NPA 2017-09

Update of AMC-20 — In-flight entertainment, lead-free soldering, harmonisation of safety assurance and software development criteria

The objective of this NPA is to address issues related to those parts of AMC-20 that contain provisions on airworthiness for various systems that can be installed on different aircraft categories. As the industry state of the art is constantly evolving, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) needs to keep the pace and propose appropriate guidance to the applicants for certification and operation of such systems.

This NPA proposes to: 

  • amend AMC 20-1, 20-2 and 20-3 to harmonise across them the criteria for safety assurance and software development; 
  • create a new AMC 20-30 on lead-free soldering as well as amend AMC 21.A.608; and 
  • create a new AMC 20-19 on in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems, as well as amend or create relevant AMC to Annex III (Part-ORO) and Annex IV (Part-CAT) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Air OPS Regulation’) for the operation of these systems.

The proposed changes are expected to provide an updated AMC-20 reflecting the industry state of the art, thus facilitating the certification process. Overall, this would bring safety, environmental, and economic benefits, and have no social impacts.