Lobbying from European helicopter associations is set to be rewarded with new operating rules ahead of those in the USA.
The forthcoming third amendment to the European JAROPS3 joint airworthiness regulations for operations has been largely drafted by experts selected by the European Helicopter Association (EHA) and will lead to simplified rules under the new European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Helicopter operators have been financially hit by working underfixed-wing aircraft rules.
The EHA, with national associations, has co-operated with the Joint Aviation Authorities to adapt the regulations. Charles Schmitt, EHA policy chief, says the third amendment's more flexible rules will give Europeans a commercial edge over US rivals when bidding for contracts.
"Public expectations of air safety standards have increased substantially over the past 15 years and European regulations have moved to accommodate them. The US Federal Aviation Administration, on the other hand, has been content to let its own standards mark time. I think that, in doing that, it has made a big mistake," says Schmitt.
EHA provided the JAA with economic and safety data, "and most of our comments have been accepted and incorporated", says chief executive Jan Willem Stuurmann.
The EHA approach is also expected to enable a smooth transition to co-operation with EASA, which took control on 28 September of certification and airworthiness regulations, and which will assume authority over European Union states' operating regulations within four years.
Source: Flight International