ED Decision 2020/013/R

Loss of control prevention and recovery training: deferment of the use of aeroplane FSTDs qualified against ‘CS-FSTD(A) — Issue 2’ in air operator UPRT in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic

The objective of ED Decision 2020/013/R is to address an urgent implementation issue that has been identified in the field of upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) which is delivered in accordance with Annex III (Part-ORO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012. 

With ED Decision 2019/025/R ‘AMC & GM to Part ORO — Issue 2, Amendment 16’ of 17 December 2019, the acceptable means of compliance (AMC) to points ORO.FC.220 and ORO.FC.230 of Annex III (Part-ORO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 were updated in order to clarify that in order to provide upset recovery training related to dynamic upsets, high-altitude stall events and icing effects, it is necessary to utilise aeroplane flight simulation training devices (FSTDs) that are updated in accordance with ED Decision 2018/006/R ‘CS-FSTD(A) — Issue 2’. These amendments were set to apply from 20 August 2020 to ensure that enough FSTDs are available for use by the EU air operators, by granting FSTD manufacturers and FSTD operators sufficient time to implement the necessary updates and to receive the respective approvals from their competent authorities.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting constraints have led and continue to lead to significant delays in the FSTD update process in accordance with CS-FSTD(A) — Issue 2. For this reason, ED Decision 2020/013/R defers the applicability date of CS-FSTD(A) — Issue 2 for providing UPRT in accordance with Annex III (Part-ORO) until 31 March 2021. This date was proposed during stakeholder consultations and it also corresponds to the date that has been agreed at ICAO level as the date where any COVID-19-related deviations from international civil aviation standards will cease to apply.

This amendment is expected to address the COVID-19-related issues regarding the implementation of CS-FSTD(A) — Issue 2 while ensuring its application without undue delay.