Stage: Final Publications

Regulatory Agency Final Publications

EASA_SIB_2020-02R3_1 Updated COVID-19 Safety Information Bulletin includes new recommendations for aircraft operators and aerodrome operators

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency published an updated Safety Information Bulletin providing operational recommendations related to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. This aligns it with the Safety Directives and the Guidelines recently issued by EASA to ensure that appropriate preventive measures are taken by the aviation industry to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus in aviation environment.

The revision includes recommendations for the use of face masks for crew members, measures regarding social distancing in the airports as well as a recommendation for the crew members not to use personal disinfectants to disinfect aircraft surfaces. Further editorial changes and clarifications were made to provide a better understanding of the operational recommendations, particularly with regard to the instructions of public health authorities.

Airworthiness aspects for transport of cargo in the passenger cabin of Large Aeroplanes

In the context of the emergency situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic, EASA has committed to treating projects supporting the collective effort to transport medical supplies and other important goods as efficiently as possible. The following message is intended specifically for Design Organisations and Operators, and offers updated information on airworthiness and certification aspects.

We have developed further guidance on the design change classifications, certification aspects as well as use of Exemptions in accordance with Art. 71.1 of the Basic Regulation 2018/1139 for limited time periods.

In order to enable an early availability of a transport solution in the frame of the current COVID-19 situation, EASA supports the use of the provisioning of Article 71.1, also for on-going projects, through additional support to National Competent Authorities and operators as required.

For a permanent use, a design change approval is required.

Transport of medical supplies under a design change approval

Approved Design Organizations may reclassify such modification as “Minor Change” and approve these under their DOA-privileges, allowing for the use of cabin seats when related to the transportation of medical supplies (e.g. masks, gloves, clothing, etc.) provided they are not classified as dangerous goods. This has to be indicated in the approval documents and AFM Supplement.

Since this kind of installation is a change in the scope of operation of the aeroplane, and in the absence of dedicated operational requirements covering this kind of operation, the installation and the procedures for operation have to be addressed taking into account the specific configuration of each aeroplane model affected.

Transport of other cargo under a design change approval

For transport of cargo other than medical supplies as well as in case removal of seats are necessary to allow fixation of cargo onto the aircraft structure for cargo operation, a Major Change or STC application is required and will be processed by EASA with priority.

While preparing your documentation, please consider the following information:

  • For the installation of Cargo Seat Bags the CM-CS-003
  • The published Special Condition, can be used as appropriate guidance, also in the frame of Minor Changes.
  • Already approved STC
  • Guidelines published by the aircraft manufacturers Airbus (ref.: FOT-999-0028-20-00) and Boeing (ref.: MOM-MOM-20-0239) have been issued.

Potential false claims of EASA approval

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has been made aware that, in the current situation of the Coronavirus crisis, some manufacturers are falsely claiming that equipment has been approved by EASA for use in aviation and for the specific purpose of reducing the risk of the virus spreading.

We would advise any parties in the aviation industry who are considering the purchase or use of such equipment to exercise caution if they are contacted about new products, presented with the information that equipment is EASA approved and have reason to suspect that the claim is false.

Details of EASA approved equipment are published on our website: ETSO Authorisations

EASA Guidance-helicopter-operations-covid-19-issue-01

The European Union Aviation Safety Authority has issued guidelines on measures that may be taken by helicopter operators in the light of the COVID-19 situation.

The guidelines are addressed in particular to those operators who are in the frontline of managing the COVID-19 outbreak throughout the European Union, not only those operating in high-risk areas.

The document contains aviation material that is unlikely to be found in WHO, EDC, and national health procedures.

FAA Docket No. FAA-2020-0312 Enforcement Policy for Expired Airman Medical Certificates

Due to extraordinary
circumstances related to the Novel
Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19)
pandemic, until June 30, 2020, the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
will not take legal enforcement action
against any person serving as a required
pilot flight crewmember or flight
engineer based on noncompliance with
medical certificate duration standards
when expiration of the required medical
certificate occurs from March 31, 2020,
through June 30, 2020.

FAA Memo – Flight Standards Designee Oversight and Recurrent Training requirements

This memorandum provides guidance on how Flight Standards (FS) personnel can deviate from
the provisions contained within FAA Orders 8000.95, 8100.15, 8900.1 and 8900.2. This
memorandum also extends the recurrent training due dates for those designees and Flight
Standards Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) unit members that are unable to attend
in-person recurrent training courses. The deviations addressed by this memorandum are to
ensure compliance with U.S. Government and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) guidelines taken to limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

FAA Memo – special guidance for part 147 amts regarding training interruptions

The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been declared a Public Health
Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The impact of this virus has caused multiple states and cities within the US to take action
by reducing or limiting public gatherings which includes the closure of schools in some
locations. These closures may impact student learning and schedules of some part 147
Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools (AMTS). The actions taken have caused
concerns among Flight Standards Offices (FSO) with oversight responsibilities of AMTS
requesting flexibility to minimize interruptions to student learning. The Aircraft
Maintenance Division has reviewed these concerns and provides the following guidance
to assist currently enrolled AMTS students.
The guidance is temporary in nature and should not be used to enroll new students or to
be applied as standard procedure. The standard procedures are located in FAA Order
8900.1, Volume 2, Chapter 12, and Volume 6, Chapter 10. Flight Standards offices with
AMTS oversight responsibilities may use this guidance to authorize options or flexibility
for AMTS curriculum delivery and student attendance within the current requirements of
part 147. FAA offices or inspectors should discuss these options with the affected AMTS
and provide the appropriate support based on the option selected by the schools.

FAA Memo – deviation to faa order 8900.1 for 14 cfr part 145 repair stations

This memorandum authorizes deviation to existing policy for management of 14 CFR
Part 145 repair stations outside of the United States due to safety concerns associated
with the coronavirus.
14 CFR Part 145.55 and FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 2, Chapter 11, Paragraph 2-1335
states that repair stations located outside the United States have a limited duration. Initial
certification is limited to 12 months from the date the certificate is issued. Thereafter, the
FAA may renew the certificate or rating for a 24 month period if the repair station has
operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of part 145 within the preceding
(12 month) period. In addition, the FAA must conduct annual surveillance of the facility.
Due to the unique dilemma surrounding the renewal of Air Agency Certificates outside of
the United States that is beyond FAA control we have made the determination to deviate
from FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 2, Chapter 11, Paragraph 2-1335 when certificates
cannot be renewed due to travel restrictions associated with the Coronavirus. Specifically
the note, which states; “Although the regulation indicates a 24-month renewal period,
inspectors must perform annual surveillance of repair stations, per current policy.”

The intent of this policy deviation is to provide for extensions of Air Agency Certificate
duration within the parameters addressed in 14 CFR Part 145.55. This policy deviation
does not provide for extensions of certificate durations for newly certificated repair
stations that are limited to an initial 12-month duration.