Brussels, 27/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - With air navigation now part of its responsibilities (see EUROPE 9802), the European Air Safety Agency (EASA) is expected to publish a notice of proposed amendment (NPA) of rules governing air operations (AirOps rules), to replace current European legislation (regulation 3922/91) by April 2012. Unlike regulation 3922/91, which applies only to commercial transport, the EASA document will apply to all types of aircraft, including helicopters, but not drones or airships, on which a further EASA regulation will be drafted, and to all types of air activity (commercial and non-commercial). The EASA proposals will, as soon as they are published, be put out for public consultation and, following any possible amendments, submitted to the European Commission for formal adoption (by 8 April 2012 at the latest). The document could, however, re-ignite the debate on flight time limitations for staff (FTL), in force since July 2008 (see EUROPE 9706). EASA does not, it would appear, plan to include in the new rules the conclusions of its last report on pilot fatigue, which proposes tighter rules on air crew working time, bringing them into line with the UK model (CAP 731) (see EUROPE 9825). The European Cockpit Association (ECA) has already called for these conclusions to be included in the new proposals in order to provide better protection for both passengers and crew. (A.By/transl.rt)