Brussels, Belgium—The European Commission published today a significant update to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) aircrew rules. The new regulation, which goes into effect April 3, takes an important first step forward in simplifying general aviation (GA) pilot licensing in Europe.

The rule establishes a new framework for the competency-based instrument ratings and the enroute instrument rating, which establish a more proportional path for instrument flight operations for typical GA pilots. Additionally, the regulation provides for an extension to the opt-out period for third-country license holders, which will simplify the transition of those European pilot license holders that need to convert their pilot licenses.

“EASA worked cooperatively with the GA community to better tailor the licensing regulations for general aviation pilots in Europe over the past five years. Today’s regulation contains the result of that activity,” said Jens Hennig, Vice President of Operations for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). “This regulation is a concrete example of the start of a new approach to regulating GA in a more appropriate manner encompassed in the ‘GA Safety Strategy.’ The strategy is focused on more proportionate, risk-based rules for the European GA community in the areas of licensing and operations, and supports the restructuring of how aircraft design is done."