DFS German Air Traffic Control is introducing a new, standardised nationwide start-up procedure for instrument flights with effect from 9 July 2026. The aim of the regulation is to improve the management of traffic flows at controlled airports and to ensure more efficient use of aprons and taxiways. In future, pilots of IFR flights will only be required to request their approach clearance once it has been confirmed that the engines can actually be started within a few minutes. The change may seem insignificant at first glance, but it is

With a new announcement, the Federal Ministry of Transport has adapted the procedures for converting older national pilot licenses to the current European legal situation. The new regulation concerns aeroplane, helicopter, glider, motor glider and balloon pilots who are still holders of historical German airman's certificates or national licenses. At the same time, the conversion procedures that were previously in force from several earlier publications are being replaced. The new version creates more clarity for affected pilots regarding the prerequisites that must be met today in order to have national qualifications.

The Federal Aviation Office has published a comprehensively revised regulation on the continued airworthiness of national aircraft. The new notice replaces several previous regulations and, for the first time, creates a consolidated basis for the application of European maintenance rules to German aircraft that do not fall under regular EASA approval. For owners of historic aircraft, homebuilt aircraft, certain special categories, and other nationally approved aircraft, this results in important clarifications regarding maintenance, airworthiness checks, approvals, and responsibilities. The changes do not affect