IAOPA Europe eNews September 2016 http://www.iaopa.

eu/enews/2014/iaopa-europe-enews-september-2016

Sign up to receive the

monthly
IAOPA Europe
Enewsletter:

Welcome Airports & Fuelprices Policies & Positions Organisation & Membership Contact Links Login

IAOPA EUROPE ENEWS ARCHIVE > 2014 > IAOPA EUROPE ENEWS SEPTEMBER 2016 >

Click here for print-friendly edition

New OPS Rules Now in Force

On 25th August 2016 the new EASA OPS regulations for non-commercial operations came into effect in all EASA countries. Here is an overview of the most
important changes:

VFR in Typical Non-Complex GA Aircraft (NCO Regulation)

For VFR flying in typical GA aircraft the changes in most countries will be limited. Some of the
noteworthy items are:

Cost sharing of direct costs for up to six private persons is now allowed (EU 965/2012 Article 6
item 4(a))

Carrying articles which otherwise would be classified as dangerous goods is now permitted
“where carriage aboard the aircraft is advisable to ensure their timely availability for
operational purpose.” This is “regardless of whether or not such articles and substances are
required to be carried or intended to be used in connection with a particular flight.” This means
that, for instance, the carriage of extra oil, de-icing liquid and other operationally relevant items
is now permitted. (NCO.GEN.140 amended July 2016)

It is now possible to develop a Minimum Equipment List (MEL) to fly with equipment which is
out of order. The MEL does not have to be approved but it must be sent to the Competent Authority
and it must be based on a Master MEL from the manufacturer/type certificate holder
(ref. NCO.GEN.155)

The oxygen requirements are now more operational so the previously defined hard limits at
10,000 feet and 13,000 feet are no longer binding, provided the crew can operate safely and the
passengers are not harmfully affected. (NCO.OP.190 amended July 2016)For IFR in Typical
Non-Complex GA Aircraft (NCO Regulation):

For IFR in typical non complex GA Aircraft (NCO regulation)

Pay attention to the requirements for the selection of alternates since these requirements may have
changed for pilots in many countries. Basically the destination or alternate must be ‘weather
permissible’ meaning at or above the operational minimums at the time of intended use. (Ref. NCO.OP.140 and NCO.OP.160).

If the weather at the destination is forecast to be VMC from one hour before to one hour after the expected time of arrival no alternate is required.

Pilots in several countries will find that the equipment requirements for IFR have been eased and made more operational. One altimeter and one radio is sufficient
unless airspace requirements dictate otherwise. For navigation equipment you must have the necessary equipment to fly according to your flight plan and in case one
instrument fails there should be sufficient left to allow the flight to be completed safely, even if not according to the original plan. (ref. NCO-IDE).

Note that the RVR requirement for take-off may be a bit hard to deduce since is not directly mentioned in part NCO. The minimum for most GA pilots will be 400m
RVR for take-off since you will need a specific Low Visibility approval in order to go below this limit for take-off. Note that this this is quite a but more restrictive
than it has been previously in many countries.

For landing a Low Visibility approval is required to go below 550m RVR and further guidance on RVR is found in GM4 NCO.OP.110. As guidance material this not
binding, but surely a good starting point. If the State has published a minimum RVR for a procedure this must of course be respected as 'State minima'.

New Rules Will Require Carriage of PLBs, Documents...

NCO.IDE.A.170 Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)

(a) Aeroplanes shall be equipped with:

(1) an ELT of any type, when first issued with an individual CofA on or before 1 July 2008;

(2) an automatic ELT, when first issued with an individual CofA after 1 July 2008; or

(3) a survival ELT (ELT(S)) or a personal locator beacon (PLB), carried by a crew member or a
passenger, when certified for a maximum passenger seating configuration of six or less.

(b) ELTs of any type and PLBs shall be capable of transmitting simultaneously on 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz.

For Helicopters:

(a) Helicopters certified for a maximum passenger seating configuration above six shall be equipped with:

1/2 15.9.2016 7:52

IAOPA Europe eNews September 2016 http://www.iaopa.eu/enews/2014/iaopa-europe-enews-september-2016

2/2 15.9.2016 7:52