Part-SPA Specific Approvals: LVO, PBN, ETOPS
EASA Part-SPA specific approvals: from PBN and LVO to ETOPS and dangerous goods — how to apply, where the privilege is recorded, and how long it lasts.
Dionysis KefalasUpdated 5 min readFor Air Ops staff
Part 5 of 7 in EASA Air Operations Show parts
- 1EASA Air Operations: Rules, AOC and Duties
- 2Apply for an EASA Air Operator Certificate
- 3Part-ORO Operations Manual and Management System
- 4EASA Flight Time Limitations and Crew Duty
- 5Part-SPA Specific Approvals: LVO, PBN, ETOPS
- 6SAFA Ramp Inspection Findings: Categories 1 to 3
- 7MEL Rectification Interval Extension (RIE)
Quotes checked on against EASA Easy Access Rules for Air Operations (Regulation (EU) No 965/2012) — 27 Mar 2026 revision.
On this page
Beyond the baseline certificate
An Air Operator Certificate covers the operation it is issued for. Annex V to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 is Part-SPA, the specific approvals. The book's subpart headings are these.
That list is the structure of the annex. It is not, by itself, a rule that each row is forbidden until a separate approval is held. The condition for a given activity is in that subpart. This guide quotes the common points on application, recording and validity, and one activity in full: transport of dangerous goods.
Applying for a specific approval
SPA.GEN.105 is the common application.
(a)The operator applying for the initial issue of a specific approval shall provide to the competent authority the documentation required in the applicable Subpart, together with the following information:
(1)the name, address and mailing address of the applicant;
(2)a description of the intended operation.
(b)The operator shall provide the following evidence to the competent authority:
(1)compliance with the requirements of the applicable Subpart;
(2)that the relevant elements defined in the mandatory part of the operational suitability data established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 are taken into account.
(c)The operator shall retain records relating to (a) and (b) at least for the duration of the operation requiring a specific approval, or, if applicable, in accordance with Annex III (Part-ORO).
Quoted word for word from Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, Easy Access Rules for Air Operations, 27 Mar 2026 revision.
Paragraph (a) is the application pack. Paragraph (b) is the evidence, including the mandatory operational suitability data. Paragraph (c) is how long you keep the records of (a) and (b).
Where the privilege is recorded
A granted approval is written onto the document that states what the operator is approved to conduct.
The scope of the activity that an operator is approved to conduct shall be documented and specified:
(a)for operators holding an air operator certificate (AOC) in the operations specifications to the AOC;
(b)for all other operators in the list of specific approvals.
Quoted word for word from Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, Easy Access Rules for Air Operations, 27 Mar 2026 revision.
An AOC holder uses (a). Any other operator uses (b). Changes that affect an AOC are the subject of the AOC guide. The operations manual is the subject of the manual guide.
How long an approval lasts
Specific approvals shall be issued for an unlimited duration and shall remain valid subject to the operator remaining in compliance with the requirements associated with the specific approval and taking into account the relevant elements defined in the mandatory part of the operational suitability data established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.
Quoted word for word from Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, Easy Access Rules for Air Operations, 27 Mar 2026 revision.
Read the duration and the compliance condition in the same sentence. There is no separate expiry date in this point.
A worked example: dangerous goods
SPA.DG.100 is the line for this one activity.
Except as provided for in Annex IV (Part-CAT), Annex VI (Part-NCC), Annex VII (Part-NCO), Annex VIII (Part-SPO) and Annex IX (Part-IAM) to this Regulation, the operator shall only transport dangerous goods by air if it has been approved by the competent authority.
Quoted word for word from Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, Easy Access Rules for Air Operations, 27 Mar 2026 revision.
The ban has exceptions, named in the sentence. It is this activity only, not every row in the table. Application, recording and validity are the points quoted above.
Closing the loop
This is the fifth guide in the series the overview opened: the shape of Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, the Air Operator Certificate, the operations manual and management system, flight time limitations and crew composition, and the specific approvals above. The last guide, SAFA Ramp Inspection Findings: Cat 1, 2, 3 and Your Reply, covers ramp inspection findings and how the operator responds.
Where to read it yourself
Part-SPA is Annex V of Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, consolidated with its Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material in the EASA Easy Access Rules for Air Operations. The topic subparts carry conditions this guide does not quote. Every citation here was checked against the 2026-03-27 revision.
Educational content, not regulatory compliance advice. Verify against the current regulation text before relying on it.
In this series
Frequently asked questions
What is needed to apply for a Part-SPA specific approval?
An application needs the documents required by the applicable Part-SPA subpart, the applicant's name and addresses, and a description of the intended operation. SPA.GEN.105 also requires evidence of compliance with that subpart and that relevant mandatory operational suitability data have been taken into account.
Where is a Part-SPA specific approval recorded?
For an AOC holder, the approved activity's scope is recorded in the operations specifications to the Air Operator Certificate. For other operators, SPA.GEN.110 requires it to be documented in the list of specific approvals.
How long is a Part-SPA specific approval valid?
A Part-SPA specific approval is issued for an unlimited duration, provided the operator continues to meet its associated requirements and takes account of the relevant elements of mandatory operational suitability data.
How long must specific approval application records be kept?
Records supporting a specific approval application must be kept at least for the duration of the operation requiring that approval, or in accordance with Part-ORO where applicable. SPA.GEN.105(c) covers the application information and the supporting evidence required by points (a) and (b).
Does transporting dangerous goods by air require approval?
Under SPA.DG.100, an operator may transport dangerous goods by air only with competent-authority approval, except as provided in Part-CAT, Part-NCC, Part-NCO, Part-SPO and Part-IAM of the Air Operations Regulation.
Related
- EASA Air Operations Explained: Part-CAT, the AOC and Operator ResponsibilitiesGuide · 6 min
- How to Get an EASA Air Operator Certificate (AOC)Guide · 7 min
- The Operations Manual and Management System under Part-OROGuide · 5 min
- EASA Flight Time Limitations (FTL) and Crew RequirementsGuide · 14 min
- SAFA Ramp Inspection Findings: Cat 1, 2, 3 and Your ReplyGuide · 16 min
Written by Dionysis Kefalas. Retired Hellenic Air Force Captain and founder of Avioverse. About the author
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