EASA Wants to Revitalize General Aviation

"General Aviation has a high priority for the European Aviation Safety Agency. Some 75 percent of Type-Certificates we have delivered are in the GA sector," said Patrick Goudou, the Agency's Executive Director at the opening session of the 16th International Trade Exhibition at Friedrichshafen last Wednesday.

Goudou emphasized the Agency’s aim to streamline the regulatory framework for General Aviation by progressively reducing bureaucratic impediments.

Simplified certification procedures, adapted airworthiness rules and new pilot licenses would contribute to a revitalization of GA, he said. Meanwhile, the Agency is also preparing new dedicated rules for Very Light Jets where it aims to set the safest standards worldwide.

"We have come to AERO with a large delegation of our GA team and look forward to discussing our proposals with the GA community," said Dr. Norbert Lohl, Director for Certification.

Based in Cologne, the European Aviation Safety Agency currently employs some 300 experts and administrators from all over Europe. This is expected to increase to 500 by 2010.