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Technical & General Meeting
Luxembourg, 21-22 March 2015
Timo Schubert
Brief Update on Activities
at the EU Political Level
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Institutional Changes in the EU in 2014
Jean Claude Juncker (Luxembourg)
President of the European Commission
 Elections to European Parliament in May 2014: EPP (conservative)
remains largest group. Rise in Eurosceptic groups. Conservatives and
Socialists forced to cooperate closely to ensure stable majorities.
 Small groups (Liberal, Green, UK Conservative) loose influence
(including some of our supporters unfortunately)
 Re-organisation of Commission with stronger role for Vice-Presidents
and reorganisation of some Directorates-General
 Growth, jobs, competitiveness, business
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Commissioner for Transport (DG MOVE)
Violeta Bulc
 Slovenian, centre-left
 Aged 50
 Politically inexperienced but strong business
background
 Not an expert in transport policy
 Main issues: Importance of transport for growth
and employment, TEN-T network
 New Cabinet but DG MOVE largely unchanged
 New Director for Air Transport Margus Rahuoja
succeeding Matthew Baldwin
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Key players in DG MOVE
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Why is the EU regulating our Sector?
 Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, Articles 90-100
 A common European transport policy (in addition to policy at
Member State level)
 Areas:
 Common rules applicable to international transport
 The conditions under which non-resident carriers may
operate transport services within a Member State
 Measures to improve transport safety
 Any other appropriate provisions
 Promote a mobility that is efficient, safe, secure and
environmentally friendly
 Create conditions for a competitive industry generating growth
and new jobs
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Revision of EASA Regulation (BR)
(216/2008/EC)
Preparations for “big” revision by DG MOVE has started
Various representations at working and HoU level (DG MOVE)
Identification of key issues with EAS BR Review Group
Key issues: Annex II, Commercial OPS, Essential
Requirements
 Timeline: EASA Opinion (spring), Commission proposal
(autumn), Ordinary Legislative Procedure (2015-2016)
 Now focus on DG MOVE
 Approaches to Member States and EP to intensify in 2016
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RPAS
 Increased political interest in RPAS over the past few years (working
papers, conferences, etc.)
 April 2014 – Communication “A new era for Aviation - Opening the
aviation market to the civil use of remotely piloted aircraft systems in
a safe and sustainable manner”
 Various representations at working and HoU level
 Drafting and presentation of position papers and participation in
closed hearing at EP (Own Initiative report Jacky Foster MEP)
 Increased Council activities – (High level conference and debate in
March 2015)
 Key issues: Aeromodelling, conspicuity, equipment, safety
 Timeline: Ongoing 2015/2016
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ADS-B
 Use of ADS-B as surveillance technology has been on the
agenda for many years
 Policy makers expect cost and safety benefits
 Commission has now postponed mandatory fitment of
ADS-B following doubts that benefits can materialise
 Re-consdierung if ADS-B should be mandatory at all
 Various representations at DG MOVE and SESAR level to
alert policy makers of position of light GA (i.e. no
mandatory fitment)
 SESAR scoping paper looking at all options (no mandatory
fitment up to mandatory fitment all aircraft in all airspace)
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Occurrence Reporting
 Draft Regulation was inappropriate, not taking into account
General Aviation Safety Strategy proposing “one size fits all”
 Adoption of final Regulation in spring 2014 following intensive
representations made by EAS at Commission, EP and Council
level – recognising need for lighter rules for light end of GA
 2014/2015 – tedious EAS activities in drafting “light” list of
occurences to be reported with good results
 Next months: working on guidance and educational material
 Remaining issue: Interpretation of the regulation. It is still not
entirely not clear what has to be reported
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Thank you for your attention!
[email protected]