Helicopters and Light Aircraft

All Irish registered helicopters not used for commercial air transport will be issued with an EASA non expiring Certificate of Airworthiness which will be validated by an Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). The ARC will be valid for one year and may be extended twice for a one year period before it must be reissued.

To ensure the continued airworthiness of a helicopter an airworthiness review must be carried out periodically. This airworthiness review includes a review of technical documentation and the physical survey of the helicopter.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is the agency of the European Union for aviation safety. The agency became operational in 2003 pursuant to European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) 1592/2002 now repealed by Council Regulation (EC) 261/2008 referred to as the Basic Regulation.

When EASA regulation EC 2042/2003 comes into force for non commercial aviation in September 2008, certain helicopters will be classified as complex motor-powered aircraft and will have to be managed by a Part M Subpart G Airworthiness Management organisation and maintained by a Part 145 maintenance organisation.

A complex Motor-powered Aircraft means:
"A Helicopter with a maximum certificated take-off mass exceeding 3,175kg or; with a maximum approved passenger seating configuration
of more than 5 or Certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots or a Tilt Rotor aircraft "

General Aviation (GA) as defined means all Non-commercial activities of aircraft other than complex motor powered aircraft.

"In view of a number of envisaged changes to Part M relating to non complex general aviation aircraft the Agency (EASA) has strongly encouraged the Competent Authorities not to introduce provisions in their national regulations that force the organisations to comply with current Part-M requirements for non commercial general aviation before Sept 2008, since they are very likely to be amended"

Aircraft and Helicopters not affected by the EASA Regulations
Aircraft and Helicopters not affected by the EASA Regulations