Due to the circumstances caused by the Covid-19 situation, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation needs to take and to communicate very short-term decisions, which may affect pilots, training organisations and aviation operators. FOCA will provide information exclusively through this channel. This page will be regularly updated.
General information
01.06.2021 - Entry requirements to Switzerland as of May 31, 2021
25.03.2021 - EASA information on Corona vaccination: Safety Information Bulletin 2021-06
12.02.2021 - Extension of the Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) validity when the aircraft is within a controlled environment (Update)
24.12.2020 - What consequences do the Covid-19 restrictions inflict on flight and training operations?
24.12.2020 - Theory, RTF or Language Examination
17.06.2020 - Air Traffic Control Officers und Flight Information Service Officers
30.03.2020 - Part-66 aircraft maintenance licenses
26.03.2020 - Deferral of payment and payment by installments possible for open invoices
Archives: Communication March 2020 - April 2021
In principle:
Persons entering Switzerland by air must be able to present a negative PCR test result. Persons who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 in the last six months and those who have recovered from the infection and who do not enter Switzerland from countries and areas with an increased risk of infection with a virus of significant concern (see list 2, annex 1) are exempt from the testing requirement. (cf. Covid-19: Information for passengers)
Do you have to show a negative test result on entry?
Your test must meet the requirements according to admin.ch: «Entering Switzerland»).
For flight personnel:
Persons who transport persons or goods across borders in the course of their professional activities are exempt from the testing and quarantine obligation based on the current COVID Ordinance, Art. 8, Para. 1, Letter b:
- Pilots and flight instructors are exempted from the test and quarantine requirements when flying in a professional context (regardless of whether passengers are being carried or not).
- In accordance with the Federal Office of Public Health, student pilots are not considered as passengers and are therefore exempted from the test and quarantine requirements.
- The exemption from the testing and quarantine requirements also applies to pilots of private planes who transport passengers (or the aircraft itself) in the scope of their professional activities.
However: - A pilot who does not enter Switzerland in a professional capacity (for example, when flying his privat aircraft) is not exempt from the testing and quarantine obligation by the current regulation according to Art. 8, para. 1, letter b. (Unless another exemption reason according to Art. 8 does apply).
EASA published a Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) on the subject of vaccination of aircrew and related operational recommendations. Find the bulletin for information and consideration below.
The airworthiness review certificate (hereinafter referred to as 'ARC') shall be issued in accordance with point M.A.901(a), Annex I (Part-M) of Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 or, if applicable, point ML.A.901(a), Annex Vb (Part-ML) of Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 after completion of a satisfactory airworthiness review. The ARC has a validity period of one year. The validity of the certificate may be extended twice for a period of one year each time, when the aircraft has remained within a controlled environment.
As a result of the mobility restrictions imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and other restrictions, currently it is often no longer possible for aviation stakeholders to complete the legally required inspections on time. Switzerland, in close cooperation with the other EASA states, has therefore sought an exemption allowing an additional extension of the airworthiness review certificate for aircraft within a controlled environment.
Under this exemption, the validity of the ARC of an aircraft registered in Switzerland can be extended by additional six months subject to the following conditions:
- Existence of unforeseen circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- The aircraft is within the controlled environment (point (b) of M.A.901 and point (c) of ML.A.901)
- The ARC has already been extended twice
- The ARC will expire before 27 september 2021
- The extension of validity shall only apply to aircraft for which no evidence or indication exists to believe the aircraft is not airworthy (point (j) of M.A.901 or point (c) of ML.A.901 of Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014). A satisfactory and fully documented inspection in accordance with point (k) of point M.A.901 or point (a) of ML.A.903 of Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 must also have been carried out
The organisation (CAMO or CAO) which manages the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft concerned must declare the application of the exemption and the existence of the above conditions to FOCA before the expiry of the validity of the ARC. The declaration must be submitted to FOCA together with a copy of the extension of the ARC. The declaration can take the form of an e-mail or letter accompanying the ARC and, as is customary with the copy of the ARC, can be submitted to the Swiss Aircraft Register aircraftregistry@bazl.admin.ch.
If the situation and the guidelines have normalised to the extent that ordinary extensions or issuance of ARC are possible again, the previously valid procedures must again be followed.
Currently, the restrictions are adjusted at short intervals by the federal government and the cantons. It is therefore essential that flight operators and schools regularly inform themselves about the various restrictions.
The valid regulations at a federal level can be found in the Ordinance on Measures during the Special Situation to Combat the COVID-19 Epidemic (SR 818.101.26).
Further information and instructions can be found on the website of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the competent offices of the cantons:
- Measures and ordinances on a federal level
- You can find links to information on a cantonal level on the www.ch.ch website.
