SUBPART B

Certification Requirements

 

171.7 Applications for certificate 

Each applicant for the grant of an aeronautical telecommunications/radio navigation facility certificate shall:

(a)      Submit of pre–application form shows intent and prompts the ECAA to allocate resources.

(b)     Complete the application form, which shall require the following information:

(1)      The applicant’s name and address for facility in Egypt.

(2)      The specifics of AT/RN facility or services to be provided.

(3)      The location of a navigation facility.

(4)      Name of facility manager, title, telephone number and address.

(5)      Such other particulars relating to the applicant and the intended facility as may be required by the ECAA as indicated on the form.

(c)      Submit the complete form to the ECAA with the exposition required by 171.45.

(d)     Submit a compliance statement with all the requirements of this Part accompanied with supporting documents as appropriate

 

171.9 Issuance of certificate

(a)      The facility will be certificated if the ECAA is satisfied that:

(1)      The facility meets the requirements of this Part by demonstrating the evidence.

(2)      The granting of the certificate is not contrary to the interest of aviation safety.

(b)     The applicant shall submit the payment of the appropriate application fee prescribed by ECAA.

(c)   The specifications that are issued with the certificate are a part of that certificate.

(d)   The Specification identify which of the following systems is authorized to provide:

(1)   Aeronautical telecommunication and switching systems;

(2)   Radio navigation aid systems;

(3)      Radar and surveillance systems;

(4)      Automation systems; or

(5)   Environmental systems.

 

171.11 Privileges of certificate holder

The AT/RN facility certificate holder may only carry out tasks in accordance with the exposition

and authorized specifications.

 

171.13 Duration of certificate

(a)     An AT/RN facility certificate shall be renewed for a period of up to 3 years.

(b)     An AT/RN certificate remains in force until it expires, withdrawn, suspended, or revoked.

 

171.15 Renewal of certificate

(a)      An application for the renewal of an AT/RN facility certificate shall be submitted to ECAA.

(b)     Procedures for an AT/RN facility certificate renewal are the same as listed under 171.7 (Request for certificate).

(c)      The holder of an AT/RN facility certificate that expires shall promptly surrender the certificate to the ECAA.

(d)     The application shall be submitted to the ECAA before the expiration date by 30 days at least.

 

171.17 Suspension or revocation of certificate

(a)      Penalties:

(1)      ECAA may impose a penalty (according to the  Civil Aviation Law N.28 item No. 157), or reduce some privileges to the certificate holder if:

(i)        It finds that the certificate holder does not comply with the requirements of this Part and such holder failed to remedy such non‑compliance within 60‑days after receiving notice in writing from ECAA to do so;

(ii)      Such action is necessary in the interest of safety;

(iii)     Its inspector is prevented by the provider from carrying out a safety inspection when his report recommends such action; and

(iv)    The certificate holder failed to provide the facility in the required standard level, which is confirmed to ECAA by receiving reports from the users of the facility and proved by a legal investigation.

(2)     When proposing a penalty, ECAA will state the reasons for such action and will furnish them to the certificate holder.

(b)     Suspension of certificate:

This is a subsequent procedure to impose a penalty:

(1)     ECAA may suspend for a defined period, an AT/RN facility certificate issued under this Part if:

(i)        Subject to item 171.17 Paragraph (a), ECAA is satisfied that the certificate holder still unable to remedy any of these non‑compliant areas with the specified time frame of 60‑days;

(ii)      The investigation, in case of an accident, proves that it was caused due to the faulty procedures and/or the malfunction or failure of AT/RN equipment or system;

(iii)     The certificate holder failed to perform the corrective action plan stated in the certificate in the exact period of time if so stated; and

(iv)    Actions still necessary in the interest of aviation safety.

(2)      When proposing a suspension, ECAA will state the reasons for such action and furnish them to the certificate holder.

(3)      The certificate holder may appeal against such notice within 30‑days of receipt.

(4)      The appellant shall furnish to ECAA any documents, records, or other pertinent  information supporting the appeal.

(5)      ECAA may confirm, modify, or set aside the proposed suspension based on the appeal.

