Commission Regulation (EU) No 748/20122 should be amended in order to regulate, as part of the flight conditions, the competence and experience for pilots and for lead flight test engineers, depending on the complexity of the flight tests performed and of the aircraft, with a view to increasing safety and enhancing the harmonisation of the competency and experience requirements for flight test crew members within the Union.

Requirements for production and design organisations conducting flight testing, a requirement to have a flight test operations manual defining the organisation's policies and the necessary procedures in relation to flight test should also be introduced, so as to promote the safe conduct of flight testing. That manual should include policies and procedures for crew composition and competence, presence on board of persons other than crew members, risk and safety management, identification of instruments and equipment required to be carried.

Commission Regulation (EC) No 2042/20033 has been recast in the interest of clarity. Since the EASA Form 15a, as laid down in the Appendix II to the Annex I (Part 21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012, refers to Regulation (EC) No 2042/2003, it is necessary to update that reference.

It is necessary to provide sufficient time for the aeronautical industry and the Member States to adapt to those requirements. Therefore, appropriate transitional provisions should be provided for. For certain amendments, however, a specific deferred application date should be provided in light of the nature of those amendments.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are based on the opinion issued by the Agency in accordance with Article 19(1) of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the European Aviation Safety Agency Committee, established by Article 65 of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008,