Annex I Definitions for terms used in Annexes II to VIII

SI No. 1290/2024

Text in magenta in force from 30 October 2025

For the purpose of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) ‘accelerate-stop distance available (ASDA)’ means the length of the take-off run available plus the length of stopway, if such stopway is declared available by the State of the aerodrome and is capable of bearing the mass of the aeroplane under the prevailing operating conditions;

(2) ‘acceptable means of compliance (AMC)’ means non-binding standards adopted by the CAA to illustrate means to establish compliance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 and its Implementing Rules;

(3) ‘acceptance checklist’ means a document used to assist in carrying out a check on the external appearance of packages of dangerous goods and their associated documents to determine that all appropriate requirements have been met with;

(4) ‘adequate aerodrome’ means an aerodrome on which the aircraft can be operated, taking account of the applicable performance requirements and runway characteristics;

(5) For the purpose of passenger classification:

(a) ‘adult’ means a person of an age of 12 years and above;

(b) ‘child/children’ means persons who are of an age of two years and above but who are less than 12 years of age;

(6) ‘aerodrome operating minima’ means the limits of usability of an aerodrome for:

(a) take-off, expressed in terms of RVR, or VIS, or both and also, if necessary, ceiling;

(b) landing in 2D instrument approach operations, expressed in terms of RVR, or VIS, or both and MDA or MDH, and, if necessary, ceiling; or

(c) landing in 3D instrument approach operations, expressed in terms of RVR, or VIS, or both, and DA or DH, as appropriate to the type or category, or both type and category, of the operation;

(7) ‘aided night vision imaging system (NVIS) flight’ means, in the case of NVIS operations, that portion of a visual flight rules (VFR) flight performed at night when a crew member is using night vision goggles (NVG);

(8) ‘aircraft’ means a machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface;

(8a) ‘aircraft tracking’ means a ground based process that maintains and updates, at standardised intervals, a record of the four dimensional position of individual aircraft in flight;

(8b) ‘aircraft tracking system’ means a system that relies on aircraft tracking in order to identify abnormal flight behaviour and provide alert;

(8c) ‘alternate aerodrome’ means an adequate aerodrome to which an aircraft may proceed when it becomes either impossible, or inadvisable, to proceed to, or land at, the aerodrome of intended landing:

(i) where the necessary services and facilities are available;

(ii) where aircraft performance requirements can be met; and

(iii) which is operational at the expected time of use;”

(9) ‘alternative means of compliance’ means those means that propose an alternative to an existing acceptable means of compliance or those that propose new means to establish compliance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 and its Implementing Rules for which no associated AMC have been adopted by the CAA ;

(10) 'anti-icing’, in the case of ground procedures, means a procedure that provides protection against the formation of frost or ice and accumulation of snow on treated surfaces of the aircraft for a limited period of time (hold-over time);

The following provision will be omitted on 30 October 2025:

(11) ‘approach procedure with vertical guidance (APV) operation’ means an instrument approach which utilises lateral and vertical guidance, but does not meet the requirements established for precision approach and landing operations, with a decision height (DH) not lower than 250 ft and a runway visual range (RVR) of not less than 600 m;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(11a) ‘basic fuel scheme’ means a fuel scheme that:

(a) ensures a safe, effective and efficient operation of the aircraft; and

(b) is established from a large-scale analysis of safety and operational data gathered from industry based on previous performance and experience applying scientific principles;

(11b) ‘basic fuel scheme with variations’ means a basic fuel scheme that has been varied based on the analysis of safety and operational data from previous performance and experience of the industry, applying scientific principles;

(12) ‘cabin crew member’ means an appropriately qualified crew member, other than a flight crew or technical crew member, who is assigned by an operator to perform duties related to the safety of passengers and flight during operations;

The following provision will be omitted on 30 October 2025:

(13) ‘category I (CAT I) approach operation’ means a precision instrument approach and landing using an instrument landing system (ILS), microwave landing system (MLS), GLS (ground-based augmented global navigation satellite system (GNSS/GBAS) landing system), precision approach radar (PAR) or GNSS using a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) with a decision height (DH) not lower than 200 ft and with a runway visual range (RVR) not less than 550 m for aeroplanes and 500 m for helicopters;

(13) Repealed.

The following provision will be omitted on 30 October 2025:

(14) ‘category II (CAT II) operation’ means a precision instrument approach and landing operation using ILS or MLS with:

(a) DH below 200 ft but not lower than 100 ft; and

(b) RVR of not less than 300 m;

(14) Repealed.

The following provision will be omitted on 30 October 2025:

(15) ‘category IIIA (CAT IIIA) operation’ means a precision instrument approach and landing operation using ILS or MLS with:

(a) DH lower than 100 ft; and

(b) RVR not less than 200 m;

(15) Repealed.

The following provision will be omitted on 30 October 2025:

(16) ‘category IIIB (CAT IIIB) operation’ means a precision instrument approach and landing operation using ILS or MLS with:

(a) DH lower than 100 ft, or no DH; and

(b) RVR lower than 200 m but not less than 75 m;

(16) Repealed.

