Interim Report - Introduction - EASA

INTERIM REPORT – INTRODUCTION
EASA.2009.OP.21
1 Introduction
The tender specifications for EASA 2009.OP 21 were issued following: recommendations to
address safety issues associated with thickened fluid residues; in response to comments
submitted to A-NPA 2007-11; and the development of an Agency Plan of six medium and
long-term actions. The terms of reference for this Study constitute one of the medium-term
elements of this Plan, as follows:
Investigate and recommend the means by which the Aviation Authorities of Member
States manage matters with respect to the certification of service providers,
availability of fluids at aerodromes, etc.
In order to support the Agency in developing a voluntary harmonised regulatory approach to
providers of de-icing / anti-icing services, and to achieve a greater availability of fluids at
aerodromes, the Agency demanded factual inputs and informed advice from a
knowledgeable consultant.
The Project consists of three work packages:
Investigation of the problem area:
A systematic study containing an overview over the regulatory approaches taken by
the National Aviation Authorities (NAAs) in the EASA Member States towards de-icing
and anti-icing service providers. Also to obtain an overview over the airports /
aerodromes at which air operators with a fleet containing susceptible aircraft are
unable to get the appropriate de-icing and anti-icing treatment.
Recommendations for regulatory action by Member States and the role of EASA
therein:
Due to being neither the direct regulator nor rule maker for ground-handlers, EASA
wanted to obtain appropriate recommendations as to the most effective ways in which
the NAAs of the EASA Member States could regulate deicing / anti-icing services in a
harmonised way, so that the safety of aircraft operations is maximised and a level
commercial playing field remains ensured. Recommendations were to centre on how
the availability of type I fluids and the quality of service provision can be improved at
the aerodromes of the EASA Member States.
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