ORO.FC.320 Operator conversion training and checking
Regulation (EU) 2021/2237
The operator conversion course shall include an operator proficiency check.
AMC1 ORO.FC.320 Operator conversion training and checking
ED Decision 2022/014/R
OPERATOR PROFICIENCY CHECK
The operator proficiency check should take place at the end of the operator conversion training programme defined in AMC3 ORO.FC.120.
ORO.FC.325 Equipment and procedure training and checking
Regulation (EU) 2021/2237
If a flight crew member undergoes equipment and procedure training that requires training on a suitable FSTD or the aircraft, with regard to standard operating procedures related to a specialised operation, the flight crew member shall undergo an operator proficiency check.
AMC1 ORO.FC.325 Equipment and procedure training and checking
ED Decision 2022/014/R
SPECIALISED OPERATIONS
(a) If the equipment and procedure training includes training for SOPs related to a specialised operation, points (b) to (f) of AMC3 ORO.FC.120 should apply.
(b) The operator proficiency check should take place at the end of the aircraft/FSTD training programme defined in AMC3 ORO.FC.120.
ORO.FC.330 Recurrent training and checking — operator proficiency check
Regulation (EU) 2021/2237
(a) Each flight crew member shall complete recurrent training and operator proficiency checks. In the case of specialised operations, the recurrent training and checking shall cover the relevant aspects associated with the specialised tasks described in the operations manual.
(b) Appropriate consideration shall be given when operations are undertaken under IFR or at night.
(c) The validity period of the operator proficiency check shall be 12 calendar months.
AMC1 ORO.FC.330 Recurrent training and checking — operator proficiency check
ED Decision 2022/014/R
SPO — RECURRENT TRAINING
(a) The training should include:
(1) ground training, including all the following:
(i) aircraft systems;
(ii) normal procedures, which include flight planning and ground-handling and flight operations, including performance, mass and balance, fuel schemes selection of alternates, and ground de-icing/anti-icing;
(iii) abnormal and emergency procedures, which include pilot incapacitation as applicable;
(iv) a review of relevant samples of accident/incident and occurrences to increase awareness of the occurrences that may be relevant for the intended operation;
(2) emergency and safety equipment training if one or more task specialists are on board. The training should ensure that all emergency equipment can be used timely and efficiently, that an emergency evacuation and first aid can be conducted, taking into account the training and operating procedures of the task specialist(s); and
(3) aircraft/FSTD training relevant to the type or variant of aircraft on which the flight crew operates.
(b) Additional training relevant to the specialised tasks should be either ground training or aircraft/FSTD training or both, in accordance with the results of the operator’s risk assessment.
SPO — OPERATOR PROFICIENCY CHECK
(c) The SPO operator proficiency check should take place at least annually. If the SPO operator combines the operator proficiency check with a licence proficiency check, the check should cover both the normal, abnormal and emergency procedures relevant to the type or variant and the relevant aspects associated with the specialised tasks described in the operations manual.
(d) If the SPO operator does not combine the operator proficiency check with a licence proficiency check, the operator proficiency check may not include the normal, abnormal and emergency procedures relevant to the type or variant that are already covered within the licence proficiency check. The operator proficiency check then covers the relevant aspects associated with the specialised task described in the operations manual.
(e) The flight crew should be assessed on their CRM skills in accordance with the methodology described in AMC1 and AMC2 ORO.FC.115 and as specified in the operations manual. CRM assessment should not be used as a reason for a failure of the operator proficiency check unless the observed behaviour could lead to an unacceptable reduction in safety margin.
(f) Each flight crew member should complete the operator proficiency checks as part of the normal crew complement.
SPO — RELEVANT PROCEDURES TO BE TRAINED AND CHECKED
(g) The operator should determine, based on a risk assessment, which procedures associated with the specialised tasks are relevant to be trained and checked. The following should be taken into account:
(1) specific risks associated with the specialised operation;
(2) for abnormal and emergency procedures, the criticality of the situation or failure and the impact of training and checking on ensuring a positive outcome; and
(3) for normal procedures, the amount of experience and recent experience accumulated since the previous training or checking.
(h) The operator should establish a training and checking programme to ensure that normal, abnormal and emergency procedures covering the relevant aspects associated with the specialised tasks are:
(1) trained and checked over a 2-year cycle for SPO operators engaged in only one specialised operation;
(2) trained and checked over a 2-year cycle for pilots engaged in only one specialised operation;
(3) trained and checked over a 3-year cycle, if neither (1) nor (2) applies;
(4) trained and checked before a pilot with no recent experience of the specialised operation in the last 6 months resumes the specialised operation.
(i) Whenever an item requires both training and checking, the recurrent aircraft/FSTD training of a single task or manoeuvre should be separate from, and should not take place at the same time as, an operator proficiency check of the item.
(j) Specialised operations may be exposed to specific risks such as routinely flying within the height velocity envelope of a helicopter. The operator should avoid taking unnecessary risks during aircraft training and checking and should take advantage of simulation devices, if possible, to train for such situations.
COMBINED CAT AND SPO TRANING AND CHECKING
(k) If the operator is involved in both CAT and SPO, the CAT training and checking programme may include elements that are relevant to the specialised tasks. If this is the case, these training and checking elements may be credited towards compliance with ORO.FC.330 as approved by the authority under ORO.FC.145(c).
GM1 ORO.FC.330 Recurrent training and checking — operator proficiency check
ED Decision 2022/014/R
SPO — RELEVANT PROCEDURES TO BE TRAINED AND CHECKED
The procedures to be trained in the aircraft/FSTD may be different from the procedures to be checked if both complement each other, as defined by the operator in AMC1 ORO.FC.330, considering the following:
(a) It may happen that several training elements are covered by a single check; and
(b) Certain complex procedures are best explored under recurrent training, where the trainee will derive more benefit and training to proficiency is also employed.