(17) ‘category A with respect to helicopters’ means a multi-engined helicopter designed with engine and system isolation features specified in the applicable certification specification and capable of operations using take-off and landing data scheduled under a critical engine failure concept that assures adequate designated surface area and adequate performance capability for continued safe flight or safe rejected take-off in the event of engine failure;

(18) ‘category B with respect to helicopters’ means a single-engined or multi-engined helicopter that does not meet category A standards. Category B helicopters have no guaranteed capability to continue safe flight in the event of an engine failure, and unscheduled landing is assumed;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(18a) ‘ceiling’ means the height above the ground or water of the base of the lowest layer of cloud below 6000 m (20000 ft) covering more than half the sky;

(19) ‘certification specifications’ (CS) means technical standards adopted by the CAA indicating means to show compliance with Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 and its Implementing Rules and which can be used by an organisation for the purpose of certification;

The following provision will be amended on 30 October 2025:

(20) ‘circling’ means the visual phase of an instrument approach to bring an aircraft into position for landing on a runway/FATO that is not suitably located for a straight-in approach;

(20) ‘circling’ means the visual phase of a circling approach;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(20a) ‘circling approach’ means an extension of an IAP which provides for visual circling of the aerodrome prior to landing;

(21) ‘clearway’ means a defined rectangular area on the ground or water under the control of the appropriate authority, selected or prepared as a suitable area over which an aeroplane may make a portion of its initial climb to a specified height;

(22) ‘cloud base’ means the height of the base of the lowest observed or forecast cloud element in the vicinity of an aerodrome or operating site or within a specified area of operations, normally measured above aerodrome elevation or, in the case of offshore operations, above mean sea level;

(22a) ‘cockpit voice recorder (CVR)’ means a crash-protected flight recorder that uses a combination of microphones and other audio and digital inputs to collect and record the aural environment of the flight crew compartment and communications to, from and between the flight crew members;

(23) ‘code share’ means an arrangement under which an operator places its designator code on a flight operated by another operator, and sells and issues tickets for that flight;

(23a) ‘competency’ means a dimension of human performance that is used to reliably predict successful performance on the job and which is manifested and observed through behaviours that mobilise the relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes to carry out activities or tasks under specified conditions;

(23b) ‘competency-based training’ means assessment and training programmes that are characterised by a performance orientation, emphasis on standards of performance and their measurement and the development of training to the specified performance standards;

(23c) ‘competency framework’ means a complete set of identified competencies that are developed, trained and assessed in the operator’s evidence-based training programme utilising scenarios that are relevant to operations and which is wide enough to prepare the pilot for both foreseen and unforeseen threats and errors;

(24) ‘congested area’ means in relation to a city, town or settlement, any area which is substantially used for residential, commercial or recreational purposes;

(25) ‘contaminated runway’ means a runway of which a significant portion of its surface area (whether in isolated areas or not) within the length and width being used is covered by one or more of the substances listed under the runway surface condition descriptors;

The following provision will be amended on 30 October 2025:

(26) ‘contingency fuel’ means the fuel or energy required to compensate for unforeseen factors that could have an influence on the fuel or energy consumption to the destination aerodrome;

The following provision will be amended on 30 October 2025:

(27) ‘continuous descent final approach (CDFA)’ means a technique, consistent with stabilised approach procedures, for flying the final-approach segment of a non-precision instrument approach procedure as a continuous descent, without level-off, from an altitude/height at or above the final approach fix altitude/height to a point approximately 15 m (50 ft) above the landing runway threshold or the point where the flare manoeuvre shall begin for the type of aircraft flown;

(a) for a straight-in approach, to a point approximately 15 m (50 ft) above the landing runway threshold or the point where the flare manoeuvre begins; or

(b) for a circling approach, until MDA or MDH or visual flight manoeuvre altitude or height is reached;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(27a) ‘controlling RVR’ means the reported values of one or more RVR reporting locations (touchdown, mid-point and stop-end) used to determine whether operating minima are or are not met. Where RVR is used, the controlling RVR is the touchdown RVR, unless otherwise specified by criteria of the State of the aerodrome;

(28) ‘converted meteorological visibility (CMV)’ means a value, equivalent to an RVR, which is derived from the reported meteorological visibility;

(29) ‘crew member’ means a person assigned by an operator to perform duties on board an aircraft;

(30) ‘critical phases of flight’ in the case of aeroplanes means the take-off run, the take-off flight path, the final approach, the missed approach, the landing, including the landing roll, and any other phases of flight as determined by the pilot-in-command or commander;

(31) ‘critical phases of flight’ in the case of helicopters means taxiing, hovering, take-off, final approach, missed approach, the landing and any other phases of flight as determined by the pilot-in-command or commander;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(32) ‘current fuel scheme’ means the approved fuel or energy scheme that is being used at the time by the operator;

(33) ‘dangerous goods (DG)’ means articles or substances which are capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property or the environment and which are shown in the list of dangerous goods in the technical instructions or which are classified according to those instructions;

(34) ‘dangerous goods accident’ means an occurrence associated with and related to the transport of dangerous goods by air which results in fatal or serious injury to a person or major property damage;

(35) ‘dangerous goods incident’ means:

(a) an occurrence other than a dangerous goods accident associated with and related to the transport of dangerous goods by air, not necessarily occurring on board an aircraft, which results in injury to a person, property damage, fire, breakage, spillage, leakage of fluid or radiation or other evidence that the integrity of the packaging has not been maintained;

(b) any occurrence relating to the transport of dangerous goods which seriously jeopardises an aircraft or its occupants;

The following new provisions will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(35a) ‘decision altitude (DA)’ means a specified altitude in a 3D instrument approach operation at which a missed approach procedure must be initiated if the required visual reference to continue the approach has not been established;

(35b) ‘decision height (DH)’ means a specified height in a 3D instrument approach operation at which a missed approach procedure must be initiated if the required visual reference to continue the approach has not been established;

(36) ‘de-icing’, in the case of ground procedures, means a procedure by which frost, ice, snow or slush is removed from an aircraft in order to provide uncontaminated surfaces;

