Ensuring Aviation Safety: The Importance of Ramp Inspection Training

12 November 2025

As global air traffic volumes continue to rise, so does the importance of effective regulatory oversight.

At the heart of this oversight within Europe lies the mandatory safety EU Ramp Inspection Programme (SAFA), a safety initiative designed to ensure that operators maintain the highest standards of compliance. To discuss the role of ramp inspections and how inspectors are trained and kept current, we spoke with Jeffrey Dessing, Subject Matter Expert SAFA and qualified instructor at JAA Training Organisation (JAA TO).

Q: Ramp inspections have been part of aviation oversight for many years. Why are they so critical today?

Jeffrey Dessing: Ramp inspections have been an integral part of aviation safety since the mid-1990s, and programmes began on a voluntary basis in Europe. In 2006, these safety programmes became mandatory, and I personally started conducting ramp checks in 2007.

Their value is clear: they have a demonstrably positive impact on operator safety performance. Beyond fulfilling regulatory obligations, ramp inspections are one of the most effective ways to verify that airlines maintain the standards required for safe operations.

A memorable group photo from the SAFA practical day at Schiphol Airport in collaboration with KLM.

Q: JAA TO delivers EU Ramp Inspection Initial Theoretical and Practical, Recurrent and Awareness training. How does this training prepare inspectors and operators for their role?

JD: The Initial training is built around two essential elements – theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The syllabus, developed in line with EASA requirements, ensures Inspectors and Operators are familiar with regulations, checklists, and Pre-Described Findings. However, the course is not only about technical detail. We emphasise the role of Inspectors as safety assessors. They are part of a wider safety system, and their ability to make sound judgments is just as important as their technical expertise.

The practical day, held at Schiphol Airport, is indispensable. It allows participants to apply classroom knowledge to a real aircraft and to begin seeing the aircraft through the lens of an Inspector. That shift in perspective is one of the most valuable outcomes of the course.

Q: What do participants find most challenging about the training?

JD: The practical day is both the most challenging and the most rewarding part of the programme. Participants must look beyond their own specialisation - whether in flight operations, cabin safety, or engineering and develop a broader perspective.

An engineer, for example, may be drawn to the exterior of the aircraft, while a cabin safety specialist naturally focuses on the interior. But every area presents unique challenges, and inspectors need to be capable of assessing them. The training helps them make that transition.

The instructor in action during the training session.

Q: Ramp inspections are carried out worldwide. How does the training reflect this international dimension?

JD: The EU Ramp Inspection Programme is based on ICAO standards, but Inspectors must also distinguish between European operators and third-country operators (TCOs). Each follows different regulatory frameworks, and inspectors must be able to navigate both.

During training, we work through these distinctions, equipping Inspectors and Operators with the ability to interpret requirements and apply them in diverse operational contexts. On occasion, during inspections abroad, we encounter aircraft that would never be permitted to fly in European airspace. These cases are confronting, but also extremely educational, as they highlight the disparities in standards and practices worldwide.

Q: Who benefits most from attending the Recurrent Training?

JD: Recurrent training is mandatory for qualified Ramp Inspectors from Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs). Understanding how possible changes to regulations and insights may influence how inspections are conducted and how findings are interpreted, they can strengthen their compliance and improve safety performance.

Q: Who benefits most from attending the Awareness Training?

This training is benificial for Operators, like Nominated Persons, Safety and Compliance Officers, Maintenance and Training Managers, and anyone else responsible for air operations within an organisation.

Q: Finally, what distinguishes JAA TO’s approach to Ramp Inspection Training?

JD: JAA TO has a long tradition of aviation safety training, and our approach reflects that heritage. We combine rigorous theoretical preparation with carefully structured practical sessions.

What truly sets us apart is the focus on developing inspectors who think critically. It is not enough to follow a checklist; inspectors must be able to assess, interpret, and understand that they are contributing to a broader culture of safety. That is the message we instill in every course.

Ramp inspections remain a vital element of aviation oversight, ensuring that safety is not only a regulatory requirement but a lived reality across the industry. Through its training courses, JAA TO equips inspectors and operators alike with the skills, knowledge, and perspective needed to maintain and advance aviation safety standards.

For more information about the EU Ramp Inspection Programme (SAFA) - Inspectors Recurrent Training at JAA TO:

EU Ramp Inspection Programme (SAFA)

About JAA TO ✈️

The JAA Training Organisation (JAA TO) is a Dutch non-profit, self-financing organisation and the Associated Body of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC). JAA TO has a history of 50+ years training the aviation industry and national authorities on regulation in the air transport sector. JAA TO is the only Platinum Training Centre of Excellence (TCE) in Europe recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). JAA TO is an IATA Dangerous Goods CBTA Centre of Excellence, an ACI World Accredited Training Partner, recognized Dutch National Aviation Security Training Centre and a leading member of the EASA Virtual Academy (EVA).

JAA TO schedules more than 300 training courses annually on topics such as safety, security, drones and management. Within the aviation community, JAA TO offers a platform to learn and exchange views on latest regulatory developments. In addition, JAA TO provides advisory services, knowledge solutions, training consultancy and assistance with capacity building for (aviation) training departments.

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Dorothy Uslu

Corporate Communications Representative at JAA Training Organisation

JAA TO press contact: Karl Schreiber
Marketing & Communications Manager
Email: kschreiber@jaato.com
Tel: +31 (0) 23 56 79 721