What should the competent authority assess and verify when approving an individual fuel/energy scheme for a VCA operator?

The competent authority should assess and verify: (1) documentation and procedures relevant to fuel/energy planning, in-flight replanning policy, and in-flight fuel/energy management policy; (2) the method for selection of vertiports, diversion locations and/or VEMS operating sites; (3) VCA-fleet-specific and route-/area-specific items; (4) the VCA operator's management system, particularly safety risk management and performance monitoring; and (5) pilot training and experience relevant to SOPs and systems supporting the scheme.

Which specific items related to VCA fleet and route/area must be considered during the approval of a fuel/energy scheme?

The items include: averaged consumption data per type of VCA and specific consumption data per route/area; performance characteristics and required performance under the proposed scheme; impact of weather on usable fuel/energy and reserves; efficiency and capacity of energy storage devices and their degradation during normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures; reliability of the fuel/energy system including measurement and display accuracy; and the routes/areas where the scheme will be used.

How should the competent authority collect statistically relevant data for verifying a VCA operator's fuel/energy scheme?

The competent authority's inspectors should consider the specificities of each VCA operator's operations. Data should be collected for a period of at least 6 months, or for a period agreed with the competent authority.

What role does pilot training play in the approval of an individual fuel/energy scheme?

The competent authority should assess pilot training and experience as relevant to the use of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and systems that support the individual fuel/energy scheme.

What factors related to energy storage devices must be verified under the proposed fuel/energy scheme?

The efficiency and capacity of energy storage devices for the planned operating conditions, and the degradation of those devices during normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures.

What is the significance of weather impact in the approval of a fuel/energy scheme?

The competent authority should assess the impact of weather on the usable fuel/energy and reserves as part of the VCA-fleet-specific and route-/area-specific items.

AMC2 ARO.OPS.224 Approval of fuel/energy schemes for IAM operations

Q: Does the approval process require the competent authority to review the VCA operator's management system? If so, what aspects are specifically mentioned?

Yes, the competent authority should assess the VCA operator's management system, particularly with regard to safety risk management, and the processes for performance monitoring and measurement.

Q: Which documentation and procedures must be reviewed by the competent authority for fuel/energy planning and management?

The documentation and procedures relevant to the VCA operator's fuel/energy planning and in-flight replanning policy, and the in-flight fuel/energy management policy.

Q: How should the competent authority handle the selection of vertiports and diversion locations during the approval?

The competent authority should assess and verify the method for the selection of vertiports, diversion locations and/or VEMS operating sites, as applicable, and the relevant documentation.

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AMC2 ARO.OPS.224 Approval of fuel/energy schemes for IAM operations

ED Decision 2025/010/R

APPROVAL OF INDIVIDUAL FUEL/ENERGY SCHEMES — VERIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT

(a) For the purpose of approving the individual fuel/energy scheme of a VCA operator, the competent authority should assess and verify the following:

(1) the documentation and procedures relevant to the VCA operator’s fuel/energy planning and in-flight replanning policy, and the in-flight fuel/energy management policy;

(2) the method for the selection of vertiports, diversion locations and/or VEMS operating sites, as applicable, and relevant documentation;

(3) VCA-fleet-specific and route-/area-specific items:

(i) averaged consumption data as per type of VCA and specific consumption data as per route/area;

(ii) performance characteristics and performance required under the proposed fuel/energy scheme;

(iii) the impact of weather on the usable fuel/energy and reserves;

(iv) the efficiency and capacity of energy storage devices for the planned operating conditions and degradation of those devices during normal, abnormal and emergency procedures;

(v) the reliability of the fuel/energy system, including the accuracy of the fuel/energy measurement and displaying equipment;

(vi) the route(s) and/or area(s) of operation where the individual fuel/energy scheme will be used;

(4) the VCA operator’s management system, particularly with regard to safety risk management, and the VCA operator’s processes for performance monitoring and measurement;

(5) pilot training and experience as relevant to the use of SOPs and systems that support the individual fuel/energy scheme.

(b) When collecting statistically relevant data, the competent authority’s inspectors should consider the specificities of the operations of each VCA operator. The data should be collected for a period of at least 6 months, or for a period agreed with the competent authority.

Details

Source-Title: AMC2 ARO.OPS.224 Approval of fuel/energy schemes for IAM operations View latest amendments

Erulesid: ERULES-1963177438-23742 Compare versions

Domain: Air operations

Amendedby: Issue 3, Amendment 16

Applicabilitydate: 9 July, 2025

Entryintoforcedate: 9 July, 2025

Regulatorysource: ED Decision 2025/010/R Navigate

Regulatorysubject: Part-ARO

Typeofcontent: AMC to IR (Acceptable means of compliance to implementing rule)

Parentir: ARO.OPS.224 Approval of fuel/energy schemes for IAM operations

Origin: EASA

Category: EAR