Together, the GA community and EASA have achieved a lot thanks to the GA Roadmap Project. GA Roadmap 2.0 will build on those achievements and continue EASA’S engagement with the GA community.
EASA’s strategic priorities for General Aviation are captured in GA Roadmap 2.0. This is the second phase of the GA Roadmap, which has the goal of growing the GA community and aiming for safer and cheaper GA. The strategic principles of GA Roadmap 2.0 are:
- A continued priority for General Aviation: EASA will maintain GA high on the Agency’s list of priorities and report on the progress on work at the EASA Safety Conference on General Aviation every 4 years.
- Promote GA safety culture: EASA will provide a General Aviation Safety Promotion Platform and work with the GA community to raise awareness on important safety topics.
- Net Safety Benefit: EASA will establish a policy on the net safety benefit approach to make it easier to introduce new technologies and equipment into GA aircraft.
- Embracing new business models: EASA will adapt its regulatory requirements to facilitate the safe introduction of new business models (such as cost sharing platforms) within the GA community.
- Adapt design and production rules: As a result of changes introduced by the new Basic Regulation, EASA will simplify Part 21 requirements for the design and production of GA aircraft.
- GA goes digital: EASA will coordinate the development of innovative technical solutions so pilots can access real time aeronautical and flight data in the cockpit.
EASA is committed to improving GA safety and further reducing GA accidents. The Agency’s accident prevention efforts will primarily focus on the following areas:
- Staying in control: Improving flying skills, pilot awareness and the management of upset or stall will prevent accidents caused by a loss of control, which is the most significant operational key risk area in GA.
- Coping with weather: In helping pilots to minimise the risks of IMC flight, icing conditions, carburettor icing and poor weather conditions EASA recognises that weather is often a feature of Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) accidents, which can also lead to loss of control.
- Preventing mid-air collisions: This area addresses subjects such as airspace complexity, airspace infringements and the use of technology to increase awareness of where other aircraft are.
- Managing the flight: A safe flight relies on the pilot’s ability to navigate, manage fuel, avoid obstacles and terrain, and to manage emergency situations. This strategic area aims to reduce the occurrence of many different types of accidents.