After extensive preparation, the so-called AMC amendment containing SORA 2.5 was published on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) website on September 29. The renewed AMC (Accepted Method of Compliance) describes the new methodology for mandatory risk analysis in the special operation category, which must be applied uniformly throughout the European Union. Applications for new operating permits must now be submitted in accordance with SORA 2.5, and operating permits already in force (including the documentation of LUC holders) must be brought into line with SORA 2.5 within two years, according to the EASA decision. In our article series, we will go through the most important changes affecting the methodology.
In this part of our article series, we would like to highlight the “practical” changes to SORA. The so-called In Annex A, SORA now provides an accurate, but only recommended, table of contents for those preparing an operations manual.
In addition, EASA has developed a so-called compliance matrix that provides guidance on which document and where compliance with a given operational safety objective (OSO) can be found for each risk reduction measure and OSO.
The section on the method for indicating operational areas also supports standardization of applications and documentation, thereby unifying and accelerating regulatory work.
It is important that these elements are recommendations, but they can greatly assist the approval of cross-border operations.