IRImplementing rule
FCL.010Definitions
For the purposes of this Annex (Part-FCL), the following definitions shall apply: "Accessible" means that a device can be used by: the approved training organisation (ATO) under whose approval a training course for a class or type rating is being conducted; or the examiner conducting the assessment of competence, skill test or proficiency check for the purpose of assessing, testing or checking. "Aerobatic flight" means an intentional manoeuvre involving an abrupt change in an aircraft's attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration, not necessary for normal flight or for instruction for licences, certificates, or ratings other than the aerobatic rating. "Aeroplane" means an engine-driven fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air which is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings. "Aeroplane" required to be operated with a co-pilot" means a type of aeroplane which is required to be operated with a co-pilot as specified in the flight manual or by the air operator certificate. "Aeroplane upset prevention and recovery training" (UPRT) means training consisting of: aeroplane upset prevention training: a combination of theoretical knowledge and flying training with the aim of providing flight crew with the required competencies to prevent aeroplane upsets; and aeroplane upset recovery training: a combination of theoretical knowledge and flying training with the aim of providing flight crew with the required competencies to recover from aeroplane upsets. "Aircraft" means any machine which can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s surface. "Airmanship" means the consistent use of good judgement and well-developed knowledge, skills and attitudes to accomplish flight objectives. "Airship" means a power-driven lighter-than-air aircraft, with the exception of hot-air airships, which are considered to be balloons in accordance with Article 2(7) of Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/395. "Available FSTD" means any flight simulation training device (FSTD) that is vacant for use of the FSTD operator or of the customer irrespective of any time considerations. "Angular operation" means an instrument approach operation in which the maximum tolerable error/deviation from the planned track is expressed in terms of deflection of the needles on the Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) or equivalent display in the cockpit. "Assessment of competence" means the demonstration of skills, knowledge and attitude for the initial issue, revalidation or renewal of an instructor or examiner certificate. "Balloon" means a lighter-than-air aircraft which is not engine-driven and sustains flight through the use of either gas or an airborne heater. For the purposes of this Part, a hot-air airship, although engine-driven, is also considered a balloon. "Category of aircraft" means a categorisation of aircraft according to specified basic characteristics, for example aeroplane, powered-lift, helicopter, airship, sailplane, free balloon. "Class of aeroplane" means a categorisation of single-pilot aeroplanes not requiring a type rating. "Commercial air transport" means the transport of passengers, cargo or mail for remuneration or hire. "Competency" means a combination of skills, knowledge and attitude required to perform a task to the prescribed standard. "Competency element" means an action which constitutes a task that has a triggering event and a terminating event that clearly defines its limits, and an observable outcome. "Competency unit" means a discrete function consisting of a number of competency elements. "Co-pilot" means a pilot operating other than as pilot-in-command, on an aircraft for which more than one pilot is required, but excluding a pilot who is on board the aircraft for the sole purpose of receiving flight instruction for a licence or rating. "Cross-country" means a flight between a point of departure and a point of arrival following a pre-planned route, using standard navigation procedures. "Cruise relief co-pilot" means a pilot who relieves the co-pilot of his/her duties at the controls during the cruise phase of a flight in multi-pilot operations above FL 200. "Dual instruction time" means flight time or instrument ground time during which a person is receiving flight instruction from a properly authorised instructor. "En route IFR flight" means the phase of an IFR flight that commences after the completion of an IFR departure procedure and finishes when commencing an IFR approach procedure. "Error" means an action or inaction taken by the flight crew which leads to deviations from organisational or flight intentions or expectations. "Error management" means the process of detecting and responding to errors with countermeasures which reduce or eliminate the consequences of errors, and mitigate the probability of errors or undesired aircraft states. ''Evidence based training (EBT) operator'' means an organisation that is holding an air operator certificate (AOC) in accordance with Annex III (Part-ORO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 and that has implemented an EBT programme approved by the competent authority, in accordance with the provisions of that Regulation. ''EBT practical assessment'' means a method for assessing performance that serves to verify the integrated performance of competencies. It takes place in either a simulated or an operational environment. ''EBT programme'' means a pilot assessment and training programme in accordance with point ORO.FC.231 of Annex III (Part-ORO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012. ''Gyroplane'' means a type of rotorcraft supported in flight by the reactions of the air on up to two rotors, which rotate freely on substantially vertical axes. [applicable from 18 February 2026 - Regulation (EU) 2025/134] ''Mixed EBT programme'' means an operator’s recurrent training and checking programme provided for in point ORO.FC.230 of Annex III (Part-ORO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, a portion of which is dedicated to the application of EBT but which does not replace proficiency checks provided for in Appendix 9 to this Annex. "Full Flight Simulator" (FFS) means a full size replica of a specific type or make, model and series aircraft flight deck, including the assemblage of all equipment and computer programmes necessary to represent the aircraft in ground and flight operations, a visual system providing an out-of-the-flight deck view, and a force cueing motion system. "Flight time": for aeroplanes, touring motor gliders and powered-lift aircraft, it means the total time from the moment an aircraft first moves for the purpose of taking off until the moment it finally comes to rest at the end of the flight; for helicopters, it means the total time from the moment a helicopter’s rotor blades start turning until the moment the helicopter finally comes to rest at the end of the flight, and the rotor blades are stopped; for airships, it means the total time from the moment an airship is released from the mast for the purpose of taking off until the moment the airship finally comes to rest at the end of the flight, and is secured on the mast; for VTOL-capable aircraft (VCA), it means the total time between the moment the lift and thrust units are powered on for the purpose of taking off until the moment the aircraft finally comes to rest at the end of the flight and the lift and thrust units are powered off. "Flight time under Instrument Flight Rules" (IFR) means all flight time during which the aircraft is being operated under the Instrument Flight Rules. "Flight Training Device" (FTD) means a full size replica of a specific aircraft type’s instruments, equipment, panels and controls in an open flight deck area or an enclosed aircraft flight deck, including the assemblage of equipment and computer software programmes necessary to represent the aircraft in ground and flight conditions to the extent of the systems installed in the device. It does not require a force cueing motion or visual system, except in the case of helicopter FTD levels 2 and 3, where visual systems are required. "Flight and Navigation Procedures Trainer" (FNPT) means a training device which represents the flight deck or cockpit environment, including the assemblage of equipment and computer programmes necessary to represent an aircraft type or class in flight operations to the extent that the systems appear to function as in an aircraft. "Flown solely by reference to instruments" means that the pilots fly the aircraft without any external visual references, in simulated or actual instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). “Helicopter” means a type of rotorcraft supported in flight chiefly by the reactions of the air on up to two power-driven rotors on substantially vertical axes. "Instrument flight time" means the time during which a pilot is controlling an aircraft in flight solely by reference to instruments. "Instrument ground time" means the time during which a pilot is receiving instruction in simulated instrument flight, in flight simulation training devices (FSTD). "Instrument time" means instrument flight time or instrument ground time. "Limited panel instrument flight" means attitude interpretation by reference to standby instruments interpretation after the loss of main attitude and heading reference system. "Linear operation" means an instrument approach operation in which the maximum tolerable error/deviation from the planned track is expressed in units of length, for instance nautical miles, for cross-track lateral deviation. "Line flying under supervision" (LIFUS) means line flying after an approved zero flight time type rating training course or the line flying required by an operational suitability data (OSD) report. "LNAV" means Lateral Navigation. "LPV" means Localiser Performance with Vertical Guidance. "Multi-pilot operation" means an operation requiring at least two pilots using multi-crew cooperation in either a multi-pilot or a single-pilot aircraft. "Multi-crew cooperation" (MCC) means the functioning of the flight crew as a team of cooperating members led by the pilot-in-command. "Multi-pilot aircraft": for aeroplanes, it means aeroplanes certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots, or helicopters, airships and powered-lift aircraft, it means an aircraft which is certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots or which is required to be operated with at least two pilots in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 965/2012. "Night" means the period between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight or such other period between sunset and sunrise as may be prescribed by the appropriate authority. "OSD" means the operational suitability data established in accordance with Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.’; "Other training devices" (OTD) means training aids other than FSTDs which provide means for training where a complete flight deck environment is not necessary. "Performance-Based Navigation (PBN)" means area navigation based on performance requirements for aircraft operating along an ATS route, on an