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EASA Proposes Changes to Relief Pilot Requirements

The European Aviation Safety Agency plans soon to combine two safety rules into one. A recent EASA notice of proposed rulemaking–NPA 2014-25–addresses the training and certification of cruise relief pilots and co-pilots (CRCP) in augmented crew operations. One aspect of the proposal is based on a French safety recommendation. The other, from an EASA committee, calls for a safety-risk audit on how the European restricted type rating relates to cruise pilots. One specific objective is to ensure that a CRCP is adequately trained and qualified to operate an aircraft during the cruise segment of a flight. Another is to be certain that appropriate operating procedures are established for the transfer of authority from the captain to the CRCP and that the regulations are consistent across the European Union. Specifically, the rule will place emphasis on handover procedures and command delegation between pilots, task sharing, seat positions during various phases of flight and minimum altitudes for transferring aircraft control to another crewmember. Requirements have also been developed that demand the holder of a restricted type rating be fully trained in and checked in a full flight simulator, including training in takeoffs and landings. The restricted type rating will not, however, require that recurrent takeoffs and landings be performed in an actual aircraft.