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EASA to expand FTL to other operations.

In a notice of proposed amendment, EASA would expand flight-time limitation (FTL) rules to cover air-taxi operations (ATXO); airplane and helicopter emergency medical service operations (AEMS and HEMS); and single-pilot operations for both scheduled and on-demand flights.

The proposed amendments are mainly expected to improve safety during night duties and where scientific principles to measure fatigue have not been used so far, as well as to ensure harmonization of requirements across the EU. All proposed amendments are fully aligned with ICAO standards and recommended practices, EASA said.

To a varying extent, current EASA FTL requirements apply to air taxis, single-pilot airplane operations and AEMs. An exception in this respect is the maximum daily flight duty period in single-pilot and AEMS since individual national rules apply. Also, HEMS flight and duty times vary considerably from state to state. Therefore, establishing EASA-mandated maximum daily flight duty periods for AEMS and FTL rules for HEMS constitutes a major element of this proposal.

Comments on the proposed rules must be submitted by Jan. 31, 2018. A decision on the proposal is expected to be made by next year’s third quarter.

EASA to expand FTL to other operations