Sofema Aviation launches EASA de-icing and anti-icing training course

Sofema Aviation has released an online course for operators and ground personnel who manage winter aircraft de-icing and anti-icing compliance under EASA rules. The program is built around operator accountability, SAE standards and holdover-time procedures, with certification available after a passing assessment.

Why it matters: - Commercial air operators remain directly responsible for de-icing and anti-icing activities on their aircraft, including work done by third-party ground handlers. - The course is aimed at reducing compliance gaps and improving oversight during winter operations, when aircraft contamination and weather-driven timing issues can affect safety and departures.

What happened: - Sofema Aviation released an online training course called Aircraft De-icing & Anti-icing EASA Operators Responsibilities & Awareness - AS6285. - The course is built for flight operations managers, ground operations supervisors, safety auditors and Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation personnel. - The program is delivered online and can be taken at any time.

The details: - The training aligns with EASA Part-CAT requirements, SAE AS6285 Revision F specifications and SAE AS6286 DI-L30 training guidelines. - The syllabus covers regulatory oversight of third-party ground handling providers and how to maintain compliance with EASA operational mandates. - The course covers how to apply SAE AS6285 Rev F standards and SAE AS6286 DI-L30 guidance in manuals and checklists. - The technical content includes Type I, II, III and IV fluid specifications, chemical properties, limits and application criteria. - The course includes Holdover Time calculations for different weather conditions and fluid concentrations. - The syllabus includes post-application visual and tactile inspections of critical airframe surfaces. - The course also covers communication protocols between flight crews and ground personnel before taxi. - Quality assurance topics include fatigue, environmental stress, seasonal reviews and continuous quality audits. - The program is equivalent in scope to two days of classroom instruction. - Completion requires a 24-question multiple-choice assessment. - A minimum score of 75% is required to earn an official certificate. - The registration fee is 135.00 EUR.

Between the lines: - The course reflects a broader push to formalize winter-ops oversight as a documented compliance process, not just a ground-handling task. - By centering operator responsibility, the training signals that airlines need stronger internal controls over subcontracted services and not just vendor execution.

What's next: - Operators and ground teams can enroll in the self-paced module and use the certificate as evidence of training completion. - The course is likely to be used by organizations looking to standardize winter-operation procedures and audit readiness across departments.