Schönhagen airfield (EDAZ), one of the most important airfields for general aviation in Germany, is undergoing a significant change: from 20 February 2025, IFR approaches will be possible without prior PPR (Prior Permission Required) approval. This removes a long-standing obstacle for business aviation and private IFR pilots. The new regulation enables more flexible and efficient use of the aerodrome and marks the end of a discussion that has been going on for years.

The British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) introduced an important new rule at the turn of the year: With immediate effect, all piston-engined aeroplanes using UK airspace must be fitted with a carbon monoxide detector. This measure, set out in Safety Directive SD-2024/001V2, applies both to aircraft registered in the UK and to foreign aircraft flying into the country.

The digital world offers countless opportunities to share experiences - including in aviation. But what pilots post on social networks can have far-reaching consequences. Social media profiles could be a relevant source of information for authorities, particularly in connection with accident analyses and background checks. Lawyer and private pilot Ingo-Julian Rösch sheds light on this controversial topic.

Flight hours on three-axis ultralight aircraft (UL) can now be credited towards the practical training for the private pilot licence for light aircraft (LAPL). This regulation was made possible by EU Regulation (EU) 2024/2076 and creates new perspectives for prospective pilots when planning their training.

Austro Control has expanded the free route airspace and thus revolutionised cross-border flight planning with its eastern neighbours the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Since 28 November 2024, aircraft have been able to cross these neighbouring countries directly and via the shortest possible route. This development not only represents a technological advance, but also has a significant impact on efficiency, environmental protection and European aviation integration.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced an important change for all FAA pilot licence holders: By July 7, 2025, all FAA licence holders must provide a mailing address in the United States. For newly issued licences, this rule will apply from 6 January 2025. This requirement was introduced to simplify and standardise communication between licence holders and the FAA, particularly in legal and administrative matters.

Pilots in Germany who use the German Meteorological Service's (DWD) aeronautical weather advisory service by telephone will have to adjust to changes from 1 December 2024. The restructuring affects both the telephone numbers of the advice centres and the costs for the service.

The EASA Annual Safety Conference 2024 provided a comprehensive platform to discuss the intersection of people, technology and safety in aviation. Under the motto "Safety - Technology - and the Human Dimension", the conference emphasised the central role of people in aviation and at the same time shed light on how technological innovations can make their work safer and more efficient.

As part of the further development of general aviation, the Federal Aviation Safety Committee, in cooperation with the Baden-Württemberg Aviation Association (BWLV e.V.), has published important proposals on voice groups and procedures for aerodrome circuits when flying without an operations manager (FoB). These changes are intended to ensure safe flight operations even in the absence of a flight director and help pilots to organise their communication and flight planning efficiently. The main points are explained in detail below.

The European Regulation on the licensing and training of pilots, (EU) 1178/2011, was amended on 24 July 2024 by Regulation (EU) 2024/2076. These changes bring with them numerous innovations for flight schools, pilots and training organisations (ATOs and DTOs). This article provides a detailed overview of the most important changes that must now be implemented by the aviation community.

On 16 September 2024, the German General Aviation Association (AOPA-Germany) published an important note on the duty of safety for aerodrome operators. This topic is becoming increasingly important due to current developments in connection with "flying without a flight director", also known as an operations manager. This article examines the legal basis, challenges and innovations that arise for aerodrome operators and general aviation.

The end of April 2024 marked an important change for general aviation in Germany: the guidelines for flying without an operations manager, formerly known as a flight director, were published in the Nachrichten für Luftfahrer (NfL) 1-2024-3106. This innovation represents a far-reaching reorganisation of operational procedures at aerodromes and opens up new freedoms for pilots and operators by questioning and clearly defining the role of the operations manager. The renaming and detailed differentiation of tasks and responsibilities

In mid-2024, the Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Investigation (BFU) published recommendations for improving procedures when switching from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR). The background to this is a serious accident in which a twin-engine Piper PA34-220T (Seneca V) collided with the ground during a VFR/IFR changeover procedure shortly after take-off near Bonn-Hangelar airfield. The accident report BFU 21-0926-3X not only analyses the causes of this fatal accident, but also questions the current procedures

Unit L6 "Aviation Medicine and Legal Affairs of Division L" has recently set up a new telephone service which is available with immediate effect. This service offers targeted support for enquiries in the areas of aviation medicine and legal matters relating to aviation.