Flying in Formation Newsletter by UK CAA International Group Issue 1 Q1 2018 Lifting the Significant Safety Concern in Thailand www.caa.co.uk/international CAAi and Kuwait DGCA Sign Aviation Oversight MoU Brunei: Complying with ICAO and EASA Standards Together for better aviation
Dear Reader, It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our first quarterly newsletter, Flying in Formation. This newsletter offers an update on what the UK CAA International Group is doing to improve aviation standards sustainably across the globe. I hope you will find the content of this newsletter interesting and useful. With more flights than ever leaving the UK and passenger demand expected to double over the next 20 years, the CAA International Group was formed this year to better coordinate all CAA strategic and technical cooperation activities under one umbrella. This has allowed us to bring together the UK CAA experience, technology and resources in an actionable way, to best support the sustainable success of air transportation by raising aviation standards across the globe. In September, we announced that CAA International (CAAi), part of the International Group, is now a registered Social Enterprise. This means CAAi has committed to reinvest its profits back into the global aviation community, to help fund aviation regulatory improvements that make the biggest positive advancements on global aviation oversight. Watch this space for the latest updates on our reinvestment programme. Our State Safety Partnerships team has continued to engage with fellow States to help improve operational safety performance. Highlights include a positive safety partnership workshop with the FAA in July and a new initiative with six UK airlines, to encourage Approach Vertical code sharing, for overseas airports with insufficient APV. Our International Strategy and Engagement (ISE) team has continued strengthening the CAA s policy formation and implementation on European issues. ISE has been recently working with colleagues from across the CAA and with UK Department of Transport on the revision of the EASA Basic Regulation. Working together, we firmly believe the International Group is now best placed to support ICAO, EASA, Funding/Donor Agencies and other National Aviation Authorities across the globe, working hand-in-hand in pursuit of the common goal: raising aviation standards across the world, protecting those who choose to fly and those who do not. With best regards, Ben Alcott International Director Ben Alcott International Director
Recent News CAAi Delivered First EASA Part-66 (AML) Exams in Sri Lanka Interestingly, there is safety data that supports this. However, this is not about reducing operating minimum. The intelligence picture tells us that if we can consistently get an aircraft to 500, where it has the runway directly in front of it, it is on the right approach path, in the correct configuration, speed, checklist complete; then the opportunity to achieve a safe landing is greatly enhanced. The CAA IG SSP team has formed a group that has agreed to work in full cooperation and partnership, even sharing all the development they have already been doing including the sharing of coded approaches. Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling said: This new agreement is fantastic news for the UK and Kuwait and demonstrates our shared commitment to promoting higher standards of aviation safety. We remain committed to supporting Kuwait become a leading aviation regulator in the Middle East and boost safety levels in accordance with international standards. CAA International (CAAi) is pleased to announce that we have delivered the first EASA Part-66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence (AML) electronic examination at Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College (CINEC) in Malabe, Sri Lanka. CAAi opened the electronic examination centre in August this year to provide students at CINEC as well as external candidates better access to EASA Part-66 AML examinations. This new examination centre is ideal for students having completed or undertaking an aircraft maintenance training course, to enable them to apply for an internationally recognized aircraft maintenance licence, and technicians who already have aircraft maintenance experience and are seeking recognition of their qualification to enable them to apply for an EASA AML. UK Approach Path Vertical Partnership (UKAPV) In the safety world we often spend our time responding to data and trends. Whilst there is nothing wrong with this approach sometimes we might better ask what improvement would produce the greatest operational safety enhancement? At a recent meeting, UK operators responded overwhelmingly that the greatest safety enhancement that could be achieved would be for all runway ends to have approach path with vertical guidance (such at ILS or RNAV). The group has declared that by the end of 2020, every runaway end flown by the partnership fleet will have an approach with vertical guidance. This is a complex, highly technical subject but the group has made excellent progress. The group has recently expanded to include some major UK airlines, two very large non-uk airlines and is benefiting from the support of three proactive overseas NAAs. CAAi and Kuwait DGCA Sign Aviation Oversight MoU CAA International (CAAi) the State-to-State technical cooperation arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation (KDGCA). Witnessed by the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon. Chris Grayling MP, this signing supports future collaboration between CAAi and the KDGCA, to help strengthen Kuwait s aviation oversight capability through training and the provision of regulatory tools, to become a leading aviation regulator in the Middle East. This MoU builds on the success of previous collaborations between CAAi and the Kuwait DGCA. In 2013, CAAi were appointed to review Kuwait s aviation regulations and provide recommendations to update Kuwait s regulatory framework in accordance with the international standards of ICAO and harmonised with EASA. Ben Alcott, International Director for the CAA International Group said: We are delighted to be in a position to continue working with the Kuwait DGCA. With the Kuwait air transport market expected to see some of the highest growth rates in the Middle East over the next few years, the UK CAA remains fully committed to supporting the Kuwait DGCA, promoting the highest standards in aviation oversight and regulation.
