RMT.0392 (SUBTASK 1B)
The objective of this Notice of Proposed Amendment is to propose standards for the duties, responsibilities, and training of personnel performing functions related to the operational control system of an aircraft operator.
This NPA proposes to mandate air operators to define the standards of their operational control system, identify the duties and responsibilities of the personnel (other than flight crew) responsible for the implementation of that system, and ensure that they are competent to perform their tasks. It also proposes new requirements on the training of operational control personnel, establishing a standard minimum flight operations officer (FOO) qualification and advanced qualification for flight dispatchers (FDs) and other roles associated with the operational control processes and procedures. It is proposed that the training programme for operational control personnel is developed and implemented based on the principles of the competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) compliant with ICAO Annex 1 and ICAO Docs 9868 and 10106. The NPA also includes proposed provisions on the qualification of instructors for the FOOs and FDs, based on the above-mentioned ICAO documents.
The proposed amendments are expected to improve safety by enhancing the competencies of operational control personnel and thus prepare them for present and future challenges posed by an increasingly complex technological and operational environment. They are also expected to standardise the training for operational control personnel across the EASA Member States and to ensure a level playing field for a safety-critical category of personnel whose duties are intrinsic to an air operator’s system of operational control. The proposed amendments will ensure the alignment of Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 and the related AMC and GM with ICAO Annex 6 Standards And Recommended Practices (SARPs) in this regard.
Finally, this NPA proposes some amendments to provisions on fuel planning and management and all-weather operations, to address some minor issues identified during implementation of the recent amendments made by Regulations.
The proposed amendments are expected to increase clarity and have a neutral or positive safety and economic impact.
