All posts by Wim Ovaa

SAFA training courses coming soon!

Soon (1 September 2019) some important changes will come into force for the European Ramp Inspection (RI) SAFA/SACA Programme. Changes comprise Manufacturing Data, Ramp Inspection Manual (RIM), amended Ramp Inspection Instructions (RIIs), System Wide Coordination (SWC) etc. 

Therefore staff of your organisation may be interested to attend one of the following training courses:

23-24 September 2019 (Monday & Tuesday)

Ramp Inspection Recurrent Training Course

Schiphol, the Netherlands

21-24 October 2019 (Monday – Thursday) 

Ramp Initial Theoretical and Practical Training Course

Schiphol, the Netherlands

Unique feature of this course is the practical training provided over 2 days, allowing to visit 2 or 3 widebody aircraft.

The training material presented will already incorporate recent changes related to EU/EASA AMC & Guidance Material (the AMC and GM to Part-ARO — Issue 3, Amendment 9 dated 27 Feb. 2019), the Ramp Inspection Manual ((RIM) issue 1 dated 20/03/2019) and EU/EASA Inspection Instructions (INST.RI.01/003 dated 20/03/2019).

Attendees to these training courses have, very often, a diverse background. Working for National Aviation Authorities (NAAs) or, in some cases, airlines and originating from Europe, Russian Federation, Middle East or Africa. This facilitates an interesting exchange of experience among the attendees. As a result, previous attendees were satisfied with these courses. You do not want to miss this opportunity and there are still seats available!

In case of interest you are kindly invited to contact Ciconia Aviation at info@ciconia-aviation.com

Ciconia Aviation is a recognised expert leader in the field of Ramp Inspection services. We offer advisory, training and managed services in this field. Our training services are offered under our EASA RITO (Ramp Inspection Training Organization) approval. Beside scheduled training courses in the Netherlands, we frequently provide training at the location of the customer. 

Flight OPS training 4-5 November 2019

On 4-5 November 2019 (Monday & Tuesday) Ciconia Aviation will offer a Flight Operations training course for RI (SAFA/SACA) inspectors.

The overall objective of the training course is to improve the Inspector’s familiarization with the requirements of the SAFA/SACA programme regarding the inspection items A13 (Flight Preparation) and A14 (Mass & Balance Calculation), with a view to enhancing their ability to assess the documents associated with the topics as presented by flight crew in the short time available during a turnaround, and in the close confines of the cockpit area.

This 2 day course gives participants insight into the flight preparation activities pilots typically carry out during turnaround. One day and a half will be in a classroom environment. In the afternoon of the second day, a 30-minute role play exercises will be held in a flight simulator with an experienced pilot in the captain’s seat. This provides a unique opportunity for the inspectors to further improve their crew interaction skills as well as to bring the knowledge gained in the classroom into practice.

In case of interest you are kindly invited to contact Ciconia Aviation at info@ciconia-aviation.com

RAMP INSPECTION FLEET REVIEW OF UK BASED AIRLINE

Recently an UK based airline, asked Ciconia to perform an independent verification of their fleet for Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA)/Ramp Inspection compliance. During a few days an experienced Ciconia inspector/instructor worked with senior staff of the airline.

The services we provided to the airline were:

  • Instruct the airline staff on the 2019 changes of the EU Ramp Inspection programme which will have an impact on the airline operation;
  • Act as subject matter expert in various Questions  & Answer sessions with the airline licensed staff;
  • Several aircraft of the airline’s fleet were inspected for compliance with ICAO (SAFA) and EU/EASA Standards (SACA);
  • Review and advice on SAFA findings previously reported to the airline;
  • Advice on the corrective and preventive actions carried out by the airline.

The SAFA compliance fleet review has been appreciated by the airline as it contributes to the prevention of future SAFA/Ramp Inspection findings and it supports the airline’s goal to maintain a low SAFA/Ramp Inspection ratio.

Flight Operations training course for RI inspectors – 8-9 January 2019

On 8 & 9 January 2019 (Tuesday – Wednesday) Ciconia Aviation will offer a Flight Operations training course for RI (SAFA/SACA) inspectors.
The overall objective of the training course is to improve the Inspector’s familiarization with the requirements of the SAFA/SACA programme regarding the inspection items A13 (Flight Preparation) and A14 (Mass & Balance Calculation), with a view to enhancing their ability to assess the documents associated with the topics as presented by flight crew in the short time available during a turnaround, and in the close confines of the cockpit area.
This 2 day course gives participants insight into the flight preparation activities pilots typically carry out during turnaround. The classroom training is combined with a role play exercise in a flight simulator with an experienced pilot in the captain’s seat. This provides a unique opportunity for the inspectors to further improve their crew interaction skills as well as to bring the knowledge gained in the classroom into practice.
In case of interest you are kindly invited to contact Ciconia Aviation at info@ciconia-aviation.com

Training schedule 2019

The new scheduled Ramp Inspection (SAFA) Initial Theoretical, Practical and Recurrent training courses for 2019 are now published on our website.