(c)      Revocation of certificate:

This is a subsequent procedure to suspension:

(1)      ECAA may permanently revoke an AT/RN  certificate issued under this Part if:

(i)        It is verified that the certificate holder will not be able to remedy non‑compliant areas; or

(ii)      The certificate holder stops providing the facility concerned without a convincing argument.

(2)      ECAA has decided for the interest of safety to terminate facilities provided at this aerodrome.

(3)      The Ministerial Order issued for the certificate holder is revoked.

(4)      The revoked certificate cannot be renewed; it has to be reissued not less than one year after the revocation date.

 

171.19 Withdrawal or change in level of facility

(a)      Each holder of an AT/RN facility certificate who wishes to permanently withdraw from providing the service shall give the ECAA at least 90 days notice of the proposal and include in that notice a summary of factors considered in arriving at the decision to withdraw the facility.

(b)     Each holder of an AT/RN facility certificate who intends to permanently reduce the scope of air navigation Facilities shall provide to the ECAA a notice in advance of at least 60 days of the proposed reduction, and the reasons for it.

 

171.21 Limited approval

Considering the interest of navigation safety, ECAA may grant a provisional approval to an existing certificate holder to act as a substitute aeronautical  telecommunication/radio navigation facility provider in respect to a certificate that has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked under condition that the proposed operation can be safely conducted under the terms of limited approval.

 

171.23 Transfer of service

(a)      Each applicant for the grant of an air navigation facility certificate intending to resume responsibility for providing any AT/RN service an existing certificate holder, shall include with its application, full details of transitional arrangements endorsed by the air navigation facility managers of both organizations.

(b)     Each holder of an AT/RN facility certificate who will be the previous provider of the service shall not hinder the preparation and execution of transitional arrangements.

(c)      The transitional arrangement between both organizations shall be under the supervision of ECAA.

 

171.25 Display of certificate

(a)   Each certificate holder of an AT/RN unit shall display the certificate in a prominent place generally accessible to the public at the holder’s principal place of business and, if a copy of the certificate is displayed, shall produce the original approval to an ECAA inspector if so requested by such inspector.

(b)     The facility manager shall ensure that only one certificate for a facility is current at any time.

 

171.27 Reserved

 

171.29 Continued compliance

(a)      Each holder of an AT/RN facility certificate shall:

(1)      Hold at least one complete and current copy of the exposition for each facility listed in it, except that manuals relating to a particular location need only be held at principal locations and the unit concerned;

(2)      Comply with all procedures and standards detailed in its exposition;

(3)      Make each applicable part of its exposition available to personnel who require those parts to carry out their duties;

(4)      Continue to meet the standards and comply with the requirements prescribed for certification under this Part;

(5)      Notify the ECAA of any change of address for facility, telephone number, facsimile number, or electronic mail address required by a notification form within 28 days of the change; and

(6)      Notify ECAA of any occurrence, which effects navigation safety.

(b)     The report shall be submitted to ECAA within 72 hours if any of the following occurrences happen:

(1)      The AT/RN facility is operated only by one service channel.

(2)      The air-conditioning of AT/RN facility station is malfunction.

(3)      The malfunction of un-break power supply.

(4)      The power supply cables are disconnected.

(5)      Notification of accident and incident report.

 

 171.31 Contractual arrangements and trial technical testing

(a)      No contracts shall be issued unless it fulfills minimum requirements of this Part.

(b)     Technical specifications of equipment for developing projects shall be submitted to the ECAA to ensure compliance with international standards.

(c)      The ECAA inspector or delegated representative has the right to attend and approve training courses, factory acceptance test or site acceptance test for AT/RN facilities.

(d)     A trial may be approved by the ECAA for a single period of no longer than 3 months, and upon further application in writing by the certificate holder, the trial can be extended by the ECAA for another single period of no longer than 3 months.

(e)      The ECAA may terminate a trial approved under this rule at any time.

(f)       All contracts for major maintenance must be approved by ECAA.

