RIP
Summary
2/21/2025. Read time 10 min.
This article first appeared in POPA Magazine Winter 2025.
The Ramp Inspection Program (RIP) is an EASA equivalent to an FAA ramp inspection. It is the way operators are monitored to ensure compliance with regulations. The 53-point inspection RIP is more invasive and detailed than what you’re used to. Knowing what is expected ahead of time and preparing properly will expedite the process. The full Ramp Inspection Manual is available on the EASA website for download.
Details
In 1763, North Britain No. 45 published an anonymous critique of King George III's speech on the heels of the Treaty of Paris. The speechwriter, Prime Minister Lord Bute, was the brunt of the attack, but shots at the King were taken- calling him a dupe and weak for not understanding the speech.
The Secretary of State, Lord Halifax, then issued a warrant for the search and seizure of this anonymous author and any papers on accounts of sedition and treason. This general warrant allowed the Crown to search anyone and any place under mere suspicion. The author, John Wilkes, unknowingly set in motion the foundation for the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution.
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
This core tenant of personal rights provides one of the world's strongest protections against government intrusion of peaceful citizens minding their private business. Growing up as an American, this inalienable right is assumed to be universal. However, as you touchdown somewhere other than the land of the free, it is vital to know that other governments are not as restricted in poking into your affairs.
FAA Ramp Inspections
First things first, an airplane is not the same as your house. It is a licensed activity that affects the safety of others - and, therefore, has FAA oversight to ensure compliance with safety regulations. That said, if you compare an FAA Ramp Inspection to an EASA Ramp Inspection, you will see the spirit of the 4th Amendment is still reflected in the process.
Everyone has heard horror stories of FAA inspectors violating protocol and pilots' rights egregiously. I'm sure it does happen, but before you invoke the 4th and demand a warrant on your next ramp check, equip yourself with correct expectations on what an inspector can or cannot do.
Order 8900.1A is the source document governing the actions of aviation safety inspectors (ASI) and flight standard service employees (FS). This document is the FSDO's playbook. Volume 6, Chapter 1, Section 4 covers an ASI's conduct on Part 91 ramp inspections. Gleaning what we can, here is a paraphrased summary of an inspector's actions.
Cans
Can conduct ramp inspections! Most commonly, this is due to observed unsafe operation, notification from ATC of unsafe operation, or obvious airworthiness discrepancies. And, they can also inspect as part of routine surveillance activities.
Can ask for pilot documents: License, medical, photo ID, and FCC radio station license (if you have one), and pilot logbooks (if available).
Can ask for Aircraft Documents: Airworthiness Certificate, Registration, AFM, Weight & Balance (equipment list), and Maintenance logbooks (if available).
Can inspect operator documents: Leasing documents (if applicable), MELs, and other LOAs and manuals. Examples: Cat II/III approaches, RVSM, and NAT HLA.
Can inspect the exterior (like a pre-flight inspection), and if you give consent, a host of items on the aircraft interior:
Seats, seat belts, VOR checks, ELT installation and expiration, aircraft ID plate, and placards.
Jets and large twins (12,500+ lbs) add the following items:
Emergency checklist, one-engine climb performance data, current charts, a working flashlight, overwater radio equipment (if you conduct those ops), survival equipment, working aural speed warning (transport category aircraft), working smoking and seatbelt signs, fire extinguishers, passenger briefing cards, and a working altitude alerting system.
The list is surprising. Most get taught the basics of ramp inspections when training in small aircraft when many items don't apply. However, as the size and speed of aircraft increase - and therefore potential collateral damage, so does the level of regulation and oversight. And the interior items often get brushed under the rug because you do not have to consent to search the interior or your aircraft.
Can'ts
Can't conduct a ramp inspection without their FAA credentials.
Can't open or board an aircraft without knowledge and consent.
Can't delay a flight - sans safety issues.
