IAOPA Europe Meets in The Hague: Bylaws Adopted, Key Issues Addressed

On 10 May 2025, delegates from 14 European AOPA affiliates gathered at the Babylon Hotel in The Hague for the 151st IAOPA Europe Regional Meeting, hosted by AOPA Netherlands.

A major milestone was the formal adoption of IAOPA Europe’s bylaws. Though a draft existed since 2012, they were officially ratified in The Hague, establishing the Netherlands as the organization’s legal seat. 

Technical and regulatory issues took center stage. Delays in unleaded Avgas regulation and the lack of a 100LL alternative remain pressing. Medical certification rules—particularly new EASA cardiovascular screening requirements—sparked debate over proportionality. IAOPA Europe is preparing a position paper and seeking medical expertise for dialogue with EASA.

Vladimir Foltin (EASA) updated attendees on Flightpath 2030, highlighting topics such as electronic conspicuity, drone corridors, and greener aviation. New IAOPA President Darren Pleasance (USA) joined virtually, emphasizing global cooperation and praising Europe’s leadership in light aviation.

The next Regional Meeting is set for October 2025 in Monaco.

Major GA Restrictions During NATO Summit in The Netherlands

General Aviation pilots should be aware of significant airspace and airport restrictions during the NATO Summit in The Hague on 24–25 June 2025.

A Temporary Restricted Area (TRA) with a 50 NM radius around The Hague will be in effect from 23 June 15:00 UTC to 25 June 23:59 UTC. Most GA and business flights—including training, gliders, balloons, banner towing, and aerial photography—will be prohibited. Only essential services (police, medical, SAR, organ transport) are allowed, with prior approval.

In addition, the following airports will be closed to GA traffic during the summit:

• Rotterdam The Hague (EHRD)
• Lelystad (EHLE)
• Eindhoven (EHEH)
• Amsterdam Schiphol (EHAM)

Scheduled airline operations continue with restrictions—Schiphol will use the Polderbaan for parking state aircraft, and the Buitenveldertbaan will be closed for maintenance.

Details are published in AIP SUP 08/2025, with updates via NOTAMs. See also here for more information. 
AIP SUP 08/2025

Pilots are strongly advised to exit the restricted area before 23 June and avoid planning flights in the affected zone.

For assistance, contact your national AOPA.

FCL & Licensing Update: EASA and UK Developments

Compiled by Nick Wilcock (AOPA UK)

Recent months have seen important regulatory developments in pilot licensing both in Europe (EASA) and the United Kingdom. Here is a concise overview of the key changes:

EASA – Amendment 13 to AMC & GM to Part-FCL

EASA has published a broad update to its Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material for Part-FCL. Highlights include:

• Electric Aircraft Integration: SEP aeroplanes now include electric aircraft under the term “Single-Engine Single Pilot.” Differences training is required for electric propulsion systems.
• LAPL/PPL Syllabi: Updated training requirements on spin avoidance, emergency procedures, and syllabus alignment. LAPL theory exams will align with the PPL(A)/(H) syllabus.
• Flight Logging: Clarified PIC time logging rules after proficiency checks and the use of refresher training.
• Instructor & Examiner Updates: Revised course requirements, reporting formats, and standardisation procedures.
• Type/Class Ratings: Inclusion of electric propulsion, refresher training guidance, and single-pilot/multi-pilot operation criteria.
• Night Rating & Aerobatics: New solo night flight safety provisions and clearer rules for aerobatic training.
• PBN & Instrument Rating: BIR and IR training updates; new rules for revalidation and the use of Full Flight Simulators in IR skill tests.

UK – Licensing and Training Reform

The UK continues to reshape its aviation regulation, with further divergence from EASA:

• A major consultation is underway to align UK pilot licensing with ICAO standards, moving away from EASA structures. Legislative implementation is aimed for 1 October 2025.
• A public consultation on PPL AMC/GM closed on 6 May 2025; new proposals for sub-ICAO licences are expected.
• AOPA UK supports mutual recognition of UK and EU sub-ICAO licences (e.g., LAPL, NPPL). While political momentum is growing, these issues have yet to be addressed within the UK-EU Aviation Safety Committee.

IAOPA Europe urges all members—especially training organisations and instructors—to familiarise themselves with these changes, assess their operational impact, and remain engaged in the regulatory process. For further information, please contact your national AOPA.

Piaggio Aerospace has a new owner

The Italian aircraft manufacturer has been bought by Turkish drone maker Baykar. Since filing for bankruptcy in 2018, Piaggio had been under special administration by the Italian government.

Piaggio was founded in 1884 and is one of the world's oldest aircraft manufacturers. Today, Piaggio offers the P.180 Avanti EVO turboprop for business flights and is developing unmanned aircraft and advanced Multirole Patrol Aircraft (MPA) based on this P.180.

