Preparing for a Safe

Return to the Skies

Publication Date: June 26, 2020

Aircraft that were parked or stored due to the impacts of the

COVID-19 sanitary crisis are progressively returning to the
skies. It is in this context that Airbus has already received
several reports of rejected takeoff (RTO) and in-flight turn back
(IFTB) events due to unreliable airspeed. All of these events
had positive outcomes thanks to the actions of the flight crews.
It does however illustrate the challenges for returning aircraft to
flying, after they are parked or stored, and if the maintenance
procedures are not followed in all cases.
This is why we take this opportunity to share all of the available
Airbus information and industry guidelines that can support
Operators to ensure their safe return to the skies.
This article is also available on ​safetyfirst.airbus.com and on the Safety first
app for iOS and Android devices. It may be updated to add any new
available information.

Safety first - June 2020 Page 1/9

SOME WARNING SIGNS FROM
THE FIELD
With the return to operations of some aircraft that were previously parked or
stored due to the COVID-19 situation, Airbus received several reports of
incidents that may have been caused by not applying all AMM/MP/AMP
procedures for parking and storage or not completing all of the tasks required
for returning an aircraft into service after Parking or Storage.

Several Air Data Issues were Reported

Since March 2020, 15 occurrences of rejected takeoff or in-flight turn back due “Out of 15
to unreliable airspeed were reported to Airbus. Out of 15 events, 11 of these
were confirmed to have occurred during the first flight following a period where reported
the aircraft had been parked or stored. In comparison, Airbus has received an unreliable
average of one reported event of probe obstruction on ground per month for the
last two years. This shows a clear warning sign with this sudden increase of airspeed events
reported occurrences.
during takeoff
14 out of 15 reported events were caused by foreign objects obstructing the since March
Pitot air pressure line.
2020, 11 of
It is important that the air data probes are covered for the entire time an aircraft
is parked or stored. Flushing the air data pressure lines (in accordance with the these were
AMM procedure) must be done if the aircraft was parked or stored for more than
one month, even if the covers were in place the entire time. Flushing may even
confirmed to
be required earlier. For example, aircraft parked for less than one month where have occurred
certain conditions may cause contamination of the Air data pressure lines or
obstructions in the Pitot probes, such as nesting insects, dust or sand. Further during the first
information can be found in the following publications. flight following a
- ISI 34.11.00026 - “A320FAM and A330/A340 Pitot probes - Description, period where the
evolutions and maintenance recommendations”
aircraft had
- “​Pitot Probe Performance Covered on the Ground​” Safety first article
published in 2016
been parked or
stored.”
The Importance of Following the Published
Procedures
Warning signs from the field highlight the need to follow the published AMM/MP
procedure for parking or storing aircraft, and also for the return into service of
aircraft.

As an additional support for Operators, this article lists any information which
was published by Airbus during the current COVID-19 sanitary crisis. It also
recalls any materials already available with the objective of helping Operators to
safely park or store their aircraft and subsequently ensure their safe return to
operations.

Safety first - June 2020 Page 2/9

 INFORMATION SHARED ABOUT
PARKING & STORAGE
General Information
- OIT 999.0019/20 - “Parking and Storage: Exceptional Procedures and
Recommendations Related to COVID-19 Massive Grounding Situation”
- A220 aircraft ​- Airbus Canada “​AOM ref: CS-AOM-21-00-0001​”
- OIT 999.0026/20 ​- “Scheduled Maintenance Clock Stoppage further to
COVID-19 grounding situation”
- Safety first article​ - “​Aircraft Parking and Storage​”
- Maintenance Briefing Note​ - “Maintenance during aircraft storage”
- Airbus Fast magazine #65​ “Protecting precious assets” article
- ISI 25.50.00115 - “​Cargo Operations Guidance - Aircraft parked used as
ULD storage”
- Safety first article - “​Preventing Violent Door Opening Due to Residual
Cabin Pressure​”

