As a result of the comments received on a notice of proposed amendment published earlier this year, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will proceed with enacting a requirement for terrain awareness warning systems (TAWS) on certain light turbine airplanes. The rule will mandate TAWS installation and operation in newly manufactured, commercially operated turbine airplanes with an mtow of less than 12,500 pounds and certified with six-to-nine passenger seats.

The agency received 34 comments, mostly from industry and national aviation authorities. Although commenters generally supported this rulemaking action, there was one request to extend the requirement of installing TAWS to non-commercial operators. However, this option was discarded due to proportionality issues regarding the general aviation sector.

Three commenters requested a retrofitting requirement, but EASA said the “large cost of retrofit outweighs the minor safety benefit and, therefore, this option was also discarded.” However, EASA said that considering the benefits of the retrofit option, the agency will issue a recommendation for all applicable operators to install TAWS on a voluntary basis.

The rule is expected to apply to airplanes that receive their initial airworthiness certification after Jan. 1, 2019.