Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Operators Need To Be Up to Speed on European Inspection Rules
The NBAA recently participated in a forum on ramp inspections that addressed the latest changes to Europe's Safety Assessments of Foreign Aircraft process.
aircraft ground equipment
The latest SAFA inspection guidance has now been incorporated into an updated RAMP Inspection Manual. (Photo: AIN)

With the European Union’s requirements for ramp inspections of aircraft now evolving, the NBAA recently joined other groups and regulators in a RAMP Industry Forum organized by EASA. Participants looked at best practices and how new requirements for Safety Assessments of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) could impact daily operations.

The SAFA requirements apply to both commercial and general aviation aircraft, and of roughly 10,000 inspections a year conducted in EU member states, only around 5 to 7 percent are in the latter category. The forum focused on new aspects of the process such as alcohol testing for flight crew, inspections of fasteners and bonding wires, and the storage of lithium-ion batteries.