, harmonized, and aligned with international standards. The Standardization Board also promotes the exchange of best practices and fosters cooperation among Member States and stakeholders.
Note that EASA also cooperates closely with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States, and other international aviation safety organizations.
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Tags:
Certification Board, Civil Aviation Organization, EASA, EU Member State, European Comission, European Union, Executive Director, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Main bodies, Management Structure, National Aviation Authority, Organisation, roles and responsibilities, rulemakig board, Standardization Board, Working Groups
