Part-M is the EASA regulation governing continuing airworthiness of aircraft — defining responsibilities for maintenance programmes, airworthiness reviews, records and the organisations (CAMOs) that manage them. Complex and non-commercial operations fall under Part-M, while light aircraft use the simplified Part-ML.
Part-M is the EASA regulation governing the continuing airworthiness of aircraft — the framework that defines who is responsible for keeping an aircraft airworthy throughout its life and how. It covers the aircraft maintenance programme, airworthiness reviews and the ARC, maintenance records, defect rectification standards, and the approval of Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisations (CAMOs) that manage these obligations on behalf of owners and operators.
Since 2020, EASA has split the old Part-M scope: complex and commercially operated aircraft remain under Part-M proper (with Part-CAMO for the organisations), while light, non-complex aircraft moved to the simplified Part-ML regime. For a flight school, which regime applies depends on the fleet and the nature of operations — and it determines everything from who may write the maintenance programme to how airworthiness reviews are done.
Why it matters for flight schools
Part-M is the rulebook behind every question about whether a training aircraft may legally fly: is the maintenance programme approved and followed, are ADs tracked, is the ARC current, are records complete? Schools rarely read Part-M itself, but they live its consequences daily — and misunderstanding which regime (Part-M vs Part-ML) applies to which aircraft is a common source of both over-spending on unnecessary oversight and audit findings for missing it.
How FlightLogger handles it
FL Maintenance structures fleet data the way Part-M requires it — maintenance programme compliance, AD status, records and review readiness per aircraft — so schools and their CAMO work from the same regulatory picture.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Part-M and Part-ML?
Part-ML is the simplified regime for light aircraft (up to 2,730 kg MTOM, non-complex, not on an AOC), allowing self-declared maintenance programmes and lighter review arrangements. Part-M applies to everything heavier, more complex or commercially operated.
Does a flight school need its own Part-M organisation?
No — most schools contract a CAMO to manage continuing airworthiness, or operate light aircraft under Part-ML with lighter arrangements. Larger ATOs sometimes hold their own CAMO approval to bring the function in-house.