ADR.OR.D.015 Personnel requirements

ACCOUNTABLE MANAGER

(a)Accountable Manager — General

(1)The accountable manager should:

(i)ensure that all necessary resources are available to operate the aerodrome in accordance with the applicable requirements and the aerodrome manual;

(ii)ensure that if there is a reduction in the level of resources or abnormal circumstances which may affect safety, the required reduction in the level of operations at the aerodrome is implemented;

(iii)establish, implement, and promote the safety policy; and

(iv)ensure compliance with relevant applicable requirements, certification basis, and the organisation’s safety management system, as well as its quality management system with regard to aeronautical data and aeronautical information provision activities.

(2)The accountable manager should have:

(i)an appropriate level of authority within the aerodrome operator’s organisation to ensure that activities are financed and carried out to the standard required;

(ii)knowledge and understanding of the documents that prescribe relevant aerodrome safety standards;

(iii)understanding of the requirements for competence of aerodrome management personnel, so as to ensure that competent persons are in place;

(iv)knowledge and understanding of safety, quality, and security management systems related principles and practices, and how these are applied within the organisation;

(v)knowledge of the role of the accountable manager; and

(vi)knowledge and understanding of the key issues of risk management within the aerodrome.

(b)Accountable manager — Delegation of responsibilities

(1)The technical knowledge and understanding expected by an accountable manager is high level, with particular reference to his/her own role in ensuring that standards are maintained.

(2)During periods of absence, the day-to-day responsibilities of the accountable manager may be delegated; however, the accountability ultimately remains with the accountable manager.

(3)Depending on the size and the complexity of operations, the accountable manager may delegate his/her responsibilities in the area of training, by nominating a training manager whose responsibilities should be the establishment, coordination, implementation of training programmes, and relevant record keeping of personnel training, as well as of the proficiency check programmes. In any case, the accountability, ultimately, remains with the accountable manager.

ACCOUNTABLE MANAGER Depending on the size, structure and complexity of the organisation, the accountable manager may be:

(a)the chief executive officer (CEO);

(b)the chief operating officer (COO);

(c)the chairperson of the board of directors;

(d)a partner; or

(e)the proprietor. The appointment of an accountable manager who is given the required authorities and responsibilities, requires that the individual has the necessary attributes to fulfil the role. The accountable manager may have more than one function in the organisation. Nonetheless, the accountable manager’s role is to instil safety as a core organisational value, and to ensure that the safety management system is properly implemented and maintained through the allocation of resources and tasks.

NOMINATED PERSONS

(a)General

(1)A description of the functions of the nominated persons, including their names, as well as clearly defined responsibilities and authorisations, should be contained in the aerodrome manual. Nominated persons should have adequate resources available to perform their duties.

(2)The aerodrome operator should make arrangements to ensure adequate continuity of supervision in the absence of nominated persons.

(3)The person nominated by the aerodrome operator should not be nominated by another aerodrome operator, unless agreed with the Competent Authority.

(4)Persons nominated should be foreseen to work sufficient hours to fulfil the management functions associated with the scale and complexity of the operation.

(5)A nominated person may hold more than one of the nominated posts if such an arrangement is considered suitable and properly matched to the aerodrome operator’s organisation, and the complexity of its operations.

(b)Competence of nominated persons The manager of Operational Services and the Maintenance manager should have:

(1)adequate practical experience and expertise in aerodrome operations or maintenance (or similar area) respectively;

(2)comprehensive knowledge of the applicable requirements in the area of aerodromes;

(3)appropriate level of knowledge of safety and quality management; and

(4)knowledge of the aerodrome manual.

COMBINATION OF NOMINATED PERSONS RESPONSIBILITIES

(a)The acceptability of a single person holding more than one post, possibly in combination with being the accountable manager, should depend upon the aerodrome operator’s organisation, and the complexity of its operations. The two main areas of concern should be competence, and an individual’s capacity to meet his/her responsibilities.

(b)As regards competence in different areas of responsibility, there should not be any difference from the requirements applicable to persons holding only one post.

(c)The capacity of an individual to meet his/her responsibilities should primarily be dependent upon the complexity of the aerodrome operator’s organisation and its operations. However, the complexity of the aerodrome operator’s organisation, or of its operation may prevent, or limit, combinations of posts.

SAFETY MANAGER

(a)The safety manager should be the focal point and responsible for the development, administration, and maintenance of an effective safety management system (see also AMC1 ADR.OR.D.005(b)(1)).

(b)The role of the safety manager should be to:

(1)facilitate hazard identification, risk analysis, and management;

(2)monitor the implementation and functioning of the safety management system, including the necessary safety actions;

(3)manage the safety reporting system of the aerodrome;

(4)provide periodic reports on safety performance;

(5)ensure maintenance of safety management documentation;

(6)ensure that there is safety management training available, and that it meets acceptable standards;

(7)provide advice on safety matters; and

(8)initiate and participate in internal occurrence/accident investigations.

(c)The safety manager should have:

(1)adequate practical experience and expertise in aerodrome operations, or aerodrome maintenance, or similar area;

(2)adequate knowledge of safety and quality management;

(3)adequate knowledge of the aerodrome manual; and

(4)comprehensive knowledge of the applicable requirements in the area of aerodromes.

(d)The safety manager should not be one of the persons referred to in point ADR.OR.D.015(b). However, in the case of less complex aerodrome organisations/operations, the safety manager may be the accountable manager, or any other person at appropriate management level (including the persons referred to in point ADR.OR.D.015(b)), provided that he or she can act independently of other managers within the organisation of the aerodrome operator, has adequate knowledge and experience in accordance with point (b) above, and has direct access to the accountable manager and to appropriate management for safety matters.

DETERMINATION OF PERSONNEL NEEDS AND QUALIFICATIONS

(a)The aerodrome operator should determine the required personnel for the planned tasks.

(b)The aerodrome operator should determine the required personnel qualifications, in accordance with the applicable requirements (and the national and European Union legislation where applicable), and include them in the aerodrome manual. A documented system with defined responsibilities should be in place, in order to identify any needs for changes with regard to personnel qualifications.

QUALIFICATION OF PERSONNEL The term ‘qualified’ denotes fitness for the purpose. This may be achieved through fulfilment of the necessary conditions such as completion of required training, or acquisition of a diploma or degree, or through the gaining of suitable experience. It, also, includes the ability, capacity, knowledge, or skill that matches or suits an occasion, or makes someone eligible for a duty, office, position, privilege, or status. Certain posts may, by nature, be associated with the possession of certain qualifications in a specific field (e.g. rescue and firefighting, civil, mechanical or electrical engineering, wildlife biology, etc.). In such cases, the person occupying such a post is expected to possess the necessary qualifications at a level that is in accordance with the applicable national or European Union legislation.

DISTRIBUTION OF RULES AND PROCEDURES The aerodrome operator should have a system in place to distribute the rules and procedures to personnel to exercise their duties and responsibilities.

DISTRIBUTION MEANS OF RULES AND PROCEDURES The aerodrome operator may use electronic means, or conventional means to distribute rules and procedures to personnel. The method used should verify that the information reached the intended recipient.