# Presentation: 520511

## Sport/Recreational Aviation

## Major Discussion Points

**The terms of reference for and a state of play of the EASA rulemaking activity for operation of  non-complex aircraft in non-commercial activities were presented:**
- First deliverable will be a concept for regulation to be consulted as an Advance-NPA
**The light sport aircraft rule, its mode of operation and its benefits were presented:**
- It is an example of partnership between regulators and Industry

**Notes:**
The EASA rulemaking activity results from its extension of scope and from the experience of implementing  part-21to general aviation. The purpose is to develop implementing rules for operation and licensing and to re-think the framework for airworthiness and maintenance; A group has been put in place and  has held 3 meetings. Its schedules are ambitious.  8 options have been identified for airworthiness, 4 for maintenance, and 2 for licensing. Options are yet to be developed for operations. The options will be evaluated using a regulatory impact assessment and will be presented for comments as an Advance-NPA in July 2006
The light sport aircraft rule is a very significant  rulemaking  project. It relies on a partnership between regulators and industry and uses consensus standards. The rule has led to 30 certification as Light Sport Aircraft and has improved the access to aviation. Its implementation has necessitated and still needs a significant effort in particular to explain the rule. It has been adopted or is being considered for adoption by other countries.

## Reaction from the Floor

**Relative to EASA presentation:**
- It was clarified that only a limited number of options would be presented in the EASA A-NPA
- It was clarified that the outcome of the maintenance options would be passed to another EASA rulemaking group
- Concerns were expressed about the public acceptance of no TC or self-certification or pure owner maintenance
- The difficulty to draw the line between certain activities (e.g. private, flight training) was highlighted

**Notes:**
A concern was expressed that the brainstorming would lead to an un-manageable number of options.
There was no explicit deliverable on maintenance
The concern on public acceptance is understood but it should be noted that the French experience on micro-lights or the light sport aircraft rule do not support such concern

## Reaction from the Floor

**Relative to the light sport aircraft rule presentation**
- The consequences of a manufacturer going out of business was queried
- It was clarified that an aircraft under a standard airworthiness certificate can not be maintained under light sport aircraft rule.
- The ASTM standards are not limited to airworthiness standards
- The service experience is too limited to draw meaningful conclusions about safety levels

**Notes:**
When a manufacturer goes out of business there are two options: either another entity takes over the continuing airworthiness responsibilities or the aircraft become an experimental aircraft
An aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate must be maintained under FAR-43
There are also standards for air parks (aerodromes) for example
There has been 4 accident to LSA aircraft but due to the limited number of hours no statistically significant conclusions can be drawn

## Outcomes/Additional Ideas

**The workshop was briefed on the EASA rulemaking activity for regulation of non-complex aircraft operated in non-commercial operations**
**The workshop was briefed on the light sport aircraft rule**
**There is a lot of synergies between the two activities**