Zurich and Munich, 26 July – 1 August 2017

The HEMS experience exchange took place in Switzerland and Germany from 26 July to 1 August 2017.

The delegation visited Rega in Zurich. The visit included a detailed introduction of the Rega HEMS operation at their headquarters at Zurich Airport and at a HEMS base station in Lucarno. Topics on financing, developing HEMS operations in China were discussed. At the same time, EASA presented airworkthiness and certification requirements for HEMS. The Swiss Helicopter Association presented their work and how they support the improvement of HEMS by lobbying rule-making bodies against over-regulation and to ensure that new technologies can be accommodated by HEMS rules. At the latter Leonardo Helicopter shared the Italian HEMS system as well as the Leonardo Helicopter fleet that is used for HEMS mission.

The visit to the newly established alpine rescue centre at Bad Tölz, Germany attracted a lot of attention from the delegation. It provides a cost efficient way to train common HEMS scenarios. Test-training for parties interested in establishing their own training centre.The delegation visited Airbus Helicopters in Donauwörth, Germany. AH presented strong AH HEMS market share, different HEMS solutions and the safety features of their product range. The visit to the first HEMS operation base in Germany in 1971 provided the delegates with the opportunity to compare HEMS services in Germany and Switzerland. After the visit to ADAC the delegation was introduced to the newly established Munich Operation Control Centre. It is one of 26 integrated OCCs in Bavaria.

19-26 July 2017, Warsaw, Prague and Budapest

Recent years have seen a surge in direct connection between China and Central-Eastern Europe, resulting in the current six connections between these regions. Both China and the EU Member States are interested in opening up new routes, linking second-tier cities with major Central-Eastern European cities. The objective of this experience exchange visit was to provide a comprehensive overview of the security procedures at Central and Eastern European airports. The CAAC delegation led by Director General of the Security Department Mr. Wei Yajun visited the national aviation authorities and airports in Warsaw, Prague and Budapest. Discussions highlighted recent trends in passenger and cargo screening methods and latest technologies for airport security equipment.

14-21 June 2017, Germany and France

The experience exchange visit on helicopter flight standards and safety promotion took place in Europe (France and Germany) from 15 to 20 June 2017.

The exchange started in Aix-en-Provance, where the French Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) Oversight Office welcomed the delegation led by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). DGAC presented their organisation, overview of national helicopter operations rules within the European regulatory framework, national helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) regulatory framework, national safety promotion initiatives for HEMS operations and related oversight work conducted in France.

The delegation appreciated the lively and informative discussions during which the CAAC oversight system and its activities including helicopter operations were also presented.

On 16 June, a dedicated visit to Babcock, the leading HEMS operator in France took place. Their HEMS operations, as well as the operator safety management system, were presented and discussed. The programme continued with a helicopter demo flight organised by Airbus Helicopters (AH) to Marseille Airport. On this occasion, AH presented and discussed in depth the company’s safety system with the CAAC delegation.

The next destination of the experience exchange was Cologne where EASA welcomed the delegation with the objective to support CAAC in the revision of the Chinese helicopter OPS regulations. These revisions are part of a larger effort to promote the development of HEMSs in China. Following a first exchange in Beijing in 2016, discussions went much more into detail with the delegation showing great interest in topics such as commander qualifications and experience, staffing and work of the Operations Control Centre (OCC), approval of medical equipment, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) based navigation for HEMS.

The last stop of the experience exchange was the German HEMS operator Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club (ADAC). ADAC presented its Koblenz rescue station and the HEMS Flight Academy in Sankt Augustin where the delegation had an opportunity to learn about ADAC operations, functioning of the OCC, Flight Crew and Technical Crew training and simulator training.

The exchange visit was organised under the umbrella of the EU-China Aviation Partnership Project (APP) with the support of Airbus Helicopters, ADAC, the French DGAC and other European partners. Promoting HEMS in China is an ongoing theme that the project will continue to support in future. For more details, please visit the upcoming activities page or contact the Project team.

13-16 June 2017, Chengdu

This workshop discussed two interconnected topics: prevention of runway incursions as well as separation of apron and runway control. The activity brought together experts form the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Air Traffic Control Division from the Air Traffic Management Bureau (ATMB) of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC ATMB) and the ATM Engineering Technology Institute from the second research institute of CAAC in Chengdu.