(37) ‘defined point after take-off (DPATO)’ means the point, within the take-off and initial climb phase, before which the helicopter’s ability to continue the flight safely, with the critical engine inoperative, is not assured and a forced landing may be required;

(38) ‘defined point before landing (DPBL)’ means the point within the approach and landing phase, after which the helicopter’s ability to continue the flight safely, with the critical engine inoperative, is not assured and a forced landing may be required;

The following new provisions will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(38a) ‘destination alternate aerodrome’ means an alternate aerodrome at which an aircraft would be able to land if it becomes either impossible, or inadvisable, to land at the aerodrome of intended landing;

(39) ‘distance DR’ means the horizontal distance that the helicopter has travelled from the end of the take-off distance available;

(40) ‘dry lease agreement’ means an agreement between undertakings pursuant to which the aircraft is operated under the air operator certificate (AOC) of the lessee or, in the case of commercial operations other than CAT, under the responsibility of the lessee;

(41) ‘dry operating mass’ means the total mass of the aircraft ready for a specific type of operation, excluding usable fuel and traffic load;

(42) ‘dry runway’ means a runway whose surface is free of visible moisture and not contaminated within the area intended to be used;

(42a) ‘EFB application’ means a software application installed on an EFB host platform that provides one or more specific operational functions which support flight operations;

(42b) ‘EFB host platform’ means the hardware equipment in which the computing capabilities and basic software reside, including the operating system and the input/output software;

(42c) ‘EFB system’ means the hardware equipment (including any battery, connectivity provisions, input/output components) and software (including databases and the operating system) needed to support the intended EFB application(s);

(42d) ‘EBT module’ means a combination of sessions in a qualified flight simulation training device as part of the 3-year period of recurrent assessment and training;

(43) ‘ELA1 aircraft’ means the following manned European Light Aircraft:

(a) an aeroplane with a Maximum Take-off Mass (MTOM) of 1200 kg or less that is not classified as complex motor-powered aircraft;

(b) a sailplane or powered sailplane of 1200 kg MTOM or less;

(c) a balloon with a maximum design lifting gas or hot air volume of not more than 3400 m3 for hot air balloons, 1050 m3 for gas balloons, 300 m3 for tethered gas balloons;

(44) ‘ELA2 aircraft’ means the following manned European Light Aircraft:

(a) an aeroplane with a Maximum Take-off Mass (MTOM) of 2000 kg or less that is not classified as complex motor-powered aircraft;

(b) a sailplane or powered sailplane of 2000 kg MTOM or less;

(d) a Very Light Rotorcraft with a MTOM not exceeding 600 kg which is of a simple design, designed to carry not more than two occupants, not powered by turbine and/or rocket engines; restricted to VFR day operations;

(44a) ‘electronic flight bag (EFB)’ means an electronic information system, comprised of equipment and applications for flight crew, which allows for the storing, updating, displaying and processing of EFB functions to support flight operations or duties;

(45) ‘elevated final approach and take-off area (elevated FATO)’ means a FATO that is at least 3 m above the surrounding surface;

(45a) ‘emergency exit’ means an installed exit-type egress point from the aircraft that allows maximum opportunity for cabin and flight crew compartment evacuation within an appropriate time period and includes floor level door, window exit or any other type of exit, for instance hatch in the flight crew compartment and tail cone exit;

The following provision will be amended on 30 October 2025:

(46) ‘en-route alternate (ERA) aerodrome’ means an adequate aerodrome along the route, which may be required at the planning stage;

(46) ‘en route alternate (ERA) aerodrome’ means an alternate aerodrome at which an aircraft would be able to land if a diversion becomes necessary while en route;

The following new provisions will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(46a) ‘enhanced flight vision system (EFVS)’ means an electronic means to provide the flight crew with a real-time sensor-derived, or enhanced display of, the external scene topography through the use of imaging sensors which is integrated with a flight guidance system and implemented on a head-up display or an equivalent display system;

(46b) ‘EFVS operation’ means an operation in which visibility conditions require an EFVS to be used instead of natural vision in order to perform an approach or landing, identify the required visual references, or conduct a roll-out;

(46c) ‘EFVS 200 operation’ means an operation with an operational credit in which visibility conditions require an EFVS to be used down to 200 ft above the FATO or runway threshold and after that point, natural vision is used and the RVR must not be less than 550m;

The following provision will be amended on 30 October 2025:

(47) ‘enhanced vision system (EVS)’ means a system to display electronic real-time images of the external scene achieved through the use of imaging sensors;

(47) 'enhanced vision system (EVS)’ means an electronic means to provide the flight crew with a real-time image of the actual external scene topography through the use of imaging sensors;

(47a) ‘enrolment’ means the administrative action carried out by the operator where a pilot participates in the operator’s EBT programme;

(47b) ‘enrolled pilot’ means the pilot that participates in the EBT recurrent training programme;

(47c) ‘equivalency of approachesmeans all the approaches that place an additional demand on a proficient crew regardless of whether they are used or not in the EBT modules;

(47d) ‘equivalency of malfunctions’ means all the malfunctions that put a significant demand on a proficient crew regardless of whether they are used or not in the EBT modules;

(47e) ‘evaluation phase’ means one of the phases of an EBT modulewhich is a line-orientated flight scenario, representative of the operator’s environment during which there are one or more occurrences to evaluate key elements of the defined competency framework;

(47f) ‘evidence-based training (EBT)’ means assessment and training based on operational data that is characterised by developing and assessing the overall capability of a pilot across a range of competencies (competency framework) rather than by measuring the performance in individual events or manoeuvres;

