As a result of these actions, EASA decided in October 2012 to create a Part-M General Aviation Task Force, as outlined in NPA 2012-17. The task force's objective is to find ways to reduce the burden on the general aviation community, differentiating it into two phases.

The first phase covers areas where high costs and no real safety benefits have been identified, and for which an extensive regulatory impact assessment is not required, in particular maintenance programs and airworthiness reviews. The second phase covers other areas where further action is needed—such as rulemaking, standardization and change management—but where more technical discussions and an extensive regulatory impact assessment are required.

—By Mario Pierobon