Regulations and Government
Proponents of SE-IMC rules left out in cold
Companies that have long been awaiting European approval for commercial single-engine operations under instrument meteorological conditions (SE-IMC), or at

Companies that have long been awaiting European approval for commercial single-engine operations under instrument meteorological conditions (SE-IMC), or at night, clearly face a longer wait. Despite continuing optimism voiced by some operators, it will be almost three more years before such flights can be approved across the region.

At best, European approval for commercial SE-IMC (roughly equivalent to U.S. single-engine instrument flight rules) could be in place by early 2010, which will be almost 25 years after initial requests were made for such operations. A recently commissioned European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) study, which will take into account “all the risks,” is being conducted by UK contractor Qinetiq and should be complete by October. This may open the way for the formulation of new rules later this year or next year.