Lifting the Significant Safety Concern in Thailand In 2015, the Kingdom of Thailand was issued a Significant Safety Concern (SSC) by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) over the inadequate safety oversight of its registered international carriers. ICAO identified 572 findings related to the ICAO Protocol Questions (PQs). 33 of these findings were directly related to the SSC. Afterwards, the US aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Agency, downgraded Thailand to Category II status, restricting any Thai carriers from flying into the United States. More countries followed suit, adding further restrictions flying into Japan, South Korea and China. With over 20% of GDP depending on travel and tourism (expected to rise to 31.7% of GDP by 2027), it was crucial for Thailand to address the international safety concerns and improve the existing safety oversight, to enhance Thailand s aviation reputation. With determination to reverse the status, in 2016 The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) appointed CAA International (CAAi) to help strengthen CAAT s aviation safety oversight and compliance with ICAO. CAAT requested assistance with recertification of the registered international air operators and help with preparation for a future ICAO audit. Challenges In May 2016, the CAAi technical team visited CAAT for an initial project briefing. Both teams worked together to identify inadequate procedures and processes, and fragmented regulations with gaps against ICAO Annexes. CAAT was aware that by not having suitable regulations in place, any recertification work to ICAO standards could have been rendered invalid. Country Profile Name of the country: Kingdom of Thailand Size of the country: 513,120 km 2 Population: 68,860,000 Number of international airports: 11 Number of international carriers: 20 Number of international flights in 2016: 402,721 1 Contribution of Travel and Tourism to GDP in 2016: 20.6% 2 Number of passengers travelled to and from UK airports to Thailand in 2016: 790,149 1 http://aot.listedcompany.com/transport.html 2 www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economicimpact-research/countries-2017/thailand2017.pd
In addition, CAAT recognised it had an insufficient number of qualified inspectors and other technical resources to tackle this issue, which needed addressing prior to proceeding with aircraft operations recertification. The low number of suitable staff would have meant that CAAT could not adequately perform the recertification programme, which would have hindered their overall sustainability. Our Solution Working with CAAT, CAAi started by drafting new procedures and checklists, addressing the regulation gaps in the areas of operations, cabin safety, dangerous goods and airworthiness. CAAi then identified a sufficient number of suitably qualified inspectors who would work alongside CAAi s technical experts during the inspections, to provide on-the-job training for them, in turn ensuring future sustainability for CAAT. Another challenge CAAi faced was the management of the AOC oversight. CAAi introduced an IT solution called Centrik to support this process and the recertification work. This meant the project team could put all the checklists on the Centrik system, record the compliances and noncompliances from the inspections, and in turn raise and track the appropriate findings. CAAi has played a very big part in our success from the very beginning. The system they suggested for the recertification process and their assistance in its implementation paved the ways for our completion of the actions to resolve the significant safety concern, leading to the lifting of the red flag. Dr. Chula Sukmanop, Director General of CAA Thailand Once the solid foundations for the recertification were in place, CAAi began the recertification programme with CAAT. Each AOC would undergo a document inspection, an onsite inspection and a flight inspection. Many of the AOC s documents were not initially compliant with ICAO regulations. Consequently, CAAi had to deploy extra resources liaising with CAAT and the operators to resolve the issues. Prior to the ICAO ICVM audit where ICAO would assess CAAT s progress on the corrective actions, CAAi supported CAAT on their responses to the PQs that ICAO required to be satisfactorily addressed before the ICVM audit. Outcomes and benefits for Thailand and CAAT In September 2017, ICAO conducted an ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission (ICVM) audit on Thailand which determined that sufficient progress