Ramp Inspection Programme (SAFA/SACA)
Oversight of aircraft operated under the regulatory oversight of another state
Aircraft used by third country operators or used by operators under the regulatory oversight of another member state are subject of unannounced ramp inspections when landing in Austria. These ramp inspections are conducted by inspectors of Austro Control GmbH to check the technical and operational compliance.
The inspections are standardized in all SAFA/SACA participating States. The aim is to ensure compliance with ICAO and/or European standards and is regulated by Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No. 965/2012 and by Part Ramp of its Annex II (Part ARO).
Austro Control was appointed as competent Authority for conducting ramp inspections by the national law „Sicherheitsmaßnahmen bei ausländischen Luftfahrzeugen und Luftfahrtunternehmen, BGBl. I Nr. 55/2010“, relevant version.
The aim of the ramp inspection programme is a harmonised inspection to ensure compliance of international standards of aircraft of operators under the regulatory oversight of another state. This is another step to establish a uniform high level of aviation safety in Europe.
Alcohol test are carried by Ramp Inspectors in accordance with the Ramp Inspection Program as defined in Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 Part ARO.RAMP. All alcohol tests will be performed with an approved breath alcohol analyser compliant with the standard EN 15964. The breath alcohol concentration (BrAC), measured during the alcohol test, should not exceed a level equivalent to 0.2 grams of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) per litre of blood (0,2), refer to Luftverkehrsbetreiberzeugnis- und Flugbetriebs-Verordnung 2008, BGBl. II Nr. 254/2008 idgF, §20i too. Every positively tested crew member will be prohibited to perform his/her duty. Any refusal or lack of cooperation during an alcohol test will lead to that person will be prohibited to perform his/her further duties.
As part of the ramp inspections, Austro Control uses specially trained inspectors who carry out the inspections in accordance with the standardized inspection instructions published by EASA at all domestic airports.
If a ramp inspection results in identification of a safety risk, all necessary corrective measures must be taken before departure, otherwise a flight ban will ultimately be imposed.
The results of the inspection are recorded in the statutory reports and recorded in the centralized EASA Ramp Inspection Tool to inform the competent authorities of the member states or third countries of the air operator or aircraft inspected and of the aircraft operator.
The data collected during the ramp inspections serve to exchange information at the European level. Multiple, significant or conspicuous safety deficiencies lead in the final analysis to inclusion in the "Safety List" of the European Union.
Further activities of Austro Control within the framework of the European ramp inspection program:
- Cooperation with national and foreign authorities and participation in international programs
- Supervision of the resolution of complaints of Austrian-registered aircraft, identified by foreign aviation authorities under the Ramp Inspection Program
Further information can be found at:
https://www.easa.europa.eu/easa-and-you/air-operations/ramp-inspection-programmes-safa-saca
https://www.easa.europa.eu/easa-and-you/air-operations/ramp-inspection-programmes-safa-saca