If case of uncertainties, we kindly ask the operators to contact the cantonal authorities.
Due to the measures taken to contain Covid-19, no theory, radiotelephony and language examinations were held at our examination centers until 07.06.2020.
The 18-month period to complete the theory examinations in accordance with FCL.025 (b) (2) is therefore automatically extended by three months, provided the candidate has started the theory examinations before 20.03.2020
1. Aufgrund der aktuellen Lage wegen COVID-19 und basierend auf Regulation 1139/2018 (EU) Art. 71 Flexibility Provisions und der damit verbundenen Meldung an EASA gelten für Flugverkehrsleiter- und Fluginformationsdienst-Lizenzeinträge flexiblere Bedingungen.
2. Für die Erfüllung der Bedingungen zur Ausstellung von Lizenzen gelten zusätzliche 4 Monate.
3. Betroffen von der Frist gemäss Ziffer 2 sind namentlich folgende Bereiche der Regulation (EU) 2015/340:
- Unit Endorsements, gemäss ATCO.B.020
- OJTI Endorsement, gemäss ATCO.C.020
- STDI Endorsement, gemäss ATCO.C.040
- Assessor Endorsement, gemäss ATCO.C.060
- Language Proficiency, gemäss ATCO.B.035
4. Anträge zur Ausstellung einer Lizenz sind weiterhin standardmässig auf den bekannten Wegen einzureichen.
Sofern die flexiblen Bedingungen gemäss Ziffer 1 und 2 genutzt werden sind diese für jeden betroffenen Lizenzeintrag einzeln aufzuführen und zusammen mit dem Antrag einzureichen.
5. Das BAZL stellt die Lizenzen weiterhin standardmässig auf den bekannten Wegen aus. Das BAZL vermerkt auf jeder einzelnen Lizenz für welche Bereiche gemäss Ziffer 3 die Flexibility Provisions angewendet wurden.
6. Die Ausbildungsorganisation stellt sicher, dass die Lizenzinhaber, welche von der Frist gemäss Ziffer 2 Gebrauch gemacht haben, die Bedingungen innerhalb dieser Frist erfüllen.
7. Solange die tiefe Verkehrsnachfrage Kurzarbeit bei ATCO/FISO erfordert, längstens aber bis 30.11.2020, gilt zusätzlich eine temporäre Reduktion der aktuell gültigen Currency Bestimmungen um 50%, sowie eine Flexibilisierung der Ausbildungsmethode für durchgeführte und bereits genehmigte Kurse, sowie für Auffrischungs- und Um-Schulungen.
8. Nach Ablauf der Fristen gemäss Ziffer 2 und veränderte Bestimmungen gemäss Ziffer 7 sind die normalen Verfahren wieder einzuhalten.
A Part-66 license expires five years after being issued or its last endorsement. In order to renew a license the holder must submit an application for renewal to the FOCA. The FOCA must verify whether all information contained in the license corresponds with the applicants file in accordance with EASA Part-66 / 66.B.120 of the Commission Regulation (EU) Nr.1321/2014.
Due to the restrictions imposed by the government to inhibit the COVID-19 pandemic it may not be possible for all people involved in aircraft maintenance to fulfill the legal regulations for the renewal of their Part-66 license within the demanded timeframe.
For that reason, in close cooperation with all other EASA member states, Switzerland has put into force the possibility to temporarily extend the validity of an aircraft maintenance license without adhering to the regular legal regulations.
The validity of Part-66 licenses will be extended by four months but at most until November 19th 2020. The license holder must declare his intention to take advantage of the temporary deviation to the renewal process due to the unforeseen circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The declaration must be submitted using the EASA Form 19 (Rev.14) before expiry of the Part-66 license to the following email address: aml@bazl.admin.ch. The now granted extension periods can be prolonged depending on the development of the situation. Once the now imposed restrictions have been revoked due to an improvement of the current situation, the previously valid regulations come back into force.
If you have liquidity problems and you have difficulties to pay FOCA's bills, you can contact us for a deferral of payment or send us the form to ask us to pay in installments. Details, contact and form are available on the page Invoicing and payment options.
25.01.2021 - "Vaccinations against COVID-19", statement of the Aeromedical Section
30.10.2020 - What do the changes of 28 October 2020 (at the federal level) mean for training operations?
16.06.2020 - Theory, RTF or Language Examination
09.06.2020 - What do the changes that came into force on 06 June 2020 mean for aviation?
27.03.2020 - Time period regulations for various training
25.03.2020 - Training certificates for the transport of dangerous goods by air
AMS Statement "Vaccinations against COVID-19" (PDF, 181kB, 28.01.2021)
Guidelines for Aero-Medical Centres and Aeromedical Examiners regarding the examination and assessment of applicants.