 

171.33 Exemptions

The ECAA may exempt, in writing, a certificate holder from complying with specific provisions of this Part only and where permitted by those provisions, after carrying out aeronautical studies, and determining the conditions and procedures that are necessary and shall be adopted by a certificate holder to ensure a level of safety equivalent to that established by the relevant standard or practice. An exemption is subject to the certificate holder complying with the conditions and procedures specified by the ECAA as being necessary in the interest of safety.

 

171.35 Through 39 Reserved

 

171.41 Personnel requirements

(a)      An applicant for the grant of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall engage, employ or contract:

(1)      A senior person identified as the Chairman who has the authority within the applicant’s organization to ensure that all activities undertaken by the organization can be financed and carried out to meet applicable operational requirements, and in accordance with the requirements prescribed by this Part;

(2)      A senior person or group of senior persons who are responsible for ensuring that the applicant’s organization complies with the requirements of this Part.  Such nominated person(s) shall be ultimately responsible to the Chairman; and

(3)      Sufficient personnel to inspect, supervise, and maintain the facilities listed in the applicant’s exposition according to the approved training.

(b)     The applicant shall:

(1)      Establish a procedure to assess the competence of those personnel who are authorized to maintain any of the facilities listed in the applicant’s exposition;

(2)      Establish a procedure to maintain the competence of those authorized personnel;

(3)      Provide those authorized personnel with written evidence of their authorization and privileges according to their approved training and experience as indicated in 171.63; and

(4)      Ensure that authorized personnel only exercise the privileges of their authorization on the relevant facilities or equipment.

 

171.43 Facility requirements

(a)      Each applicant for the grant of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures to ensure that:

(1)      Each facility listed in their exposition:

(i)        Is designed, installed and commissioned to meet the applicable operational specification according to manufacture technical manuals; and

(ii)      Conforms to the applicable system characteristics and specification standards prescribed in ICAO Annex 10 or the relevant documents.

(2)      Each facility listed in the applicant’s exposition is installed with suitable power supplies and means to ensure continuity of operation appropriate to the needs of the operational service being supported;

(3)      Each facility listed in the applicant’s exposition is in accordance with the aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility security program required by 171.55 to minimize the risk of destruction, damage or interference with the operation of the facility; and

(4)      Any critical site area of any facility listed in the applicant’s exposition is:

(i)        Clearly identified on the site facility drawings;

(ii)      Physically protected by suitable signposts on the site; and

(iii)     Protected by written agreements with the site owner, aerodrome operator and air traffic control unit as appropriate, to ensure that site restrictions are not infringed by buildings, fences, vehicles, machinery or aircraft.

(b)     The procedure shall ensure that there is no possible interference to any other operating facility and that appropriate information is forwarded to the Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) for the issue of a NOTAM or the publication of a supplement to the aeronautical information publication (AIP).

 

171.45 Exposition

(a)      An applicant for the grant of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall provide ECAA with an exposition containing:

(1) Facility information listed in the following table, as applicable:

 

1

Facility Name

 

2

Facility location

 

3

Facility ID Code

 

4

Facility Status

 

5

Facility Class

 

6

Facility AIP reference

 

7

Facility Function

 

8

Date of installation

 

9

Facility Hours of Operation

 

10

Facility User.

 

11

Facility attendance State             (Yes/No)

 

12

Facility monitoring and control  (Remote/Local)

 

13

Facility ICAO Annexes Reference

 

14

Facility Certification Date

 

(2)      Factory acceptance tests and site acceptance tests for AT/ RN facility or a copy of commissioning;

(3)      ECAA directives;

(4)      Facility technical specification and its compliance with ICAO references;

(5)      Facility description in different levels:

(i)        A geographical map indicating the location of the integrated system, if it is available;

(ii)      Lay out for the equipment room;

(iii)     Facility equipment block diagram and; and

(iv)    List of all equipment in the facility with function, type model, date of installation.

(6)   Approved maintenance policies and procedures;

(7)   List of test equipment and calibration check list (171.97);

(8)   List of tools and tools checklist;

(9)   Maintenance levels for facility  (level 1:operation, level 2: Replacement fuses, switches, level 3: change cards or modules, level 4: change components level 5: upgrade and system modification);

(10)  Approved agreements and contracts from ECAA:

(i)        Agreements and contracts between the facilities;

(ii)      Agreements and contracts with external agencies (e.g. military, electricity, communication...); and

(iii)     Agreements with other non-electronic specialists (e.g. civil engineers for antenna masts) if it is necessary.