Frequently Asked Questions on Parking and Storage

- ISI 10.00.00016​ - “FAQ Table of Content”
- ISI 10.00.00001 - “When is it necessary to park or store an aircraft? Can
an aircraft out of operation be maintained with the approved maintenance
programme?”
- ISI 10.00.00002 - “Where can I find procedures for the parking or storage
of aircraft? Are they mandatory?”
- ISI 10.00.00003 - “Is it necessary to park or store an aircraft before a
scheduled maintenance check, a working party or a cabin refurbishing?”
- ISI 10.00.00004 - “What can I do when the parking or storage period has
expired?”
- ISI 10.00.00005 - “Is it possible to remove parts from an aircraft in
parking or storage condition?”
- ISI 10.00.00006 - “How shall the due dates of the periodic ground checks
be calculated?”
- ISI 10.00.00007 - “How does a parking or storage period influence the
scheduled maintenance?”
- ISI 10.00.00008 - “Who shall I ask regarding any questions related to the
engines and the APU?”
- ISI 10.00.00009 - “How can Airbus support me regarding aircraft parking
or storage?”
- ISI 10.00.00010 - “What shall I consider if I request a “Technical
Adaptation” document from Airbus to cover parking or storage
deviations?

Safety first - June 2020 Page 3/9

 Information and Exceptional deviation from Parking
and Storage AMM/MP/AMP Procedures per Aircraft
System
The Airbus design office and customer support teams developed and published
some exceptional deviations from AMM/MP/AMP procedures that may be applied
to address Operator difficulties and to cope with all of their needs due to the
massive requirement to park and store aircraft in the context of the current
sanitary crisis. The ​OIT 999.0019/20 - “Parking and Storage: Exceptional
Procedures and Recommendations Related to COVID-19 Massive Grounding
Situation”, which was sent to Operators, is regularly updated with new
information regarding any approved deviations. Certain allowable deviations are
also described in several ISI articles available for download on the AirbusWorld
portal. This information was recently explained in Airbus Engineering Support
webinars with Operators. The presentations used during these events are
available in ​ISI 10.00.00020​ - “Webinar presentation & MoM”.

Electrical System

- ISI 24.00.00046 - “​Electrical Power Generation & Distribution Systems:

Recommendations for Parking & Storage during COVID19 period”

Flight Controls System

- ISI 27.00.00098 - A320Fam - “Deviations to Parking and Storage

Maintenance Procedures related to ATA 27 Flight Control Systems and
associated components already covered by a TA”
- ISI 27.00.00099 - A330/A340 - “Deviations to Parking and Storage
Maintenance Procedures related to ATA 27 Flight Control Systems and
associated components already covered by a TA”
- ISI 27.00.00100 - A350 - “Deviations to Parking and Storage
Maintenance Procedures related to ATA 27 Flight Control Systems and
associated components already covered by a TA”
- ISI 27.00.00101 - A380 - “Deviations to Parking and Storage
Maintenance Procedures related to ATA 27 Flight Control Systems and
associated components already covered by a TA”

Fuel System

- ISI 28.00.00166 - “Fuel Parking and Storage Procedures deviation

policy”
- OIT 999.0053/19 ATA 28 – “Recommendation on the use of Kathon
FP1.5 Biocide”

Hydraulic System

- ISI 29.00.00213 - “Deviations from Parking And Storage AMM

Procedures related to ATA 29”

