ECAR 139 is based on and reflects the provisions of
ICAO Annex 14 Volume 1; these represent minimum standards. The purpose of this document is to state to
Aerodrome operators including
applicant for certificate and certificate holders the requirements to be
met for the issue and continuation of an aerodrome certificate. The requirements include provisions relating
to operational management and the planning of aerodrome development.
The ECAA reminds applicants and certificate holders
that, like ICAO Annex 14, the provisions in this document represent minimum
standards. There may be situations and
circumstances, unique to each Aerodrome , where such minimums may not provide
the necessary scope of safety cover or level of safety. It is the responsibility of the applicant or
certificate holder to identify such situations or circumstances, to undertake a
gap analysis in order to identify additional or more demanding provisions that
should be adopted by the applicant or certificate holder, to apply those
provisions, and to advise the ECAA.
Prior to the grant of a certificate and for continued
certification, the ECAA’s Inspectors will visit the aerodrome and determine the
extent to which the aerodrome, its facilities and its operational procedures
meet the certification requirements.
During an inspection, the inspectors will assess the aerodrome’s
compliance with requirements, audit the aerodrome’s management of safety and
assess the organisational competence of the applicant or certificate holder.
The ECAA places particular emphasis on the adoption,
by applicants and certificate holders, of safety management systems that
describe their safety policies and operational management, in addition to the
physical design and operating standards of aerodromes. The Aerodrome Certification Manual (ACM),
including the aerodrome emergency plan and Safety Management System (SMS), in
accordance with appropriate ECAA guidance materials, are key documents in the
certification process.
The inspectors will also appraise the aerodrome’s
current level of flying, or any anticipated change in activities, including
traffic density and visibility condition against the facilities provided, and
will require to be assured by the aerodrome operator that the aerodrome system is adequate for the
current and changing level and mix of activities. Significant changes in the nature and the
scale of flying activity at a aerodrome shall be notified to the ECAA as soon
as is practicable.
In making its assessment of an application for or
renewal of a certificate the ECAA will adopt as flexible an approach as is
consistent with the achievement and maintenance of a satisfactory level of
safety. All aerodromes differ, and to
allow the ECAA flexibility to deal with the different situations encountered,
some provisions are phrased using the word ‘should’. This does not mean that compliance is optional
but rather that, where insurmountable difficulties exist in certain areas, ECAA
grant an exemption in accordance with 139.111.
This will be provisional on the applicant or certificate holder
complying with the appropriate ECAR procedure, including the provision of an
assurance that demonstrates the level of safety will not be reduced below that
intended by the requirement.
The inspectors will, as a result of their inspection,
produce a report to the aerodrome operator including applicant or certificate holder, which will
list non-compliance items the aerodrome operator shall provide ECAA with agreed
actions and timescales for rectification with in 15 days from receipt of such report . The report will also detail other issues
which may affect safety at the aerodrome.
From time to time the ECAA will wish to supplement the
guidance or requirements
given in this publication, and this will be achieved
in the form of guidance and other documents produced for this purpose.
Status
of this part components
(a) Foreword comprising explanatory material
and including an explanation of the obligations of aerodrome operator with regard to the application of the
requirements of this Part
(b) Definitions of terms used in this part other than those included in ECAR part 1 ,and
which are not self explanatory in that they do not have accepted dictionary
meanings. A definition does not have independent status but is an essential
part of each ECAR items in which the term is used, since a change in the
meaning of the term would affect the specification.
(c) Requirements They are defined as follows: Any
specification for physical characteristics, configuration, material,
performance, personnel or procedure, the uniform application of which is
recognized as necessary for the safety , Reference is made to the foreword and
item 139.5 to clarify the use of the operative verbs “shall” and ‘ should .
(d) Tables and Figures
which add to or illustrate a requirement and which are referred to therein,
form part of the associated this part requirements and have the same
status.
( e) Notes
included in the text, where appropriate, to give factual information or references
bearing on the part requirement in question.
(f) Appendices comprising material grouped
separately for convenience but forming part of the requirements