NPA 2016-03(D)

Technical review of the theoretical knowledge syllabi, learning objectives, and examination procedures for air transport pilot licence, multi-crew pilot licence, commercial pilot licence, and instrument ratings

Subject 050 — Meteorology; Subject 061 — General navigation; Subject 062 — Radio navigation


This Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) addresses a safety and regulatory coordination issue related to flight crew licensing. It has been developed in response to the European Aviation Safety Plan (EASP) safety actions.
This NPA updates the Learning Objectives (LOs) for the theoretical knowledge (TK) syllabi and ground school examinations, and introduces the threat and error management (TEM) concept and its application. The amendments proposed in this NPA aim to ensure that the LOs correspond to today’s operational environment and that commercial pilots are equipped with the knowledge and understanding relevant to modern flight deck and current industry needs. The proposed updated pilot training will contribute to the overall enhancement of the pilots’ core competencies and their ability to make informed decisions.
The NPA also introduces new LOs under Area 100 ‘knowledge, skills and attitudes’ (KSA), whose aim is to enhance the pilots’ KSA contained in the core competencies. New requirements are proposed for approved training organisations (ATOs) to assess student pilots’ KSA. These skills focus on the pilots’ ability to apply their knowledge and understanding across subjects and to demonstrate technical and non-technical skills. These LOs will, therefore, not be the subject of examinations organised by the competent authority or its agents, but will be assessed by the ATOs to ensure that trainee pilots have an adequate level of competency before they are allowed to sit their final TK examinations.
The NPA also recommends that EASA develop a process to regularly review and update the LOs so that they are up to date with emerging safety threats as well as with developments in technology and operational practice.