had been made to remove the Significant Safety Concern (also known as red flag ). Removing this red flag has given Thai registered airlines the opportunity to continue operating international routes and expand their network into other regions. This was an enormous achievement, considering that the Thai economy heavily relies on the income from travel and tourism. In successfully addressing the protocol questions for the ICVM, Thailand s effective implementation for operations increased from 10.22% to 38.69%. In the area of airworthiness, effective implementation was raised from 61.98% to 76.03%. By October 2017, CAAi helped CAAT recertify eleven carriers, and is continuing to assist in the recertification of the remaining nine carriers. Key Achievements Effective implementation for operations increased from 10.22% to 38.69% Airworthiness, effective implementation raised from 61.98% to 76.03% ICAO removed the Significant Safety Concern (also known as Red Flag ) Eleven carriers recertified: MJets, K-Mile, Thai Smile, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Thai Airways, AirAsia X, New Gen Airways and Thai AirAsia
Project Updates Brunei: Complying with ICAO and EASA Standards CAAi has delivered the final draft of aviation legislation and regulations for Brunei in accordance with the ICAO and EASA aviation safety standards.since December 2014, CAAi and Brunei DCA have been working together to improve Brunei s aviation safety regulations in line with ICAO standards, and to establish theoretical and on-the-job training plan for Brunei DCA s technical staff. In July, CAAi delivered the final draft for Brunei s aviation legislation and regulations all in accordance with ICAO and EASA aviation safety standards. These also included procedures and manuals for Brunei aerodromes, air navigations, airworthiness, flight operations, personnel licensing and safety management. During the project, CAAi has delivered 240 training days, and 515 training certificates of attendance have been issued. This project is set to continue, and CAAi will continue to work with Brunei DCA to implement electronic exams (e-exams) for EASA Part-FCL and Part-66, streamlining Brunei s examination process. The project is scheduled to complete in November 2019. UK CAA Finalises the First Phase of the EASA Eastern Asia Partnership Project UK CAA has completed an assessment of Azerbaijan s Safety Management Systems, the evaluation of the State Safety Programme (SSP) status, and provided an implementation plan for the SSP. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) works alongside the European Commission (EC) and other international partners to assist countries that may not have the means to meet the minimum international standards of the Chicago Convention. In 2016 UK CAA has created a consortium with the Spanish (AESA) and French (DGCA) regulators to assist EASA in raising aviation standards internationally. The contract will continue until 2020. With UK CAA in lead, the consortium has signed 18 contracts to date. Under these contracts CAAi s team, part of the UK CAA, has been extensively involved in the Eastern Asia Partnership which includes Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan in partnership with DGCA and AESA. CAAi has carried the assessment of Azerbaijan s Safety Management Systems and the evaluation of the Sate Safety Programme (SSP) status and provided an implementation plan for the SSP. The Consortium is now awaiting go ahead from EASA to start implementation phase. Dates for the Diary Contact us Conferences & Events 06-11 Feb: Singapore Airshow 2018 Upcoming Training Courses 14 Mar: EASA Part M Continuing Airworthiness, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 19-27 Mar: Continuing Airworthiness EASA Virtual Academy, London Gatwick, UK 21 Mar: Accountable Manager Airworthiness, London Gatwick, UK UK Civil Aviation Authority International Group Aviation House Gatwick Airport South West Sussex RH6 0YR United Kingdom T +44 (0) 330 0224401 F +44 (0) 1293 573992 E international@caa.co.uk CAA International (CAAi) Advisory, training and examination/licencing services Maria Rueda Managing Director T +44 (0)1293 573398 E maria.rueda@caa.co.uk State Safety Partnerships Operational risk management in partnership with States Mark Chesney Head of SSP T +44 (0)1293 573435 E mark.chesney@caa.co.uk International Strategy & Engagement Defining strategy and regulation with agencies Sarah Hill Programme Head T +44 (0)20 7453 6017 E sarah.hill@caa.co.uk www.caa.co.uk/international Together for better aviation