Textual Amendments
F1 Inserted by Commission Regulation (EU) No 800/2013 of 14 August 2013 amending Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance).
The pilot-in-command shall only use aerodromes and operating sites that are adequate for the type of aircraft and operation concerned.
For the selection of alternate aerodromes and the fuel policy, the pilot-in-command shall consider an aerodrome as an isolated aerodrome if the flying time to the nearest adequate destination alternate aerodrome is more than:
for aeroplanes with reciprocating engines, 60 minutes; or
for aeroplanes with turbine engines, 90 minutes.
not be lower than those established by the State in which the aerodrome is located, except when specifically approved by that State; and
when undertaking low visibility operations, be approved by the competent authority in accordance with Annex V (Part-SPA), Subpart E to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012.
the type, performance and handling characteristics of the aircraft;
his/her competence and experience;
the dimensions and characteristics of the runways and final approach and take-off areas (FATOs) that may be selected for use;
the adequacy and performance of the available visual and non-visual ground aids;
the equipment available on the aircraft for the purpose of navigation and/or control of the flight path, during the take-off, the approach, the flare, the landing, the rollout and the missed approach;
the obstacles in the approach, the missed approach and the climb-out areas necessary for the execution of contingency procedures;
the obstacle clearance altitude/height for the instrument approach procedures;
the means to determine and report meteorological conditions; and
the flight technique to be used during the final approach.
the ground equipment required for the intended procedure is operative;
the aircraft systems required for the type of approach are operative;
the required aircraft performance criteria are met; and
the pilot is qualified appropriately.
Textual Amendments
the minimum height to which the approach aid can be used without the required visual reference;
the obstacle clearance height (OCH) for the category of aircraft;
the published approach procedure DH where applicable;
the system minimum specified in Table 1; or
the minimum DH specified in the AFM or equivalent document, if stated.
the OCH for the category of aircraft;
the system minimum specified in Table 1; or
the minimum MDH specified in the AFM, if stated.
| Table 1 | |
| System minima | |
| Facility | Lowest DH/MDH (ft) |
|---|---|
| Instrument landing system (ILS) | 200 |
| Global navigation satellite system (GNSS)/Satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) (Lateral precision with vertical guidance approach (LPV)) | 200 |
| GNSS (Lateral Navigation (LNAV)) | 250 |
| GNSS/Baro-vertical navigation (VNAV) (LNAV/VNAV) | 250 |
| Localiser (LOC) with or without distance measuring equipment (DME) | 250 |
| Surveillance radar approach (SRA) (terminating at ½ NM) | 250 |
| SRA (terminating at 1 NM) | 300 |
| SRA (terminating at 2 NM or more) | 350 |
| VHF omnidirectional radio range (VOR) | 300 |
| VOR/DME | 250 |
| Non-directional beacon (NDB) | 350 |
| NDB/DME | 300 |
| VHF direction finder (VDF) | 350 |
the published circling OCH for the aeroplane category;
the minimum circling height derived from Table 1; or
the DH/MDH of the preceding instrument approach procedure.
the circling visibility for the aeroplane category, if published;
the minimum visibility derived from Table 2; or
the runway visual range/converted meteorological visibility (RVR/CMV) of the preceding instrument approach procedure.
| Table 1 | ||||
| MDH and minimum visibility for circling vs. aeroplane category | ||||
| Aeroplane category | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | C | D | |
| MDH (ft) | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 |
| Minimum meteorological visibility (m) | 1 500 | 1 600 | 2 400 | 3 600 |
The MDH for an onshore circling operation with helicopters shall not be lower than 250 ft and the meteorological visibility not less than 800 m.
Textual Amendments
provided obstacle clearance criteria can be observed, full account is taken of the operating conditions and any ATC clearance is adhered to; or
when being radar-vectored by an ATC unit.
The pilot-in-command shall take into account published noise abatement procedures to minimise the effect of aircraft noise while ensuring that safety has priority over noise abatement.
The pilot-in-command shall take into account operating procedures to minimise the effect of heating-system noise while ensuring that safety has priority over noise abatement.
for visual flight rules (VFR) flights:
by day, taking-off and landing at the same aerodrome/landing site and always remaining in sight of that aerodrome/landing site, to fly the intended route and thereafter for at least 10 minutes at normal cruising altitude;
by day, to fly to the aerodrome of intended landing and thereafter to fly for at least 30 minutes at normal cruising altitude; or
by night, to fly to the aerodrome of intended landing and thereafter to fly for at least 45 minutes at normal cruising altitude;
for IFR flights:
when no destination alternate is required, to fly to the aerodrome of intended landing and thereafter to fly for at least 45 minutes at normal cruising altitude; or
when a destination alternate is required, to fly to the aerodrome of intended landing, to an alternate aerodrome and thereafter to fly for at least 45 minutes at normal cruising altitude.
forecast meteorological conditions;
anticipated ATC routings and traffic delays;
procedures for loss of pressurisation or failure of one engine while en-route, where applicable; and
any other condition that may delay the landing of the aeroplane or increase fuel and/or oil consumption.
for VFR flights, to fly to the aerodrome/operating site of intended landing and thereafter to fly for at least 20 minutes at best-range-speed; and
for IFR flights:
when no alternate is required or no weather-permissible alternate aerodrome is available, to fly to the aerodrome/operating site of intended landing, and thereafter to fly for 30 minutes at holding speed at 450 m ( 1 500 ft) above the destination aerodrome/operating site under standard temperature conditions and approach and land; or
when an alternate is required, to fly to and execute an approach and a missed approach at the aerodrome/operating site of intended landing, and thereafter:
to fly to the specified alternate; and
to fly for 30 minutes at holding speed at 450 m ( 1 500 ft) above the alternate aerodrome/operating site under standard temperature conditions and approach and land.
forecast meteorological conditions;
anticipated ATC routings and traffic delays;
procedures for loss of pressurisation or failure of one engine while en-route, where applicable; and
any other condition that may delay the landing of the aircraft or increase fuel and/or oil consumption.
