Recently an UK based airline, asked Ciconia to perform an independent audit of their operations for SAFA/Ramp Inspection compliance. During a few days an experienced Ciconia inspector/instructor worked with senior staff of the airline.
The service package consisted of several elements:
Review and advice on SAFA findings previously reported to the airline;
Advice on the corrective and preventive actions carried out by the airline;
Provide information to various department managers how to act upon and communicate on reported SAFA findings;
Also several aircraft of the airline’s fleet were inspected for compliance with ICAO (SAFA) or EU/EASA Standards (SACA).
The independent quality review has been appreciated by the airline as it contributes to the prevention of future SAFA/Ramp Inspection findings and it supported the airline’s ambition to have a lower SAFA/Ramp Inspection ratio.
Recently Ciconia Aviation Services performed again an English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment of a SAFA/SACA Ramp Inspector. Language proficiency was verified in accordance with the ICAO rating scale.
The communication between the two language assessors and the inspector was effectively done by means of a video conference.
EASA Guidance Material (GM1 ARO.RAMP.115(b)(1)) related to Qualification of ramp inspectors requires the inspectors to be proficient in the English language.
End of January the Ramp Inspection Practical training was offered in a new set-up. Instead of 1 day, the Practical Training was offered over a 2 day period. This allowed access to 2 different wide-body aircraft types. Trainees also appreciated that theoretical lessons learned could immediately be put into practice. It is foreseen that this new approach will also be offered on other Ramp Inspection Initial Theoretical & Practical Training Courses, scheduled for later this year.
Early November an auditing techniques training course was organised for a new customer of Ciconia Aviation. The combination of theoretical and practical elements and the various role plays were very much appreciated by the attendees. Also contributed by the fact that the trainees from different organizational domains (Airworthiness, aerodromes, ATM) of this Middle East based National Aviation Authority successfully worked together in the various exercises.
Recently a successful training has been delivered on Helicopter Operations. The attendees from a NAA and industry traveled to northern Italy where it was organized.
The training was provided in cooperation with Mr. Emanuele Ghiroldi of iFly and consisted of 2 days theoretical classroom training and 1 day was dedicated to practical training.
The two days classroom training included familiarization with helicopter aerodynamics and components as well as operations according to EU CR 965/2012.
Unique was the practical training, that included a visit to a helicopter operator and a helicopter AMO/CAMO facility. It allowed in-depth witnessing of different helicopter models undergoing base maintenance.
The training course has been found rewarding for inspectors engaged in helicopter AOC issuance/oversight and helicopter Ramp Inspections. Therefore additional training courses will be offered in 2016.
Mid October Ciconia Aviation Services successfully performed an English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment of SAFA/SACA Inspectors of a major European NAA. One assessment of an inspector not based in the HQ, was done by means of a video conference. Based upon the assessment performed by the 2 language assessors, the NAA was able to issue the ELP certificates before the EASA due date of 28 October 2015.
From 20 until 23 April 2015 Ciconia Aviation successfully delivered a Ramp Inspection (RI) Initial Theoretical and Practical Training Course to the National Aviation Authority of a major Central European State. The mission was supported by TAIEX. TAIEX is the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument of the European Commission. This was the first assignment under Ciconia’s EASA RITO approval. This training course satisfied the demand for both initial and recurrent training and was to the full satisfaction of the customer.
Ciconia Aviation has been awarded an EASA Ramp Inspection Training Organisation (RITO) approval by CAA-NL on 30 March 2015.
This approval allows Ciconia to continue delivering Ramp Inspection Initial Theoretical, Practical and Recurrent Training. This RITO approval marks the coming together of existing and new elements. An existing team of professional and dedicated instructors that have already worked together for more than a decade, some of whom have been engaged in the Ramp Inspection (SAFA/SACA) programme from the early days. We now continue to offer their high quality training and advisory services through our new and motivated organization, Ciconia Aviation.