Safety first - June 2020 Page 4/9

 Landing Gear System

- ISI 32.00.00178 - “Deviations to Parking And Storage AMM Procedures

related to Landing Gear”
- ISI 32.00.00179 - “Deviations from Parking And Storage AMM
Procedures”
- ISI 32.40.00066 - “Wheels and Brakes Corrosion during Parking -
request for feedback”
- ISI 32.40.00067 ​- “Deviations to Parking And Storage AMM Procedures
related to Braking and Steering Systems and associated components
ATA 32-4X and 32-5X already covered by TA (A320)”
- ISI 32.40.00069 - “Deviations to Parking And Storage AMM Procedures
related to Braking and Steering Systems and associated components
ATA 32-4X and 32-5X already covered by TA (A350)”
- ISI 32.40.00070 - “Deviations to Parking And Storage AMM Procedures
related to Braking and Steering Systems and associated components
ATA 32-4X and 32-5X already covered by TA (A330/A340)”
- ISI 32.40.00071 - “Deviations to Parking And Storage AMM Procedures
related to Braking and Steering Systems and associated components
ATA 32-4X and 32-5X already covered by TA (A380)”
- ISI 32.41.00102 - “Mitigations to wheels removal requirement after
parking / storage period exceeding 3 months / 12 weeks”

Lighting System

- ISI 33.51.00004 - “EPSU batteries storage handling and charging

procedure at installation on aircraft”

Navigation System

- ISI 34.11.00026 - “A320FAM and A330/A340 Pitot probes - Description,

evolutions and maintenance recommendations”
- “​Pitot Probe Performance Covered on the Ground​” Safety first article
published in 2016

Pneumatic System

- OIT 999.0037/20 - ”​ATA36 - maintenance actions & recommendations

after long parking period”

Auxiliary Power Unit

- ISI 49.00.00092 -​ “APU Parking Procedure deviation policy”

Engine System

- ISI 71.00.00075 - “Engine / nacelle recommendations and acceptable

deviations for parking/storage and return to service (RTS)”

Safety first - June 2020 Page 5/9

 SAFE RETURN TO OPERATIONS
“Keep trust in Air Travel” Initiative
The COVID-19 sanitary crisis has suddenly and deeply impacted air
transportation. In this context, Airbus has reacted quickly and started to provide
solutions to enable a safe return to operations whilst keeping the trust of
passengers and crews returning to flying.

In response, Airbus launched the “Keep trust in Air Travel” program. The
objective is to find the solutions that will enable Airlines to recover as quickly as
possible from the current crisis and make passengers feel that they can safely
come back on board an aircraft. The various themes of “Keep trust in Air Travel”
cover how to keep trust in Airbus cabin and aircraft overall - for example: with
seamless hygienic travel solutions in the cabin and how to contribute with
governmental and regulatory agencies to keep trust in the overall transport
system. This includes the time before entering an airport or an aircraft, how to
accompany airports for even safer airport operations, or how to take into account
psychological aspects to keep trust in air travel.

Several webinars have already shared ​“Keep Trust in Air Travel” project’s
outcome and progress with Airlines and a Facebook Live event was hosted by
Jean-Brice Dumont - Airbus EVP Engineering for Q&A with the travelling public.
https://www.facebook.com/airbus/videos/582384906021127/

An illustrative video called, “Cabin air flow and ventilation in an Airbus

aircraft: how does it work?” i​ s also available on the Airbus Facebook channel.
https://www.facebook.com/airbus/videos/272008560615125/?vh=e

Management of COVID-19
- OIT 999.0008/20 - “​ATA 21 – Virus Outbreaks - Novel Coronavirus
(2019-nCov)”
- ISI 12.00.00008 - “COVID-19 - Coronavirus / Cleaning & Disinfection /
disinfectants products & procedures applicable to SARS-Cov2
(COVID-19) disinfection of aircrafts in operation”
- ISI 21.00.00119 - “COVID-19 (CoronaVirus) and Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome (MERS)”
- ISI 00.00.00374 - “[PED] Usage of bluetooth SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
tracking apps on AIRBUS commercial aircraft”

Cargo Operations
- ISI 25.50.00117​ - “Cargo / General Guidance To Covid19 Situation”

Cargo Transportation in the Aircraft Cabin

- OIT 999-0033/20​ - “Cargo Transportation in the cabin”
- ISI 00.00.00370 - “How to transport cargo in the aircraft cabin during
COVID-19 outbreak? communicated via ​FOT 999.0028/20 Cargo
Transportation in the Cabin”
- Web Conference -​“Cargo Transport in Cabin - Latest Update/Current
Airbus Solution” held on April 27, 2020. Presentation materials are

Safety first - June 2020 Page 6/9

 available on AirbusWorld in “Events” - “Conferences and forums” - “Flight
Operations Web Conferences”.

