EASA Opens Rulemaking on Fuel Planning and Procedures

The European Aviation Safety Agency started a rulemaking process that would make mandatory ICAO amendments regarding fuel reserve planning, and separate rulemaking action on hot fueling procedures. If enacted, the new rules would apply to multi-engine jet operations.

In 2012, ICAO adopted amendments updating fuel and alternate airport selection provisions and in 2013 EASA published safety information bulletin (SIB) 2013-12 that further emphasizes the amendments. Separately, EASA last year issued SIB 2014-16 on refueling with one engine running. The agency believes that “fueling with an engine running is extremely hazardous and should normally not be conducted.”

However, because some airframe OEMs and operators have developed “specific procedures for conducting hot refueling during unforeseen and exceptional circumstances,” the safety bulletin contains guidance for establishing an acceptable means of compliance. The agency is targeting a regulatory opinion on both issues by March 2017.