instrument approach procedure or in a designated airspace. "Performance criteria" means a simple, evaluative statement on the required outcome of the competency element and a description of the criteria used to judge if the required level of performance has been achieved. "Pilot-in-command" (PIC) means the pilot designated as being in command and charged with the safe conduct of the flight. "Pilot-in-command under supervision" (PICUS) means a co-pilot performing, under the supervision of the pilot-in-command, the duties and functions of a pilot-in-command. "Powered-lift aircraft" means any aircraft deriving vertical lift and in flight propulsion/lift from variable geometry rotors or engines/propulsive devices attached to or contained within the fuselage or wings. "Powered sailplane" means a sailplane equipped with one or more engines that has, with engines inoperative, the characteristics of a sailplane. "Private pilot" means a pilot who holds a licence which prohibits the piloting of aircraft in operations for which remuneration is given, with the exclusion of instruction or examination activities, as established in this Part. "Proficiency check" means the demonstration of skill to revalidate or renew ratings or privileges, and including such oral examination as may be required. "Renewal" (of, e.g. a rating or certificate) means the administrative action taken after a rating or certificate has lapsed for the purpose of renewing the privileges of the rating or certificate for a further specified period consequent upon the fulfilment of specified requirements. "Revalidation" (of, e.g. a rating or certificate) means the administrative action taken within the period of validity of a rating or certificate which allows the holder to continue to exercise the privileges of a rating or certificate for a further specified period consequent upon the fulfilment of specified requirements. "RNP APCH" means a PBN specification used for instrument approach operations. "RNP APCH operation down to LNAV minima" means a 2D instrument approach operation for which the lateral guidance is based on GNSS positioning. "RNP APCH operation down to LNAV/VNAV minima" means a 3D instrument approach operation for which the lateral guidance is based on GNSS positioning and the vertical guidance is provided either by the Baro VNAV function or by the GNSS positioning including SBAS. "RNP APCH operation down to LPV minima" means a 3D instrument approach operation for which both lateral and vertical guidance are based on GNSS positioning including SBAS. "RNP AR APCH" means a navigation specification used for instrument approach operations requiring a specific approval. "Route sector" means a flight comprising take-off, departure, cruise of not less than 15 minutes, arrival, approach and landing phases. "Sailplane" means a heavier-than-air aircraft which is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its fixed lifting surfaces, the free flight of which does not depend on an engine. "Single-pilot aircraft": for aeroplanes, it means an aircraft certificated for operation by one pilot, for helicopters, airships and powered lift aircraft, it means an aircraft which is certificated for operation by one pilot and which is not required to be operated with at least two pilots by Regulation (EU) No 965/2012. "Skill test" means the demonstration of skill for a licence or rating issue, including such oral examination as may be required. "Solo flight time" means flight time during which a student pilot is the sole occupant of an aircraft. "Student pilot-in-command" (SPIC) means a student pilot acting as pilot-in-command on a flight with an instructor where the latter will only observe the student pilot and shall not influence or control the flight of the aircraft. "Threat" means events or errors which occur beyond the influence of the flight crew, increase operational complexity and which must be managed to maintain the margin of safety. "Threat management" means the process of detecting and responding to the threats with countermeasures which reduce or eliminate the consequences of threats, and mitigate the probability of errors or undesired aircraft states. "Three-dimensional (3D) instrument approach operation" means an instrument approach operation using both lateral and vertical navigation guidance. "Touring motor glider (TMG)" means, unless otherwise specified following the certification process in accordance with Annex I (Part 21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012, a specific class of powered sailplanes that has an integrally mounted, non-retractable engine and a nonretractable propeller. It shall be capable of taking off and climbing under its engine power according to its flight manual. “Two-dimensional (2D) instrument approach operation” means an instrument approach operation using lateral navigation guidance only. "Type of aircraft" means a categorisation of aircraft requiring a type rating as determined in the operational suitability data established in accordance with Part-21, and which include all aircraft of the same basic design including all modifications thereto except those which result in a change in handling or flight characteristics. "Type rating and licence endorsement list" means a list published by the Agency based on the result of the OSD evaluation and containing classes of aeroplanes and types of aircraft for the purpose of flight crew licensing. “VNAV” means Vertical Navigation.
IR · FCL.010 — Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 · Regulation (EU) 2025/134 · Aircrew Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 25 Nov 2025