Frequently asked questions

A Certificate of Airworthiness (CdA) is the document that certifies that an aircraft is capable of performing flights under certain safety requirements. This document is issued by the national authority where the aircraft is registered.

For non-EASA aircraft, the design of which is not covered by a valid type-certificate, does not have a Configuration Definition Document or is covered by a type-certificate or equivalent not accepted by AESA, the issuance of a CoA shall not apply to them.

To obtain the type of Airworthiness Certificate there is a user manual that varies depending on the characteristics of the aircraft. The manual also gives instructions on how to perform subsequent activities after obtaining the Airworthiness Certificate, such as modifications, suspensions, etc.

There is a User Manual in the Amateur Aircraft Construction section or in the various sub-sections within the Airworthiness Certificate section, except for remotely piloted aircraft (known as UAS) and experimental non-UAS aircraft, for which prior contact with the authority is required.

Currently, there is no applicable fee when applying for Flight Authorization or Flight Conditions.

For any of the following:

01) development (*);
02) demonstration of conformity with regulations or certification specifications (*);
03) training of personnel of design or production organisations; 
04) flight tests for the production of new aircraft;
05) flight of aircraft in production between production facilities;
06) flight of aircraft for acceptance by customers;
07) delivery or export of aircraft;
08) flight of aircraft for acceptance by the Authority; 
09) market research, including training of the customer's crew;
10) aerial exhibitions and demonstrations;
(11) flight of aircraft to a place where maintenance or airworthiness reviews are to be carried out, or to a place of storage;
(12) flight of aircraft of a weight greater than their maximum certificated take-off weight for a flight of more than normal range over water, or over land surfaces where adequate landing facilities or appropriate fuel are not available (*);
13) record-breaking flights, air races or similar competitions;
(14) flights of aircraft complying with the applicable airworthiness requirements before compliance with environmental requirements is demonstrated;
15) EASA aircraft → non-commercial flights of certain non-complex aircraft or of certain types for which it is not appropriate to issue a certificate of airworthiness or a restricted certificate of airworthiness (*).

    Aircraft NO EASA → flights of certain aircraft or of certain types for which the issue of a certificate of airworthiness or a restricted certificate of airworthiness is not appropriate.
16) maintenance check flights.

(*) In these cases (if the aircraft is EASA) the Flight Conditions must be requested in advance from EASA.
 

A Flight Authorization is a document that certifies that the aircraft is capable of performing flights under certain safety requirements under the conditions determined in said authorization. This document is issued by the national authority where the aircraft is registered, or by an organisation with privileges granted by the Authority. The Flight Authorization will always have a certain validity.

For non-EASA aircraft, whose design is not covered by a valid type-certificate, does not have a Configuration Definition Document or is covered by a type-certificate or equivalent not accepted by AESA, the issue of a CoA shall not apply to them, although they may apply for a flight permit. Its validity may be up to 2 years.

Please refer to the AI-AVCV-P01-GU01 guide, which provides details on how to obtain Flight Authorization for both EASA and non-EASA aircraft.

Non-EASA aircraft are those aircraft excluded from EASA regulations according to Regulation 2018/1139 (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July. Among them are ultralight motorized aircraft called ULM, Historic, Experimental and Amateur Building Aircraft. Aircraft used in the use of military, patrol, police, etc. operations are also excluded from EASA regulations. For more details on which aircraft are excluded, see Regulation 2018/1139, in its Article 2.3(a) and Annex I.

EASA Aircraft is one that has an EASA approved design, and the one that applies Regulation 2018/1139. EASA approved aircraft designs are available on its own website www.easa.europa.eu
 

There are currently no fees applicable for the declaratory renewal of the airworthiness certificate of an amateur-built aircraft.

The procedure does not need to be carried out immediately.
The issue of the licence with the updated SET LAND and/or SET SEA class rating can be processed:

• on the next movement to be made on the licence or
• by requesting an update of the annotation through the specific request created for this purpose. Click here to access the application form.

There are two ways to update the licence with the new endorsement for pilots who currently hold one or more of the ratings listed in this note:

1. accompanying the next movement of the licence, even if that movement is not for the purpose of updating this rating.
2. by means of a request for updating the annotation by the holders of these ratings. In this case, a specific request has been created for this purpose. Click here to access the application.

If they are also instructors/examiners of the relevant classes, they will also receive updated certificates when applications are processed through either of the following two channels.

In accordance with section (c) of the third provision of the EASA Resolution of 5.5.2020 those holders of the AME certificate who meet the defined requirements, will extend the validity of their AME certificate until November 14, 2020
Additional information on medical certificates is available through the following link: 
Aeronautical medicine 
Aeronautical Medical Certificates

With regard to the procedures for opening up a new aerodrome for restricted use to traffic, please refer to this section of the website:

Aerodromos for restricted use — AESA guide material

Here you can find all the guide material for authorisation.

In particular, please read the Authorisation Guide for aerodromes and helipads for restricted use that have not been transferred to the ACs.

• Authorisation guide for aerodromes and helipads for restricted use that have not been transferred to the ACs.

The process consists of 4 phases:

• Phase 1: Air Space Compatibility
• Phase 2: Environmental Processing.
• Phase 3: Authorisation of Establishment.
• Phase 4: Opening to Traffic.