(48) ‘final approach and take-off area (FATO)’ means a defined area for helicopter operations, over which the final phase of the approach manoeuvre to hover or land is completed, and from which the take-off manoeuvre is commenced. In the case of helicopters operating in performance class 1, the defined area includes the rejected take-off area available;

(48a) ‘flight crew member’ means a licensed crew member charged with duties essential to the operation of an aircraft during a flight duty period;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(48b) ‘final approach segment (FAS)’ means that segment of an IAP in which alignment and descent for landing are accomplished;

(49) ‘flight data monitoring (FDM)’ means the proactive and non-punitive use of digital flight data from routine operations to improve aviation safety;

(49a) ‘flight operations officer’ or ‘flight dispatcher’ means a person designated by the operator to engage in the control and supervision of flight operations, who is suitably qualified, who supports, briefs or assists, or both, the pilot-in-command in the safe conduct of the flight;

(49b) ‘flight data recorder (FDR)’ means a crash-protected flight recorder that uses a combination of data sources to collect and record parameters that reflect the state and performance of the aircraft;

The following new provisions will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(49ba) ‘flight following’ means the recording in real time of departure and arrival messages by operational personnel to ensure that a flight is operating and has arrived at the destination aerodrome or an alternate aerodrome;

(49bb) ‘flight monitoring’ means flight following where there is also:

(a) operational monitoring of flights by suitably qualified operational control personnel from departure throughout all phases of the flight;

(b) communication of all available, and relevant, safety information between the operational-control personnel on the ground and the flight crew; and

(c) critical assistance given to the flight crew in the event of an in-flight emergency, security issue, or at the request of the flight crew;

(49c) ‘flight recorder’ means any type of recorder that is installed on the aircraft for the purpose of facilitating accident or incident safety investigations;

(50) ‘flight simulation training device (FSTD)’ means a training device which is:

(a) in the case of aeroplanes, a full flight simulator (FFS), a flight training device (FTD), a flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT), or a basic instrument training device (BITD);

(b) in the case of helicopters, a full flight simulator (FFS), a flight training device (FTD) or a flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT);

The following new provisions will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(50a) ‘flight time’ means:

(a) for aeroplanes, the total time from the moment an aeroplane first moves for the purpose of taking off until the moment the aeroplane finally comes to rest at the end of the flight;

(b) for helicopters, the total time between the moment a helicopter’s rotor blades start turning for the purpose of taking off until the moment the helicopter finally comes to rest at the end of the flight and the rotor blades are stopped;

(50b) ‘fuel en route alternate (FE ERA) aerodrome’ means an ERA aerodrome that is required at the planning stage for use in the calculation of fuel or energy;

The following provision will be amended on 30 October 2025:

(51) ‘fuel ERA aerodrome’ means an ERA aerodrome selected for the purpose of reducing contingency fuel;

(51) ‘fuel scheme’ means a scheme for the use of fuel or energy that is a basic fuel scheme, a basic fuel scheme with variations or an individual fuel scheme;

(52) ‘GBAS landing system (GLS)’ means an approach landing system using ground based augmented global navigation satellite system (GNSS/GBAS) information to provide guidance to the aircraft based on its lateral and vertical GNSS position. It uses geometric altitude reference for its final approach slope;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(52a) ‘go around’ means a transition from an approach operation to a stabilised climb and includes manoeuvres conducted at, or above, the MDA, MDH, DA or DH, or below the DA or DH (for balked landings);

(53) ‘ground emergency service personnel’ means any ground emergency service personnel (such as policemen, firemen, etc.) involved with helicopter emergency medical services (HEMSs) and whose tasks are to any extent pertinent to helicopter operations;

(54) ‘grounding’ means the formal prohibition of an aircraft to take-off and the taking of such steps as are necessary to detain it;

(55) ‘head-up display (HUD)’ means a display system which presents flight information to the pilot’s forward external field of view and which does not significantly restrict the external view;

The following provision will be amended on 30 October 2025:

(56) ‘head-up guidance landing system (HUDLS)’ means the total airborne system that provides head-up guidance to the pilot during the approach and landing and/or missed approach procedure. It includes all sensors, computers, power supplies, indications and controls;

(56) ‘head-up display landing system (HUDLS)’ means the total airborne system (including the sensors, computers, power supplies, indications and controls) which provides heads-up guidance to enable the pilot to either manually control the flightpath of the aircraft or to monitor the auto-pilot during take-off (if applicable), approach and landing (and rollout if applicable), or go around;

(57) Provision repealed before law was assimilated.

(58) ‘helicopter hoist operation (HHO) crew member’ means a technical crew member who performs assigned duties relating to the operation of a hoist;

(59) ‘helideck’ means a FATO located on a floating or fixed offshore structure;

(60) ‘HEMS crew member’ means a technical crew member who is assigned to a HEMS flight for the purpose of attending to any person in need of medical assistance carried in the helicopter and assisting the pilot during the mission;

(61) ‘HEMS flight’ means a flight by a helicopter operating under a HEMS approval, the purpose of which is to facilitate emergency medical assistance, where immediate and rapid transportation is essential, by carrying:

(a) medical personnel;

(b) medical supplies (equipment, blood, organs, drugs); or

(62) ‘HEMS operating base’ means an aerodrome at which the HEMS crew members and the HEMS helicopter may be on stand-by for HEMS operations;

(63) ‘HEMS operating site’ means a site selected by the commander during a HEMS flight for helicopter hoist operations, landing and take-off;

(64) ‘HHO flight’ means a flight by a helicopter operating under an HHO approval, the purpose of which is to facilitate the transfer of persons and/or cargo by means of a helicopter hoist;

