EASA regulation framework:
Recording of flight time

Recording of flight time and pilot experience

Finding your way through the maze of European Union's laws is no easy task, especially when every Member State has its own additions.

To help you navigate this maze we have summarized the important information when it comes to your personal pilot logbook.

Let us dive into the legal foundation for recording of flight time and pilot experience within the EASA regulation, considered the Gold Standard among regulatory frameworks.

This page is intended for pilots who have their license issued by one of the EASA Member States.

Levels of the EASA regulatory framework

The aviation sector's complexity necessitates a multi-tiered regulatory framework. While binding regulations are essential in certain situations, there are instances where the regulatory system must allow for some flexibility through non-binding standards, or "soft law."

This balanced approach is widely recognized and adopted by international organizations and national regulators.

In the EASA framework, regulatory material is organized into several primary levels:

The Basic Regulation, which is adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, is binding in all its aspects.
Implementing Rules to the Basic Regulation, adopted by the European Commission.
Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) which are adopted by the Agency (EASA).
Certification Specifications (CS), Guidance Material (GM) and Information, which are adopted by the Agency (EASA).

The Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) is adopted by EASA with a presumption of compliance with the rules, so that it commits competent authorities to recognize regulated persons complying with EASA AMC as complying with the law.

Note from the Editor in EASA Part-FCL showing the levels of the regulatory framework in color.

Since AMCs are non-binding, the regulated persons may opt for alternative means to meet the requirements of the regulation.

Implementing Rules establish that the implementation of AltMoC by organizations and regulated persons is subject to prior approval by the Competent Authority and indicate what needs to be done in order to obtain the approval.

However, by doing so, they forfeit the presumption of compliance afforded by the EASA AMC and must demonstrate to the competent authorities that they are in compliance with the law using other tools and measures.

Practical application of the levels on FCL.050 "Recording of flight time"

The cover regulation article from the European Union is Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 (Air crew).

Recording of flight time is regulated by the Implementing Rule annex FCL.050 (blue section in the image).

EASA defined a standard framework called Applicable Means of Compliance (AMC1) that can be directly adopted by the member states to comply with the implementing rule.

When a member state does not impose AMC1, it loses the presumption of compliance provided by the EASA AMC, and must demonstrate that it does comply with the law and describe how.

Extract from EASA Part-FCL showing regulation and ED decision

EASA AMC1 FCL.050 is the established "form and manner" for most EASA countries

AMC1 applies in its entirety for all EASA license holders to comply with Implementing Rule FCL.050 as long as the Competent Authority having issued the license has not officially published an alternative means of compliance.

Links and references

Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011) including AMC1 FCL.050

capzlog.aero summarises the complex requirements from the legal texts and displays them with simple but meaningful views directly in the tool. With capzlog.aero you can operate at the highest legal level without having to wade through more than 1200 pages of legal text at EASA level.

What AMC1 FCL.050 actually says

AMC1 to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 provides detailed guidance on how to comply with the requirements set forth in the regulation concerning civil aviation aircrew. This Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) covers various aspects, including general requirements, licensing and certification, training, operations and much more.

It contains a set of rules concerning the personal flight record, the information to be kept, the form and the legal aspects of the flight record.

We have outlined the requirements of AMC1 on the following page:

Pilot logbook requirements: General and digital

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have any questions about capzlog.aero and its functionalities?

Ask our support team

How do I know which legal requirements are relevant for me as a pilot?

Your instructor should teach you the basics. However, you are responsible for knowing the important sections and monitoring them accordingly. But don't worry: capzlog.aero will help you by displaying the right information, including legal references, directly in the right place.

Which are the EASA member states?

You can either check on this page whether a country is an EASA member state or visit this EASA web site for more details. The EASA member states are, in alphabetical order: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Do I have to read all the regulations to keep my logbook compliant?

It certainly makes sense to take a look at the sections on the regulations. However, you can also take the practical route and simply read through the sections that are displayed on your cockpit page in capzlog.aero.

Is there an EASA electronic logbook?

There is no electronic logbook issued by EASA. However, capzlog.aero comes very close because it implements the EASA regulations very precisely and is officially certified.