By adapting the «Covid-19 Ordinance» (SR 818.101.26), the Federal Council is issuing new restrictions to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. Training institutions are also affected.
According to the Ordinance on Measures during the Special Situation to Combat the Covid-19 Epidemic (SR 818.101.26), classroom activities are still possible if they are a necessary part of an educational programme and its implementation requires an on-site presence. Within this scope, attendance in small groups continues to be possible.
Obviously, the protective measures must be strictly adhered to. In case of uncertainty, we kindly ask you to contact the cantonal authority.
Due to the measures taken to contain Covid-19, no theory exams, radiotelephone exams, and language proficiency exams took place in our training centres until 7 June 2020.
For exam registrations, please consult the exam calendars on our website. Additional dates will be published there if required.
The 18 months period to complete theory exams according to FCL.025(b)(2) will automatically be extend by three months for candidates who started their theory exams before 20 March 2020.
The time limit during which the practical exam has to take place after the successful completion of the theoretical exam according to FCL.025(c)(1), as well as the recommendation for the theoretical exam according to FCL.025(a)(3), will be extended to 19 November 2020 with immediate effect. A further extension of the exemption is not inteded.
Existing language proficiency entries will be extended to 19 November 2020. Licence holders whose language proficiency entries will expire before 19 November 2020 are requested to print out the enclosed «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED certificates - GA» or «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED certificates - Part-ORO» and to carry it together with their licence. As no briefing/training is intended for this extension, the annex does not need to be completed and to be carried.
Since 11 May 2020, flight schools have been allowed to plan and conduct presence learning events (flight instruction as well as theory classes) with up to 5 people (including instructors).
Since 08 June 2020, the limitation to 5 people no longer applies. Face-to-face teaching in educational facilities is permitted again, provided that a protection concept is implemented (cf. Basic principles for classroom teaching), which ensures that the transmission risks for all educational participants and staff are minimised.
The lessons should be flexible in terms of the presence of the educational participants, and, depending on the characteristics of the teaching facilities, the possibility of distance learning should continue to be offered if required (cf. EASA Guidance for Virtual Classroom).
Neither the federal government nor the cantons validate or approve protection concepts. However, compliance with the protection concepts is monitored by the cantons (different practices).
In general, the requirements of the FOPH and the individual cantons must be observed.
Further information can also be found in the following 3 documents:
The time period of 6 months according to FCL.725 (c) between the commencement of type rating training and the passing of a skill text, as well as between the skill test and the application for a type rating will be extended to 19 November 2020, provided the deadline expires between 13 March 2020 and 19 November 2020. A further extension of the exemption is not intended.
The time limit for the successful completion of the following training will be extended to 19 November 2020, provided the deadline expires between 13 March 2020 and 19 November 2020:
- MCC(A) / MCC(H)
- Night Rating (A) and (H)
- Mountain Rating
- Enroute Instrument Rating EIR
- ATP(H) modular theoretical knowledge training according to Appendix 3, H. 1.
Validity of dangerous goods training for all personnel categories
According to FOCA communication dated March 18th, 2020, all dangerous goods training certificates were extended until the end of July 2020.
In the meantime, (on March 21st, 2020) all training requirements for the personnel of operator and their service providers according to (EU) No 965/2012 Part-ORO and Part-SPA were extended by FOCA with immediate effect for 4 months (but no later than November 19th, 2020). A further extension of the exemption is not intended.
The same validity extension also applies to all personnel categories in accordance with ICAO Technical Regulations, Part 1, Chapter 4.
The following conditions apply:
1. Since March 21st, 2020 all dangerous goods training certificates (personnel categories 1 to 17, as well as categories A, B, and C for “Designated Postal Operators”) were extended by 4 months (but no later than November 19th, 2020). The renewal of the certificates is to be calculated based on the expiry date of the last certificate.
2. Mitigation measures: the employer must ensure that employees possess the necessary skills to carry out their work during the extension period. As a means of support, «briefings / leaflets / bulletins / online tools» can for example be used.
3. When applying this extraordinary extension, point 1 (e.g. with a remark in the training certificate) and point 2 (e.g. with “read and sign”) must be documented and be submitted during surveillance activities.
4. Should the current situation and the recommendations of the Federal Council normalise, the previously valid procedures will be applicable again.
5. These validity periods may be further extended by FOCA depending on the unfolding of the pandemic.
Dangerous goods training according Annex 18, ICAO TIs, Part 1, Chapter 4:
Due to the accelerated spread of the Corona virus and the restrictions imposed by the Federal Council certain training cannot be completed on schedule.
