Fri, Apr 26, 2013
Agency Puts Forward New And More Accessible Instrument Rating For GA Pilots
The European Aviation Safety Agency has published a proposal to the European Commission containing rules on qualifications for flying in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). In the document, called an Opinion, the Agency puts forward new and more accessible instrument ratings focused on General Aviation pilots. The proposed changes are expected to increase safety with regard to the accident category of controlled flights into terrain (CFIT) by establishing a better accessible IR. This will enable more European GA pilots to commence this type of training.
The Opinion covers requirements for a competency-based instrument rating (CB IR) and an en-route instrument rating (EIR) for private (PPL(A)) and commercial pilot (CPL(A)) licence holders.
The proposed new ratings will amend the training and checking requirements in the European Commission Regulation (Part-FCL). More specifically, the proposed CB IR course will contain a significantly reduced theoretical knowledge (TK) syllabus appropriately reflected by a different level of TK examinations, and a reduced amount of instrument flight instruction time when compared with the existing IR courses. Meanwhile, the EIR will allow holders of airplane licenses to gain familiarity with instrument flight rules procedures and cope with unforeseen deteriorating weather conditions in the en route phase of flight. Crediting provisions have also been included to support holders of a third-country instrument rating or a national instrument rating in obtaining a European instrument rating.
This Opinion also introduces a cloud flying rating for sailplane pilots. The privilege of this rating will allow a sailplane pilot to enter clouds while taking into account the airspace structure, the required minima in different airspace categories, and the relevant air traffic control (ATC) procedures.
These final requirements are based on extensive consultation of experts from national authorities, flight crew organizations, training schools, and the general aviation community. The Agency’s proposal was initially open for public consultation in 2011 and over 1500 comments were received. This feedback was taken into account and integrated in this Opinion.
More News
Aero Linx: International Business Aviation Council Ltd IBAC promotes the growth of business aviation, benefiting all sectors of the industry and all regions of the world. As a non->[...]
"During the annual inspection of the B-24 “Diamond Lil” this off-season, we made the determination that 'Lil' needs some new feathers. Due to weathering, the cloth-cove>[...]
Also: Bushcat Woes, Hummingbird 300 SL 4-Seat Heli Kit, Carbon Cub UL The newest Junkers is a faithful recreation that mates a 7-cylinder Verner radial engine to the airframe offer>[...]
Also: Seaplane Pilots Association, Rotax 916’s First Year, Gene Conrad After a decade and a half of struggling with the FAA and other aero-politics, G100UL is in production a>[...]
Also: Martha King Scholarship, Montaer Grows, Textron Updates Pistons, FlySto The FAA is hiring thousands of air traffic controllers, but the window to apply will only be open for >[...]