The objectives of this Opinion are to:

• align the content of Regulation (EU) 2017/373 with the latest provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Procedures for Air Navigation – Aeronautical Information Management (PANS-AIM), following the introduction of amendments to the content and structure of the aeronautical information publication (AIP), and to the aeronautical data catalogue. The proposed amendments will therefore assist Member States (MSs) in fulfilling their obligations under the Chicago Convention in a uniform manner, and constitute a common basis for the provision of essential, standardised aeronautical information to end users, as well as data services providers;
• facilitate the implementation of the ‘all-weather-operations (AWOs)’ concept, by ensuring the publication of the required aeronautical data in the AIP; and
• facilitate further the implementation of the ICAO Global Reporting Format (GRF), through:
  • the introduction of the required amendments to certain provisions regarding the content and structure of the AIP, to allow the promulgation of certain operational information, in line with the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No 139/2014, as regards the implementation of the GRF;
  • the update of the definition of SNOWTAM in both Regulations (EU) 2017/373 and No 139/2014, in line with ICAO Annex 15; and
  • the resolution of an identified inconsistency, related to the content of ICAO PANS-AIM and ICAO Procedures for Air Navigation-Aerodromes (PANS-Aerodromes), concerning the SNOWTAM issuance under certain conditions.

CS-ACNS Issue 4

The objectives of this Decision are:

• to maintain a high level of safety;
• to ensure interoperability compliance of aircraft with the requirements of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1207/2011 laying down requirements for the performance and the interoperability of surveillance for the single European sky (the ‘Surveillance Performance and Interoperability (SPI) Regulation’); and
• to provide consolidated acceptable means of compliance (AMC) for aircraft-manufacturing industries and aircraft modification industries.

This Decision amends the Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Airborne Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CS-ACNS) applicable to all aircraft, to address a number of issues, reported by applicants, in demonstrating compliance with CS-ACNS paragraphs.

The amendments are expected to:

• maintain a high level of safety;
• ensure aircraft interoperability;
• reduce the regulatory burden of compliance with the SPI Regulation; and
• increase efficiency in implementing CS-ACNS.

The objective of the proposals in this Opinion is to foster a risk-based approach in the authorisation process of
third-country operators and improve the efficiency of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) as the
authority being responsible for the implementation of the TCO Regulation. In addition, the proposals in this
Opinion intend to clarify existing provisions, remove inconsistencies, and improve the coherence of the TCO
Regulation with the EU Air Safety List.
The proposed amendments are expected to mostly maintain the level of safety, with some expected to provide
a positive impact. In terms of impacts on operators, the proposed changes are mostly neutral. The main benefit
expected from the proposed changes is in terms of the cost-effectiveness of the TCO authorisation process, with
a positive impact on EASA’s efficiency.