Under the circumstances FOCA has taken the following decision regarding the validity of training certificates for the transport of dangerous goods by air:
- All dangerous goods training certificates with expiry date from 01 March 2020 will keep their validity till 31 July 2020.
- The extension of these certificates shall be calculated on the basis of the expiry date of the last certificate.
Example:
A certificate expires on 31 March 2020. The refresher training, or respectively the next exam will take place on 20 June 2020.
The newly established certificate will be valid till 31 March 2022. - For basic training no special arrangements will be granted for the time being.
- The conditions for computer based training will also remain unchanged until further notice.
Information for flight personnel «under Part-ORO»
The following information is of interest to:
Personnel (pilots, aeromedical examiners, cabin crew, examiners and instructors), which are employed by an organisation with a management system (MS) in accordance with Part-ORO of Commission Regulation (EU) 965/2012.
29.03.2021 - Updated attachments; 24.12.2020 - What if a training, an examination or a medical check cannot be conducted?
16.10.2020 - What if a simulator is not available or accessible?
04.09.2020 - UPRT postponed until 31 March 2021
03.07.2020 - CAT: Aircraft disinfection
Archives: Communication March - December 2020
Whenever possible, companies and license holders must complete the prescribed training and examinations within the normal time limits.
Since 19 November 2020, it is no longer possible for the FOCA to make use of general derogations and exceptions.
If, despite efforts, a required training, examination or recency cannot be properly completed, it is up to the license holder or organization to apply for an individual exemption.
If a training, a check or a test must be conducted in the aircraft instead of in the simulator for reasons of availability or accessibility of a simulator, please refer to the corresponding instruction further down on this page.
In order to standardize the application and thus simplify the processing by the national authorities and the European bodies, EASA has published various instructions:
The FOCA asks everyone to follow these instructions when submitting an application and for operators to contact the assigned inspector at an early stage.
Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, several flight simulators, which would normally be used for training, checks, and tests, are not available or cannot be reached due to restrictive entry regulations. EASA legislation allows a change from simulator to aircraft if the availability or accessibility of a simulator is not given.
In the current situation (Covid-19 crisis), when assessing if a simulator is considered available or accessible according to the legal requirements, possible travel restrictions are also taken into account by FOCA (e.g. quarantine regulations for the outward or return journey).
When training, checks or tests need to be performed in the aircraft instead of in a simulator, the following procedure applies:
Applicable to all training, checks, and tests:
1. For all training, checks, and tests taking place in an aircraft instead of in a simulator an explicit permission of the authorities must be applied for.
2. The lack of availability or accessibility of a simulator must be justified in detail. Possible travel restrictions must be explained.
3. When required and therefore "mandatory" licence-relevant or operationally relevant items cannot be trained or examined, FOCA must notify this fact to EASA as an exception. The programme, the risk-assessment, and the mitigation measures must be submitted in writing.
Applicable to licence-relevant examinations (EU 1178/2011 (Aircrew)) (e.g. LPC, combined LPC/OPC):
4. The examiner must submit an application to carry out the examination in the aircraft at the latest 14 days before the examination date.
This application must be submitted to the competent inspector (pel-inspector@bazl.admin.ch).
The examination may not be carried out before the inspector has given his express permission.
The examiner must include the planned check or test programme in the application.
The test programme must be based on a risk-assessment, and on the evaluation of the mitigation measures to be taken.
5. The examiners must comply with the contents of the FOCA Examination Guide and all additionally relevant FOCA documents.
For all operations-relevant training and checks (based on EU 965/2012 (Air Ops) ORO.FC.2xx) (e.g. OPC, combined LPC/OPC), the following applies:
6. The AOC operators must ensure that the planned programme for training and checks has been approved by the competent authority (FOCA, SBOC or SBHE) (cf. ORO.FC.145 (c)).
In addition, the explicit approval of FOCA is required for each individual training or examination activity.
For "OPC only" this approval is issued by the FOCA sections SBOC or SBHE. For all other examinations (LPC and combined LPC/OPC), the authorisation is granted according to point 4 mentioned above.
7. For training and examinations within the context of EU 965/2012 ORO.FC.2xx, all requirements according to the operating manuals must be observed.
Deferment of the use of aeroplane flight simulation training devices (FSTDs) qualified against ‘CS-FSTD(A) — Issue 2’ in air operator upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic until 31 March 2021
More information on the EASA website.
Aircraft for commercial passenger transport must now be completely disinfected at least every 24 hours using an agent suitable for aviation purposes. A more frequent disinfection interval can be indicated based on a risk assessment to be created by the air operator. Aircraft must also be disinfected before each long-haul flight and before a flight following a long-haul flight.
