The business and general aviation industry is optimistic that the long-awaited approval for single-engine turbine aircraft to carry out commercial operations at night and in instrument meteorological conditions could be granted by EASA. This is based on an appreciation that engines are becoming increasingly reliable, and sustained electrical power for systems operation in the event of engine power loss can now be assured.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority, recognised as the most intransigent of the national agencies where SE-IMC operations approval is concerned, says that EASA is putting together “a consultation document and associated regulatory impact assessment, which will be put out to consultation sometime in the near future”. The UK CAA is one of the national agencies represented on the EASA SE-IMC multinational working party.
Some EU member states, including Finland, France, Greece, Norway, Spain and Sweden allow domestic operation of single-turboprop aircraft under exemptions, and operators in the other European states would like to have the same choice because it enables them to offer viable services at lower prices. Airframers including Cessna, Pilatus, Daher-Socata and Cirrus all have products that would benefit from an extension of SE-IFR permission.
EASA’s timetable originally set the notice of proposed rulemaking as the fourth quarter of 2013. Publication of the agency’s opinion is set for the third quarter of 2015, with its decision a year later.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
