The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a notice of proposed amendment (NPA) that would modernize its all-weather operations (AWOs) regulations to incorporate “efficiency gains based on the latest technological advancements” and to basically match its requirements with those of the FAA and ICAO recommended standards and procedures.
All-weather operations in Europe would be updated in all relevant regulatory areas: initial airworthiness, air operations, flight crew licensing, and airports. As such, the NPA aims for a “performance- and risk-based approach, as much as feasible” applicable in various levels appropriate to private, sport, training, and commercial flight operations.
The main aim of the proposal is to allow for a better integration of the regulatory requirements related to the operational use of new, advanced technology, either developed already or to be developed in the future. Particular attention was paid to the development of requirements enabling the use of, for example, enhanced flight vision systems (EFVS) for reducing instrument landing minimums. A new concept of “light operational credits for EFVS 200 operations, not requiring the use of specific low-visibility procedures” has also been introduced.
Comments on the proposal are due by October 15.