In this regard, the FOCA issued an order to all holders of an Air Operator Certificate issued by the Federal Office for Civil Aviation (AOC).
The order «COVID-19: Disinfection of aircraft in commercial passenger transport as well as national rescue services that start from an area with a high risk of infection» from March 25, 2020 will be canceled.
30.06.2020 - Language Proficiency - Part-ORO
01.05.2020 - Pilots and licences - Part-ORO
21.04.2020 – Difficulties with «Recency» required under FCL.060. – New information for the operation in «multi-pilot-operations»
03.04.2020 - Extension: What if a 4-month extension is not sufficient?
27.03.2020 - Medical
27.03.2020 - Instructors and examiners (incl. AME) - Part-ORO
Existing language proficiency entries will be extended to 19 November 2020. A further extension of the exemption is not intended. Licence holders whose language proficiency entries will expire before 19 November 2020 are requested to print out the enclosed «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED Certificates - Part-ORO» and to carry it together with their licence. As no briefing/training is intended for this extension, the annex does not need to be completed and to be carried.
Privileges of language assessors are not covered by the exemption. Assessors whose privileges have expired must complete the ELP Refresher Course to regain their assessor privileges.
Due to the limited availability/accessibility of simulators, it can be difficult to complete the necessary recurrent training and checking.
Therefore, FOCA has notified EASA of an «Exemption» from the currently valid regulations:
With immediate effect, for pilots employed by an organisation with a management system in accordance with Part-ORO of Commission Regulation (EU) 965/2012, the validity of all class ratings, type ratings, and instrument ratings will be extended by 4 months (at the latest until 19 November 2020). A further extension of the exemption is not intended.
Any training requirements according to Part-ORO and Part-SPA will also be extended by 4 months (at the latest until 19 November 2020) with immediate effect.
Depending on the unfolding of the pandemic, the date of validity may be further extended by FOCA.
Affected pilots will have to undergo a refresher training provided by their operator. The content of Part-FCL and Part-OPS, as well as the nature of the refresher training are described in document «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED Certificates - Part-ORO». The operator either certifies the refresher training of a pilot in the annex of the attachment or in another analogue document.
Further details are stated in document «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED Certificates - Part-ORO».
Licence holders are requested to print out the enclosed «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED certificates - Part-ORO» and to carry it together with their licence and a confirmation of the completion of their refresher training.
Once the current situation normalises to the effect that training and exams will be possible again, the licence holder has to complete a proper revalidation under previously valid procedures before the expiry of the extension.
It is imperative that in this case, in addition to the examination documents, the confirmation of the refresher training is also sent to FOCA.
Any application for a shortened period of validity of the proficiency check (to avoid an accumulation of identical expiration dates in subsequent years) must be requested and signed by the licence holder personally.
Recency provisions (Part FCL.060 of Regulation 1178/2011) will remain in force and must be ensured before any passenger operations.
The possibility described in Part-FCL.060(c)(1) to obtain recency within a CAT operation by a cross-country flight with an instructor or examiner will be extended from 120 days to 180 days. This facilitation was subsequently achieved. Although it only concerns pilots employed by operators, the basis for this facilitation can be found in the exemption for the GA («FOCA CH - Exemption Covid-19 GA - Art 71(1) new BR - 27.03.2020»).
Further possibilities for flight operators to submit an exemption are listed under the corresponding entry on this information page. This option is a possibility - under certain conditions - for operation of aircraft in the "multi-pilot-concept" for operators with a management system according to Part-ORO of Regulation 965/2012 exists.
(see above: «21.04.2020 – Difficulties with «Recency» required under FCL.060 - New information for operation in «multi-pilot-operations»»)
Because of the coronavirus crisis, the number of operated flights was drastically reduced. It can therefore be assumed that there will be difficulties for some operators to meet the requirements of FCL.060 of EU Regulation 1178/2011. For pilots of commercial flight operations, there is already the possibility of an initial alleviation from the currently valid regulations under FCL.060. The corresponding exemption «FOCA CH - Exemption Covid-19 – GA – Art.71(1) new BR – 27.03.2020 (1)», point (e) was submitted from Switzerland to EASA. (The possibility described in Part-FCL.060 (c) (1) to obtain recency within a CAT operation via a cross-country flight with an instructor or an examiner will be extended from 120 days to 180 days)
Under certain conditions, further facilitations for multi-pilot operations should be enabled. These further facilitations are very different for the various operators due to the miscellaneous needs, possibilities and initial situations. Therefore, FOCA will not apply for a general exemption. Instead, the affected operators must prepare one and submit their request for an exemption to FOCA as follows:
a) For all pilots employed by a flight operator with a Swiss AOC or for pilots employed by a flight operator, which is declared in Switzerland with a Management System (MS) in accordance with Part-ORO of Regulation 965/2012, the corresponding operator can apply for an exemption. It will be valid for all licence holders with an EASA licence (according to Part-FCL) of the corresponding operator, i.e. also for those licence holders with a licence not issued by Switzerland.
b) Pilots with a licence issued by FOCA, and who are employed by a flight operator with other than a Swiss AOC may apply for an exemption via their employer (AOC holder) and its competent national authority
c) Pilots with a licence issued by FOCA, and who are employed by a flight operator not declared in an EASA Member State may apply for an exemption via the FOCA section “Flight Personnel”.