Guidelines to Flight and Cabin Crews

● ISI 00.00.00373 - “Keep Trust in Air Travel - Flight Operations - General
Guidelines for Cockpit and Cabin Crews during SARs-COV-2 (Covid-19)
crisis” communicated via ​FOT 999.0039/20 “Keep trust in Air Travel -
Flight Operations - General Guidelines For Cockpit And Cabin Crews
During Sars-cov-2 (Covid-19) Crisis”
● ISI 00.00.00377 - “​Aircraft Return into Service - Flight Operations
Guidelines” (to be published by end of June) announced via ​FOT
999.0044/20​ “Aircraft Return into Service - Flight Operations Guidelines”
● Web Conference - ​“Aircraft Return to Service - Flight Operations
Guidelines” held on June 16, 2020. Presentation materials will soon be
available on AirbusWorld in “Events” - “Conferences and forums” - “Flight
Operations Web Conferences”.

Security
- SIT 2020-011/01 - “Security Guidance for Aircraft Return into Service” to
be published by the end of June.

Other References
ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Taskforce (CART)
https://www.icao.int/covid/cart/Pages/default.aspx
Includes: CART Report - Executive Summary
Guidance for Air Travel through the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis

IATA COVID-19: Resources for Airlines & Air Transport Professionals

https://www.iata.org/en/programs/covid-19-resources-guidelines/

EASA guidelines on the progressive restoration of transport services and

connectivity
https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/communication_transportservices.pdf

EASA COVID-19 Aviation Health Safety Protocol

https://www.easa.europa.eu/document-library/general-publications/covid-19-aviat
ion-health-safety-protocol

EASA SIB 2020-02R4 - 07.04.2020

https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2020-02R4

FAA SAFO 20009 - 11.05.2020

https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/
safo/all_safos/media/2020/SAFO20009.pdf

WHO Operational Considerations for managing COVID-19 cases or outbreak in

aviation - 18.03.2020
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/331488

Safety first - June 2020 Page 7/9

 Contributors: The COVID-19 crisis has led to very significant challenges for
the world and the commercial aviation sector in particular.
Benjamin CALVET
Senior Engineer - Air and Inerting
With this in mind, it remains every aviation actor’s duty to
System reinforce our collective vigilance, ensuring that together we
Customer Support can achieve a successful and safe return to flying.

Laval CHAN KAM FAI Let us take these reported unreliable airspeed events with
Senior Expert Flight Operations and positive outcomes as an opportunity to remind all of us of the
Training need for reinforced vigilance
Flight Operations Support

Benoît DUQUESNE
Air Data system Support Engineer
Customer Support

Leon ELTON
Engineering Support
Customer Support

Mathieu LAUSSEL
Landing Gear System Support
Engineer
Customer Support

Christoph MAIER
Customer Manager
Scheduled Maintenance Services

NOEL BETEMPS Jean-Victor

Safety Officer Delegate
Customer Support

Luc RICARD
Electrical Power Systems Support
Engineer
Customer Support

With thanks to:

Sandra BERGER, Gilles

CHASTANET, Christophe
DUPHIL, Bruno FARGEON, Ian
GOODWIN, Marc HAMY, Thibaut
JACQUIN, Steve MONTGOMERY
and Capt. Xavier PEPIN

Safety first - June 2020 Page 8/9

 Safety first​, 2020. Safety first is
published by Airbus S.A.S. 1, rond
point Maurice Bellonte - 31707
Blagnac Cedex/France.

Publisher and Editor: Yannick

Malinge, Chief Product Safety Officer. The Airbus magazine contributing to the enhancement of the safety of aircraft
Photos by Airbus.
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