EASA Safety Conference on General Aviation comes to a close

The EASA Safety Conference 2014 on General Aviation (GA) was closed by EASA Executive Director, Patrick Ky. The two day conference had more than 350 attendants, representing 250 organisations from 30 countries. It was one of the biggest conferences on General Aviation to be conducted in Europe with more than 50 speakers related to GA from associations, industry and authorities.

During the conference the Agency presented the first results towards achieving a more proportional approach to GA. These included the specifications for changes and repairs of GA aircraft which reduce administrative costs and promote innovation. Also included were the simplification of certification standards for GA aircraft and the adjustment of rules to better reflect the GA realities where individuals undertake most of the tasks rather than organisations.

The discussions during the conference focused on the need to have proportional rules. Patrick Ky said ‘We are creating a more proportionate framework, focusing on safety culture, safety promotion and common sense! We are in the start of the process and I believe we are on the right path. During the conference we showed the first concrete results of our determination and used the opportunity to listen and discuss with the whole General Aviation community’. For the future he said ‘in 6 months we will give the next progress report at the AERO 2015 exhibition’.

The Agency is working to make simpler, lighter better rules a reality for General Aviation.