Applying for permits for aircraft operations

If you operate aircraft, in certain cases you will need permits from the German Federal Aviation Authority for your flight operations - for example, when transporting dangerous goods or flying in low visibility.

If you operate aircraft, in certain cases you need permits from the Federal Aviation Office.

You can

• apply for new approvals for one or more aircraft of the same type or series,
• add an aircraft to an existing approval for the same aircraft type or series,
• change your existing scope of approval for one or more aircraft.

You can obtain the following approvals with this application:

• Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) - Reduced Vertical Separation
• Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications for North Atlantic High Level Airspace (MNPS NAT-HLA) - Specification for minimum navigation performance in North Atlantic airspace
• Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications for Performance Based Communications and Surveillance (MNPS PBCS) - Flight operations in airspaces with prescribed navigation equipment - performance based communications and airspace surveillance
• Low visibility operations (LVO) - Flight operations with low visibility
• Steep approach operations - steep approach procedures
• Performance Based Navigation (PBN) - Performance based navigation
• Transport Of Dangerous Goods (DG) - Transportation of dangerous goods by air
• Flight operations without specific equipment
• Other authorizations

As a commercial air transport operator (CAT), you can also apply for the following approvals:

• Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) - Electronic pilot bag
• Extended Range Operations with Two-Engined Aeroplanes (ETOPS) - Long-haul operations with twin-engine aircraft
• Single-Engine Turbine aeroplane operated at night or in - Instrument Meterological Conditions (SET-IMC) - Single-engine turbine airplanes operated at night or under instrument meteorological conditions
• Use of aircraft included in an AOC for other-than-CAT operations
• Fuel Policy - Principles of fuel determination
• Minimum Flight Altitudes - Method for determining minimum flight altitudes
• Non-ETOPS - Exemption for aircraft (CAT) without ETOPS approval
• Unstabilized Approach - Unstabilized approaches for aircraft (CAT)
• Lower Landing Mass - Determination of aircraft category based on lower landing mass
• Short Landing Operations - short landing procedure
• Reduced Landing Distance - Shortened landing distance
• Use Of Isolated Aerodromes - Use of isolated aerodromes
• Operations With Increased Bank Angles - flight operations with increased bank angles

The application is subject to a fee. If necessary, further applications must be submitted. You will find the relevant information in the application form.

• Operations Manual Part A, B, C, D (OM) OM-A, OM-B, OM-C, OM-D
• Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
• If you are applying on behalf of another person or organization, you will need a power of attorney.

Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) - electronic pilot's case:

• Separate EFB manual if applicable
• Proof of training of flight crew members and other operating personnel
• If applicable, technical proof (Type Certificate Data Sheets or Supplemental Type Certificate)
• Completed annex to the application (Compliance List)

Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) - Reduced vertical separation:

• Type information (Type Certificate, Supplemental Type Certificate, Pilot Operating Handbook)
• If applicable, the Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) compliance statement or a CAMO technical certificate
• Document on the procedure for monitoring and reporting errors, if applicable
• Completed annex to the application (Compliance List)

Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (MNPS) - specification for minimum navigation performance:

• Proof of navigation equipment (Navigation Equipment)
• Proof of navigation displays, indicators and controls
• Completed annex to the application (Compliance List)

Extended-range Twin-engine Operations Performance Standards (ETOPS) - long-range operations with twin-engine aircraft:

• Type series information (Type Certificate, Supplemental Type Certificate, Pilot Operating Handbook) including the ETOPS Type Design Approval
• Completed annex to the application (Compliance List)

Low Visibility Operations (LVO) - flight operations in low visibility:

