Opinion of the European Aviation Safety Agency for an amendment to Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 of 5 October 2012 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
This Opinion addresses an amendment to Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 establishing the Implementing Rules for air operations, and specifically amendments to Part-ORO and to Part-CAT. The specific objective is to maintain a high level of safety with regard to the following issues:
- Incapacitation and replacement of Senior cabin crew member.
- Communication between a person on board the aircraft and aerodrome services during ground operations with passengers on board and in the absence of flight crew members.
Both tasks were initiated by the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) and were transferred to the Agency after JAA ceased its activities.
Incapacitation and replacement of Senior cabin crew member
This Opinion clarifies the intent of paragraph ORO.CC.200(e), transferred from EU-OPS 1.1000(d), which requires an operator to establish procedures on the replacement of Senior cabin crew member (SCCM) in case the nominated individual becomes ‘unable to operate’.
The lack of clarity results in various interpretations by EU operators leading to non-compliance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012. The specific objective of this Opinion is to ensure the correct interpretation and application of the regulatory requirement by European operators by clarifying the intent of the rule.
This Opinion replaces the term ‘senior cabin crew member’ with the acronym ‘SCCM’ to ensure its correct interpretation as referring to the cabin crew member ‘in charge’.
Communication between a person on board the aircraft and aerodrome services during ground operations with passengers on board and in the absence of flight crew members
This Opinion proposes a new regulatory requirement. The specific objective is to require a qualified person on board the aircraft during ground operations with passengers embarking, on board or disembarking in the absence of flight crew members. The qualified person will establish and coordinate communication with aerodrome services in case of urgent need or emergency on board that aircraft.
The proposed changes are expected to maintain and to increase safety. ICAO expressed support to both proposals during the public consultation of NPA 2012-12.
