Since 2008 It is a EASA requirement for all aircraft operating on any EASA national registry to have a a compliant Airworthiness Review Certificate. (ARC)
European Aviation companies operating in EASA regulated countries are being caught unaware of a number of Pre existing aircraft and documentation issues associated with the requirement to satisfy the conditions associated with the issue of the Airworthiness Review Certificate.
Sofema Aviation Services can support you throughout the process of Importing Used Aircraft Into Europe. From specific consultancy support to provision of our specialized 1 day workshop covering all the regulatory requirements associated with the import process.
Whenever you are Importing Used Aircraft Into Europe or more specifically into a European Member State, that aircraft must have an ARC issued by the Regulator of the state of registry.
To satisfy the requirements of Importing Used Aircraft Into Europe the ARC for example requires amongst other things conformity and approval of all repairs, Modifications and Service Bulletins, (Special Tasks).
To ensure compliance each of these associated “special” tasks must be supported by appropriate release and or Part 21 Certification.
In addition all Form 1’s for life limited components must be available and presented in an acceptable way (not for example to be hidden in archives and work packages).
Sofema Aviation Services Provide a 1 Day workshop specifically to deal with the issues of Importing used Aircraft in Europe, the workshop looks at in detail All significant areas.
The Importing Used Aircraft Into Europe workshop includes the following subject.
Challenges with achieving fully compliant Airworthiness Review Certificates,
Effective Management of Continuing Airworthiness. Understanding the previous process for Continuing Airworthiness and performing Gap analysis understanding all appropriate measures which need to be taken.
AD compliance must be fully demonstrated including physical accomplishment work cards available, Including where required the managing and effectiveness of recurrent requirements.
Modification and repair status needs to be available with all Modification and repairs being fully documented and traceable to design
Organization Approval DOA or Part 21 Type Certificate holder TCH.
Note Grandfather rights are only applicable within the EU implications will be fully explained and understood during SAS Importing Used Aircraft Into Europe workshop.
Fully compliant Maintenance approval suitable approved by the authority of the proposed state of registry not that issues may occur in the event that there are difference in the existing and proposed or operator Maintenance Program
This subject is explored further during Importing Used Aircraft Into Europe workshop provided by Sofema Aviation Services (SAS).
If you require any additional or further information please contact Office@sassofial.com

It is a requirement of EASA that operators of Commercial Air Transport or Maintenance Repair Organizations MRO’s have a fully compliant quality system.
This becomes the acceptable minimum standard which an organization has to comply with, however the organization does not have to accept this minimum standard and has an opportunity to use additional resources or Aviation Quality Audit Services to develop enhance or modify its quality system and quality processes.
To move in such a direction can provides not just enhancements but changes in efficiencies and working practices which contribute to measurable cost savings within the organization.
Sofema Aviation Services SAS based in Sofia Bulgaria, provide a bespoke service throughout the region and beyond to offer specific and tailored Aviation Quality Audit Services.
By targeting the audit service in a specific way we can demonstrate improved effectiveness. With over 20 years of Audit experience across a range of disciplines we have the experience to assist and support you to manage Aviation Quality Audit Services within your organization.
The need for Quality Audit Aviation Services is apparent when considering the advantage of developing an effective system to identify shortfalls, using an external provider can provide additional cost benefits in the need to manage overheads.
Using SAS to deliver your specialized Aviation Quality Audit Services audits is extremely cost efficient because by its nature it is targeted and specific against the need of the organization to not only demonstrate oversight but to have a desire to improve business efficiency.
How much can be made in respect of savings using SAS to assist with Aviation Quality Audit Services and by developing an effective Quality Audit program? Industry sources have demonstrated that savings of up to 20% are available to be identified by means of an effective and efficient Quality System.
This is a substantial amount of money across the business and can make a significant difference to your profitability.
What does the Aviation Quality Audit Services provide? The Service delivers detailed and experienced auditors who are able to deliver detailed organizational audits to identify all findings in a particular unit or business area.
The Aviation Quality Audit Service is available when you need it for as long as you need it and delivers high quality audits both to EASA and in company standards. Where there are measurable shortfalls in the in company standards the Aviation Quality Audit Service can provide assistance and support to produce or modify existing documentation.
If you would like to find out more about the way SAS can support you with Aviation Quality Audit Services please email office@sassofia.com with your enquiry.

We only have to look at the variation in Aviation Safety levels around the world – both in the operational and Maintenance Environments. From continent to continent, country to country and even type of organisation and business, to know that safety levels vary enormously. Whilst lack of resources is a fundamental problem, insufficient regulatory oversight can also reflect in higher than average accident rates.
Despite the statistics, some organisations are clearly able to perform to higher standards than others. It is not necessarily how much money you spend on SMS for Maintenance systems but how well you spend it!
It is currently a requirement for Airlines to develop effective Safety Management Systems across the business which includes Maintenance areas of the business.
However for Maintenance Repair Organizations MRO or Part 145 Organizations SMS for Maintenance is less clearly defined within EASA regulatory requirements. Notwithstanding the fact the EASA is some way behind in this area, ICAO is quite clear in the requirement.
As far as compliance with IAO annex 6 is concerned it is necessary to introduce a proactive SMS for Maintenance.
Whilst essentially the same look and feel as the airline system and often of course an integrated part of the same SMS, an SMS for Maintenance “only” system is optimized for appropriate delivery.
A compliant SMS for maintenance system should be built around. The ICAO Requirement as a framework to compensate for the many differences to the current situation (especially for MROs) and the need to understand SMS in-depth, understand how it applies to organisation, know that an effective SMS system is not an “off-the-shelf” product, but that the organisations must design and develop their own SMS for maintenance for it to work most effectively.
In addition to ensure the need for careful planning and the danger of doing it wrong finally the benefits of investing time and resources and doing it right.
SMS for maintenance training can provide the knowledge needed and a supportive environment to formulate organisational plans and objectives.
Who manages the SMS for Maintenance? Along with other duties and responsibilities whilst the Accountable Manager remains responsible for SMS for Maintenance, it is typical for this activity to be managed by ether the Quality Manager or the Safety Manager in a larger organization.
The maintenance environments imposes specific requirements on the Safety Management System and SMS for Maintenance training offered by Avisa-ee considers these requirements and effective management of the process.
Avisa-ee is able to offer the following SMS trainings in English, Bulgarian or Russian:
1 Day SMS training for Accountable Managers and Post Holders
1 Day SMS training for Airline Staff
1 Day SMS training for Maintenance Staff
3 Day SMS training for Safety Managers and Quality Managers

Please contact office@avisa-ee.com or visit www.avisa-ee.com