Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/781 updates EU pilot training rules by revising flight simulation training device requirements
The new Implementing Regulation, adopted on 8 April 2026 and published in the Official Journal on 10 April 2026, amends Regulations (EU) No 1178/2011 and (EU) No 965/2012 as regards the requirements applicable to flight simulation training devices and their use in pilot training, testing, and checking. The measure aims to better align simulator qualification and use with current technology and operational practice, potentially allowing more training credits to be obtained in advanced devices while tightening reliability and oversight expectations. EU ATOs, airlines, and business aviation operators should review how the revised provisions affect their training programmes, contracts with FSTD providers, and approvals under Part-ORA and Part-ORO once the consolidated texts and AMC/GM updates are available.
Eurlexa and other consolidated legislation services indicate a broader flow of implementing acts and decisions relevant to aviation noise management and standard-referencing, including Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/803 on referenced standards and Commission Decision (EU) 2026/836 on the process for operating restrictions at Dublin Airport under Regulation (EU) No 598/2014. While not yet accompanied by detailed EASA guidance, these measures underscore the continuing use of implementing decisions to refine noise-related operational constraints at individual EU airports. Operators serving affected airports should monitor local consultations and AIP updates for concrete operational changes.
EASA Opinion 03/2026 proposes a targeted update of the Initial Airworthiness Regulation to clarify Part 21 obligations
The Opinion recommends amendments to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 to address non-controversial issues, including updating provisions on grandfathering and transitional measures and correcting cross-references in Annex I (Part 21). It also seeks to clarify competence requirements for pilots performing operational suitability data flight tests and to simplify reporting obligations for production organisation approval holders. Design and production organisations, as well as operators involved in OSD flight testing, should anticipate corresponding Commission rulemaking and subsequent AMC/GM amendments and assess whether internal procedures will need adjustment to reflect the clarified requirements.
Recent EASA communications also highlight continuing work on updating continuing airworthiness rules for non-conventional aircraft, including electric- and hybrid-propulsion types, which ties into earlier ED Decisions adapting AMC/GM under Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014. Although the main legal instruments pre-date this week, stakeholders in eVTOL and new-propulsion projects should read these developments together with Opinion 03/2026 to anticipate future alignment between initial and continuing airworthiness frameworks. This integrated view will be relevant for investors and manufacturers assessing certification risk profiles for novel aircraft.
https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/opinions/opinion-no-032026
EASA announces Revision 24 (March 2026) of the Easy Access Rules for Air Operations, signalling further consolidation of recent OPS rule changes
EASA has confirmed publication of Revision 24 of the Easy Access Rules for Air Operations (EAR for Air OPS), dated March 2026, available in PDF, XML, and online formats. While detailed change summaries are not yet fully public, the new revision is expected to incorporate recent amendments including Regulation (EU) 2025/24 on ground handling requirements and related corrigenda, continuing the trend of consolidating dispersed air-ops amendments into a single reference set. EU operators and CAMOs should plan to migrate internal compliance references, manuals, and training materials to the new Revision 24 baseline as soon as practical, and verify which provisions carry new or updated compliance dates.
https://www.facebook.com/European.Aviation.Safety.Agency/posts;
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