Commission Regulation (EC) No 8/2008Show full title

“Appendix 1 to OPS 1.450 Low Visibility Operations — Training & Qualifications

(a)

General: An operator must ensure that flight crew member training programmes for Low Visibility Operations include structured courses of ground, Flight Simulator and/or flight training. The operator may abbreviate the course content as prescribed by subparagraphs (2) and (3) below provided the content of the abbreviated course is acceptable to the authority.

(1)

Flight crew members with no Category II or Category III experience must complete the full training programme prescribed in subparagraphs (b), (c) and (d) below.

(2)

Flight crew members with Category II or Category III experience with another operator may undertake an abbreviated ground training course.

(3)

Flight crew members with Category II or Category III experience with the operator may undertake an abbreviated ground, Flight simulator and/or flight training course. The abbreviated course is to include at least the requirements of subparagraphs (d)(1), (d)(2)(i) or (d)(2)(ii) as appropriate and (d)(3)(i).

(b)

Ground Training. An operator must ensure that the initial ground training course for Low Visibility Operations covers at least:

(1)

The characteristics and limitations of the ILS and/or MLS;

(2)

The characteristics of the visual aids;

(3)

The characteristics of fog;

(4)

The operational capabilities and limitations of the particular airborne system;

(5)

The effects of precipitation, ice accretion, low level wind shear and turbulence;

(6)

The effect of specific aeroplane malfunctions;

(7)

The use and limitations of RVR assessment systems;

(8)

The principles of obstacle clearance requirements;

(9)

Recognition of and action to be taken in the event of failure of ground equipment;

(10)

The procedures and precautions to be followed with regard to surface movement during operations when the RVR is 400 m or less and any additional procedures required for take-off in conditions below 150 m (200 m for Category D aeroplanes);

(11)

The significance of decision heights based upon radio altimeters and the effect of terrain profile in the approach area on radio altimeter readings and on the automatic approach/landing systems;

(12)

The importance and significance of Alert Height if applicable and the action in the event of any failure above and below the Alert Height;

(13)

The qualification requirements for pilots to obtain and retain approval to conduct Low Visibility Take-offs and Category II or III operations; and

(14)

The importance of correct seating and eye position.

(c)

Flight Simulator training and/or flight training

(1)

An operator must ensure that Flight Simulator and/or flight training for Low Visibility Operations includes:

(i)

Checks of satisfactory functioning of equipment, both on the ground and in flight;

(ii)

Effect on minima caused by changes in the status of ground installations;

(iii)

Monitoring of automatic flight control systems and auto land status annunciators with emphasis on the action to be taken in the event of failures of such systems;

(iv)

Actions to be taken in the event of failures such as engines, electrical systems, hydraulics or flight control systems;

(v)

The effect of known unserviceabilities and use of minimum equipment lists;

(vi)

Operating limitations resulting from airworthiness certification;

(vii)

Guidance on the visual cues required at decision height together with information on maximum deviation allowed from glide path or localiser; and

(viii)

The importance and significance of Alert Height if applicable and the action in the event of any failure above and below the Alert Height.

(2)

An operator must ensure that each flight crew member is trained to carry out his/her duties and instructed on the coordination required with other crew members. Maximum use should be made of flight simulators.

(3)

Training must be divided into phases covering normal operation with no aeroplane or equipment failures but including all weather conditions which may be encountered and detailed scenarios of aeroplane and equipment failure which could affect Category II or III operations. If the aeroplane system involves the use of hybrid or other special systems (such as head up displays or enhanced vision equipment) then flight crew members must practise the use of these systems in normal and abnormal modes during the Flight Simulator phase of training.

(4)

Incapacitation procedures appropriate to Low Visibility Take-offs and Category II and III operations shall be practised.

(5)

For aeroplanes with no Flight Simulator operators must ensure that the flight training phase specific to the visual scenarios of Category II operations is conducted in a specifically approved Flight Simulator. Such training must include a minimum of 4 approaches. The training and procedures that are type specific shall be practised in the aeroplane.

(6)

Initial Category II and III training shall include at least the following exercises:

(i)

Approach using the appropriate flight guidance, autopilots and control systems installed in the aeroplane, to the appropriate decision height and to include transition to visual flight and landing;

(ii)

Approach with all engines operating using the appropriate flight guidance systems, autopilots and control systems installed in the aeroplane down to the appropriate decision height followed by missed approach; all without external visual reference;

(iii)

Where appropriate, approaches utilising automatic flight systems to provide automatic flare, landing and roll-out; and

(iv)

Normal operation of the applicable system both with and without acquisition of visual cues at decision height.

(7)

Subsequent phases of training must include at least:

(i)

Approaches with engine failure at various stages on the approach;

(ii)

Approaches with critical equipment failures (e.g. electrical systems, auto flight systems, ground and/or airborne ILS/MLS systems and status monitors);

(iii)

Approaches where failures of auto flight equipment at low level require either;

(A)

Reversion to manual flight to control flare, landing and roll out or missed approach; or

(B)

Reversion to manual flight or a downgraded automatic mode to control missed approaches from, at or below decision height including those which may result in a touchdown on the runway;

(iv)

Failures of the systems which will result in excessive localiser and/or glide slope deviation, both above and below decision height, in the minimum visual conditions authorised for the operation. In addition, a continuation to a manual landing must be practised if a head-up display forms a downgraded mode of the automatic system or the head-up display forms the only flare mode; and

(v)

Failures and procedures specific to aeroplane type or variant.

