Stage: Final Publications

Regulatory Agency Final Publications

Opinion No 07/2024 Regular update of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2117: Repository of civil-aviation-related information

This Opinion proposes amendments to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2117 which lays down the necessary rules and detailed requirements for the functioning and management of a repository of information, in particular with regard to the list of information objects provided in its Annex I which is considered dynamic and requires to be regularly updated.

Annex I to that Regulation lists the information objects (such as pilot licences, certificates of airworthiness, declarations, etc.) which shall be uploaded to the repository. Since the adoption of the Regulation, several developments have occurred, and new insights gained require changes to the list (objects are missing, are considered obsolete or the assigned priority group is now inappropriate).

The currently identified omissions and ambiguities in Annex I relate to the following:

  • registration of certified UAS,
  • exemptions (of a duration up to 8 months),
  • UAS operator certificate,
  • operator confirmation of acceptability of the updated mitigation measures and compliance of local conditions in case of cross-border operations,
  • operational authorisation for UAS operators, and
  • ‘permit to fly’ and ‘permit to fly — approval of flight conditions’.

The proposed regulatory material is expected to improve the dissemination, transfer and exchange of civil-aviation-related information between national competent authorities, EASA, the European Commission and safety investigation authorities.

FAA AC 3-1 U.S. Agents for Service on Individuals with Foreign Addresses Who Hold or Apply for Certain Certificates, Ratings, or Authorizations

This advisory circular (AC) provides individuals with guidance on how to comply with Title 14
of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) sections 3.301 through 3.303. These sections
require that individuals with a foreign address and no U.S. physical address of record on file with
the FAA, who hold or apply for certain certificates, ratings, or authorizations, designate a U.S.
agent for the service of FAA documents. This AC explains an acceptable means to designate a
U.S. agent for service and provides instructions on how to electronically certify the U.S. agent
designation, change U.S. agent information, and submit a new U.S. agent designation. This AC
should be used in combination with the appropriate FAA user guides referenced throughout.

EASA Opinion No 06/2024 Training the next generation of ATCOs: Setting performance standards for the initial training output based on the principles of CBTA, enabling the virtualisation of training and the acceptance of ATCO licences issued by third countries

This Opinion proposes to amend Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/340, as well as to establish a new delegated act, with a view to setting European-wide performance standards concerning the output level of air traffic controllers’ (ATCOs) initial training in order to maintain a high and uniform level of safety and enhance efficiency and flexibility as regards both the training and availability of ATCOs.

The proposed amendments to Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/340 are the result of RMT.0668 Subtask 4 and aim to:

  • harmonise the initial training output for ATCOs to be able to handle complex and dense traffic situations;
  • enhance the regulatory framework for instructors and assessors by setting the required performance standards using the principles of competency-based training and assessment (CBTA), which is also the ICAO preferred route to all aviation personnel licensing;
  • enable the utilisation of virtual training proposals stemming from the COVID-19 RNO project.

In addition, through the proposal for a new delegated act developed under RMT.0668 Subtask 3, Member States will be able to accept ATCO certificates issued by third countries by crediting prior training towards the issue of EU student ATCO licences, as well as accept ICAO-compliant licence holders to act as instructors and assessors at EU ATCO training organisations.

The proposed regulatory material is expected to provide for a more flexible use of the available ATCO resources and thus to a better management of the air traffic capacity across Europe.