(11)  Last version of software programs, and password level control;

(12)  List of spares available on site;

(13)  Approved training programs for service providers and personnel assessment   (171.63);

(14)  Contingency plans (171.87);

(15)  Notification of facility information (171.103);

(16)  Facility Records:

(i)        Statistic reports for facility malfunction (171.109);and

(ii)      Accident and incident investigation and actions reports (171.107).    

(17) Details of the staffing structure which include:

(i)  Facility organization chart;                                                           

(ii) Facility employee database & job description; and

(iii)Facility employees licenses & authorizations records.                                                                                                                                             

(18)  Administrative regulations; 

(19)  Safety regulations for attended and non-attended equipment;

(20)  Security regulations for attended and non-attended equipment;

(21)  Regulation for facility performance protection (e.g. service interference and; and obstacles restrictions).

(b)     Procedures to control amend and distribute the exposition; and

(c)      The applicant’s exposition must be acceptable to the ECAA.

 

171.47 Documentation

(a)      Each applicant for the grant of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall hold copies of the relevant equipment manuals, technical standards, and international standards and recommended practices (including Annex 10) and any other documents necessary for the provision and maintenance of the facilities listed in its exposition;

(b)     The applicant shall establish a procedure to control all the documentation required by paragraph (a). The procedure shall ensure that:

(1)      All incoming documentation is reviewed, and directed as required, by authorized personnel; 
(2)      All documentation is reviewed by appropriate personnel;
(3)      Current of the relevant documentation are available to personnel at all locations where they need access to such documentation for the provision and operation of facilities; 
(4)      All obsolete documentation is promptly removed from all points of issue or use; 
(5)      Any obsolete documents retained as archives are suitably identified as obsolete;
(6)      Changes to documentation are reviewed and approved by appropriate personnel who shall have access to pertinent background information upon which to base their review and approval; and
(7)      The current version of each item of documentation can be identified to preclude the use of out-of-date editions.

 

171.49 Records

(a)      Each applicant for the grant of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish systems and procedures to identify, collect, index, file, store, secure, maintain, access, and dispose of , in a manner to facilitate:

(1)      Safe provision and operation of the facilities listed in their exposition; and
(2)      Assistance with any accident or incident investigation.

(b)     The procedures shall ensure that:

(1)      A record is kept for each facility in order to:
(i)        Provide date of installation;
(ii)      Document the performance of the facility; and
(iii)     Provide a history of its maintenance and the periodic inspections and tests.  The history shall be traceable to the person or persons responsible for each of the recorded activities.
(2)   A record for each item of test equipment required for the measurement of critical performance parameters.  The record shall provide a traceable history of the location, maintenance, and the calibration checks for such test equipment;
(3)   A record of each facility malfunction recorded and investigated under the procedures required by 171.109 (facility malfunction).  The record shall detail the nature of the malfunction, the findings of the investigation, the follow up corrective actions, or where applicable include a copy of the report forwarded to the certificate holder Chairman;
(4)   A record of each internal quality assurance review of the applicant’s organization carried out under the procedures required by 171.53 (internal quality management system);
(5)   A record for each person who is authorized by the applicant to place facilities into operational service. The record shall include details of their experience, qualifications, training, competence assessments and current authorizations;
(6)   The record can be either a paper or computer system or any combination of both and shall be stored in a safe way with regards to fire, food and theft;
(7)   Paper system shall use robust material which can withstand normal handling and filling. The record shall legible throughout the required retention period;
(8)   Computer systems used for maintenance records shall have at least one backup system which shall be updated;
(9)   Each terminal is required to contain program safeguards against the ability of authorized personnel to alter the data base;
(10) All facility records are retained for a period of at least 3 years unless a longer period is required to establish a performance history for a facility; and
(11)  The maintenance record shall be inspected and stored as required by the authority.

