AFAC (Mexico’s Civil Aviation Authority) implemented a comprehensive Ramp Inspection Program on December 16th, 2024, and will continue until January 15th, 2025. The primary concerns are to ensure compliance with operational security procedures and, in the process, protect all stakeholders involved in business aviation operations within Mexico.

According to Universal Aviation Mexico, this program will affect the following:

• International flights
• Domestic Operations
• Regular and non-regular flights
• Cargo operations
• Commercial aircraft

  Created: 17 December 2024

  Read more: Comprehensive Ramp Inspection Program implemented in Mexico

As per the latest United Kingdom AIP, it is now mandatory to modify the last assigned transponder code to 2000 in the Shanwick FIR within 10 minutes instead of 30 minutes. This change will make the timing consistent with the requirements when operating on Tango 9, Tango 290, and Tango 213. The 10-minute requirement is also in place when entering the Shanwick FIR when transferred from Reykjavik and no later than 10 minutes after entry. This procedure does not affect the use of Special Purpose Codes 7500, 7600, and 7700 in cases of unlawful interference, radio failure, or emergency.

According to a communication from NAV CANADA, Gander Oceanic has decided not to implement the change to a 10-minute requirement at this time. The 30-minute requirement will continue to be in place. Be sure to refer to the current AIPs where operations are planned and the current version of NAT DOC 007.

Created: 11 July 2023

NAV CANADA had previously published that the mandate for space-based ADS-B in Canadian domestic airspace would be effective for aircraft operating in Class A and B airspace above 12,500 feet as of February 23, 2023. Class B, C, D, and E Canadian airspace will not be mandated before 2026.

On August 2, 2022, NAV CANADA published an updated time for the mandate to become effective due to supply chain issues related to the COVID pandemic regarding delays in acquiring and installing the necessary transponder equipment. The equipage levels in each airspace class are still not the expected level. The level of equipage in Class A airspace is at 95%, and Class B is above 88% and increasing.

Created: 11 August 2022

Read more: Space-based ADS-B Mandate coming to Canadian airspace

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has made significant changes to the RIM Appendix 1 – Inspection Instructions and Pre-Described Findings. The revision is extensive and will require reviewing and updating your SAFA checklists and documentation to meet the new and revised items.

Highlights of the changes include:

• PDFs, as used in this document, refer to pre-described findings and not a document type
• New inspection instructions for General Aviation / NCC (non-commercial) operations and pre-described findings
• New layout/structure of the instructions, pre-described findings, and standard references
• Update of standard references
• New definitions
• New quick reference guide for finding placards, markings, and the corresponding instructions in inspection items

Created: 29 June 2022

Read more: EASA SAFA Ramp Inspection Manual Update