EASA SIB 2010-17R7: WITHDRAWN - REPLACED BY EASA SIB 2023-13

What to do

Operators should develop and implement a VA SRA accepted by the competent authority or follow ICAO Document 9974 for non-European operators. They must avoid flying in visible or discernible volcanic ash, use ash concentration zoning charts for flight planning, and report any volcanic ash encounters promptly to air traffic services and EASA. Maintenance inspections should be conducted daily when operating in low contamination areas, following the guidance in Appendix A if no specific manufacturer instructions exist.

Summary

EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2010-17R7 provides updated guidance on flight operations in airspace contaminated or suspected to be contaminated with volcanic ash. It applies to all aircraft operators, owners, and maintenance organizations operating in such airspace, including turbine and piston-powered aircraft and rotorcraft. The bulletin emphasizes the use of Volcanic Ash Safety Risk Assessments (VA SRA) and provides recommendations for avoiding volcanic ash exposure, reporting encounters, and conducting maintenance inspections.

What changed

This revision replaces EASA SIB 2010-17R6 and discontinues the maintenance of the VA SRA database due to its redundancy and limited applicability to non-EU operators. It clarifies the implementation of the VA SRA principle for both EU and non-EU operators and updates recommendations on airspace management during volcanic ash events, including the preference for operators to make operational decisions based on their VA SRA rather than automatic airspace closures.

Why it matters

The bulletin is important for aviation professionals as it provides practical guidance to safely manage flight operations in volcanic ash-contaminated airspace, reducing unnecessary airspace closures and operational disruptions. It supports operators and maintenance teams in risk assessment, operational decision-making, and post-flight inspections to mitigate volcanic ash hazards, thereby enhancing flight safety and regulatory compliance.