As of 25 August 2016, all non-commercial operations of complex motor-powered aircraft which have their principal place of business or residence within a member state of the European Safety Agency (EASA) is to comply with the Part-NCC regulation.
Part-NCC is an EU regulation that seeks to harmonise levels of safety between non-commercial operations and commercial airlines with the aim of increasing safety standards for aircraft operating in a non-commercial platform.
An aeroplane with a maximum certificated take-off mass exceeding 5,700Kg, or a certificated maximum passenger seating configuration of more than nineteen, or certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots or equipped with more than one jet or turboprop engine must comply with Part-NCC.
All helicopters having a take-off mass which exceeds 3,175kg, or equipped with more than nine seats, or with a minimum crew of at least two, must also be compliant with Part-NCC regulation.
The regulation binds operators to create and maintain an operations manual amongst other notification requirements. Emphasis has been made on the fact this is not simply the existence of a physical manual but the operator must ensure that the procedures laid out in the manual are adhered to.
Although the deadline is fast approaching, there is still ambiguity in the industry on the regulation, especially with regard to liability.