(65) ‘HHO offshore’ means a flight by a helicopter operating under an HHO approval, the purpose of which is to facilitate the transfer of persons and/or cargo by means of a helicopter hoist from or to a vessel or structure in a sea area or to the sea itself;

(66) ‘HHO passenger’ means a person who is to be transferred by means of a helicopter hoist;

(67) ‘HHO site’ means a specified area at which a helicopter performs a hoist transfer;

(68) ‘hold-over time (HoT)’ means the estimated time the anti-icing fluid will prevent the formation of ice and frost and the accumulation of snow on the protected (treated) surfaces of an aeroplane;

(69) ‘hostile environment’ means:

(a) an area in which:

(i) a safe forced landing cannot be accomplished because the surface is inadequate; or

(ii) the helicopter occupants cannot be adequately protected from the elements; or

(iii) search and rescue response/capability are not provided consistent with anticipated exposure; or

(iv) there is an unacceptable risk of endangering persons or property on the ground;

(b) in any case, the following areas:

(i) for overwater operations, the open sea area north of 45 N and south of 45 S, unless any part is designated as non-hostile by the responsible authority of the State in which the operations take place; and

(ii) those parts of a congested area without adequate safe forced landing areas;

(69a) ‘human–machine interface (HMI)’ means a component of certain devices that is capable of handling human–machine interactions. The interface consists of hardware and software that allow user inputs to be interpreted and processed by machines or systems that, in turn, provide the required results to the user;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(69aa) ‘individual fuel scheme’ means a basic fuel scheme that has been modified based on a comparative analysis of an operator’s safety and operational data applied using scientific principles;

(69b) ‘in-seat instruction’ means a technique used in the manoeuvres training phase or the scenario-based training phase, where the instructors can:

(a) provide simple instructions to one pilot; or

(b) perform predetermined exercises acting, in a pilot seat, as pilot flying (PF) or pilot monitoring (PM) for:

(1) the demonstration of techniques; and/or

(2) triggering the other pilot to intervene or interact;

(69c) ‘instructor concordance’means the consistency or stability of scores between different EBT instructorswhich gives a score (or scores) of how much homogeneity, or consensus, there is in the ratings given by instructors (raters);

The following new provisions will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(69d) ‘instrument approach operation’ means an approach and landing using instruments for navigation guidance based on an IAP and is either:

(a) a two-dimensional (2D) instrument approach operation, using lateral navigation guidance only; or

(b) a three-dimensional (3D) instrument approach operation, using both lateral and vertical navigation guidance;

(69e) ‘instrument approach procedure (IAP)’ means a series of pre-determined manoeuvres by reference to flight instruments with specified protection from obstacles from the initial approach fix or, where applicable, from the beginning of a defined arrival route to a point from which a landing can be completed and, after that, if a landing is not completed, to a position at which holding or en-route obstacle clearance criteria apply;

(70) ‘landing decision point (LDP)’ means the point used in determining landing performance from which, an engine failure having been recognised at this point, the landing may be safely continued or a balked landing initiated;

(70a) ‘landing distance at time of arrival (LDTA)’ means a landing distance that is achievable in normal operations based on landing performance data and associated procedures determined for the prevailing conditions at the time of landing;

(71) 'landing distance available (LDA)’ means the length of the runway which is declared available by the State of the aerodrome and suitable for the ground run of an aeroplane landing;

(72) ‘landplane’ means a fixed wing aircraft which is designed for taking off and landing on land and includes amphibians operated as landplanes;

(72a) ‘line-orientated flight scenario’ means the assessment and training involving a realistic, ‘real-time’, full mission simulation of scenarios that are representative of line operations;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(72za) ‘line check’ means a check conducted by the operator and completed by the pilot, or the technical crew member, to demonstrate competence carrying out normal line operations described in the operations manual;

(73) ‘local helicopter operation’ means a commercial air transport operation of helicopters with a maximum certified take-off mass (MCTOM) over 3175 kg and a maximum operational passenger seating configuration (MOPSC) of nine or less, by day, over routes navigated by reference to visual landmarks, conducted within a local and defined geographical area specified in the operations manual;

The following provision will be amended on 30 October 2025:

(74) ‘low visibility procedures (LVP)’ means procedures applied at an aerodrome for the purpose of ensuring safe operations during lower than standard category I, other than standard category II, category II and III approaches and low visibility take-offs;

“(74) ‘low-visibility operations (LVOs)’ means approach or take-off operations on a runway with a RVR less than 550 m or with a DH less than 200 ft;

The following provision will be amended on 30 October 2025:

(75) ‘low visibility take-off (LVTO)’ means a take-off with an RVR lower than 400 m but not less than 75 m;

(75) ‘low-visibility take-off (LVTO)’ means a take-off with an RVR less than 550 m;”

The following provision will be omitted on 30 October 2025:

(76) ‘lower than standard category I (LTS CAT I) operation’ means a category I instrument approach and landing operation using category I DH, with an RVR lower than would normally be associated with the applicable DH but not lower than 400 m;

(76) Repealed.