The European experts outlined the regulatory environment for a safety management system at airports and illustrated that with examples and experience from European airports. Presentations given by the head of tower operations from Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) and from the Nanjing University Research Institute introduced the current technical solutions in order to prevent runway incursions. A representative of Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport presented on the model of apron and runway control separation and the establishment of a runway safety management team.

50 participants attended the workshops from the different regional ATMB offices in China as well as from research institutes as the Institute of Air Traffic Management from the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Furthermore, participants came from Beijing Capital International Airport, Guangzhou New Baiyun International Airport, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Xi’An Xianyang International Airport and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport.

The presentations of case studies by ATMB and airport representatives as well by the EASA experts led to lively discussions on interface management issues as well as process management in general. The exchange of information between different stakeholders in China is still a major challenge and likely a subject of further airport related activities of the EU-China Aviation Partnership Project. 

​

To download workshop presentations please click here (13-14), here(15-16) for password please contact yanling@eu-china-app.org 

27-28 April 2017, Shanghai

The Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Mr Patrick Ky and the Deputy Administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Mr Li Jian today opened the first joint Safety Conference organised by the two administrations, bringing together leading CEOs from the European and Chinese aviation industry. The conference marks a new high in aviation ties between the European Union and China. These have steadily grown closer over recent years.
In the presence of CAAC Administrator Feng Zhenglin and the European Commission Director General for Mobility and Transport Mr Henrik Hololei, leading members of the aviation community discussed progress on establishing a future Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between China and the European Union.

Click here to read more.

26 April 2017, Shanghai

The annual APP Steering Committee Meeting brought together the leaders from EASA and CAAC including Executive Director Patrick Ky and Deputy Administrator Li Jian. As the project was closing its first year, this was an opportunity to overview the first achievements and discussed up to 15 activities proposed for implementation between May -December 2017.

A Letter of Intent was signed between the leadership of the two organisation to further strengthen cooperation.  

​

New activities for 2017 include:

• Airworthiness: Engine certification and validation workshop

• HEMS: Helicopter flight standards and safety promotion

• Safety promotion: Accident incident investigation workshop

• Airports: Safety management for prevention of runway incursions

• ATM: CNS technology implementation – experience exchange in Europe

• Economic: Slot allocation workshop

…plus 10 more!

Click here to download an infographic about the 1st year achievements.
For more details contact the project team.

11-13 April 2017, Beijing

This training was designed for staff working in regulatory environments. The training covered the complete audit cycle from initial planning to final closure. It outlined methods on how to implement practical, value-adding solutions in response to audit findings, including latest thinking and industry best practice with regards to audit techniques.

6-7 April 2017, Beijing

This conference on Civil Military Cooperation in ATM discussed the regulatory framework for flexible use of airspace an exchanged on operational experience. Chinese Participants came from the China Air Force ATM Bureau, the Regional ATMBs in China, the Central ATMB and the CAAC Air Traffic Regulation Office. Different approaches to “civil-military cooperation” in the European Aviation system were introduced by representatives from France, Germany and the Czech Republic with speakers coming from the military community and the civil Air Navigation Service Providers. The conference also provided the opportunity to European industry to present their ATFM solutions. IATA and the three big Chinese carriers, Air China, China Eastern and China Southern Airlines, as well as KLM from Europe outlined user benefits and expectations on the flexible use of airspace from the airlines’ perspective. The ICAO RSO Beijing gave an overview about civil military cooperation and flexible use of airspace in the Asia Pacific Region. IATA North Asia complemented this with user views on benefits and expectations from the implementation of flexible use of airspace in China. The conference counted about 150 participants in the Grand Ballroom of the Civil Aviation Management Institute of China. It was organized by the EU-China Aviation Partnership Project, managed by EASA, in cooperation with the Chinese ATMB, ICAO RSO Beijing and IATA North Asia.

