ICAO vs EASA: Key Differences in Aviation Regulations
ICAO vs. EASA: A Comparison of Aviation Regulations
Here’s a comparison of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency):
- Legal Basis: The legal basis for the establishment of ICAO is the Chicago Convention of 1944. EASA was established under Basic Regulation (1592/2002, now 2018/1139) by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.
- Regulations: ICAO Annexes form the basis for national aviation legislation in ICAO member states. EU Implementing Rules apply to all EU Member States.
- Budget: The ICAO budget is voted on every three years by the Assembly. The EASA budget is voted on by the Management Board.
- Representation: Each contracted state has one representative in the ICAO Assembly. The EASA Management Board is composed of one representative from each EU Member State, plus one representative from the European Commission.
Soft Law Documents (EASA)
The following documents issued by EASA and signed by the EASA Executive Director are considered Soft Law:
- Acceptable Means of Compliance
- Guidance Material
- Certification Specifications
Maintenance and Operations
- Maintenance technician licensing is defined in Annex 1 (Personnel Licensing).
- Aircraft maintenance requirements are defined in Annex 8 (Airworthiness).
- Aircraft operations are defined in Annex 6 (Operation of Aircraft).
EASA’s Mission
EASA’s mission is to promote the highest common standard of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation. These standards must be complied with in EU Member States and European Free Trade Association members (Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Iceland).
Accountable Manager
The top executive is called the Accountable Manager. This individual must:
- Have corporate authority to ensure that all maintenance activities of the organization can be applied according to regulations.
- Ensure that all resources are available.
- Establish the safety policy.
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of applicable regulations.
Key Management Roles
Maintenance Director, Quality Manager, Certifying Manager, Line or Base Manager, and Safety Manager are nominated by the Accountable Manager and presented to the Competent Authority.
Maintenance Organization Requirements
Each maintenance organization needs office space, a hangar for base maintenance, and workshops for maintaining components.
For base maintenance, B1, B2, and C-certifying licensed staff are required.
All personnel must have Company Authorization, which describes an individual person’s authorization for work.
Use of Components
Components can be used if removed from another aircraft in service and accompanied by evidence of traceable conformity.
It is necessary to track any applicable airworthiness directive issued by the authority responsible for the supervision of the aircraft or component to maintain the capability list.
Part-66 Licenses
The following are CAT A1, A2, A3, A4, B1.1, B1.2, B1.3, B1.4, B2, B3, and C group of licenses under Part-66 regulation:
- A1 / B1.1: Turbine Engine Airplane
- A2 / B1.2: Piston Engine Airplane
- A3 / B1.3: Turbine Engine Helicopter
- A4 / B1.4: Piston Engine Helicopter
- B2: Avionics
- B-3: Mechanic license for MTOM<2000kg, piston engine non-pressurized cabin
- C category: License to issue certificates of airworthiness after base maintenance on complex aircraft
Certifying Staff for Components
Certifying staff for components need no Part-66 license but must have the national requirements for certifying staff for components and be authorized by Part-145 through the Company Authorization.
Experience Requirements
Five years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft are required if the worker has no previous relevant technical training.
A B1.1 worker must complete all exams/modules and practical experience in 10 years before application.
A person who owns an aircraft and has a pilot license can perform and certify any simple maintenance tasks on the aircraft, provided they always agree with regulations.
B1.1 personnel can perform maintenance tasks on electrical systems, simple tests, or functional tests if not requiring troubleshooting, for example, a BITE test.