Can't require crewmembers to submit alcohol or drug tests. However, they can request a law enforcement officer to request a test if they suspect you are under the influence.
Can't conduct ramp inspections on private property (i.e., in a hangar) if permission to access the property is withdrawn.
Based on the findings, you may be complimented! - at least, that's what the guidance says to do. Or, you may be issued a Letter of Correction followed by followup investigations or inspections to ensure remediation. In severe cases, inspectors have emergency revocation authority.
EASA RIP
Turning abroad, EASA's Ramp Inspection Program has a wrap of being invasive, burdensome, and full of traps - probably because of differing expectations. Formally called a SAFA inspection, the RIP is an expanded version rolled out in 2021 and now applies to all aircraft. Since then, it's gone through four revisions.
RIP differentiates between EU community operators (SACA) and foreign operators (SAFA). Most ramp inspections (85%) focus on commercial transport providers. While you may not fly to the European continent, these inspections also occur in EU territories in the Caribbean.
Countries outside of the EU may be jumping on board with RIP inspections in the future - so it's good to know what you can expect and how this 53-point inspection differs from an FAA ramp check. The primary source for the below summary applicable to GA SAFA operators is the EASA Ramp Inspection Program Manual.
Cans
Can perform targeted ramp inspections for suspicious operators and random inspections to ensure compliance with regulations.
Can inspect flight crew licenses, flight operation documentation, aircraft documents, aircraft condition, mandatory cabin safety equipment, and the cargo area.
Can board your aircraft. You must be present, but EU inspectors do not need your consent.
Can complete a walkaround inspection without you there.
Can take pictures.
Can conduct breath alcohol concentration tests.
Can impose flight operation restrictions, request immediate corrective actions, ground an aircraft, or impose an immediate operating ban based on the severity of findings.
Can report you to the FAA (or other home aviation authority) for violations.
Can omit some inspection items.
Can'ts
Can't open doors or panels without your assistance. If leaks are suspected, they can probe further with crew assistance.
Can't remove items for further inspection.
Can't use special tools other than mirrors or flashlights.
Can't delay flights or cause crew members to exceed duty times.
EASA loves detailed paperwork. Every inspection item is painstakingly fleshed out, the benefit being you will know precisely what inspectors are looking for and the consequences of their findings. Inspectors will assign category 1 (minor), 2 (significant), or 3 (major) findings based on the ramp check. Any Cat 2 or up is reported to your home aviation authority to ensure the operator completes needed corrective actions.
Category 3 is further divided by increasing severity into 3a, 3b, 3c, and, you guessed it, 3d. Operational restrictions may be placed on the operator for Class 3a findings (VFR only, max altitude limits, number of passengers, runway lengths, etc.) Class 3b can require immediate corrective actions (recalculate W&B, restrain cargo, write MEL deferral, acquire electronic copies of required documents, etc.). Now it's getting severe. A 3c offense results in the inspector grounding an aircraft. It is issued in cases where the crew:
refuses the inspection
significantly hinders the inspection
refuses to take the necessary corrective actions
does not respect imposed restrictions on the aircraft flight operation
Finally, 3d is an operational ban, a "don't come back till you fix it notice" that can be thrown in along with another class 3 finding.
53 Items
The ramp inspection checklist contains 53 items. Of these, 24 (A-items) are in the cockpit, 14 (B-items) are cabin-related, 11 (C) pertain to the aircraft condition, 3 (D) are for cargo, and a final general/ catch-all (E) item. The inspector will work primarily with the captain. And while the list appears daunting, much of the length is due to definition thoroughness. Not all items need to be inspected unless there is suspicion.
You can see exactly what inspectors are looking for and the consequences of non-compliance by downloading and referencing the Ramp Inspection Manual (RIM) Appendix 1, currently issue 6.
A Items: Cockpit
A01 General Condition
A02 Emergency Exit
A03 Equipment: Required equipment for aircraft and operation, such as TAWS, TCAS, RVSM, PBN, NAT HLA, 8.33 kHz radios, and EFBs.