​

You can find the supporting resources for this activity here. A password is required, to get it please contact Yanling Zheng at yanling@eu-china-app.org

28-30 March 2017, Kunming

The European and Chinese ramp inspection practices and foreign air carrier programmes were in the spotlight of this workshop organised by the EU-China Aviation Partnership Project (APP) on 28-29 March in Kunming, China. Experts from the EASA Foreign Operators Section delivered detailed presentations on the SAFA (Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft) programme and the EU’s TCO (Third Country Operators) authorisation process. CAAC presented their respective programmes in China. Industry representatives from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines shared valuable industry experience with the participants. The two days exchange also included live demonstrations of the respective EASA databases in use, which were particularly well received by the audience that included representatives from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), CAAC regional administrations and Chinese carriers.

​

You can find the supporting resources for this activity here. A password is required, to get it please contact Yanling Zheng at yanling@eu-china-app.org

9-10 March 2017, Beijing

The two-day workshop was organised in Beijing to discuss the latest trends and regulatory approaches in the field of Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD).

The first day of the workshop provided the opportunity for EASA and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to introduce their respective framework of regulations and management of FSTD, including audit and surveillance requirements. EASA Senior Expert on Training Devices, Jens Krueger delivered presentations covering the European regulatory structure, the coordination between EASA and Members States on the management of FSTD and operators’ audit, among others.

During the second day of the workshop, the spotlight was on FSTD with regards to helicopters, featuring a comprehensive insight from the EASA OSD Expert, Roel Huymans as well as industry representatives from Thales. Presentations were followed by an extensive exchange, where the participants discussed such questions as evaluation pricing and complaint handling procedures, the different data packages applicable to helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and specifications on evaluation methods.

​

You can find the supporting resources for this activity here. A password is required, to get it please contact Yanling Zheng at yanling@eu-china-app.org.

3 March, Beijing

The first UAS workshop between EASA and CAAC attracted 150 representatives from the sector. The activity organised by the EU-China Aviation Project (APP) provided a platform to exchange on regulatory developments, support tools for tracking and oversight as well as innovative ideas from industry for future application of drones.

​​

After Captain Zhu Tao’s opening address for CAAC Flight Standards, the floor was given to a variety of experts, including EASA representative Antonio Marchetto, who provided an excellent overview on the regulatory work EASA is involved in and the Agency led task forces on geo-fencing and collision impact. The CAAC presentations showed off ‘u-cloud’, an advanced software solution for UAS tracking. The ambition of industry for innovative UAS applications was reflected in presentations such as the Chinese logistics company Shunfeng Express (SF) who envisions using unmanned drones for freight forwarding across China.

Local media covered the event including the Beijing TV station: http://v.ku6.com/show/NyTGDnGtPFKsSW9dh_I29g...html (clip in Chinese after a short advertisement)

​

You can find the supporting resources for this activity here. A password is required, to get it please contact Yanling Zheng at yanling@eu-china-app.org

23-24 November 2016, Beijing

The EU-China Aviation Partnership Project (APP) held its first Air Traffic Management-related activity, a two-day workshop organized in Beijing, on 23-24 November 2016 on the topic of Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM). This workshop brought together the Chinese, European and Regional experts to discuss such current topics during three distinctive modules. The first one covering the Chinese ATM challenges as of operational environment, data and operations management. The subsequent session provided a European perspective in terms of the EU regulatory set-up, the SESAR ATFM Masterplan as well as a regional perspective from Asia and the Pacific, featuring presentations by international bodies, such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The workshop continued with the airline perspective and concluded with two moderated panel discussion on ‘Harmonising ATFM Regulations, Rules and Standards at a Global Level” as well as regarding the “Establishment of an ATFM Roadmap” providing an outlook to the future of ATFM operations.

​

Following this first workshop, the next relevant event will take place in early 2017 on the flexible use of airspace, as well as other follow-up activities on to tackle the ATFM bottleneck of China.

​

You can find the supporting resources for this activity here. A password is required, to get it please contact Yanling Zheng at yanling@eu-china-app.org

27-28 October 2017, Beijing

While compliance remains a necessary foundation for the management of safety, the ever growing complexity in the aviation system demands an evolution to maintain and continuously improve aviation safety. A performance based environment (PBE) can enable more effective management of safety and its associated risks. This approach recognises the need to implement concepts stemming from ICAO Annex 19 to maintain and improve safety. A performance based environment that focusses in particular on the management of risk will help to develop performance based risk (PBR) management as well as performance based oversight (PBO). These approaches will help to maintain high safety levels in a growing aviation environment.

