Qualifying as an Inspector

A Trainee Inspector is expected to; - (1) HAVE KNOWLEDGE - a formal engineering qualification or science degree from a university or technical college or >3 years relevant field experience within the petroleum industry; knowledge of aviation fuel specifications; a thorough knowledge of aircraft fuelling operations; a basic understanding of the test methods and their relevance to fuel performance & handling. - (2) HAVE RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE in one of - fuel handling facilities such as airport depots or upstream terminals; or aircraft fuelling operations; or auditing of aviation facilities for a JIG Member Company; or design or manufacture of aviation fuel-handling equipment. - (3) BE TRAINED IN (all of) - aviation fuel specifications and required test methods; fuel handling procedures and aviation fuel Quality Control; aviation fuelling equipment and aircraft fuelling procedures; environmental, health and safety relating to aviation fuels; JIG Standards and the inspection checklist(s).

A Trainee inspector must register for and complete the "Training to Inspect to JIG Standards" Course. This is a fee-paying one week long residential course on an airport. It mixes theory with practical exercises and an assessment of a candidate's likely aptitude to conducting inspections. Candidates must have a working knowledge of English and must be an employee of a JIG Member Company.

The course concludes with a written examination. This tests candidates' knowledge of aviation fuel handling equipment and procedures, the JIG Standards and their application, and the techniques required to perform inspections. Exams are assessed at the end of the course and borderline candidates may be given a short interview to confirm a pass. Any candidates failing the course are given feedback on their performance and any weak areas to be improved upon. A discount of 50% is given for attendance at a later course within 2 years.

After passing the exam, the Trainee Inspector should consolidate the learning by conducting practice inspections or audits on the Member Company's own sites. The JITS system is made available so that the Trainee can be accompanied for coaching by a qualified JIG Inspector. When the Trainee is ready, JIG is contacted to set up an accompanied (or "sign-off") inspection. JITS

Within a few months and no later than 2 years after successfully completing the course, the Trainee has to conduct a full inspection, including making preparations with the site, requesting documentation or certain activities to be witnessed and writing the Inspection Report. The inspection has to be undertaken at an airport into-plane and storage depot activity. It may be necessary to conduct 2 inspections to fulfill this requirement. The location inspection is done in the presence of a Senior JIG Inspector, who evaluates the Trainee's performance. Some occasional guidance may be given, but the accompanied inspection is expected to be an autonomous exercise.

The JIG Inspection report is completed by the Trainee within 6 weeks of the inspection, for review by the accompanying Inspector. All recommendations should have been reviewed with the location at the time of the visit.

In the rare case that there are too many failings in  the completed report and assessment made during the inspection, the Senior JIG Inspector will inform the Trainee to work on some identified areas of weakness before applying for another accompanied inspection. The Senior JIG Inspector usually recommends the Trainee for sign-off. In this case the Senior Inspector's evaluation and the inspection report(s) are submitted to JIG for peer review. The peer review is undertaken by JIG technical staff and Senior Inspectors who serve on JIG Committees. The Trainee and location name are kept confidential and anonymous. In most cases the Trainee will be confirmed as a qualified JIG Inspector and added to the register.

To retain JIG Inspector Status, an Inspector must conduct a minimum of 6 JIG inspections every 2 years. At least 4 of these have to be conducted at airport facilities. At least 3 different locations must be inspected. Please note that due to Covid-19 there are some temporary relaxations to this policy.

In addition to conducting the minimum number of inspections, a JIG Inspector must; (1) Attend a JIG Inspector Workshop within 2 years of qualifying; (2) Attend a JIG Inspector Workshop every 3 years thereafter. Trainee Inspectors who have not yet completed their sign-off are also encouraged to attend workshops.