A04 Manuals: AFM and OM (Operating Manual if applicable)
A05 Checklists
A06 Radio Navigation/instrument charts: current FMS/GPS database, current charts
A07 Minimum Equipment List: D195 LOA. A D095 MEL is a Cat 2 finding.
A08 Certificate of Registration
A09 Noise Certificate: AFM reference or standalone certificate.
A10 LOAs
A11 Aircraft Radio License
A12 Certificate of Airworthiness
A13 Flight Preparation: flight plan, performance and fuel calculation, alternates, weather, NOTAMs. Refueling with passengers on board: qualified personnel is at the required positions (nozzle and entry doorway), and two-way communication with the ground crew is maintained.
A14 Weight and balance calculation: accurate for fuel load, actual passenger/cargo distribution, and within limits.
A15 Fire Extinguishers
A16 Life Jackets and Flotation Devices (as required for operation)
A17 Seat Belts
A18 Oxygen: bottle and masks
A19 Flash Light
A20 Flight Crew Documents and Equipment: pilot license and ratings, medical, duty times, spare glasses (if required to wear corrective lenses).
A21 Journey Logbook
A22 Maintenance Release: how the pilot ensures the aircraft is airworthy and maintenance has been performed.
A23 Defect Notification and Rectification: MEL or CDL open items, CAS messages, and M&O procedures applied.
A24 Pre-Flight Inspection: completed by crew.
B Items: Cabin
B01 General Internal Condition: Crew bags are securely stowed, no loose or heavy objects in the cabin/galleys, and no luggage in lavs (all Cat 3 findings).
B02 Cabin Crew Station and Rest Area: works and has life jackets.
B03 First Aid Kit: has identification of contained supplies and has not expired.
B04 Fire Extinguishers
B05 Life Jackets / Flotation Devices
B06 Seats and Seat Belts
B07 Emergency Exits, Lights, and Markings.
B08 Life Rafts and ELT: Pyrotechnical signals (if required). 406 MHz/121.5 MHz ELT, non-expired battery.
B09 Oxygen Supply in the Cabin
B10 Safety Instructions: Enough emergency briefing cards for each passenger seat or evidence that the crew briefs necessary emergency information.
B11 Cabin Crew Members: Familiar with emergency equipment and within duty times.
B12 Emergency Exit Access: not impeded.
B13 Passenger Baggage: stowed.
B14 Seat Capacity
C Items: Aircraft Condition (like a pre-flight inspection)
C01 General External Condition: all there and no ice.
C02 Doors and Hatches
C03 Flight Controls: leaks, static wicks.
C04 Wheels, Tires, Brakes: wear, inflation, leaks
C05 Undercarriage: leaks, strut extension
C06 Wheel Well
C07 Power Plant and Pylon
C08 Fan Blades / Propellers: FOD damage
C09 Obvious Repairs: i.e., duct tape repairs
C10 Obvious Un-Repaired Damage
C11 Leakage: fuel, hydraulic, lav
D Items: Cargo
D01 General Condition of Cargo Compartment
D02 Dangerous Goods: HAZMAT (Aerosol cans, lithium-ion batteries, oxygen tanks, etc.)
D03 Secured Cargo
E Item: General
E01 General / Catch all. Also includes:
Alcohol Blood Concentration tests for crew members - a refusal to test is a Cat 3 finding (0.02 BAC limit, and can retest 15 min after a positive test)
Third-party liability insurance certificate.
Whew! I'm starting to miss the FAA! Big takeaways: have your paperwork in order, complete accurate flight planning and performance calculations, stay on top of maintaining your aircraft, and cooperate with the process - you're not in Kansas anymore.
Aviate
Download a copy of the RIM, currently Issue 6, from the EASA website.
Run through a mock RIP inspection.
