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NFL 2026-1-3854 – New Procedures for Radio Failure: Clarified Requirements for IFR Flights in Germany

With a recent publication, the procedures for radio communication failure in German airspace have been comprehensively revised and specified. The new regulations define detailed procedures for instrument flights, particularly in connection with modern RNAV procedures, standard approaches, and aerodrome-specific characteristics. The aim is to increase the predictability of flight behaviour in airspace and further improve safety in an already critical situation.
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12 April 2026

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Switzerland liberalises aviation rules: abolition of customs airport obligation and opening up for 600kg ultralight aircraft

Switzerland is facing a noticeable liberalisation of its aviation law framework. In the future, the obligation to mandatorily use customs airports for arrivals and departures will be removed. At the same time, the certification of ultralight aircraft with a maximum take-off mass of up to 600 kilograms will be permitted. Both measures aim to simplify cross-border flights, reduce regulatory hurdles, and bring general aviation more in line with European standards.
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12 April 2026

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Central access to aviation information: NfL now available digitally via the DFS portal

Aeronautical Information Circulars (NfL) are among the most important official publications for civil aviation in Germany. They contain binding regulations, safety-relevant notices, and operational information for pilots, air carriers, and other stakeholders. With a recent expansion of its online services, Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) is now providing the valid NfL free of charge via its AIP portal. This significantly simplifies access to key aviation-related information and brings it more in line with international standards.
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12 April 2026

Airspace changes 2026 in Switzerland: New procedures and impact on general aviation

The entry into force of the new airspace structure on 19 March 2026 will result in several significant changes for general aviation in Switzerland. The focus will be on adjustments around Bern Airport, in particular a new instrument approach to runway 32, as well as further developments in the complex airspaces of Sion and Zurich. The changes also affect gliding, particularly in the Jura. The following article highlights the most important changes, categorises them in operational terms and
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28 March 2026

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AERO 2026 in Friedrichshafen: New procedures and increased requirements for general aviation

AERO 2026 in Friedrichshafen will be one of the most important general aviation events in Europe. As in previous years, the expected high volume of traffic will lead to special operational measures. A recent DFS publication describes in detail new and adapted procedures for arrivals and departures, ground movements and helicopter operations. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the most important regulations, categorises them and shows what practical effects they will have.
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28 March 2026

NFL 2026-1-3812 - Operation of N-registered aircraft in Europe: New clarification on use with Part-FCL licences

Many European pilots fly aircraft with US registration, recognisable by the registration prefix „N“. This practice has been common in general aviation for years, for example for business jets, certain aircraft types or owners who have registered their aircraft in the USA for regulatory or operational reasons. A recent communication from the European Aviation Safety Agency and the German Federal Ministry of Transport now points to an important interpretation by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to this
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8 March 2026

NFL 2026-2-883 - Airworthiness Directives: How Airworthiness Directives apply in Germany today

Airworthiness directives are among the most important instruments of flight safety. They oblige owners and operators of aircraft to implement safety-relevant changes, inspections or modifications within specified deadlines. In Europe, the procedure for publishing and implementing such instructions has changed significantly in recent years. Whereas in the past, national authorities often transposed airworthiness directives into national law themselves, instructions from the European Aviation Safety Agency now also apply directly in Germany. The German Federal Aviation Authority has
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8 March 2026

NFL 2025-1-3801 - AIRPROX reports in Germany: New official reporting channel to the Aircraft Proximity Evaluation Group (APEG)

In German airspace, there are frequent situations in which two aircraft come unexpectedly close to each other. Such incidents are referred to as AIRPROX - Aircraft Proximity - and are considered important indicators of potential safety risks in air traffic. In a new announcement, the Federal Supervisory Authority for Air Navigation Services has updated the official reporting channel for such incidents. In future, reports will be made via the European Aviation Reporting Portal, which will also make them part of the European occurrence reporting system
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7 March 2026

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Autopilot in microlight aircraft: technology available, but usually not legally permissible

Today, modern microlight aircraft often have highly developed avionics systems, which in many cases are already prepared for the use of an autopilot. This equipment has long been standard on international markets. In Germany, however, the situation is more complicated: although the technology is available and could easily be integrated into many UL models, the operation of an autopilot in air sports aircraft is not currently permitted as a rule. This is due to national construction and authorisation regulations, which have so far
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7 March 2026

NFL 2025-1-3794 - Recognition of foreign air sports licences: New requirements from March 2026

From 1 March 2026, new basic requirements will apply in Germany for the recognition of pilot licences for air sports equipment issued outside the scope of the LuftPersV. The regulation specifies the conditions under which third-country licences can be recognised, which restrictions apply and what role residence, length of stay and professional certificates play. This provides clear guidelines for air sports enthusiasts, flight instructors and clubs - especially for temporary stays in Germany.
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22 February 2026

NFL 2025-1-3789 - New DFS regulations for Low Visibility Operations: clarifications on LVP, Autoland and Guided Take-off from March 2026

DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung has fundamentally revised the procedures applied nationwide in low visibility. The regulations concern Low Visibility Procedures (LVP), the protection of ILS system signals, downgrading criteria and the implementation of CAT II/III approaches, autoland and guided take-off. When it comes into force on 19 March 2026, more precise standards will apply at numerous international airports. For general aviation - especially for IFR operations and training - this will result in important clarifications regarding clearances, signal quality
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22 February 2026

NFL 2025-1-3783 - New flight restriction areas 2026: Federal Ministry concretises ED-R structures nationwide

With a new announcement dated 5 February 2026, the Federal Ministry of Transport has comprehensively redefined and restructured the existing areas with flight restrictions (ED-R). The regulations affect numerous regions in Germany - from military training areas and protection areas for sensitive ground facilities to research and UAS activities. For general aviation, this means increased attention during flight planning and NOTAM checks, particularly with regard to activation times, vertical limitations and sectoral subdivisions.
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22 February 2026

Pragmatism in fire extinguishers: EASA enables new solutions for general aviation

The debate surrounding halon-free fire extinguishers in general aviation has unsettled many owners and operators in recent months. High costs, limited availability and health risks in confined cockpits have led to considerable displeasure in the industry. A practicable solution is now emerging: EASA has signalled its approval of a pragmatic approach that gives operators more flexibility in the selection of suitable fire extinguishers under certain conditions. This creates legal certainty for the first time for a
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22 February 2026

New Part-IS requirements: Information security becomes a mandatory task for small aviation companies

With the introduction of Part-IS, the European aviation regulator is tightening the requirements for information security in civil aviation. While large airlines and organisations already have established management systems in place, small flight schools, commercial flight operations and maintenance companies in particular face considerable organisational and administrative challenges. Industry associations therefore advocate pragmatic solutions and provide concrete assistance to enable implementation on time and with reasonable effort.
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22 February 2026

NFL 2025-1-3761 - New flight restriction areas in Germany: What will change for general aviation from March 2026

With effect from 19 March 2026, a comprehensively updated definition of areas with flight restrictions in Germany will come into force. This is based on a new announcement by the Federal Ministry of Transport, which consolidates and clarifies existing regulations and adds numerous detailed adjustments. For general aviation pilots, this has important consequences for flight preparation, the use of airspace and the interaction between civil, military and other special traffic. The following article
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1 February 2026

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ELT and PLB in general aviation: What owners and pilots need to know now

Emergency beacons are one of the central safety systems in general aviation. Nevertheless, there are still uncertainties in practice, particularly when it comes to changing the batteries in ELTs, using personal locator beacons as an alternative, registration obligations and minimum technical requirements. In response to numerous queries, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation has published fundamental clarifications. The following article categorises these, explains the legal and technical background and shows what aircraft operators and crews need to pay particular attention to in everyday life.
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1 February 2026

NFL 2025-1-3756 - Low visibility procedures: New DFS regulations for IFR operations at German airports

DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung has published a comprehensive announcement in which procedures for flight operations in low visibility, the protection of ILS facilities and the execution of IFR approaches are revised and specified. These regulations relate in particular to instrument flights at commercial airports and define the conditions under which Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) are activated, which categories of precision approaches are used and how ground movements are organised. This does not result in any fundamental restrictions for general aviation,
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18 January 2026

NFL 2025-1-3754 - New DFS operating hours: What will change for air traffic from February 2026

In January 2026, DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH published new operating hours for the provision of air traffic services. The announcement regulates both the availability of control centres and aerodrome control services at numerous German airports. H24 operating hours will continue to apply for some aerodromes, while others will have defined time slots or on-request procedures. The changes will come into force on 19 February 2026 and are just as relevant for general aviation as for commercial traffic. The following article
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18 January 2026

NFL 2025-1-3752 and 3755 - Temporary flight restrictions and RMZ/TMZ in Hamburg for the North Sea Summit

Extensive air traffic measures will come into force in the Hamburg area on 26 January 2026. The occasion is the North Sea Summit, which delegations from several countries are expected to attend. For safety reasons, a temporary flight restriction zone (ED-R „Hamburg“) and a large-scale mandatory radio and transponder zone (RMZ/TMZ „Hamburg“) will be established. This combination affects both civil visual air traffic and unmanned aerial vehicles. The following article explains the background, sets out the spatial and temporal extent and shows what is required for
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18 January 2026

NFL 2025-1-3750 and 3751 - Temporary flight restrictions and RMZ/TMZ in Freiburg: What pilots can expect in January 2026

On 22 January 2026, there will be extensive temporary restrictions on air traffic in south-west German airspace. The occasion is a UEFA Europa League match in Freiburg, for which airspace security measures are planned. For this purpose, an area with flight restrictions (ED-R „Freiburg“) and a combined radio and transponder mandatory zone (RMZ/TMZ „Freiburg“) will be established. The measures affect both manned and unmanned aircraft. The following article explains the background, demarcations, temporal validity and practical consequences for
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18 January 2026

