Aviation authorities in Germany, Italy and the UK have pushed back the introduction of commercial single-engine instrument flight rules (SEIFR) operations again, according to manufacturers and operators.
The European general aviation industry had hoped enabling Joint Aviation Authority regulations would be adopted in September (Flight International, 4-10 February).Now, however, the end of the year appears to be the next opportunity for implementation and it is not a certainty even then, says UK Cessna distributor Bob Crowe.
At issue is whether specified modern single-engined turboprop types may have operational privileges comparable with twin-engined types, including certain older piston-powered twins that UK Civil Aviation Authority statistics indicate are less safe in the event of an engine failure. The main privilege sought is licensing to carry passengers or freight commercially at night or in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
The Joint Aviation Authorities confirms that the notice of proposed amendment (NPA) - already on "final" draft 8a - is on the agenda for further discussion at the May meeting of the JAA operational sectorial team (OST) to resolve outstanding differences, but could not be precise on what they are. One of the dissenting agencies, the CAA, says the agenda for the OST meeting "is a JAA matter".
Meanwhile, the national aviation authorities of Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland have decided to go ahead and adopt the existing NPA draft without further delay.
French manufacturer EADS Socata, whose TBM700 single turboprop would be a candidate for certification under the NPA, says the three dissenting nations, who appeared to be satisfied with the limiting conditions and equipment specifications set for qualifying types "seemed to wake up" at the last working group meeting and called for more discussion. "They are afraid of something new," says Socata about the reasons for delay.
The French aviation authority does not want to act independently of the JAA, Socata adds. It is a start to have some nations adopting the rules independently, says the manufacturer, but it is no good saying to a potential commercial operator that the aircraft may fly with no restrictions in Switzerland but only under visual flight rules to Germany.
Source: Flight International