In 2019 we expect to see some significant changes in the European Ramp Inspection/Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) programme. These changes will be clearly presented in the RI/SAFA Recurrent Training Courses. Unique feature is the possibility to combine the RI recurrent training with a Practical training on an aircraft in a hangar on the second day in the afternoon.

Hope we may welcome you in one of our training courses.

In case you are interested to participate in these training courses at Schiphol airport, the Netherlands, please contact us at info@ciconia-aviation.com.

Ramp Inspection (SAFA) Recurrent and Practical Training Course (24-25 Sept. 2018)

Before the end of 2018 some significant changes will be implemented in the European Ramp Inspection/Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) programme. These changes will be presented in the SAFA Recurrent Training Course of 24-25 September 2018. This course will be completed with a Practical training on an aircraft in a hangar on Tuesday (25 Sept.) afternoon. In case you are interested to participate in this training at Schiphol airport, the Netherlands, please contact us at info@ciconia-aviation.com.

 

Flight Operations training course for RI inspectors – Q4 2018

In October or November 2018 Ciconia Aviation will offer a Flight Operations training course for RI (SAFA/SACA) inspectors.

The overall objective of the training course is to improve the Inspector’s familiarization with the requirements of the SAFA/SACA programme regarding the inspection items A13 (Flight Preparation) and A14 (Mass & Balance Calculation), with a view to enhancing their ability to assess the documents associated with the topics as presented by flight crew in the short time available during a turnaround, and in the close confines of the cockpit area.

This 2 day course gives participants insight into the flight preparation activities pilots typically carry out during turnaround. The two days are in a classroom environment.
Optionally, on the third day, 30-minute role play exercises can be held in a flight simulator with an experienced pilot in the captain’s seat. This provides a unique opportunity for the inspectors to further improve their crew interaction skills as well as to bring the knowledge gained in the classroom into practice.

In case of interest you are kindly invited to contact Ciconia Aviation at info@ciconia-aviation.com

Unique CIS-built Aircraft Philosophy Training Course

From 25 until 27 June 2018 an unique training course has taken place in Kyiv, Ukraine. In two classroom days the main differences between CIS-built (e.g. AN, IL, TU, Yak) and Western types (Airbus & Boeing) were being addressed. Three senior experts addressed the issue from the perspective of:
• Initial Airworthiness/Type Certification;
• Continuing Airworthiness/Maintenance;
• Operations;
• SAFA/Ramp Inspection compliance.

On the 3rd day Antonov Airlines kindly hosted the practical training at Gostomel Airport (GML/UKKM). An in-depth practical training was done on an Antonov AN-124-100 aircraft.
Attendees have gained an in depth understanding how these CIS built aircraft were designed, manufactured, operated and maintained and in which aspects their philosophy was/is different from Western A/C types. The possibility to review all operational and technical details of the AN-124-100 aircraft has been highly valued by the participants.

It is foreseen that additional courses will be organised at the end of 2018 & early 2019.

International Regulations Workshop

From 12 until 15 February 2018 this workshop was organized in Moscow, Russia.
It addressed:

  • an update on the EU/EASA regulations;
  • details on the OTARs as issued by Bermuda CAA and applicable to Bermuda registered aircraft operated in Russia;
  • the principles of ICAO 83bis arrangements, the coordination of responsibilities between the State of Operator and State of Registry.

The workshop was organised within the DASR (Dutch Aviation Solutions Russia) framework. It was also the start of a successful cooperation between Moscow based Training Center “Aviator” and Ciconia Aviation.

Mr. Tom Llewellyn, former Chief Operating Officer of ASSI (the organisation responsible for developing, publishing and maintaining the OTARs) and business partner of Ciconia Aviation, closely worked together with Aviator instructors to make this workshop a success. Attendees from various Russian airlines appreciated the extensive knowledge shared with them about the background of OTAR regulations and the issues related to an effective implementation, particularly in the environment of ICAO Article 83bis.

Further training courses, offered under the Aviator/DASR/Ciconia Aviation cooperation, are scheduled for 2018.

Ramp Inspection Quality Review of UK based airline

Recently an UK based airline, asked Ciconia to perform an independent audit of their operations for SAFA/Ramp Inspection compliance. During a few days an experienced Ciconia inspector/instructor worked with senior staff of the airline.

The service package consisted of several elements:

  • Review and advice on SAFA findings previously reported to the airline;
  • Advice on the corrective and preventive actions carried out by the airline;
  • Provide information to various department managers how to act upon and communicate on reported SAFA findings;
  • Also several aircraft of the airline’s fleet were inspected for compliance with ICAO (SAFA) or EU/EASA Standards (SACA).

The independent quality review has been appreciated by the airline as it contributes to the prevention of future SAFA/Ramp Inspection findings and it supported the airline’s ambition to have a lower SAFA/Ramp Inspection ratio.