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FAA investigating engine problems with Lycoming IO-360: Warning of possible engine rollbacks

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has drawn attention to a potential safety issue with Lycoming IO-360 engines. Several incidents in which a sudden loss of power or even engine stoppage occurred when the throttle was released have triggered an official investigation. Numerous general aviation aircraft types are affected. The FAA is currently systematically collecting data from the field in order to narrow down the causes more precisely and develop suitable measures. The incident emphasises the importance of close cooperation between manufacturers,
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18 January 2026

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FAA suspends registrations: Hundreds of small aircraft grounded worldwide

A decision by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) triggered an international wave at the beginning of 2026: around 800 small aircraft, many of which are operated in Europe, are no longer allowed to take off for the time being due to invalid registrations. The reason for this is the withdrawal of the registration via a trust service provider that did not fulfil the legal requirements. The incident illustrates the extent to which general aviation is dependent on global regulations and the practical consequences of incorrect registrations. This article sets out the background,
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18 January 2026

NFL 2025-1-3735 - New HX regulations for airspaces C, D and TMZ: Uniform framework for several regions from March 2026

With effect from 19 March 2026, new, nationally coordinated regulations for locally defined HX airspaces of classes C, D (outside of control zones) and for transponder mandatory zones will come into force. For the first time, Deutsche Flugsicherung is summarising these regulations in a standardised announcement, replacing the previous regulation from 2025. Several busy regions in Germany are affected, including Leipzig, Berlin, Dresden, Hanover, Erfurt, Hamburg and Friedrichshafen. For the general
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5 January 2026

NFL 2025-1-3734 - New flight restriction zone ED-R Lindenberg in Bremen airspace

From January 2026, a further area with flight restrictions will be established in the Bremen flight information region. The ED-R Lindenberg serves to safeguard a research project and is valid until the end of 2027. The restrictions apply to all manned and unmanned aircraft, with the vertical extent varying depending on the time. For general aviation, the area must be permanently taken into account when preparing flights.
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5 January 2026

NFL 2025-1-3732 - New flight restriction zone ED-R Peenemünde in Bremen airspace

A further area with flight restrictions will be established in the Bremen flight information region from January 2026. The ED-R Peenemünde serves to safeguard a research project and will apply for a period of almost three years. The restrictions affect all manned and unmanned aircraft and are active on a daily basis for a limited period of time. For general aviation, the measure has a significant impact on flight planning in the north-eastern coastal region.
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5 January 2026

NFL 2025-1-3728 - New flight restriction zone ED-R Klixbüll in Bremen airspace

At the turn of the year 2025/2026, a new area with flight restrictions will be established in the Bremen flight information region. The ED-R Klixbüll serves to safeguard a research project and is valid for a period of one year. The measure affects all aircraft, including drones and model aircraft, and must be permanently taken into account in flight planning for general aviation.
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5 January 2026

NFL 2025-1-3722 - New gliding sectors in controlled airspace: More flexibility for visual flight from March 2026

From 19 March 2026, new regulations for conducting gliding and visual flights in selected class C and D airspaces outside of control zones will come into force in Germany. By defining special gliding sectors, the aviation administration is responding to the need for better integration of gliding operations in heavily frequented, controlled airspaces. The new regulation creates clearly defined framework conditions under which gliding is temporarily possible in areas that were previously only authorised to a limited extent or not at all.
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24 December 2025

NFL 2025-1-3721 - New flight restriction areas in Germany: What will change for general aviation from March 2026

With a comprehensive announcement dated 15 December 2025, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs has redefined numerous areas with flight restrictions or updated existing regulations. The measures will come into force on 19 March 2026 and affect large parts of the federal territory - from individual protected areas to industrial and research sites to large-scale military training areas on coasts and near coasts. For general aviation, this will have a significant impact on flight planning,
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24 December 2025

NFL 2025-1-3719 - New airspace structure around Berlin: What will change for general aviation from March 2026

With effect from 19 March 2026, the airspace structure around Berlin Airport will be fundamentally redefined. This is based on an announcement by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs, which provides for a detailed reorganisation of Class C controlled airspace. The changes relate in particular to the vertical and lateral layout of the controlled airspace as well as the introduction of several sub-areas that can be flexibly activated at different times. For general aviation, this results in new requirements for flight preparation, altitude planning
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23 December 2025

NFL 2025-1-3718 - New transponder mandatory zones in Germany: What will change for general aviation from 2026

With effect from spring 2026, new airspaces with mandatory transponder switching will be established or existing regulations will be significantly expanded in several regions of Germany. The so-called Transponder Mandatory Zones (TMZ) affect visual air traffic in particular and have a noticeable impact on flight preparation, equipment requirements and the practical implementation of VFR flights. The following article categorises the new announcements, explains the purpose and function of TMZs and shows what private pilots will have to pay particular attention to in future.
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23 December 2025

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