(76a) ‘maintenance check flight (‘MCF’)’ means a flight of an aircraft with an airworthiness certificate or with a permit to fly which is carried out for troubleshooting purposes or to check the functioning of one or more systems, parts or appliances after maintenance, if the functioning of the systems, parts or appliances cannot be established during ground checks and which is carried out in any of the following situations:

(a) as required by the aircraft maintenance manual (‘AMM’) or any other maintenance data issued by a design approval holder being responsible for the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft;

(b) after maintenance, as required by the operator or proposed by the organisation responsible for the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft;

(d) to assist with fault isolation or troubleshooting;

(76b) ‘manoeuvres training phase’ means a phase of an EBT module during which, according to aircraft generation, crews have time to practise and improve performance in largely psychomotor skill-based exercises by achieving a prescribed flight path or performing a prescribed event to a prescribed outcome;

(76c) ‘mixed EBT programme’ means an operator’s recurrent training and checking programme as per ORO.FC.230, a portion of which is dedicated to the application of EBT but which does not replace proficiency checks as per Appendix 9 to Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011;

(77) ‘maximum operational passenger seating configuration (MOPSC)’ means the maximum passenger seating capacity of an individual aircraft, excluding crew seats, established for operational purposes and specified in the operations manual. Taking as a baseline the maximum passenger seating configuration established during the certification process conducted for the type certificate (TC), supplemental type certificate (STC) or change to the TC or STC as relevant to the individual aircraft, the MOPSC may establish an equal or lower number of seats, depending on the operational constraints;

(78) ‘medical passenger’ means a medical person carried in a helicopter during a HEMS flight, including but not limited to doctors, nurses and paramedics;

(78a) ‘minor failure condition’ means a failure condition that would not significantly reduce aircraft safety, and which involves flight crew actions that are well within their capabilities;

The following new provisions will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(78aa) ‘minimum descent altitude (MDA)’ means a specified altitude in a 2D instrument approach operation, or circling approach, below which descent must not be made without the required visual reference;

(78ab) ‘minimum descent height (MDH)’ means a specified height in a 2D instrument approach operation, or circling approach, below which descent must not be made without the required visual reference;”

(78b) ‘misuse of substances’ means the use of one or more psychoactive substances by flight crew, cabin crew members and other safety-sensitive personnel in a way that:

(a) constitutes a direct hazard to the user or endangers the lives, health or welfare of others; and/or

(b) causes or worsens an occupational, social, mental or physical problem or disorder;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(78c) ‘multi-crew cooperation (MCC)’ means the functioning of the flight crew as a team of cooperating members led by the pilot in command;

(79) ‘night’ means the time from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise (both times inclusive), sunset and sunrise being determined at surface level ;

(80) ‘night vision goggles (NVG)’ means a head-mounted, binocular, light intensification appliance that enhances the ability to maintain visual surface references at night;

(81) ‘night vision imaging system (NVIS)’ means the integration of all elements required to successfully and safely use NVGs while operating a helicopter. The system includes as a minimum: NVGs, NVIS lighting, helicopter components, training and continuing airworthiness;

(82) ‘non-hostile environment’ means an environment in which:

(a) a safe forced landing can be accomplished;

(b) the helicopter occupants can be protected from the elements; and

In any case, those parts of a congested area with adequate safe forced landing areas shall be considered non-hostile;

The following provision will be omitted on 30 October 2025:

(83) ‘non-precision approach (NPA) operation’ means an instrument approach with a minimum descent height (MDH), or DH when flying a CDFA technique, not lower than 250 ft and an RVR/CMV of not less than 750 m for aeroplanes and 600 m for helicopters;

(83) Repealed.

(84) ‘NVIS crew member’ means a technical crew member assigned to an NVIS flight;

(85) ‘NVIS flight’ means a flight under night visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with the flight crew using NVGs in a helicopter operating under an NVIS approval;

The following new provisions will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(85a) ‘obstacle clearance altitude (OCA)’ means the lowest altitude above the elevation of the relevant runway threshold, or the aerodrome elevation, as applicable, used in establishing compliance with the appropriate obstacle clearance criteria;

(85b) ‘obstacle clearance height (OCH)’ means the lowest height, above the elevation of the relevant runway threshold, or the aerodrome elevation, as applicable, used in establishing compliance with the appropriate obstacle clearance criteria;

(86) ‘offshore operation’ means a helicopter operation that has a substantial proportion of any flight conducted over open sea areas to or from an offshore location;

(86a) ‘offshore location’ means a facility intended to be used for helicopter operations on a fixed or floating offshore structure or a vessel;

(86b) ‘open sea area’ means the area of water to seaward of the coastline;

(87) ‘operating site’ means a site, other than an aerodrome, selected by the operator or pilot-in-command or commander for landing, take-off and/or external load operations;

(88) ‘operation in performance class 1’ means an operation that, in the event of failure of the critical engine, the helicopter is able to land within the rejected take-off distance available or safely continue the flight to an appropriate landing area, depending on when the failure occurs;

(89) ‘operation in performance class 2’ means an operation that, in the event of failure of the critical engine, performance is available to enable the helicopter to safely continue the flight, except when the failure occurs early during the take-off manoeuvre or late in the landing manoeuvre, in which cases a forced landing may be required;

(90) ‘operation in performance class 3’ means an operation that, in the event of an engine failure at any time during the flight, a forced landing may be required in a multi-engined helicopter and will be required in a single-engined helicopter;

(91) ‘operational control’ means the responsibility for the initiation, continuation, termination or diversion of a flight in the interest of safety;

The following new provisions will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(91a) ‘operational credit’ means a credit for operations with an advanced aircraft enabling lower operating minima than would normally be established by the operator for a basic aircraft, based upon the performance of advanced aircraft systems utilising the available external infrastructure;

(91b) ‘operator proficiency check’ means a check conducted by the operator and completed by the pilot, or the technical crew member, to demonstrate competence in carrying out normal, abnormal and emergency procedures;

The following provision will be omitted on 30 October 2025:

(92) ‘other than standard category II (OTS CAT II) operation’ means a precision instrument approach and landing operation using ILS or MLS where some or all of the elements of the precision approach category II light system are not available, and with:

(a) DH below 200 ft but not lower than 100 ft; and

(b) RVR of not less than 350 m;

(92) Repealed.

