---
title: "UAM.POL.VCA.115 Obstacle accountability — Part-IAM · Avioverse"
description: "For operations to/from final approach and take-off areas (FATO), the IAM operator shall, during pre-fight planning and for the purpose of…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-iam/subpart-c/uam-pol-vca-115"
---

# UAM.POL.VCA.115 Obstacle accountability

ANNEX IX (Part-IAM) · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

IR Implementing rule

## UAM.POL.VCA.115 Obstacle accountability

For operations to/from final approach and take-off areas (FATO), the IAM operator shall, during pre-fight planning and for the purpose of obstacle-clearance calculations:

(a) consider an obstacle located beyond the FATO, in the [take-off flight path](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/take-off-flight-path) or the missed approach flight path, if its lateral distance to the nearest point on the surface below the intended flight path is not farther than the following:

(1) for flights to be conducted in accordance with VFR:

(i) “0,75 × D”;

(ii) plus the greater of “0,25 × D” or “3 m”;

(iii) plus:

(A) 0,10 × [distance DR](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/distance-dr) for operations under VFR by day; or

(B) Reserved;

(b) consider an obstacle located in the backup or lateral transition area for take-offs using a backup or a lateral transition procedure, if its lateral distance from the nearest point on the surface below the intended flight path is not farther than:

(1) “0,75 × D”;

(2) plus the greater of “0,25 × D” or “3 m”;

(3) plus:

(i) 0,10 × distance DR for operations under VFR by day; or

(ii) reserved;

(c) disregard obstacles situated beyond the FATO in the take-off flight path or the missed approach flight path if their lateral distance to the nearest point on the surface below the intended flight path is farther than the following:

(1) 3 × D for VFR day operations if it is assured that navigational accuracy can be achieved by reference to suitable visual cues during the climb;

(2) reserved.

IR · UAM.POL.VCA.115 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Regulation (EU) 2024/1111 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GM Guidance material

## GM1 UAM.POL.VCA.115 Obstacle accountability

DIMENSION ‘D’

The diameter ‘D’ is defined in point (6) of MOC VTOL.2115 Take-off performance. It should be published in metres and feet, rounded up to the next tenth. If the VCA changes its dimensions during taxi or parking (e.g. folding wings), the corresponding Dtaxi and Dparking should also be provided.

GM · GM1 UAM.POL.VCA.115 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2025/010/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GM Guidance material

## GM2 UAM.POL.VCA.115 Obstacle accountability

DISTANCE ‘DR’

For the purpose of obstacle accountability in the [take-off flight path](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/take-off-flight-path) or the missed approach flight path, ‘DR’ is the horizontal distance that the VCA has travelled from the end of the TODA or when a backup take-off procedure is being used, from the back of the FATO.

GM · GM2 UAM.POL.VCA.115 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2025/010/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

[All rules in SUBPART C — VTOL-CAPABLE AIRCRAFT (VCA) PERFORMANCE AND OPERATING LIMITATIONS](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-iam/subpart-c)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.