Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/134 of 28 January 2025 amending Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 as regards the introduction of a gyroplane pilot licence

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and amending Regulations (EC) No 2111/2005, (EC) No 1008/2008, (EU) No 996/2010, (EU) No 376/2014 and Directives 2014/30/EU and 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 552/2004 and (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91 (1), and in particular Articles 23(1) and 27(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 (2) lays down the requirements for pilots who are involved in the operation of aircraft as specified in points (b)(i) and (ii) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139.

(2) The ongoing development of gyroplanes, that fall within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 due to a maximum certificated take-off mass exceeding 600 kg, makes it necessary to include flight crew licensing requirements for gyroplane pilots in Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011. Since the development of a comprehensive framework for commercial gyroplane operation will take more time, for the time being such requirements should only address non-commercial pilot privileges.

(3) The new Union regulatory framework for gyroplane flight crew licensing should, where possible, consider standards and best practices established in national gyroplane licensing requirements and should also provide for credits for holders of national gyroplane pilot licences, when seeking a Union gyroplane pilot licence.

(4) To support the implementation of Union gyroplane flight crew licensing requirements and especially the qualification of the first Union gyroplane instructors, for a limited period of time and under certain conditions, it should be possible for applicants for a Union gyroplane pilot licence and associated ratings and certificates to receive credits on the basis of a credit report, provided that they hold, or have commenced training for the issue of, the relevant national gyroplane licence and associated ratings or certificates.

(5) Holders of Union gyroplane pilot licences should, for non-commercial operation without remuneration, be required to hold the same aero-medical certificate as private pilots for other aircraft categories in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011.

(6) The requirements for competent authorities and training organisations should be adapted, where necessary to include training and licensing for gyroplane pilots.

(7) Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(8) The measures provided for in this Regulation are based on Opinion No 04/2024 (3) of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in accordance with Article 75(2), point (b), and Article 76(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139.

(9) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the committee established by Article 127 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 is amended as follows:

(1) Article 4(2) is replaced by the following: ‘2.   Non-JAR-compliant licences including any associated ratings, certificates, authorisations or qualifications issued or recognised by a Member State before the applicability of this Regulation shall be converted into Part-FCL licences by the Member State that issued the licence. By way of derogation from this paragraph,, Article 4g shall apply to gyroplane pilot licences.’

(3) Annex I (Part-FCL) is amended in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation;

(4) Annex IV (Part-MED) is amended in accordance with Annex II to this Regulation;

(5) Annex VI (Part-ARA) is amended in accordance with Annex III to this Regulation;

(6) Annex VIII (Part-DTO) is amended in accordance with Annex IV to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 18 February 2026.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 28 January 2025.

For the Commission The President Ursula VON DER LEYEN

(1) OJ L 212, 22.8.2018, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/1139/2021-07-25.

(2) Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 of 3 November 2011 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to civil aviation aircrew pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( OJ L 311, 25.11.2011, p. 1 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1178/oj).

(3) https://www.easa.europa.eu/document-library/opinions/opinion-no-042024.