This Decision introduces amendments to CS-ETSO taking into account the principles of efficiency and harmonisation.
It introduces into CS-ETSO new, updated and improved standards for parts and appliances, as follows:
- a number of European Technical Standard Orders (ETSOs) have been modified in order to harmonise them with the corresponding FAA TSOs;
- one new ETSO (Index 1) has been introduced, which is, where possible, technically similar to the existing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Standard Order (TSO); and
- some new ETSOs (Index 2) have been introduced, which either do not exist in the FAA TSO series, or which contain significant technical differences from the corresponding FAA TSOs.
These amendments are expected to reduce the regulatory burden for the validation of FAA TSO authorisations by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and vice versa, to increase cost-effectiveness of compliance demonstrations and to reflect in CS-ETSO the technical state of the art.
By letter dated July 9, 2020, you petitioned the FAA on behalf of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and its members for an extension of Exemption No. 18510A. That exemption from §§ 135.245(c), 135.247(a), 135.301(a), 135.323(b), 135.337(g), 135.338(g), 135.339(b), 135.340(b), and 135.505(d) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provides limited relief from the timeframes for completing recurrent training and qualification requirements for ground personnel and crewmembers1 due through July 31, 2020.2
In your petition, you indicate that there has been no change in the conditions and reasons relative to public interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption.3 You request that the exemption be extended to provide relief from the timeframes for completing recurrent training and qualification requirements for ground personnel4 and crewmembers due through January 31, 2021.5
This letter is to inform you that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted your petition, in part, to extend Exemption No. 18509A. The discussion below reviews the petition, states the decision, lists the conditions and limitations, and describes the decision’s effect.
The Petition By letter dated July 9, 2020, you petitioned the FAA on behalf of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and its members for an extension of Exemption No. 18509A. That exemption from §§ 135.293(b), 135.295(e) and (g), 135.297(c)(1)(i) and (ii), 135.331(c)(3), (5), and (7), 135.347(a), and 135.351(b)(2) and (c) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provides relief to allow NATA members and other part 135 air carriers/operators to use alternative methods to conduct certain required crewmember1 emergency procedures during
recurrent and upgrade training, testing, or checking through July 31, 2020.
This AC describes the rationale for using a continuous descent final approach (CDFA) technique on a Nonprecision Approach (NPA), as well as recommended general procedures and training guidelines for implementing CDFA as a standard operating procedure (SOP). The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way.
Subject: Expansion of Existing Programs and FAA Policy – Flexibilities for Managing Scheduled
Maintenance Requirements Due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
Purpose: This InFO notifies operators of temporary changes to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
policy on the use of short-term escalations (STE) to manage scheduled maintenance requirements affected
by the COVID-19 public health emergency. This InFO also provides information on increased flexibilities
related to the use of STEs and how operators may request FAA authorization for the expanded use of
STEs.
AMC & GM to Authority, Organisation and Operations Requirements for Aerodromes — Issue 1, Amendment 3
Rescue and firefighting services at aerodromes
The objective of this Decision is to maintain a high level of safety for aerodrome operations. In particular, it aims to enhance the effectiveness of rescue and firefighting personnel when responding to aviation emergencies at an aerodrome, by allowing the aerodrome operators to train rescue and firefighting personnel on pressure-fed fuel fires more frequently at facilities that utilise fuel other than jet fuel (e.g. gas). The substitution of the jet fuel with other types of fuels provides an alternative way to the training, which is cost effective and environmentally friendly.
Furthermore, the Decision provides guidance material to support aerodrome operators to verify the medical and physical fitness condition of the rescue and firefighting personnel. The guidance material is based on current medical practices for rescue and firefighting personnel and on ICAO Doc 9137 Part 1 ‘Rescue and firefighting services’.
