Avionics News August 2012 - 18

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Continued from page 17

News & Regulatory Updates
Auditor General of Canada Identifies TCCA Safety Oversight Weaknesses
In the 2012 spring report from Michael Ferguson, the auditor general of Canada, he stated that Transport Canada has put in place a regulatory framework for civil aviation safety consistent with international standards. However, the department must improve key aspects of its surveillance of aviation companies. “Though Canada has an excellent aviation safety track record, Transport Canada needs to be diligent in its oversight of the safety systems of aviation companies,” Ferguson said. Like many other national regulators, Transport Canada has moved to an approach that puts the onus on large aviation companies to develop safety management systems in accordance with regulations, while the department oversees compliance. The 2012 spring report stated that, for decades, Transport Canada’s approach to overseeing civil aviation safety remained unchanged. The department faced challenges as the first nation to move to an SMS-based approach in the aviation industry. It has made real progress, with large aviation companies now working in the SMS regulatory

CANADA

framework. Transport Canada has revised its surveillance methodology consistent with this new approach, and inspections are being carried out under its instructions. Senior management must concentrate its efforts to ensure that staff apply the approved methodology consistently and rigorously, managers provide the necessary review and supervision and an effective continuous improvement program is put in place. Otherwise, Transport Canada will not have needed assurance that the industry is operating in compliance with the regulatory framework for civil aviation safety in Canada. According to the audit, while some aspects of surveillance are working well, there are weaknesses in how Transport Canada plans, conducts and reports on its surveillance activities. For example, in 2010–11, only two-thirds of planned inspections were completed, which is significant since only the higher-risk companies and operations are selected for inspection in any given year. Most inspections did not fully comply with established methodology and were subject to little management oversight. “Transport Canada has made progress in moving to a new regulatory framework,” Ferguson said. “Now, it must resolve the significant weaknesses in surveillance that we identified.” TCCA has responded to the recommendations and has committed to taking action to correct the deficiencies through 2012-13. The 2012 spring report may be viewed at: www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_ oag_201204_05_e_36469.html.

News & Regulatory Updates
European Aviation Safety Agency
Triggered by accidents and incidents, the European Aviation Safety Agency has issued Notice of
18
avionics news

EUROPE

Proposed Amendment 2012-04 – Critical Tasks; highlighting the importance to improve the wording in the regulation and acceptable means of compliance to detect and prevent errors being made during the performance of maintenance. A goal of the NPA is to harmonize the terminology used in Part M and Part 145 for critical tasks, and provide guidance for the identification

•

august

2012

http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/english/parl_oag201202_05_e_36469.html

Avionics News August 2012

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