EASA launches public consultation for proposals on drone airworthiness and certification

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) that puts forward a proposal for the establishment of a set of new, as well as the amendment of existing, acceptable means of compliance and guidance material associated with the applicable regulatory framework* for the initial airworthiness requirements for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) that are subject to certification, and the continuing airworthiness of those certified UAS operated in the ‘specific’ category. 

The NPA addresses new operational and mobility concepts that are based on innovative technologies, such as UAS, and fosters and promotes their acceptance and adoption by European citizens.

The specific objectives of the proposed new and amended acceptable means of compliance and guidance material are to:

• ensure a high and uniform level of safety for UAS subject to certification and operated in the ‘specific’ category;
• create the conditions for the safe operation of UAS in the U-space airspace;
• promote innovation and development in the field of innovative air mobility (IAM) while establishing an efficient, proportionate, and well-designed regulatory framework which does not unnecessarily hinder the development of the UAS market;
• provide guidance to the competent authorities of the EU Member States for the application of the UAS Regulations;
• support the implementation of the new regulatory framework applicable to UAS;
• help affected stakeholders understand the specificities of the new regulatory framework;
• address the novelties of UAS compared to manned aviation.

Comments can be submitted via EASA’s Comment Response Tool Comment Response Tool by 4th December 2024.

(* Commission Delegated Regulations (EU) 2024/1107 and (EU) 2024/1108, and Commission Implementing Regulations (EU) 2024/1109 and (EU) 2024/1110.