james2006
9th May 2014, 13:31
Would anyone be able to help me with the difference between EU-OPS and EU-FCL.
Many thanks.
BillieBob
9th May 2014, 15:38
For a start, EU-OPS applies only to public transport aeroplanes and EU-FCL doesn't exist.
Aviation legislation is being progressively written into EU law under Regulation 216/2008, which set up EASA and outlined its responsibilities as well as setting down the 'Essential Requirements' for airworthiness, pilot licensing and air operations. EASA then drafted (and is continuing to draft) the 'Implementing Rules', which are set down in an ever expanding series of 'Enabling Regulations', each with a number of Annexes.
Commission Regulation (EU) 1178/2011, amended by Commission Regulations (EU) 290/2012, 70/2014 and 245/2014 and referred to as the 'Aircrew Regulation' contains Part-FCL (not EU-FCL), which lays down the implementing rules for pilot licensing. This was implemented in the UK on 17 September 2012.
Commission Regulation (EU) 965/2012, amended by Commission Regulations (EU) 800/2013, 71/2014, 83/2014 and 379/2014 and referred to as the 'Air Ops Regulation' contains, among other things, Parts-CAT, -NCC and -NCO, which lay down the implementing rules for the operation of aircraft engaged in Commercial Air Transport, Non-Commercial operations by Complex motor powered aircraft and Non-Commercial operations by Other than complex motor powered aircraft respectively. Part CAT is due to be implemented in the UK on 28 Oct 2014 with Part NCC and NCO due for implementation 25 Aug 2016.
Commission Regulation (EC) 859/2008, referred to as EU-OPS is an interim measure applicable only to aeroplanes that bridged the gap between JAR-OPS1 and the Air Ops Regulation. Since there was not a great deal of cross-border operations by helicopters, it was decided to leave them subject to JAR-OPS3 until the Air Ops Regulation was implemented.