I think the document you are refering to is the EASA consultation document. The question is whether to put in place a method of verifying that non-commercial aircraft registered outside the Eu, e.g. the US, are being maintained in accordance with ICAO minimum standards. That is I believe already done in the US and some other countries. How in practice EASA may do this is not spelt out and indeed that seems to be why they are having the consultation. It is a fair bet however that whatever is done is going to add another layer and hence expense to the process of maintenance on non-EU registered aircraft. That may well erode the value of the N register for all but the very large private aircraft.
On the positive side the consultation document suggests that for sports and recreational flyers the document says the following:
For other activities, such as recreational and air sport with light aircraft, the issuing of a licence may not be necessary; a showing of compliance to a third party such as a federation or a qualified school or instructor could be sufficient. Implementing rules for such showing of compliance could be adopted by Member States themselves provided the free movement of related aircraft and their pilots is not affected thereby. In that
context they would have to decide how compliance could be shown and to which bodies. Since that may create some forms of discrimination, there could also be common rules adopted through comitology describing how compliance is to be shown
and what conditions shall be met by conformity assessment bodies to be accredited. Member States or the Agency could be in charge with such accreditation. Such an approach would establish a level playing field for all EU citizens.
So we have the prospect of recreational aviation being taken out of EASA, with national aviation authorities fixing their own rules. EASA would lay down minimum standards to ensure mutual recognition across Europe. Reading the whole text, it looks as though countries would in effect issue a modified NPPL recognised by all other European countries; it might not be ICAO compliant so many who want to fly out of europe would still need a 'licence' as it is described in the document, as would budding commercial pilots.
There is a further hint that medical requirements might also be devolved to national organisations for recreational and sport pilots.
This is a consultation document so everyone who feels strongly should have their say.
Somehow, you get the feeling that things may be coming full circle, so far as recreational pilots are concerned