• Type information (Type Certificate, Supplemental Type Certificate, Pilot Operating Handbook) including the Airplane Flight Manual Supplements (AFM Supplements) relevant to LVO operations.
• Flight Crew Operational Manual (FCOM) or corresponding document from the aircraft manufacturer
• Flight Crew Techniques Manual or Flight Crew Training Manual (FCTM) or a corresponding document from the aircraft manufacturer
• Quick Reference Handbook
• Operational Suitability Data Flight Crew (OSD-FC) for the training of crew members
• LVO training and check documents
• Operations Manual Part M (Operations Manual-M)
• Instructor version of the flight simulation training device (FSTD) Session/Task Plan
• Certificate of qualification and evaluation report, if applicable
• Full Flight Simulator Aircraft Difference List and Classification
• Safety Risk Assessment, if applicable
• Declaration of Compliance, if applicable
• Documentation of the planned operational demonstration
• Completed annex to the application (compliance list)

Steep Approach Operations - steep approach procedures:

• Qualification certificates for flight simulation training devices and evaluation report for each flight simulation training device
• Manufacturer equipment list
• Proof of equipment
• Excerpts from the flight manual (Aircraft Flight Manual, Type Certificate, Supplemental Type Certificate, Pilot Operating Handbook and others) or the supplement to the flight manual ("supplement") on "normal" and "abnormal procedures"
• operator route manual/ map set of the airfield, if applicable
• operational suitability data for the training of crew members (Operational Suitability Data Flight Crew)
• Completed annex to the application (Compliance List)

Single-Engine Turbine aeroplane operated at night or in Instrument Meterological Conditions (SET-IMC) - Single-engine turbine airplane operated at night or in instrument meteorological conditions:

• Proof of navigation equipment, if applicable
• completed annex to the application (compliance list), if applicable

Performance Based Navigation (PBN) - Performance based navigation:

• Type series information (Aircraft Flight Manual, Type Certificate, Supplemental Type Certificate, Pilot Operating Handbook) on PBN capability
• Safety Assessment
• Reportable events (Reporting System)
• Monitoring program
• Completed annex to the application (Compliance List)

Transport Of Dangerous Goods (DG) - transportation of dangerous goods by air:

• Certificate of the responsible qualified person for the transportation of dangerous goods
• Proof of classification of the cargo holds, if applicable

Depending on the permit, further documents may be required. In any case, you must submit proof of operational procedures and training. You can find out what these are in detail on the application form or ask the Federal Aviation Office.

• Your place of residence or principal place of business is in Germany
• You submit the application to the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) as
  • Commercial air transportation company (CAT)
  • Non-commercial operation with technically complex motor-powered aircraft (NCC)
  • Specialized flight operations (SPO)
• Among other things, they provide the LBA with evidence of the aircraft's technical requirements, operating procedures and crew training.

The exact requirements for the respective approval depend on the aircraft, the technology installed and the type of flight operation.

Each approval is subject to a case-by-case review by the LBA, during which the requirements must be verified.

• Objection

You will find further information on how to lodge an objection in the notification of your application.

You can apply for a permit for flight operations online:

• Call up the federal portal and open the online application for permits for flight operations. You can apply for several permits at once.
• The online form guides you step by step through the required information and supporting documents.
• You can upload the required documents directly as a file (in PDF, DOC, JPEG, PNG, ZIP, XLS format). As an organization, you can also provide a download link where the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) can download the documents.
• For some approvals, the LBA requires technical evidence, which you must submit separately. You will find the relevant instructions and links in the online application.
• Submit the application online.
• The LBA will check your application and contact you if anything is unclear or if any information or documents are missing.
• The LBA will send you
  • a notification of fees and
  • a notice of approval or
  • a rejection notice.
• You pay the fees.

Unless otherwise stated in the notification, the permit can generally be used immediately and is valid indefinitely.

You will receive a notification with a QR code for payment. In some cases, you must pay the fees in advance.: Fee from 50,00 EUR to 3.000,00 EUR (Information on cost composition can be found here)

If your operation is not a commercial air transport operation (CAT), non-commercial operation with complex motor-powered aircraft (NCC) or specialized flight operation (SPO), you must apply to the relevant state aviation authorities for a permit for flight operations.