Important notice to all airline pilots employed in the UAE

[Dune]

Excuse the excessive use of bandwidth but this issue is too important to let go in my opinion.

Here is the covering letter from the GCAA addressing the proposed amendment (bold my emphasis):

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The United Arab Emirate’s aviation safety requirements are currently contained in the Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs). For Approved Maintenance Training Organisations, the regulations are now based on the European model (JAR OPS 1 regulation amendment 12.

1.2 The purpose of this Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) is to:

(a) Continue the process of formal public consultation on proposed amendments of the Civil Aviation Regulations; and

(b) Ensure the adequacy of legislation governing operations of UAE registered in accordance with ICAO SARPS and international best regulatory practices; and

(c) Determine the effect on the aircraft operator of the proposed legislation.

1.3 The GCAA now seeks comments on this proposal from the aviation industry and the concerned parties before proceeding further.

1.4 Abbreviations

CAR Civil Aviation Regulation
GCAA General Civil Aviation Authority (UAE)
JAA Joint Aviation Authority
NPA Notice of Proposed Rule Making
SARPS ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices

2. OBJECTIVE

2.1 The objective of this NPA is to advise all concerned parties of the revision to the existing regulations.

2.2 A number of regulatory criteria have been identified to guide the development of the CARs. The criteria require that the new legislation should:

(a) be clear, concise and unambiguous;

(b) be consistent with the UAE’s international obligations;

(c) be harmonised with ICAO SARPS and international standards, unless unique UAE or EASA circumstances require otherwise;

(d) be outcome-based, to the greatest extent practicable;

(e) be cost effective; and

(f) be enforceable.

3. AFFECT OF CHANGES

3.1 The persons affected by this NPA are:

(a) Operators of UAE registered aircraft;

(b) Engineering personnel;

(c) Engineering and training organisations; and

(d) GCstaff.

3.2 The effect of the proposed new legislation is considered to be generally cost neutral, with greater operational flexibility and guidance.

3.3 There would be no additional change in GCAA inspections and compliance with the proposed legislation will be monitored and enforced through normal GCAA surveillance activity.

3.4 Amendment action is planned for the 01 June, 2007 edition of the CARs (2007-1). All pages would be valid from the date of issue.

4. PRESENTATION

The complete proposed amendment to CAR OPS 1 is issued in electronic format and can be downloaded from the GCAA website:
(www.gcaa.ae/Publications/ NPA)

The changes have been made in track change format in order to be easily reviewed.




5. HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS ON THIS NPA

The Notice of Proposed Amendment process is the GCAA’s method of notifying and seeking comment from industry and the public with respect to proposed changes to rules. All submissions are evaluated and assessed with a view to incorporating any necessary changes to the draft regulations prior to their formal promulgation as law.

In order to simplify collation and summarising of comments, it is requested that responses be made on the NPA Response Sheet provided (Refer page 6) or a copy of the sheet, with additional comments attached as necessary. Responses can be individual or from industry working groups. Written comments quoting NPA 03/07 should be forwarded by 01 May, 2007 to the following address:

Chief Regulation & Investigation
Department of Aviation Safety & Security
General Civil Aviation Authority

P. O. Box 6558
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Telephone [phone]
Facsimile [phone]

Email [email protected]
Web site www.gcaa.ae


6. SUMMARY OF RESPONSES

Subsequent to the closing date for comments, a Summary of Responses (SOR) will be made publicly available in conjunction with the issue of the Final Rules for each Part. The GCAA may contact persons in respect to submissions in order to clarify issues but is not obliged to individually acknowledge or respond to comments or submissions.