EASA has produced an information document stating the possibilities of a deviation viewed as being reasonable if certain mitigation measures are observed, in order to meet the requirements for an exemption according to the EU Basic Regulation (EU 1139/2018, Art. 71(1)): «». We recommend using these guidelines as a sample for preparing an exemption.
In contrast to the EASA document (sections 1 and 2), FOCA considers it possible to make use of the means of an exemption for all operators who have a MS according to Part-ORO of Regulation 965/2012 (e.g. declared NCC operators) operating aircraft in "multi-pilot concept".
For each application, it must be shown in particular that:
- The circumstances or requirements cannot be adequately taken into account in compliance with the applicable requirements.
- The safety and the compliance with the applicable basic requirements are ensured (risk assessment). The required mitigation measures for this purpose must be specified.
- Any risk of distortion of market conditions resulting from the granting of the exemption is reduced as much as possible.
- The scope and duration of the exemption are limited to the necessary extent.
The applications must be submitted as follows:
For cases under a):
- for flight operators with fixed-wing aircraft please send to sboc@bazl.admin.ch
- for flight operators with helicopters please send to heli@bazl.admin.ch
For cases under c), please send to pel-inspector@bazl.admin.ch
In a first step, licences, ratings and medical fitness certificates («Medicals») can be extended for 4 months under the conditions specified in the attachment.
Should it emerge that the 4-month extension period granted for licences, ratings and medical certificates is not sufficient for a regular revalidation, a further extension until 19 November 2020 at the latest is enabled by FOCA for licence holders flying in an operation under Part-ORO. A further extension of the exemption is not intended.
The specifications in the adapted attachment must be complied with and the corresponding evidence has to be carried.
Therefore, the attachment and the enclosed annex were supplemented by FOCA on 03 April 2020.
Similar extension options are available for specific training under Part-ORO and Part-SPA.
Details of the adapted regulations can be found in «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED Certificates – Part-ORO».
(Art.: 1)a)(3), 1)a)(4), 1)b)(2), 1)b)(5), 2)a), 2)b)(d), 3), 5) and Annex I)
All medical fitness certificates «Medical» which were valid until at least 13 March 2020 will be extended with the submitted FOCA Exemption with immediate effect by 4 months (but at the latest until 19 November 2020). A further extension of the exemption is not intended. The holders of «Medicals» are requested to print out the enclosed «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED certificates - GA» or «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED certificates - Part-ORO» and to carry it together with their «Medical». As no briefing/training is intended for this extension, the annex does not need to be completed and to be carried.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This exemption requires a still valid «Medical», which does not include other requirements than VDL, VNL, and VML. Holders of «Medical» with other or further ranging stipulations do not qualify for this exemption. Once the current situation normalises a regular medical examination must be carried out in accordance with the applicable procedures before the extended period of validity expires.
All valid instructors ’authorisations and examiners’ authorisations for the personnel mentioned under «pilots and licences» will be extended to 19 November 2020. A further extension of the exemption is not intended. This also applies to AME.
Instructors and examiners are requested to print out the enclosed «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED certificates - Part-ORO» and to carry with their licence. As no briefing/training is intended for this extension, the annex does not need to be completed and to be carried.
Information for flight personnel of General Aviation GA - (excl. NCC)
The following information is of interest to:
Pilots, which are not employed by an organisation with a management system (MS) in accordance with Part-ORO of Commission Regulation (EU) 965/2012.
These are mainly pilots of GA, (except pilots of NCC aircraft declared in Switzerland). These operate under a MS according to Part-ORO and follow the instructions in the corresponding section of this page.
29.03.2021 - Updated attachments; 24.12.2020 - What if a training, an examination or a medical check cannot be conducted?
16.10.2020 - What if a simulator is not available or accessible?
Archives: Communication March - December 2020
Whenever possible, companies and license holders must complete the prescribed training and examinations within the normal time limits.
Since 19 November 2020, it is no longer possible for the FOCA to make use of general derogations and exceptions.