(93) ‘performance class A aeroplanes’ means multi-engined aeroplanes powered by turbo-propeller engines with an MOPSC of more than nine or a maximum take-off mass exceeding 5700 kg, and all multi-engined turbo-jet powered aeroplanes;

(94) ‘performance class B aeroplanes’ means aeroplanes powered by propeller engines with an MOPSC of nine or less and a maximum take-off mass of 5700 kg or less;

(95) ‘performance class C aeroplanes’ means aeroplanes powered by reciprocating engines with an MOPSC of more than nine or a maximum take-off mass exceeding 5700 kg;

(95a) ‘personnel-carrying device system (PCDS)’ means a system including one or more devices that is either attached to a hoist or cargo hook or mounted to the rotorcraft airframe during human external cargo (HEC) or helicopter hoist operations (HHO). The devices have the structural capability and features needed to transport occupants external to the helicopter e.g. a life safety harness with or without a quick release and strop with a connector ring, a rigid basket or a cage;

(95b) ‘simple personnel carrying device system (simple ‘PCDS’)’ means a PCDS that complies with the following conditions:

(a) meets a harmonised standard under Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council or Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council;

(b) is designed to restrain no more than a single person (for instance, hoist or cargo hook operator, task specialist or photographer) inside the cabin, or to restrain no more than two persons outside the cabin;

(96) ‘pilot-in-command’ means the pilot designated as being in command and charged with the safe conduct of the flight. For the purpose of commercial air transport operations, the ‘pilot-in-command’ shall be termed the ‘commander’;

(96a) ‘portable EFB’ means a portable EFB host platform, used on the flight deck, which is not part of the configuration of the certified aircraft;

(96b) ‘portable electronic device (PED)’ means any kind of electronic device, typically but not limited to consumer electronics, brought on board the aircraft by crew members, passengers, or as part of the cargo, that is not included in the configuration of the certified aircraft. It includes all equipment that is able to consume electrical energy. The electrical energy can be provided from internal sources such as batteries (chargeable or non-rechargeable) or the devices may also be connected to specific aircraft power sources;

(97) ‘principal place of business’ means the head office or registered office of the organisation within which the principal financial functions and operational control of the activities referred to in this Regulation are exercised;

(98) ‘prioritisation of ramp inspections’ means the dedication of an appropriate portion of the total number of ramp inspections conducted by the CAA on an annual basis as provided in Part-ARO;

(98a) ‘proficient’ means having demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes that are required to perform any defined tasks to the prescribed standard;

(98b) ’psychoactive substance’ means any alcohol, opioid, cannabinoid, sedative, hypnotic, cocaine, other psychostimulant, hallucinogen or volatile solvent;

(99) ‘public interest site (PIS)’ means a site used exclusively for operations in the public interest;

(100) ‘ramp inspection’ means the inspection of aircraft, of flight and cabin crew qualifications and of flight documentation in order to verify the compliance with the applicable requirements;

(101) ‘rectification interval’ means a limitation on the duration of operations with inoperative equipment;

(102) ‘rejected take-off distance available (RTODAH)’ means the length of the final approach and take-off area declared available and suitable for helicopters operated in performance class 1 to complete a rejected take-off;

(103) ‘rejected take-off distance required (RTODRH)’ means the horizontal distance required from the start of the take-off to the point where the helicopter comes to a full stop following an engine failure and rejection of the take-off at the take-off decision point;

(103a) ‘required navigation performance (RNP) specification’ means a navigation specification for PBN operations which includes a requirement for on-board navigation performance monitoring and alerting;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(103aa) ‘required visual reference’ means that section of the visual aids or of the approach area which should have been in view for sufficient time for the pilot to have made an assessment of the aircraft position and rate of change of position, in relation to the desired flight path. In Category III operations with a DH, the required visual reference is that specified for the particular procedure and operation;

(103b) ‘rules of the air’ means the rules established in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012;

(103c) ‘runway condition report (RCR)’ means a comprehensive standardised report relating to the conditions of the runway surface and their effect on the aeroplane landing and take-off performance, described by means of runway conditions code;

(104) ‘runway visual range (RVR)’ means the range over which the pilot of an aircraft on the centre line of a runway can see the runway surface markings or the lights delineating the runway or identifying its centre line;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(104a) ‘safe landing’, where used in the context of a fuel or energy policy or a fuel scheme, means a landing at an adequate aerodrome, or operating site, in compliance with the applicable operational procedures and aerodrome operating minima and with no less than the final reserve of fuel or energy remaining;

(105) ‘safe forced landing’ means an unavoidable landing or ditching with a reasonable expectancy of no injuries to persons in the aircraft or on the surface;

(105a) ’safety-sensitive personnel’ means persons who, if they fail to perform their duties or functions properly, may endanger the safety of an aircraft or its occupants;

(105b) ‘scenario-based training phase’ means a phase of an EBT module which focuses on the development of competencies, whilst the pilot is trained to mitigate the most critical risks identified for the aircraft generation. It should include the management of specific operator’s threats and errors in a real-time line-orientated environment;

(106) ‘seaplane’ means a fixed wing aircraft which is designed for taking off and landing on water and includes amphibians operated as seaplanes;

(107) ‘separate runways’ means runways at the same aerodrome that are separate landing surfaces. These runways may overlay or cross in such a way that if one of the runways is blocked, it will not prevent the planned type of operations on the other runway. Each runway shall have a separate approach procedure based on a separate navigation aid;

(107a) ‘specially prepared winter runway’ means a runway with a dry frozen surface of compacted snow or ice which has been treated with sand or grit or has been mechanically treated to improve runway friction;