(8)

The training programme must provide practice in handling faults which require a reversion to higher minima.

(9)

The training programme must include the handling of the aeroplane when, during a fail passive Category III approach, the fault causes the autopilot to disconnect at or below decision height when the last reported RVR is 300 m or less.

(10)

Where take-offs are conducted in RVRs of 400 m and below, training must be established to cover systems failures and engine failure resulting in continued as well as rejected take-offs.

(d)

Conversion Training Requirements to conduct Low Visibility Take-off and Category II and III Operations. An operator shall ensure that each flight crew member completes the following Low Visibility Procedures training if converting to a new type or variant of aeroplane in which Low Visibility Take-off and Category II and III Operations will be conducted. The flight crew member experience requirements to undertake an abbreviated course are prescribed in subparagraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3), above:

(1)

Ground Training. The appropriate requirements prescribed in subparagraph (b) above, taking into account the flight crew member's Category II and Category III training and experience.

(2)

Flight Simulator Training and/or Flight training.

(i)

A minimum of 8 approaches and/or landings in a Flight Simulator.

(ii)

Where no Flight simulator is available to represent that specific aeroplane, a minimum of 3 approaches including at least 1 go-around is required on the aeroplane.

(iii)

Appropriate additional training if any special equipment is required such as head-up displays or enhanced vision equipment.

(3)

Flight Crew Qualification. The flight crew qualification requirements are specific to the operator and the type of aeroplane operated.

(i)

The operator must ensure that each flight crew member completes a check before conducting Category II or III operations.

(ii)

The check prescribed in subparagraph (i) above may be replaced by successful completion of the simulator and/or flight training prescribed in subparagraph (d)(2) above.

(4)

Line Flying under Supervision. An operator must ensure that each flight crew member undergoes the following line flying under supervision:

(i)

For Category II when a manual landing is required, a minimum of 3 landings from autopilot disconnect;

(ii)

For Category III, a minimum of 3 auto lands except that only 1 auto land is required when the training required in subparagraph (d)(2) above has been carried out in a Flight Simulator usable for zero flight time conversion.

(e)

Type and command experience. Before commencing Category II/III operations, the following additional requirements are applicable to commanders, or pilots to whom conduct of the flight has been delegated, who are new to the aeroplane type:

(1)

50 hours or 20 sectors on the type, including line flying under supervision; and

(2)

100 m must be added to the applicable Category II or Category III RVR minima unless previously qualified for Category II or III operations with a Community operator, until a total of 100 hours or 40 sectors, including line flying under supervision, has been achieved on the type.

(3)

The Authority may authorise a reduction in the above command experience requirements for flight crew members who have Category II or Category III command experience.

(f)

Low Visibility Take-Off with RVR less than 150/200 m

(1)

An operator must ensure that prior to authorisation to conduct take-offs in RVRs below 150 m (below 200 m for Category D aeroplanes) the following training is carried out:

(i)

Normal take-off in minimum authorised RVR conditions;

(ii)

Take-off in minimum authorised RVR conditions with an engine failure between V1 and V2, or as soon as safety considerations permit; and

(iii)

Take-off in minimum authorised RVR conditions with an engine failure before V1 resulting in a rejected take-off.

(2)

An operator must ensure that the training required by subparagraph (1) above is carried out in a Flight Simulator. This training must include the use of any special procedures and equipment. Where no Flight Simulator is available to represent that specific aeroplane, the Authority may approve such training in an aeroplane without the requirement for minimum RVR conditions (See Appendix 1 to OPS 1.965).

(3)

An operator must ensure that a flight crew member has completed a check before conducting low visibility take-offs in RVRs of less than 150 m (less than 200 m for Category D aeroplanes) if applicable. The check may only be replaced by successful completion of the simulator and/or flight training prescribed in subparagraph (f)(1) on conversion to an aeroplane type.

(g)

Recurrent Training and Checking — Low Visibility Operations

(1)

An operator must ensure that, in conjunction with the normal recurrent training and operator proficiency checks, a pilot's knowledge and ability to perform the tasks associated with the particular category of operation, for which he/she is authorised is checked. The required number of approaches within the validity period of the operators proficiency check(as described in OPS 1.965 (b)) is to be a minimum of three, one of which may be substituted by an approach and landing in the aeroplane using approved Category II and III procedures. One missed approach shall be flown during the conduct of the operators proficiency check. If the operator is authorised to conduct take-off with RVR less than 150/200 m at least one LVTO to the lowest applicable minima shall be flown during the conduct of the operators proficiency check.

(2)

For Category III operations an operator must use a Flight Simulator.

(3)

An operator must ensure that, for Category III operations on aeroplanes with a fail passive flight control system, a missed approach is completed at least once over the period of three consecutive operator proficiency checks as the result of an autopilot failure at or below decision height when the last reported RVR was 300 m or less.

(4)

The Authority may authorise recurrent training and checking for Category II and LVTO operations in an aeroplane type where no Flight Simulator to represent that specific aeroplane or an acceptable alternate is available.

Note: Recency for LTVO and Category II/III based upon automatic approaches and/or auto-lands is maintained by the recurrent training and checking as prescribed in this paragraph.