​

This workshop was mainly concerned with the introduction of a performance based environment in relation to safety, based on a two way exchange of information. However the principles introduced can be applied to other areas, like environmental protection or security.

​​

You can find the supporting resources for this activity here. A password is required, to get it please contact Yanling Zheng at yanling@eu-china-app.org

25 - 26 October 2016, Beijing

A national aviation safety regulatory function is established in each state. Globally there is a considerable variation in the implementation of international standards and recommended practices at national level. This allows for regional flexibility but also leads to some inconsistency both among but also within states. Aligning the application and implementation of the different regulatory frameworks is a key challenge for ensuring aviation safety.

​

This workshop has the objective to facilitate an exchange between the EU and China about different oversight practices and mechanisms to ensure that rules and regulations are applied in a uniform way.

​

You can find the supporting resources for this activity here. A password is required, to get it please contact Yanling Zheng at  yanling@eu-china-app.org

30-31 August 2016, Beijing

The EU-China Aviation Partnership Project (APP) activity series and fruitful exchanges between leading aviation experts in Europe and China continued with a two day Helicopter Emergency Medical Services workshop in Beijing on 30-31 August 2016.  The two-days conference co-organised by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) was opened by Lian Xiuqin, Deputy Director General of the CAAC Air Transportation Department. 11 experts from the EU and China contributed to exchanges on various aspects of HEMS, such as the regulatory framework in Europe, airworthiness and safety requirements as well as operational considerations.

Bringing together more than 70 leading aviation experts representing the regulatory authorities, operators and manufacturers, the conference allowed for a successful exchange on best practices and various perspectives on HEMS. Discussions were concluded with the mutual intention of continuing exchanges in the framework of APP. The exchange was followed by a dedicated workshop with CAAC flight standards on helicopter performance classes in anticipation of their plans to update their CCAR 135.

​

You can find the supporting resources for this activity here. A password is required, to get it please contact Yanling Zheng at  yanling@eu-china-app.org

5-6 July 2016, Beijing

Following the official launch in Feb 2016, the EU-China Aviation Partnership Project (APP) successfully held its first airworthiness activity on 5 & 6 July, 2016 in Tianjin, China. The two-day workshop on Design Organization Approval (DOA) Concept brought together more than 40 airworthiness experts from across China and Europe, including experts from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC). Representatives from leading companies in the aviation industry as well as research institutes and airworthiness-related organizations also attended the workshop. CAAC Aircraft Certification Division Director, Mr. Zhang Sen and EASA Project Team Leader Stephan Baertges delivered opening remarks. During the workshop, experts from both sides engaged in constructive discussions covering several DOA aspects like competences, approval process, configuration management, permit to fly, occurrence reporting, supplier control, process monitoring and record keeping. Industry experts shared the company perspective in complying with DOA procedures and the various tools and procedures developed with this purpose. To conclude, EASA and CAAC discussed the next step of the cooperation on this field in future EU-China APP activities.

​

You can find the supporting resources for this activity here. A password is required, to get it please contact Yanling Zheng at  yanling@eu-china-app.org

27 - 28 April 2016, Beijing

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are considered a pillar for future Air Trafic Management (ATM) improvements. For performance improvements to be realised internationally, it is necessary to ensure compatibility, interoperability and interchangeability between GNSS, including augmentation systems (SBAS and GBAS).

Thus, ICAO promotes the implementation of GNSS-based operations by asking States to publish an implementation plan for “Performance Based Navigation” (PBN) operations (for en-route, terminal and approach phases of flight) and to publish APV (Approach with Vertical guidance) for every IFR runway by 2016.

An understanding of the European and Chinese strategies for the development of future satellite navigation is essential to work towards the common goal of ensuring compatibility, interoperability, and if possible, interchangeability.

Working towards this goal, the project's stakeholders met in Beijing on 27th and 28th April 2016 to establish a first exchange on latest GNSS developments applicable to civil aviation and focused on operational, regulatory and certification aspects.