171.51 Facility maintenance logbook

(a)   Each applicant for the grant of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish procedures to ensure that a logbook, with sequentially numbered pages, is kept at each facility in their exposition and, where a facility has physically separate operations areas, at each such location within the facility;

(b)   The procedure shall ensure that:

(1)     The logbook is maintained by the senior person, or the person on duty at a nominated operating position;
(2)      The logbook is maintained throughout the operating hours of the facility;
(3)      All entries include the date, time of entry and signature;
(4)      Every page of the logbook must be signed by the facility manager or senior person;
(5)      Logbook entries are:
(iv)    In chronological sequence and in ink;
(v)      Without erasure, defacement, or obliteration; and
(vi)    Corrected by drawing a single line through the erroneous information and initialing the correction.
(6)     Actual times of opening and closing facility are recorded in the logbook, together with the reason for every variation from published hours of service; and
(7)     Logbooks are retained for a period of 3 years from the date of final entry.

(c)      The procedure shall ensure that the facility maintenance log:

(1)   Contains sufficient information in the first pages of the logbook to identify:
(i)    Facility information as described in 171.45(a)(1);
(ii)   Precautions of operation or its reference number that included in the exposition; and
(iii)  The services are being provided from the facility.
(2)      Is retained for a period of 3 years from the date of first filing.

 

171.53 Quality control management system

(a)      Each applicant for the grant of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish an internal quality management system to ensure compliance with, and the adequacy of, the procedures required by this Part as approved by the ECAA;

(b)     The internal quality management system shall include:

(1)      An inspection policy;
(2)      Inspection procedures that are understood, implemented, and maintained at all levels of the organization;
(3)      A procedure to ensure quality control indicators, including maintenance records, defect, interference and incident reports, and personnel and customer feedback, are monitored to implement required performance standards and to identify existing problems or potential causes of problems within the system;
(4)      A procedure for corrective action specifying how to:
(i)        Correct an existing problem;
(ii)      Follow up a corrective action to ensure the action is effective; and
(iii)     Measure the effectiveness of any corrective action taken.
(5)      A procedure for preventive action specifying how to manage a potential problem;

 

171.55 Aeronautical Telecommunication/Radio Navigation facility security program

(a)      Each applicant for the grant of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall prepare a security program under ECAR Part 107;

(b)     Each security program shall specify the physical security requirements, practices, and procedures to be followed for the purposes of minimizing the risk of destruction of, damage to, or interference with the operation of, any facility operated by the applicant where such destruction, damage, or interference is likely to endanger the safety of aircraft; and

(c)      Without limiting the generality of paragraph (b), the security program shall specify such physical security requirements, practices, and procedures as may be necessary:

(1)      To ensure that entrances to permanent facilities operated by the applicant are subject to positive access control at all times, so as to prevent unauthorized entry; to protect personnel on duty;
(2)      To be followed in the event of a bomb threat or other threat of violence against a facility; and
(3)      To monitor unattended facility buildings to ensure that any intrusion or interference is detected.

 

171.57 Coordination

(a)   Each applicant for the grant of an aeronautical telecommunication/radio navigation facility certificate shall establish systems and procedures to ensure, where applicable, co-ordination between each facility listed in the applicant’s exposition and the following agencies:

(1)      The holder of the air traffic service certificate issued under ECAR Part 172;
(2)      Any holder of an aeronautical telecommunication facility certificate issued under ECAR Part 173; 
(3)      Any holder of an aeronautical information facility certificate issued under ECAR Part 174;
(4)      The Egyptian Defense Force; 
(5)      Search and rescue authorities; and
(6)      Telecommunication service authorities to coordinate:
(i)         National telecommunication facilities;

(ii)       International telecommunication facilities; and

(iii)      Frequencies for aeronautical telecommunication and radio navigation services.

(b)     The applicant shall establish procedures to ensure facility letter of agreement is in place between each facility listed in the applicant’s exposition and:

(1)      Entities providing services to the facility;

(2)      Entities receiving services from the facility; and

(3)      The entities in items 1 and 2 above may be internal within the service provider facilities or external to the service providers such as the electric power company or the telecommunication service company.

 

171.59 Through 61 Reserved