Mike,
Part M (refers to ‘Maintenance’, or in EASA-speak, Continuing Airworthiness), is a EU Regulation for civil aircraft and was introduced for commercial air transport in 2003. Its implementation was deferred for aircraft used in non-commercial aircraft operations, below 5.7 tonnes MTOM, until September 2008. As a result of representations since 2003 from Europe Air Sports, it has been undergoing revision, which is set out in the links provided in the notice above in the first message.
Part M will apply to all aircraft in the UK which are within the scope of EU Regulation 1592/2002 and therefore have or will have a EASA Certificate of Airworthiness, and which are used non-commercially. There are some exempt types of aircraft which are listed in Annex II to the Regulation, and essentially are microlights (below 450 kg MTOM for 2 seater, 300kg for single seater), historic aircraft (broadly those designed before 1955 and which finished production by 1975), and gliders below 80 / 100 kg (i.e. hang gliders and similar) and certain other limited categories.
I am informed by Graham Newby of the PFA that PFA Permit aircraft will also not be subject to national rules and not EU Part M.
So, aircraft affected by Part M are aeroplanes (powered aircraft) over 300kg single seat or 450kg two seats MTOM, sailplanes / gliders, balloons, helicopters.
Regulation 1592 and in particular Annex II will be subject to change in the future and there is a possibility in the medium to longer term that the European ‘system’ of law making may reduce the exempt aircraft categories. If that were to happen, then those communities currently exempt from Part M may wish to get a ‘heads up’ on what may (I emphasise 'may') lie in store for the future.
The EASA briefing is being held at the PFA HQ at Turweston because that (a) has the meeting room facility at a reasonable cost and (b) is convenient to fly into – with PPR.
The EASA briefing on 4th September, for which the agenda is posted on the EASA website link under ‘events’, is intended to provide owners and pilots with an overview of the proposed changes.
Europe Air Sports, which represents some 600,000 members of national aero clubs and pan-European air sports unions across the EU, is focused solely on influencing the EU regulatory framework for light aviation, and has facilitated the establishment of these briefings in 7 countries over the next month.