The EPU will meet in Frankfurt on 19 September to discuss EPU matters and to nominate representatives to form a Working Group on Parachuting in Aerial Work. Details on the meeting can be obtained from Paul Moore at paul508@mac.com

The EPU will meet at Vasteras, Sweden on 30 January 2009. This meeting coincides with the annual meeting of the International Parachuting Commission (IPC) - a sub division of the FAI. This will be the first formal meeting of the newly formed EPU and in this meeting the main aims are: Identify / nominate a Board Ratify the Statutes of the EPU Prepare EPU Register Decide on the subscriptions to EPU A full report to EAS will be prepared for the AGM in April 2009. Paul Moore EPU

EASA has published an Air Directive which affects all owners of aircraft equipped with Lycoming piston engines.
The Air Directve is based on Textron Lycomings
Service Bulletin No. 388C dated 22 November 2004 and
Service Instruction 1485A dated July 2, 2003. The AD requires an inspection of exhaust valves and guides within the next 120 days of the effective date of 01. November 2005.
Details can be read at the following link: http://www.easa.eu.int/doc/Certification/Airwor_Directives/AD_05_0023_Al...

Rudi Schuegraf
Programme Manager

EASA asks for comments: Proposed Air Directive

On its website EASA has initiated the procedure to ask for comments on the proposal of three Air Directives which will affect Jodel and Apex aircraft. Details can be found follwing the links below:

http://www.easa.eu.int/doc/Certification/Airwor_Directives/Proposed_AD/P...
http://www.easa.eu.int/doc/Certification/Airwor_Directives/Proposed_AD/P...
http://www.easa.eu.int/doc/Certification/Airwor_Directives/Proposed_AD/P...

It is recommended to contact and consult your experts concerning those Proposed Air Directives (PAD). If you intend to comment use the address as listed on the proposal and send a copy to the Programme Manager r.schuegraf@europe-air-sports.org

On May 25 the Flight Examiner Panel met in Hoofddorp to discuss possibilities for reducing the requirements for the Instrument Rating for PPL A and CPL A holders. This task was given by the Full Licensing Sectorial Team to a small working group after its decision to keep the principle of a one tier Instrument Rating irrespective of the level of the license. What counts, so the LST, is the qualification of the pilot and the level of skills which are required to operate an aircraft in IMC.
The LST will be asked to decide during the next meeting to approve the proposal that the IR theoretical and practical syllabus will be reviewed and looked at in connection with the Central Question Data Bank for an adjustment to reduce the requirements for PPL A and CPL holders.
IAOPA Europe as the initiating European organization was supported by ECOGAS and Europe Air Sports, who was represented by Rudi Schuegraf, the Technical Officer Licensing.