If, despite efforts, a required training, examination or recency cannot be properly completed, it is up to the license holder or organization to apply for an individual exemption.
If a training, a check or a test must be conducted in the aircraft instead of in the simulator for reasons of availability or accessibility of a simulator, please refer to the corresponding instruction further down on this page.
In order to standardize the application and thus simplify the processing by the national authorities and the European bodies, EASA has published various instructions:
The FOCA asks everyone to follow these instructions when submitting an application and for operators to contact the assigned inspector at an early stage.
Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, several flight simulators, which would normally be used for training, checks, and tests, are not available or cannot be reached due to restrictive entry regulations. EASA legislation allows a change from simulator to aircraft if the availability or accessibility of a simulator is not given.
In the current situation (Covid-19 crisis), when assessing if a simulator is considered available or accessible according to the legal requirements, possible travel restrictions are also taken into account by FOCA (e.g. quarantine regulations for the outward or return journey).
When training, checks or tests need to be performed in the aircraft instead of in a simulator, the following procedure applies:
Applicable to all training, checks, and tests:
1. For all training, checks, and tests taking place in an aircraft instead of in a simulator an explicit permission of the authorities must be applied for.
2. The lack of availability or accessibility of a simulator must be justified in detail. Possible travel restrictions must be explained.
3. When required and therefore "mandatory" licence-relevant or operationally relevant items cannot be trained or examined, FOCA must notify this fact to EASA as an exception. The programme, the risk-assessment, and the mitigation measures must be submitted in writing.
Applicable to licence-relevant examinations (EU 1178/2011 (Aircrew)) (e.g. LPC, combined LPC/OPC):
4. The examiner must submit an application to carry out the examination in the aircraft at the latest 14 days before the examination date.
This application must be submitted to the competent inspector (pel-inspector@bazl.admin.ch).
The examination may not be carried out before the inspector has given his express permission.
The examiner must include the planned check or test programme in the application.
The test programme must be based on a risk-assessment, and on the evaluation of the mitigation measures to be taken.
5. The examiners must comply with the contents of the FOCA Examination Guide and all additionally relevant FOCA documents.
For all operations-relevant training and checks (based on EU 965/2012 (Air Ops) ORO.FC.2xx) (e.g. OPC, combined LPC/OPC), the following applies:
6. The AOC operators must ensure that the planned programme for training and checks has been approved by the competent authority (FOCA, SBOC or SBHE) (cf. ORO.FC.145 (c)).
In addition, the explicit approval of FOCA is required for each individual training or examination activity.
For "OPC only" this approval is issued by the FOCA sections SBOC or SBHE. For all other examinations (LPC and combined LPC/OPC), the authorisation is granted according to point 4 mentioned above.
7. For training and examinations within the context of EU 965/2012 ORO.FC.2xx, all requirements according to the operating manuals must be observed.
30.06.2020 - Language Proficiency - GA (excl. NCC)
01.05.2020 - Pilots and licences - GA (excl. NCC)
03.04.2020 - Extension of «Medicals»: What if the granted 4 months are not sufficient?
27.03.2020 - Medical
27.03.2020 - Instructors and examiners (incl. AME) - GA (excl. NCC)
Existing language proficiency entries will be extended to 19 November 2020. A further extension of the exemption is not intended. Licence holders whose language proficiency entries will expire before 19 November 2020 are requested to print out the enclosed «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED certificates - GA» and to carry it together with their licence. As no briefing/training is intended for this extension, the annex does not need to be completed and to be carried.
Privileges of language assessors are not covered by the exemption. Assessors whose privileges have expired must complete the ELP Refresher Course to regain their assessor privileges.
Due to the limited availability/accessibility of simulators, it can be difficult to complete the necessary recurrent training and checking.
Therefore, FOCA has notified EASA of an «Exemption» from the currently valid regulations:
With immediate effect, for pilots, who are not employed by an organisation with a management system in accordance with Part-ORO of Commission Regulation (EU) 965/2012, the validity of all class ratings, type ratings, and instrument ratings, as well as mountain ratings will be extended by 4 months (at the latest until 19 November 2020). A further extension of the exemption is not intended.
Affected pilots must complete a briefing conducted by an instructor. The contents of this briefing are described in the document «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED certificates - GA». This briefing can also be held over the phone, by on-screen conversation, as CBT or by means of a leaflet. The instructor either certifies the refresher training of a pilot in the annex of the attachment, in another analogue document, or by e-mail.
Further details are stated in the document «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED Certificates - GA».
Licence holders are requested to print out the enclosed «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED Certificates - GA» and to carry it together with their licence and a confirmation of the completion of their briefing.
