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Increased Training and Other Requirements for Single-Pilot Business Aircraft Operations

SRM | April 5, 2016

Author: Robert A. Wright

Business flight operations around the world are becoming increasingly complex as new air traffic and flight technologies impact airspace and airport operations. Regulatory authorities and industry organizations have also increased emphasis on safety of flight issues that are associated with these changes. This is particularly true for operators of turbine-powered light business aircraft (LBA), with a focus on single-pilot operations.

An example of these increasing requirements is the Non-Commercial Complex (NCC) regulation issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which becomes effective on August 25, 2016. This rule is applicable to any aircraft of more than 5700 kilograms, any aircraft requiring two pilots, any turboprop with two or more engines, or any turbojet aircraft. The rule affects any aircraft registered or permanently based within the European Union (EU).

The NCC rule was intended to close the gap in safety between non-commercial operations and the more fully regulated commercial operations. Consequently, the rule establishes requirements for affected operators that parallel those of commercial operators. For example, the rule includes requirements for implementing and maintaining training and checking programs, establishing a minimum equipment list (MEL) or equivalent, implementing and maintaining a management system to ensure compliance with the regulation, and producing and using an operations manual. The full requirements of the NCC rule are contained in EASA document EU 965/2012. Both EASA and individual EU states have been slowly establishing implementation procedures for the NCC rule.

Although the NCC rule clearly states that compliance should be proportional to the size and complexity of the operation, the new requirement does place a burden on operators of some LBA. The number of turbine-powered LBA in the world has been rapidly increasing and many of these aircraft, including turbojets, are being flown single-pilot. While many corporate flight departments have in-house administrative and audit capabilities, the same cannot be said for most one-aircraft, one-pilot operations.

The NCC rule is an example of the increasing complexity that LBA operators face. Organizations such as the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in the US are beginning to focus on LBA operations, especially those involving single-pilot operations. They can help LBA operators obtain information and provide assistance in complying with these new requirements.

The common theme in complying with the new requirements imposed by NCC and other developments may be training. TrainingPort.net offers many excellent online courses tailored to single-pilot operation. You can learn more about this course by visiting our website or contacting us.

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TrainingPort.net, in cooperation with Crew Resource Management LLC, offers a complete online SRM course for business aviation (available for purchase through our storefront).

Robert A. Wright is the president of Wright Aviation Solutions, LLC. He is a member of the leadership team of Crew Resource Management, LLC, which has been providing comprehensive CRM training to corporate flight departments for over four years.


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