Interim Report - Introduction - EASA

INTERIM REPORT – OPTIONS FOR CHANGE – ATTACHMENT B
EASA.2009.OP.21
Operator’s Responsibilties
7.4 Ground de-icing/anti-icing is, technically, a part of the operation of the aeroplane. The
person in charge of the deicing/anti-icing procedure is responsible for accomplishing this
procedure and verifying the results of the de-icing/anti-icing treatment. Additionally, the deicing/anti-
icing application information reported to the flight deck crew is also a part of the
technical airworthiness of the aeroplane.
7.5 The person responsible for the de-icing/anti-icing process must be clearly designated,
trained and qualified. This person shall check the aeroplane for the need to de-ice, shall
initiate de-icing/anti-icing, if required, and is responsible for the correct and complete deicing/anti-icing
treatment of the aeroplane. The final responsibility for accepting the aeroplane
after de-icing/anti-icing rests, however, with the pilot-in-command.
7.4 Introduces the concept of a person in charge, and it can be inferred here that ICAO mean
it to be someone “outside” of the aircraft. In reality, there may be confusion as to who is in
charge, as many people may be involved in the decision-making: operator’s flight operations
dept; captain, ground operative; crew chief; service provider control dept; third-party
“inspector”.
7.4 Makes it clear that the anti-icing code has meaning other than just information for
calculation of HoT; it confirms that the final element must confirm, or not, that the clean wing
concept is met.
7.5 Places all decision-making responsibilities on the shoulders of the “outside” person
referred to in the earlier paragraph 7.4. Again, in practice this is a coordinated operation with
many inputs.
It is possible to require operators make it clearer as to where responsibilities lay, and who
makes which decisions. This can be achieved by requiring, within an operators
procedures/programme, a coordination and communication plan and procedures; these
should assist the pilot in establishing for all destinations who is “in charge” and what
responsibilities they uphold.
Any rules, AMC or GM which help operators establish more full-proof procedures will have a
positive impact on safety. AMC and GM can help to increase harmonisation.
DE-ICING/ANTI-ICING COMMUNICATIONS
10.1 The communications between ground and flight crews are an integral part of the de-
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