Flight group

Certification Specifications

Application Forms

Relevant Certification application forms are available under the Application Form page.

The Flight Test and Human Factors Section (C.2.2)

The flight test Section currently consists of 2 test pilots and 3 flight test engineers.
The role of the section is:

  • Approval and conduct of certification flight tests of large and small aeroplanes, rotorcraft and airships.
  • Participation in development flight tests of new prototypes on an advisory and monitoring basis.
  • Conduct of validation flight tests of aircraft which have not been certificated by EASA.
  • Standardisation of flight test methods and acceptability criteria of the qualified entities or national authorities
  • Ensure consistent and up to date evaluations by non-EASA  flight test experts
  • Approval of flight test departments of applicants, as part of the DOA approval process.
  • Participation of the approval of non EU flight test  schools
  • Development of flight related airworthiness regulations as part of the EASA rulemaking process
  • Participation in flight related research tasks
  • Providing assistance and advice to other EASA staff on flight issues
  • Providing assistance and advice outside the Agency on flight issues
  • Provide flight related advice in support of incident and accident investigation
  • Coordinate and promote safety in flight test in Europe.
  • Resolution of conflict regarding flight test matters with other airworthiness authorities

In addition, the flight test section includes 1 Human Factors expert, whose role is to:

  • Investigate Human factors for compliance with airworthiness requirements and perform the relevant certification steps, liaising as necessary with other experts;
  • Contribute to the approval of changes and STCs on corresponding products;
  • Conduct of Human Factors investigation for the validation of aircraft which have not been certificated by EASA.
  • Participate in the development of interpretations of existing requirements, where necessary, to cover new technologies, novel applications of existing technology, and novel proposals for compliance showing;
  • Provide advice in the development of new airworthiness requirements, including relevant parts of Certification Specifications and advisory and guidance material in co-operation with the EASA Rulemaking Directorate;
  • Ensure Large aeroplane in service defects relevant to Human factors are investigated and all necessary action taken to maintain safety standards;
  • Provide a source of assistance and expert advice both within and outside the Agency in the field of Human Factors;
  • Provide Technical and Policy advice to industry, academic organisations and governments, when agreed by the corresponding Certification Manager.
  • Develop training actions in the field of Human Factors inside the agency

The Operational Suitability - Fixed Wing Section (C.2.9)

The Operational Suitability - Fixed Wing Section

  • Determines the pilot type ratings (to establish if a candidate aircraft is recognized as a new type or as a variant to an existing aircraft or group of aircraft) and pilot licence endorsement designations for aircraft;
  • Conducts evaluations required to establish the Operational Suitability Data (OSD) for flight crew, including identification of training areas of special emphasis and training syllabus;
  • Evaluates, upon request, the training and currency credit for commonality between aircraft and any other special evaluations related to particular equipment or type of operations;
  • Ensures coordination with the Project Certification Manager (PCM) for assigned projects
  • Participates in standardisation and accreditation activities, as well as in related rulemaking activities, as deemed necessary;
  • Provides support to the activities of other EASA Directorates in operational and Licensing  of aircraft domains;
  • Participates in other tasks related to operational safety issues.

The Operational Suitability - Rotorcraft, Balloons & Airships  Section (C.2.12)

The Operational Suitability - Rotorcraft, Balloons & Airships  Section

  • Determines the pilot type ratings (to establish if a candidate aircraft is recognized as a new type or as a variant to an existing aircraft or group of aircraft) and pilot licence endorsement designations for aircraft;
  • Conducts evaluations required to establish the Operational Suitability Data (OSD) for flight crew, including identification of training areas of special emphasis and training syllabus;
  • Evaluates also upon request, the training and currency credit for commonality between aircrafts and any other special evaluations related to particular equipment or type of operations;
  • Ensures coordination with the Project Certification Manager (PCM) for assigned projects
  • Participates in standardisation and accreditation activities as well as in related rulemaking activities, as deemed necessary;
  • Provides support to the activities of other EASA Directorates in operational and Licensing  of Rotorcraft/Balloons/Airships domains;
  • Participates in other tasks related to operational safety issues.

The Special OPS Evaluation Section (C.2.14)

The Special OPS Evaluation Section evaluates the operational suitability of specific equipment like:

  • Electronic Flight Bags, (EFB)
  • Enhanced Visual Systems (EVS),
  • Synthetic Visual systems (SVS),
  • Steep approach,
  • Electronic Check Lists(ECL).

The EFB operational  evaluations imply the assessment of hardware and software applications  against operational regulation. Such evaluations may encompass different functions like Chart modules , Aircraft Performance and Mass and Balance calculations.

The Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) Section (C.2.15)

The Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) is a document that lists the items which may be temporarily inoperative under specified conditions for a specific aircraft type.

All items not included in the list are required to be operative unless they are considered to be       non-safety related items. The MMEL is the property of the (S)TC holder.

  • The MMEL Section is responsible for the MMEL review process.
  • MMELs are required for all types as part of their Operational Suitability Data (OSD) approval  before entry into service of the type in one of the EASA member states.
  • The MMEL process covers airworthiness and operations environments, with review typically involving typed design and operational experts.
  • The MMEL is used by the operator to generate their Minimum Equipment List (MEL). This process requires the operator to customise the MMEL to suit their fleet and operation.

The Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTD) Section (C.2.16)

The Section activities encompass the initial and recurrent qualification of Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTD).

This includes:

  • Full Flight Simulators,
  • Flight Training Devices,
  • Flight and Navigation Procedures Trainers,
  • Basic Instrument Training Devices.

The section liaises with internal and external parties involved and manages outsourced resources for assigned FSTD qualification projects.
Also included is the evaluation of all processes leading to the qualification of Full Flight Simulators or Flight Training Devices for new types of aircraft (new data packages).

If you have any questions related to Flight group activities, please send an e-mail to: