Press Release

Issued by AeroEx.

May 20, 2014

Third Country Operators (TCO – Operators from outside European EASA Countries), who hold a Commercial Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in accordance with ICAO Annex 6, Part I, will need prior authorization before flying into Europe. The new rule entered into force recently.

Although there will be a 24-month transition phase, it is recommended for foreign commercial operators who intend to fly into Europe, to submit a TCO application within the first six months.

Commercial operators will need to complete an online application at least 30 days in advance of their planned flight to Europe (Part-TCO regulations do contain some leeway for an ad hoc flight, but only one is allowed in a 24-month period).

EASA will evaluate the operator using a risk-based approach. If the state of registry is fully ICAO compliant, approvals should be fairly straightforward. A Part-TCO authorization is valid for an unlimited time, as long as the operator remains in compliance with the regulations. However operators have to inform EASA of any changes to their fleet or operational specs; and they must address any shortcomings immediately.

Part-TCO also includes ramp checks upon arrival. Authority officials could ask crews to produce documentation on pilot licensing and aircraft airworthiness, and will likely evaluate the safety equipment on board and general condition of the aircraft in accordance with ICAO standards. Ramp checks will produce three levels of findings, ranging from a moderate category 1 finding that does not affect an operator's safety rating, to a category 3 finding that will result in the grounding of the aircraft.

Joel Hencks, managing director of AeroEx GmbH: "With many years experience and great expertise in EASA compliance, the AeroEx team offers all commercial operators affected its services in preparing the authorization documents and in implementing the authorization. Furthermore, we can monitor continued compliance and validity. AeroEx is also prepared to assist, should the need arise, in EASA audit preparation, safety assessments of foreign aircraft (ramp checks), corrective actions, and awareness training. Please let us know how we can help."

Helmut Gottschalk, managing director of AeroEx GmbH: "Together with our partner trainingport.net we produced an information video, which is available for free on the trainingport.net website."

Aircraft operators and owners as well as representatives of companies involved in aviation are invited to the exhibition booth of AeroEx GmbH (#5843) in Hall 6 at EBACE 2014.