Valid from 25/09/2019
This Subpart establishes the requirements to be followed by the competent authority or the Agency when exercising its tasks and responsibilities regarding the performance of ramp inspections of aircraft used by third country operators or used by operators under the regulatory oversight of another Member State when landed at aerodromes located in the territory subject to the provisions of the Treaty.
Valid from 25/09/2019
be based on a calculation methodology that takes into account historical information on the number and nature of operators and their number of landings at its aerodromes, as well as safety risks; and
enable the competent authority to give priority to the inspections of aircraft on the basis of the list referred to in ARO.RAMP.105(a).
certification tasks assigned to the Agency by Regulation (EC) No 216/2008;
standardisation inspections of a Member State; or
inspections of an organisation to verify compliance with the applicable requirements in potentially unsafe situations.
operators of aircraft identified on the basis of the analysis of available data in accordance with ARO.RAMP.150(b)(4);
operators or aircraft communicated to the Agency by the European Commission and identified on the basis of:
an opinion expressed by the Air Safety Committee (ASC) within the context of the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 2111/2005 that further verification of effective compliance with relevant safety standards through systematic ramp inspections is necessary; or
information obtained by the European Commission from the Member States pursuant to Article 4(3) of Regulation (EC) No 2111/2005;
aircraft operated into the territory subject to the provisions of the Treaty by operators included in Annex B of the list of operators subject to an operating ban pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 2111/2005;
aircraft operated by operators certified in a State exercising regulatory oversight over operators included in the list referred to in (3);
aircraft used by a third-country operator that operates into, within or out of the territory subject to the provisions of the Treaty for the first time or whose authorisation issued in accordance with ART.GEN.205 is limited or reinstated after suspension or revocation.
Valid from 25/09/2019
The competent authority shall collect and process any information deemed useful for conducting ramp inspections.
possess the necessary aeronautical education or practical knowledge relevant to their area(s) of inspection;
have successfully completed:
appropriate specific theoretical and practical training, in one or more of the following areas of inspection:
flight deck;
cabin safety;
aircraft condition;
cargo;
appropriate on-the-job training delivered by a senior ramp inspector appointed by the competent authority or the Agency;
maintain the validity of their qualification by undergoing recurrent training and by performing a minimum of 12 inspections in every 12-month period.
Valid from 25/09/2019
has nominated a head of training possessing sound managerial capability to ensure that the training provided is in compliance with the applicable requirements;
has available training facilities and instructional equipment suitable for the type of training provided;
provides training in accordance with the syllabi developed by the Agency in accordance with ARO.RAMP.115(d);
uses qualified training instructors.
initial theoretical training;
initial practical training;
recurrent training.
For each inspection item, three categories of possible non-compliance with the applicable requirements are defined as findings. Such findings shall be categorised as follows:
a category 3 finding is any detected significant non-compliance with the applicable requirements or the terms of a certificate that has a major influence on safety;
a category 2 finding is any detected non-compliance with the applicable requirements or the terms of a certificate that has a significant influence on safety;
a category 1 finding is any detected non-compliance with the applicable requirements or the terms a certificate that has a minor influence on safety.
Valid from 25/09/2019
communicate the finding in writing to the operator, including a request for evidence of corrective actions taken; and
inform the competent authority of the State of the operator and, where relevant, the State in which the aircraft is registered and where the licence of the flight crew was issued. Where appropriate, the competent authority or Agency shall request confirmation of their acceptance of the corrective actions taken by the operator in accordance with ARO.GEN.350 or ARO.GEN.355.
imposing a restriction on the aircraft flight operation;
requesting immediate corrective actions;
grounding the aircraft in accordance with ARO.RAMP.140; or
imposing an immediate operating ban in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 2111/2005.
notify the pilot-in-command/commander or the operator that the aircraft is not permitted to commence the flight until further notice; and
ground that aircraft.
compliance with the applicable requirements has been re-established;
it has obtained a permit-to-fly in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1702/2003(1), for aircraft registered in a Member State;
a permit-to-fly or equivalent document of the State of Registry or the State of the operator for aircraft registered in a third country and operated by an EU or a third country operator; and
permission from third countries which will be overflown, if applicable.
Valid from 25/09/2019
the information referred to in ARO.RAMP.145, using the forms as established in Appendices III and IV;
the information provided by third countries or international organisations with whom appropriate agreements have been concluded with the EU, or organisations with whom the Agency has concluded appropriate arrangements in accordance with Article 27(2) of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008.
store data from the Member States relevant to the safety information on aircraft landing at aerodromes located in the territory subject to the provisions of the Treaty;
develop, maintain and continuously update a centralised database containing all the information referred to in (a)(1) and (2);
provide necessary changes and enhancements to the database application;
analyse the centralised database and other relevant information concerning the safety of aircraft and of air operators and, on that basis:
advise the Commission and the competent authorities on immediate actions or follow-up policy;
report potential safety problems to the Commission and to the competent authorities;
propose coordinated actions to the Commission and to the competent authorities, when necessary on safety grounds, and ensure coordination at the technical level of such actions;
liaise with other European institutions and bodies, international organisations and third country competent authorities on information exchange.
Valid from 25/09/2019
The Agency shall prepare and submit to the Commission an annual report on the ramp inspection system containing at least the following information:
status of the progress of the system;
status of the inspections performed in the year;
analysis of the inspection results with indication of the categories of findings;
actions taken during the year;
proposals for further improving the ramp inspection system; and
annexes containing lists of inspections sorted out by State of operation, aircraft type, operator and ratios per item.
Valid from 25/09/2019