(108) ‘special VFR flight’ means a VFR flight cleared by air traffic control to operate within a control zone in meteorological conditions below VMC;

(109) ‘stabilised approach (SAp)’ means an approach that is flown in a controlled and appropriate manner in terms of configuration, energy and control of the flight path from a pre-determined point or altitude/height down to a point 50 ft above the threshold or the point where the flare manoeuvre is initiated if higher;

(109a) ‘sterile flight crew compartment’ means any period of time when the flight crew members are not disturbed or distracted, except for matters critical to the safe operation of the aircraft or the safety of the occupants;

(110) ‘take-off alternate aerodrome’ means an alternate aerodrome at which an aircraft can land should this become necessary shortly after take-off and if it is not possible to use the aerodrome of departure;

(111) ‘take-off decision point (TDP)’ means the point used in determining take-off performance from which, an engine failure having been recognised at this point, either a rejected take-off may be made or a take-off safely continued;

(112) ‘take-off distance available (TODA)’ in the case of aeroplanes means the length of the take-off run available plus the length of the clearway, if provided;

(113) ‘take-off distance available (TODAH)’ in the case of helicopters means the length of the final approach and take-off area plus, if provided, the length of helicopter clearway declared available and suitable for helicopters to complete the take-off;

(114) ‘take-off distance required (TODRH)’ in the case of helicopters means the horizontal distance required from the start of the take-off to the point at which take-off safety speed (VTOSS), a selected height and a positive climb gradient are achieved, following failure of the critical engine being recognised at the TDP, the remaining engines operating within approved operating limits;

(115) ‘take-off flight path’ means the vertical and horizontal path, with the critical engine inoperative, from a specified point in the take-off for aeroplanes to 1500 ft above the surface and for helicopters to 1000 ft above the surface;

(116) ‘take-off mass’ means the mass including everything and everyone carried at the commencement of the take-off for helicopters and take-off run for aeroplanes;

(117) ‘take-off run available (TORA)’ means the length of runway that is declared available by the State of the aerodrome and suitable for the ground run of an aeroplane taking off;

(117a) ‘task specialist’ means a person assigned by the operator or a third party, or acting as an undertaking, who performs tasks on the ground directly associated with a specialised task or performs specialised tasks on board or from the aircraft;

(118) ‘technical crew member’ means a crew member in commercial air transport HEMS, HHO or NVIS operations other than a flight or cabin crew member, assigned by the operator to duties in the aircraft or on the ground for the purpose of assisting the pilot during HEMS, HHO or NVIS operations, which may require the operation of specialised on-board equipment;

(119) ‘technical instructions (TI)’ means the latest effective edition of the ‘Technical instructions for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air’, including the supplement and any addenda, approved and published by the International Civil Aviation Organisation;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

(119a) ‘take-off alternate aerodrome’ means an alternate aerodrome at which an aircraft would be able to land shortly after take-off if it becomes necessary and where it is not possible to land at the departure aerodrome;

(120) ‘traffic load’ means the total mass of passengers, baggage, cargo and carry-on specialist equipment and including any ballast;

(120a) ‘type A EFB application’ means an EFB application whose malfunction or misuse has no safety effect;

(120b) ‘type B EFB application’ means an EFB application:

(a) whose malfunction or misuse is classified as minor failure condition or below; and

(b) which neither replaces nor duplicates any system or functionality required by airworthiness regulations, airspace requirements, or operational rules;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

“(120za) ‘training to proficiency’ means training designed to achieve end-state performance objectives, providing sufficient assurance to the operator that the trained individual is capable of consistently carrying out specific tasks safely and effectively;”

(121) ‘unaided NVIS flight’ means, in the case of NVIS operations, that portion of a VFR flight performed at night when a crew member is not using NVG;

(122) ‘undertaking’ means any natural or legal person, whether profit-making or not, or any official body whether having its own personality or not;

(123) ‘V1’ means the maximum speed in the take-off at which the pilot must take the first action to stop the aeroplane within the accelerate-stop distance. V1 also means the minimum speed in the take-off, following a failure of the critical engine at VEF, at which the pilot can continue the take-off and achieve the required height above the take-off surface within the take-off distance;

(124) 'VEF’ means the speed at which the critical engine is assumed to fail during take-off;

The following new provision will be inserted on 30 October 2025:

“(124a) ‘visibility (VIS)’ means visibility for aeronautical purposes, which is the greater of:

(a) the greatest distance at which a black object of suitable dimensions, situated near the ground, can be seen and recognised when observed against a bright background; and

(b) the greatest distance at which lights in the vicinity of 1000 candelas can be seen and identified against an unlit background;

The following provision will be amended on 30 October 2025:

(125) ‘visual approach’ means an approach when either part or all of an instrument approach procedure is not completed and the approach is executed with visual reference to the terrain;

(125) ‘visual approach’ means an approach operation by an IFR flight when either part or all of an instrument approach procedure is not completed and the approach operation is completed with visual reference to the terrain;

(126) ‘weather-permissible aerodrome’ means an adequate aerodrome where, for the anticipated time of use, weather reports, or forecasts, or any combination thereof, indicate that the weather conditions will be at or above the required aerodrome operating minima, and the runway surface condition reports indicate that a safe landing will be possible;

(127) ‘wet lease agreement’ means an agreement:

— in the case of CAT operations, between air carriers pursuant to which the aircraft is operated under the AOC of the lessor; or

— in the case of commercial operations other than CAT, between operators pursuant to which the aircraft is operated under the responsibility of the lessor;

(128) ‘wet runway’ means a runway whose surface is covered by any visible dampness or water up to and including 3 mm deep within the area intended to be used.