Antwerp and Ostend Close to Avgas 100LL Aircraft Amid Questionable Environmental Ban

Two major Belgian airports—Antwerp (EBAW) and Ostend-Bruges (EBOS)—have effectively closed their doors to aircraft operating on Avgas 100LL, citing environmental restrictions. NOTAM A1458/25, in effect since March 2025, initially allowed operations with Prior Permission Required (PPR), but in practice, such permission is no longer granted. Ostend followed with a full ban on 1 May 2025.

These measures, driven by regional environmental policy, have raised serious concerns across the GA community. A legal challenge brought by local aircraft operators in Antwerp was recently dismissed. The court cited an expected EU-wide ban on leaded aviation fuel—but no such usage or import ban currently exists. While tetraethyl lead as an additive in Avgas is under review, production under transitional arrangements is likely to be allowed until at least 2032.

IAOPA Europe has condemned the bans as arbitrary and discriminatory, noting that no credible health risk assessment has been provided. German environmental data show airborne lead levels from aviation remain well below EU thresholds and are overshadowed by industrial and traffic sources. The situation in Belgium is presumed similar.
AOPA Luxembourg commented: “We support a lead-free future—but not through exclusion and legal shortcuts. These bans set a dangerous precedent.”

The restrictions have even impacted government aircraft, including small twin-engine maritime patrol aircraft of the Belgian Coast Guard. IAOPA, together with GAMA and Europe Air Sports, has brought the issue to the attention of EASA and the European Commission, who have expressed concern.

IAOPA Europe calls on affected pilots to report denied access to their national AOPA. Legal options are being explored, including crowdfunding a formal legal challenge. The association reaffirmed its full support for Belgian pilots during its Regional Meeting in The Hague in May 2025.

Trump: NOTAMs no longer 'inclusive'

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently announced that it is reversing a four-year-old decision to rename NOTAMs and that it will restore the former term 'Notice to Airmen'. In December 2021, under President Joe Biden, the FAA decided to rename NOTAMs because the abbreviation needed to be inclusive of all aviators, not just men. From that moment on, they became “Notices to Air Missions.” But from now on, a NOTAM will once again be called a “Notice to Airmen.”

IAOPA Presses ICAO on Class 2R Medicals as EASA Maintains Tight Standards

IAOPA is renewing its effort to reintroduce the ICAO Class 2R medical certification proposal onto the international aviation agenda. The initiative aims to allow private pilots to operate internationally with a medical certificate issued by a licensed general practitioner. This approach would reduce administrative burdens on pilots while maintaining appropriate safety standards.

The Class 2R proposal had previously received strong support from both the ICAO Flight Operations Panel and the Pilot Training & Licensing Panel. Despite this, it was later removed from the ICAO work programme by the Medical Provisions Study Group, which offered no formal explanation or supporting evidence for the decision.

With the next ICAO Assembly scheduled for autumn 2025, IAOPA is preparing an information paper outlining the current status of the proposal, a new working paper for formal ICAO submission, and a coordinated outreach strategy aimed at building support from national aviation authorities.

IAOPA Secretary General Jim Coon emphasized the practical importance of the initiative: “Hundreds of thousands of private pilots fly safely with medicals issued by general practitioners. Class 2R supports safety, addresses the global shortage of Aviation Medical Examiners, and reflects ICAO’s own risk-based philosophy.”

Europe | EASA 

In Europe, EASA regulations currently require private pilots to hold a Class 2 medical certificate issued or renewed by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) or an Aero-Medical Centre (AeMC). While Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) holders may, in some cases, be assessed by general practitioners under national provisions, this flexibility does not extend to holders of a Private Pilot Licence (PPL).

This regulatory divide highlights the ongoing challenge of achieving harmonisation in international aviation medical standards. IAOPA continues to advocate for pragmatic, risk-based solutions that ease unnecessary burdens on pilots while upholding safety and accessibility in general aviation.

For more details on current medical requirements in Europe, see EASA Easy Access Rules  

Portugal becomes aircraft manufacturer

Portugal does not have a rich aviation history. In fact, in its 114-year history, the Portuguese Air Force has never flown an aircraft of its own manufacture. But that is about to change. The Portuguese Air Force is currently developing the indigenous LUS-222 to replace the Spanish CASA C-212 Aviocar. It is a small twin-engine passenger and cargo aircraft for 19 passengers or 2,000 kg of cargo with a range of 2,000 km. The development is in line with European efforts to become less dependent on American military products, so political opposition to the development of this new aircraft is not expected.

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If you have any news or things that you would like to share with pilots in other countries - for instance if you organize a Fly-in that might be of interest or if there is news about airports or new rules and regulations in your country that other pilots should know. 
Please don't hesitate to send all your news to me: Gerrit Brand | Netherlands | email: gerritbrand@hotmail.com. telephone or whatsapp + 31 6 50831893.