EU aviation association calls for updating of cockpit procedures

The European Aviation Safety Association (EASA) has released an Aviation Safety Information Bulletin advising national aviation authorities to implement procedures that would ensure that at more than one person is in an aircraft’s cockpit at all times.

In the wake of the Germanwings flight 4U9525 accident, several international airlines have supplemented their safety procedures with protocols ensuring that no one person is left alone in the cockpit at any given time.

“The Agency recommends operators to re-assess the safety and security risks associated with flight crew members leaving the flight crew compartment due to operational or physiological needs during non-critical phases of flight,” EASA said in its bulletin.

“Based on this assessment, operators are recommended to implement procedures requiring at least two (authorized) persons to be in the flight crew compartment at all times, or other equivalent mitigating measures to address risks identified by the operator’s revised assessment.”