Once the current situation normalises to the effect that training and exams will be possible again, the licence holder has to complete a proper revalidation under previously valid procedures before the expiry of the extension.
It is imperative that in this case, in addition to the examination documents, the confirmation of the briefing is also sent to FOCA.
Recency provisions (Part FCL.060 of Regulation 1178/2011) will remain in force and must be ensured before any passenger operations.
Exception: According to FCL.060 (a) the recency requirements for pilots of balloons must be fulfilled within the last 300 days (instead of 180 days).
For authorisations, which are maintained by means of recency provisions (applies to both Part-SFCL and Part-BFCL from 08 April 2020), the period for fulfilling the recency requirement is extended as follows:
- LAPL(A): Extension from 24 to 32 months for LAPL recency according to FCL.140.A (a)
- LAPL(H): Extension from 12 to 20 months for LAPL recency according to FCL.140.H (a)
- LAPL(S) and SPL: Extension from 24 to 32 months for
- - LAPL recency and SPL recency according to FCL.140.S (a) and (b) as well as FCL.230.S
- - Recency for launch methods according to FCL.130.S (c) & FCL.220.S
- - Recency for cloud flying rating according to FCL.830 (d)
- LAPL(B) and BPL: Extension from 24 to 32 months for
- - LAPL recency and BPL recency according to FCL.140.B (a) as well as FCL.230.B (a)
- - Recency for tethered flights in balloons according to FCL.130.B (c) as well as FCL.220.B
- Authorisation for sailplane towing: Extension from 24 to 32 months for the recency according to FCL.805 (e)
The pilots concerned must complete a briefing conducted by an instructor. The contents of this briefing are described in the document «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED certificates - GA». This briefing can be held over the phone, by on-screen conversation, as CBT or by means of a leaflet. The instructor either certifies the refresher training of a pilot in the annex of the attachment, in another analogue document, or by e-mail.
Licence holders are requested to print out the enclosed «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED Certificates - GA» and to carry it together with their recency and a confirmation of the completion of their briefing.
In a first step, medical fitness certificates («Medicals») can be extended for 4 months under the conditions specified in the attachment.
It is now becoming apparent that towards the end of this first extension period, resource issues for aero-medical examiners are likely to arise for a regular revalidation. This circumstance will be taken into account with an adjustment of the regulation.
Should it become clear towards the end of a first extension that a timely, regular revalidation is not possible, and this is confirmed by the aero-medical examiner, with this new addition, the extension period can be extended until 19 November 2020. A further extension of the exemption is not intended. A corresponding format template is provided in EMPIC-MED for AMEs.
The specifications in the adapted attachment must be complied with and the corresponding evidence has to be carried.
Details of the adapted regulations can be found in «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED Certificates – GA».
(Art.: 1)(b), 2)(6), 3), and 4))
All medical fitness certificates «Medical» which were valid until at least 13 March 2020 will be extended with the submitted FOCA Exemption with immediate effect by 4 months (but at the latest until 19 November 2020). The validity periods may be extended by FOCA for further months depending on how the pandemic situation unfolds. The holders of «Medicals» are requested to print out the enclosed «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED certificates - GA» or «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED certificates - Part-ORO» and to carry it together with their «Medical». As no briefing/training is intended for this extension, the annex does not need to be completed and to be carried.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This exemption requires a still valid «Medical», which does not include other requirements than VDL, VNL, and VML. Holders of «Medical» with other or further ranging stipulations do not qualify for this exemption. Once the current situation normalises a regular medical examination must be carried out in accordance with the applicable procedures before the extended period of validity expires.
All valid instructors’ authorisations and examiners’ authorisations for the personnel mentioned under «pilots and licences» will be extended to 19 November 2020. A further extension of the exemption is not intended. This also applies to AME.
Instructors and examiners are requested to print out the enclosed «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED Certificates - GA» and to carry with their licence. As no briefing/training is intended for this extension, the annex does not need to be completed and to be carried.
In the area of General Aviation, instructors are invited to provide a specified briefing according to «FOCA CH - Exemption Covid-19 - GA - Art 71(1) new BR - 27.03.2020» to inquiring licence holders.
The briefing shall refresh the required level of theoretical knowledge to safely operate the applicable class or type and to safely carry out the relevant manoeuvres and procedures, as applicable. That briefing shall include class - or type-specific abnormal and emergency procedures, as appropriate.
This briefing can be held over the phone, by on-screen conversation, as CBT or by means of a leaflet. The instructor either certifies the refresher training of a pilot in the annex of «Attachment to Part-FCL Licences and Part-MED Certificates - GA», in another analogue document, or by e-mail. The respective billing to the licence holder is at the discretion of the instructor.
