Compliance8 min read

EASA vs FAA: Managing Compliance Across Regulatory Frameworks

Dominiek De RooFebruary 7, 2026

Two Systems, One Goal

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) share a common goal: ensuring aviation safety through rigorous training standards and operational oversight. But the way they achieve that goal differs significantly in structure, terminology, and documentation requirements.

For flight schools operating under one framework, compliance is already complex. For those operating under both — or transitioning between them — the challenge multiplies. Understanding these differences is essential for any flight school that trains international students or operates across borders.

Key Structural Differences

Training Organization Classification

EASA distinguishes between Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and Declared Training Organisations (DTOs). ATOs undergo formal approval for complex training programs (CPL, IR, ATPL), while DTOs operate under a lighter declaration process for PPL and LAPL training. The FAA uses Part 141 (structured, FAA-approved curricula) and Part 61 (flexible, instructor-led training) as its primary classifications.

Licensing Framework

EASA Part-FCL defines license categories including LAPL, PPL, CPL, and ATPL with specific competency-based assessment requirements. The FAA structures its licensing under Part 61 with Private, Commercial, and ATP certificates. Cross-recognition between the two systems requires validation or conversion procedures that vary by license type.

Maintenance Requirements

EASA Part-M governs continuing airworthiness with specific requirements for CAMOs (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisations). The FAA handles maintenance under Part 43 with different inspection intervals and documentation standards. Schools with mixed fleets must track both sets of requirements simultaneously.

Documentation and Record-Keeping

Perhaps the most operationally impactful difference lies in documentation requirements. EASA requires detailed training records aligned with Part-FCL competency frameworks, including specific phase tracking, evaluation documentation, and audit trails for every training event. The FAA requires endorsements, logbook entries, and knowledge test results but follows a different organizational structure.

For schools serving international students — a student training under FAA Part 141 who wants to convert to an EASA license, for example — maintaining dual-format records from the start saves significant time and effort during the conversion process.

Critical documentation differences:

EASA requires structured training syllabi with competency-based progression
FAA requires endorsements and minimum hour tracking per certificate
Document expiry tracking differs: EASA medicals follow Part-MED, FAA follows Part 67
Instructor qualification records have different formats and renewal requirements
Audit readiness expectations differ significantly between frameworks

How Software Helps Bridge the Gap

Managing compliance across regulatory frameworks manually — with spreadsheets, paper records, and separate tracking systems — is error-prone and unsustainable as operations grow. Flight school management software that understands both EASA and FAA requirements can automate much of this complexity.

A well-designed platform should handle document expiry tracking for both frameworks, support dual-format training records, and provide compliance dashboards that show your school's status against each authority's requirements. The validation engine should be configurable — allowing you to define which documents are required for which roles, booking types, and training programs under each framework.

Practical Advice for Multi-Framework Schools

If your flight school operates under both EASA and FAA — or is considering expanding to serve international students — here are practical steps to manage compliance effectively:

Standardize your internal documentation to meet the stricter of the two frameworks
Use software that supports both regulatory systems natively, not through workarounds
Train your admin staff on the key differences in record-keeping requirements
Build relationships with your local authority contacts for conversion guidance
Maintain separate but synchronized training records from day one

Conclusion

The aviation industry is increasingly global, and flight schools that can serve students across regulatory frameworks have a significant competitive advantage. Understanding the differences between EASA and FAA compliance is the first step. Implementing systems that handle both frameworks seamlessly is the second — and arguably more important — step toward sustainable, compliant operations.

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