Argentina’s National Civil Aviation Administration has recently enacted comprehensive changes to the country’s aviation regulations. The revisions primarily ease operational restrictions relating to Parts 91, 121, and 135 of civil aviation statutes. These adjustments follow a detailed review, which considered technological advances, operational experience, and input from international agencies, all while preserving safety standards.
Effective March 1, 2026, general aviation flights under visual flight rules (VFR) will no longer require filing flight plans. Pilots meeting specific criteria will be permitted to fly at night under VFR conditions across Argentina. Additionally, the regulation update facilitates certain non-regular operations involving aircraft with fewer than 10 passengers, allowing these flights to be conducted by a single pilot when approved autopilot systems are installed and authorized.
Changes to Flight Planning and Licensing
The reforms also remove the flight plan requirement for aircraft equipped with ADS-B out in air defense identification zones once these changes are incorporated into the Aeronautical Information Publication. Licensing provisions have been aligned with previous amendments to Part 61, notably eliminating the previous requirement of 900 flight hours for first-class commercial pilot eligibility for airline operations. Moreover, the rules now include updated requirements for medical flights, minimum equipment standards, and broader eligibility for instrument flight rule (IFR) operations within specified limits.
This regulatory overhaul aims to modernize Argentina’s civil aviation framework, promote operational flexibility, and ensure safety continuity amid technological advancements and industry developments.
