Avionics News February 2012 - 20

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Continued from page 19

TCCA Confirms Efforts to Reduce Fees Levied by EASA for Bilateral Certification Activities
Following the signing of the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between Canada and the European Union, TCCA has confirmed to Canadian industry that it is actively working with the European Aviation Safety Agency to reduce the fees EASA may charge for certification services under the BASA. At a speech to the Canadian Aerospace Conference in November 2011, Martin J. Eley, director general civil aviation, said that during negotiations with the EU, a decision was made by TCCA not to make the completion of the treaty dependent on the resolution of the fee issue, in order to not stall the ratification. Nevertheless, the treaty includes language requiring each party to ensure any fees imposed are reasonable and do not create barriers to trade. With the agreement ratified, it now opens more opportunity to move forward on this issue. Eley stated that EASA hosted a teleconference with TCCA and the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada to discuss changes to the structure of the fees. From the discussion, it was evident the proposed changes do not address the concerns of the aviation industry in Canada, the U.S. or Europe. It did, however, give TCCA an opportunity to take stock of the status of this issue. TCCA is determining the next steps that factor in the Canadian industry’s perspectives and reflects the intent and spirit of the treaty. It will continue to discuss the issue with Transport Canada’s trade policy specialists and foreign affairs to formulate a plan of action addressing this issue.

News & Regulatory Updates
Transport Canada Extends Exemption for Recertification of Undocumented Avionics Parts
Pending promulgation of an amendment to Canadian Aviation Regulations STD 573, Transport Canada Civil Aviation issued an exemption on July 2, 2010, to relieve avionics, instrument and component rating approved maintenance organizations from the requirements of standard 573.02(11). Standard 573.02(11) states an AMO with ratings in the aircraft avionics, engine, propeller, structure or component categories may evaluate undocumented parts of the kinds listed on the pertinent ratings, provided (amended 2002/03/01: previous version): a. The AMO establishes applicable procedures in its MPM to perform the process outlined in standard 571, appendix H. b. The AMO obtains approval for the procedures required in paragraph (a) in accordance with section 573.01 of the CARs. c. The performance of such service is authorized in the limitations set in the AMO certificate. This initial exemption expired Dec. 31, 2011. Since the CAR amendment has not yet been published, TCCA issued a follow-up exemption, effective Jan. 1, 2012, to ensure this relief stays in effect.

CANADA

News & Regulatory Updates
EASA
A new Executive Decision 2011/011/R issued in December provides some minimum standards for how to control contracted maintenance personnel in the Part 145 maintenance environment. EASA identified a potential lack of control of such personnel involved in maintenance, management and/or quality audits and created the new minimum standard. The related AMC and GM text identifies criteria which apply not only to contracted persons, but also to employed persons. This would make the new amendment to Part 145 AMC and GM material applicable to any organization working under this regulation.
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avionics news

EUROPE

It identifies the need to assess the competence of each individual person, applying specific competence criteria. A proposed template to enter experience level gained also is provided. For AEA members who also are an approved DOA or AP-DOA, another amendment to existing regulations was issued in December. It is Executive Decision 2011/010/R. This decision amends and revises the existing changed product rule in GM to 21A.101. The CPR provides criteria for the DOA holder and the agency on the certification basis for a proposed/applied change to a TC, restricted TC or STC. The contents of the new guidance material are harmonized with both the FAA and TCCA. The first proposal for this change was published as NPA 2010-02, and the CRD was published in January 2011. The examples given for each aircraft category are rath-

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Avionics News February 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News February 2012