There are comprehensive requirements and considerations for conducting demonstration flights classified as either Non-Commercial Complex (NCC) or Special Purpose Operations (SPO) under the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations.
EASA defines these flights in one of two main categories:
NCC Operations: Flights conducted for purposes other than commercial air transport, involving complex motor-powered aircraft.
SPO Operations: Flights conducted for specific purposes outside the scope of commercial air transport and aerial work, requiring special approval.
The purpose for such a flight can vary form lease requirement, maintenance, supplemental type certificates (STC) etc. This is no ordinary flight and we are intending to use the aircraft in a manner that is not intended for a standard flight – we are going to be testing or potentially testing non normal systems, as such we need to be trained and able to handle the expected failures above and beyond standard upset recovery training for regular line flying and additionally consider the following for any such flight:
Maintenance and Airworthiness: Ensure the aircraft is maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and EASA airworthiness requirements.
Airspace and ATC Coordination: Coordinate with relevant air traffic control authorities to obtain necessary clearances and ensure safe integration into the airspace.
Insurance and Liability: Secure appropriate insurance coverage to address potential liabilities arising from demonstration flights.
Environmental Impact: Assess and minimize the environmental impact of demonstration flights by optimizing flight profiles and minimizing noise emissions.
Each manufacturer such as Airbus has data for such flights and in Airbus case this is the In Service Aircraft Technical Flight Manual or ISATFM and we would consider the following is in place for an SPO/NCC provider:
Crew Qualifications: Ensure flight crew members hold appropriate type ratings and qualifications for the specific Airbus model.
Training Program: Develop and implement a comprehensive training program covering normal and abnormal procedures, emergency situations, and specific operational considerations for demonstration flights.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Establish clear and detailed SOPs for all phases of the demonstration flight.
Safety Management System (SMS): Integrate demonstration flights into the organization’s SMS to identify and mitigate potential risks.
Boeing, Embraer and many other manufacturers will have equivalent documents, processes and guidance.
Thoroughly review and comply with all relevant EASA regulations and manufacturer-specific documentation, conduct a comprehensive risk assessment before each demonstration flight and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
Ensure effective communication and coordination between all parties involved in the demonstration flight, including the flight crew, maintenance where applicable, ground crew, air traffic control, and relevant authorities.
Conducting demonstration flights under NCC or SPO classification requires meticulous planning and adherence to EASA regulations and manufacturer-specific requirements and specific approvals by the operating AOC for that flight.
By prioritizing safety, training, and operational excellence, organizations can successfully showcase the capabilities of various aircraft while maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety.
We have a wide range of different courses from CAMO to Aircraft Leasing and for compliant ferry / transition flight operations and demonstration flights we recommend Technical Flight Solutions