EASA Prepares to Bring Common Electronic Licensing Standards
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is preparing to establish common electronic standards for aviation personnel to streamline compatibility and verification processes.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation has introduced provisions allowing signatory countries to issue electronic-format licenses, which can also be checked on handheld devices.
Although there has been an upward trend in digitalisation in the aviation industry globally, it is worth noting that no EU member states currently issue electronic aircrew licenses.
There have been individual initiatives to digitise the air traffic control sector, but they do not adhere to any common standards defined by regulatory authorities. EASA considers the problems that will become significant if standardisation is not implemented, including issues related to smooth interoperability.
The lack of such standard protocols can also lead to problems for ramp inspectors verifying third-country electronic licenses. EASA opposes the idea of EU member states developing their own individual licensing systems, as it can hamper global interoperability.
EASA has proposed that electronic licenses be introduced with a coordinated approach for aviation personnel across all sectors. The absence of such an approach could result in one or more domains falling behind, potentially affecting operations.
EASA plans to set technical requirements for the display and verification of these electronic licenses, allowing for the development of IT solutions that follow the standards and develop products accordingly.
Implementing such a licensing system will ensure smooth operations and processes globally, complying with the regulatory framework set by the authorities.