Textual Amendments
data provided by the balloon manufacturer;
anticipated masses;
expected meteorological conditions; and
air navigation services provider procedures and restrictions.
The pilot-in-command shall ensure that before or, where appropriate, during the flight, passengers are given a briefing on emergency equipment and procedures.
a study of available current weather reports and forecasts; and
the planning of an alternative course of action to provide for the eventuality that the flight cannot be completed as planned, because of weather conditions.
For IFR flights, the pilot-in-command shall specify at least one weather-permissible destination alternate aerodrome in the flight plan, unless:
the available current meteorological information indicates that, for the period from 1 hour before until 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival, or from the actual time of departure to 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival, whichever is the shorter period, the approach and landing may be made under visual meteorological conditions (VMC); or
the place of intended landing is isolated and:
an instrument approach procedure is prescribed for the aerodrome of intended landing; and
available current meteorological information indicates that the following meteorological conditions will exist from 2 hours before to 2 hours after the estimated time of arrival:
a cloud base of at least 300 m ( 1 000 ft) above the minimum associated with the instrument approach procedure; and
visibility of at least 5,5 km or of 4 km more than the minimum associated with the procedure.
For IFR flights, the pilot-in-command shall specify at least one weather-permissible destination alternate aerodrome in the flight plan, unless:
an instrument approach procedure is prescribed for the aerodrome of intended landing and the available current meteorological information indicates that the following meteorological conditions will exist from 2 hours before to 2 hours after the estimated time of arrival, or from the actual time of departure to 2 hours after the estimated time of arrival, whichever is the shorter period:
a cloud base of at least 120 m (400 ft) above the minimum associated with the instrument approach procedure; and
visibility of at least 1 500 m more than the minimum associated with the procedure; or
the place of intended landing is isolated and:
an instrument approach procedure is prescribed for the aerodrome of intended landing;
available current meteorological information indicates that the following meteorological conditions will exist from 2 hours before to 2 hours after the estimated time of arrival:
the cloud base is at least 120 m (400 ft) above the minimum associated with the instrument approach procedure;
visibility is at least 1 500 m more than the minimum associated with the procedure; and
a point of no return (PNR) is determined in case of an offshore destination.
Except for balloons, the pilot-in-command shall ensure that, prior to and during taxiing, take-off and landing, and whenever deemed necessary in the interest of safety, each passenger on board occupies a seat or berth and has his/her safety belt or restraint device properly secured.
The pilot-in-command shall not allow smoking on board:
whenever considered necessary in the interest of safety; and
during refuelling of the aircraft.
No person shall be allowed to smoke on board a sailplane or balloon.
The pilot-in-command shall only commence take-off if the aircraft is clear of any deposit that might adversely affect the performance or controllability of the aircraft, except as permitted in the AFM.
Before commencing take-off, the pilot-in-command shall be satisfied that:
according to the information available, the weather at the aerodrome or operating site and the condition of the runway or FATO intended to be used would not prevent a safe take-off and departure; and
applicable aerodrome operating minima will be complied with.
Before commencing take-off, the pilot-in-command of a balloon shall be satisfied that, according to the information available, the weather at the operating site or aerodrome would not prevent a safe take-off and departure.
situations that require the application of abnormal or emergency procedures; or
flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
The pilot-in-command shall check at regular intervals that the amount of usable fuel or, for balloons, ballast remaining in flight is not less than the fuel or ballast required to proceed to a weather-permissible aerodrome or operating site and the planned reserve fuel as required by NCO.OP.125, NCO.OP.126 or NCO.OP.127.
The pilot-in-command shall ensure that he/she and flight crew members engaged in performing duties essential to the safe operation of an aircraft in flight use supplemental oxygen continuously whenever the cabin altitude exceeds 10 000 ft for a period of more than 30 minutes and whenever the cabin altitude exceeds 13 000 ft.
When undue proximity to the ground is detected by the pilot-in-command or by a ground proximity warning system, the pilot-in-command shall take corrective action immediately in order to establish safe flight conditions.
When ACAS II is used, operational procedures and training shall be in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1332/2011.
Before commencing an approach to land, the pilot-in-command shall be satisfied that, according to the information available, the weather at the aerodrome or the operating site and the condition of the runway or FATO intended to be used would not prevent a safe approach, landing or missed approach.
below 1 000 ft above the aerodrome; or
into the final approach segment in the case where the decision altitude/height (DA/H) or minimum descent altitude/height (MDA/H) is more than 1 000 ft above the aerodrome.