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Frequently asked questions

In the case of operating a balloon in competition flights, is it necessary to submit a declaration?

Operators who conduct commercial balloon operations, and who conduct competition flights, must include this type of specialised operation in their declaration.

In the case of non-commercial operators involved in competition flights, a declaration is not required to be submitted in accordance with Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2018/395, but as this is a specialised operation they must develop the corresponding checklist in compliance with requirement BOP.BAS.190.

In relation to obtaining POA approval to manufacture an article classified as ETSO, is it necessary to have applied for a DOA approval in addition to the ETSO authorisation for the article?

As can be seen on the relevant EASA website (ETSO FAQ), you must be, or have previously applied for, the ADOA (or DOA, if it is an ETSO article which is an APU) and the POA.
 
The DOA/ADOA and ETSO are held by EASA. The POA is handled by AESA as the Spanish Aviation Authority. Therefore, all 3 approvals have to be requested at the same time (approximately), from the respective Authority.
 
A.133 (Eligibility) is essential to remember in relation to the POA:

  • The production activity to be undertaken must be "appropriate" for approval under Part 21 Subpart G, as is the case for an ETSO item. In addition, and also essential to meet this criterion, is direct delivery to the final customer.
  • You must own or have applied for approval of the design you wish to produce (which would be fulfilled by making the DOA/ADOA application).
EPDE How do I know that binomies are currently certified to perform cargo inspection work using Explosive Detector Dog Equipment?

There is a list on the EASA website specifying the details of the teams that can currently carry out air cargo screening with their contact details and the company to which they belong.

Explosive Detection Dog Teams (EPDE)

EPDE How and where can an entity obtain information on the conditions of the certification process?

The Aviation Safety State Agency (EASA) may only deliver the documentation related to the certification and on the explosives to be assessed to:

  • Security companies: By verifying that it is authorised as such by the Ministry of the Interior, in addition, when the person collecting the documentation is not the manager of the company, they must bring an authorisation from the manager in order to be able to collect it.
  • Training centres accredited by the Ministry of the Interior. They must provide the accrediting documentation, in addition, the person in charge of collecting the documentation, in the event of not being the director of the Training Centre, must carry an authorisation from the same in order to be able to collect the information from AESA.
  • Training centres subcontracted by training centres accredited by the Ministry of the Interior. Upon presentation of a certificate proving this and by subsequent verification of the training centre's documentation.

AESA will only deliver the documentation on the certification process at its offices, located at Paseo de la Castellana 112. 28046 (Madrid, Spain). In order to do so, an appointment must be made in advance through the mailbox seguridadpde.aesa@seguridadaerea.es.

The delivery of the documentation will be made after signing a confidentiality agreement.

EPDE How much does the certification process cost?

The certification process is free of charge. However, the State Aviation Safety Agency offers a series of theoretical and practical courses, which are not compulsory, that interested parties would have to pay for.

EPDE Which area of air transport can inspect currently certified Dog Equipment?

Currently AESA-certified dog teams can only inspect air cargo.

EPDE Can you introduce people who are not currently working with a private security company?

Yes, individuals who are not working for a private security company can apply, but they must meet two conditions:

  • They must be private security guards.
  • Comply with the requirements of the call for applications

If they pass the certification, they must belong to a private security company accredited by the Ministry of the Interior in order to be able to carry out their duties.

EPDE What requirements are required to be able to apply for certification of Explosive Detectors Dog Equipment?

The requirements for eligibility are specified in each call for applications. The information will be published on the EASA website about a month and a half before the assessment tests.

EPDE What kind of training courses does AESA offer?

The State Aviation Safety Agency may conduct, subject to a minimum number of attendees, theoretical and practical preparation courses which are not mandatory.

Preparation course for the theoretical examination:

  • It shall cover the following topics:
    • Documentation and operations in the air cargo logistics chain, given by EASA instructors. (the hours of this course are sufficient to comply with point 3 of the programme included in section 1.2 of this call).
    • Preparation for certification. Review of Regulation (EU) No 573/2010 and Commission Decision C (2010) 3572.
    • Basic explosives training.
  • The duration of the course would be 6 hours, provided that there is a minimum number of attendees.
  • The price of the 6-hour theoretical course is 384 €.

Practical course:

  • AESA would conduct a practical course of about 3 hours duration, provided there is a minimum number of attendees, next to the certification facilities.
  • The material to practice will be provided by the applicants (cans, boxes, etc.) and the price of the 3-hour practical classes is 192 €.