Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com considers essential training requirements related to the delivery of an effective operations audit.
1/ Is it necessary to receive training on (for example) Quality Auditing of Fuel Farms or Quality Auditing of De icing Procedures?
Ref the following – Regulation (EU) 965/2012 on air operations – COMPLEX OPERATORS — COMPLIANCE MONITORING PROGRAMME
AMC1 ORO.GEN.200(a)(6) Management system
and
GM2 ORO.GEN.200(a)(6) Management system
Now consider Items a) 1 to 5 and b) 1 to 16 – if we treated each item separately we would finish up with 21 different quality audit training courses. – Fortunately, this approach is not required by EASA (Nor is it essentially effective)
2/ So how do we achieve an effective audit approach to satisfy the Compliance (Quality Assurance) Objectives of the Organisation
a) We ensure the effective competence of the auditor both at basic level and advance level. This means the development of the ability to deliver audits in a standardized and effective manner.
b) We need to ensure that the auditor has an core understanding of the subject matter (This knowledge is independent of the Audit Competence)
3/ So if I am to perform an effective audit I need Core Audit Competence plus Relevant Subject Matter / Business Area Knowledge – is this correct?
a) Exactly, however, not to confuse the 2 areas of requirement as they are quite different. Essentially the audit process is systematic and can be applied to any business area. The specific knowledge related to the particular audit subject or standard can be acquired separately at any time prior to delivery of the audit.
b) To be highly effective the auditor should be both a competent auditor and a subject matter expert, however it is sill possible to be effective with a strong understanding of the subject process techniques process and procedures
4/ So how do I perform a Fuel Farm Audit?
a) Achieve an acceptable level of Competence as an Auditor
b) Build a comprehensive understanding of the standard practices related to the Fuel Farm process, procedures, Quality Control, as well as the training processes
c) Develop an audit check sheet using standard Audit best practice techniques to identify the various applicable standards to be addressed during the audit.
d) Perform the audit and identify gaps against between the actual standard and documented processes and procedures as well as the internal process and procedures against the physical delivery.
AMC1 ORO.GEN.200(a)(6) Management system
COMPLIANCE MONITORING — GENERAL
(a) Compliance monitoring
The implementation and use of a compliance monitoring function should enable the operator
to monitor compliance with the relevant requirements of this Annex and other applicable
Annexes.
(1) The operator should specify the basic structure of the compliance monitoring function
applicable to the activities conducted.
(2) The compliance monitoring function should be structured according to the size of the
operator and the complexity of the activities to be monitored.
(b) Organisations should monitor compliance with the procedures they have designed to ensure
safe activities. In doing so, they should as a minimum, and where appropriate, monitor
compliance with:
(1) privileges of the operator;
(2) manuals, logs, and records;
(3) training standards;
(4) management system procedures and manuals.
Regulation (EU) 965/2012 on air operations – GM2 ORO.GEN.200(a)(6) Management system
COMPLEX OPERATORS — COMPLIANCE MONITORING PROGRAMME
(a) Typical subject areas for compliance monitoring audits and inspections for operators should be,
as applicable:
(1) actual flight operations;
(2) ground de-icing/anti-icing;
(3) flight support services;
(4) load control;
(5) technical standards.
(b) Operators should monitor compliance with the operational procedures they have designed to
ensure safe operations, airworthy aircraft and the serviceability of both operational and safety
equipment. In doing so, they should, where appropriate, additionally monitor the following:
(1) operational procedures;
(2) flight safety procedures;
(3) operational control and supervision;
(4) aircraft performance;
(5) all weather operations;
(6) communications and navigational equipment and practices;
(7) mass, balance and aircraft loading;
(8) instruments and safety equipment;
(9) ground operations;
(10) flight and duty time limitations, rest requirements, and scheduling;
(11) aircraft maintenance/operations interface;
(12) use of the MEL;
(13) flight crew;
(14) cabin crew;
(15) dangerous goods;
(16) security.
Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com offers regulatory training for both basic Quality Auditing and Advanced Quality Auditing techniques.
For additional information please email office@sassofia.com
