Interim Report - Introduction - EASA

INTERIM REPORT – OPTIONS FOR CHANGE – ATTACHMENT B
EASA.2009.OP.21
OPS 1.625
Mass and balance documentation
(See Appendix 1 to OPS 1.625)
(a) An operator shall establish mass and balance documentation prior to each flight
specifying the load and its distribution. The mass and balance documentation must enable
the commander to determine that the load and its distribution is such that the mass and
balance limits of the aeroplane are not exceeded. The person preparing the mass and
balance documentation must be named on the document. The person supervising the
loading of the aeroplane must confirm by signature that the load and its distribution are in
accordance with the mass and balance documentation. This document must be acceptable
to the commander, his/her acceptance being indicated by countersignature or equivalent.
(See also OPS 1.1055 (a)12).
(b) An operator must specify procedures for last minute changes to the load.
(c) Subject to the approval of the Authority, an operator may use an alternative to the
procedures required by paragraphs (a) and (b) above.
This Rule is included because of the similarities with de-icing / anti-icing in respect of the
effect on airworthiness if the task of loading is incorrectly carried out, and the fact that
loading and the creation of the documentation is often conducted by sub-contracted service
providers.
It is conceivable that a similar regulation for de-icing / anti-icing could be proposed. That is,
any documentation and/or communication passed from the de-icing / anti-icing service
provider to the operator and/or captain, must enable the captain to determine an accurate
holdover time and that the aircraft is free of contamination.
If operators want to use alternative procedures, then they would be required to seek
Authority approval.
Details of the anti-icing code can be placed in an Appendix.
This would confirm that the anti-icing code has a specific purpose, and that service providers,
flight crew and flight operations were all interpreting the code in the same way: thus
eliminating confusion as to the meaning of the code. Operators would have to amend
contracts in order to ensure that service providers were aware of their post de-icing / antiicing
inspection and communication responsibilities.
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