EASA launches Airworthiness Convergence project with Ukraine

A new chapter in EU-Ukraine aviation relations started today with the official launch of a new cooperation project between EASA and SAAU (State Aviation Administration of Ukraine) in the area of airworthiness. The three-year project, managed by EASA, is designed to support the implementation in Ukraine of EU airworthiness rules, and thus prepare the country’s participation to EASA’s activities.

The launch follows the signature of an Arrangement between the European Commission and the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine on the convergence of certification systems on 16 January 2017. To support this Arrangement, the project will focus on the development and implementation of a so-called “Convergence document”, and on technical cooperation activities in the fields of initial and continuing airworthiness.

Luc Tytgat, EASA’s Director for Strategy and Safety Management, said: “EASA supports SAAU’s endeavors to transition towards EU-based requirements and standards in the area of airworthiness. The EASA-SAAU Airworthiness Convergence project will further enhance the partnership and cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in aviation”.

"This support from the EASA side constitutes the significant factor for the development of competencies and capacities of the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine in the field of airworthiness, especially in the framework of the implementation of the EU standards in the aviation domain.

We are very grateful to the European colleagues for the proposed intensive plan of work and we plan to finalise the Convergence document by the end of the 3d quarter of 2017", - said Mr Alexandr Bilchuk, Chairman of the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine.