Concerning Airworthiness Reviews Carried out on Aircraft Imported into EU Jurisdiction
Considerations reviewed by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com ref EU Regulation 1321/2014 - M.A.904 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/1383
When importing an aircraft onto a Member State register from a third country or from a regulatory system where Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 does not apply, the applicant shall:
- Apply to the competent authority of the Member State of registry for the issuance of a new airworthiness certificate in accordance with Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012
- For aircraft other than new, have an airworthiness review carried out in accordance with point M.A.901
- Have all maintenance carried out to comply with the AMP approved in accordance with point M.A.302
- When satisfied that the aircraft is in compliance with the relevant requirements, The organisation performing the airworthiness review, shall send a documented recommendation for the issuance of an airworthiness review certificate to the competent authority of the Member State of registry
o (In order to allow for possible participation of authority personnel, the applicant should inform the competent authority at least 10 working days in advance of the time and location of the airworthiness review.
Note - The owner of the aircraft shall allow access to the aircraft for inspection by the competent authority of the Member State of the registry.
The competent authority of the Member State of registry shall issue an airworthiness certificate when it is satisfied that the aircraft complies with the requirements of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.
The competent authority of the Member State shall also issue the airworthiness review certificate.
The certificate shall be valid for 1 year unless the competent authority decides to reduce the period of validity for reasons of aviation safety.
Work To Be Undertaken To Establish Airworthiness (Ref ED Decision 2020/002/R)
When performing an airworthiness review of aircraft imported into the EU the aircraft and the relevant records should be reviewed to determine the work to be undertaken to establish the airworthiness of the aircraft.
In determining the work to be undertaken during the airworthiness review on the aircraft, the following should be taken into consideration:
- The information from third-country authorities such as export certificates, primary authority information;
- The information on aircraft maintenance history such as
o continuing airworthiness records,
o aircraft, engine, propeller, rotor and life-limited part log books or cards as appropriate,
o Tech log/flight log/cabin log,
o list of deferred defects,
o total flight times and cycles, times and cycles since last maintenance,
o accident history,
o former maintenance schedule,
o former AD compliance status;
- The information on aircraft such as aircraft, engine and propeller type certificate datasheets, noise and emission certificate data sheets, flight manual and supplements;
- The aircraft continuing airworthiness status such as
o Aircraft and component AD status,
o SB status,
o Maintenance status,
o Status of life-limited parts and time-controlled components,
o weight and center of gravity schedule including equipment list;
o Modification and repair status of the aircraft detailing
- Owner/operator designed modifications and repairs,
- STCs, and parts needing European parts approval (EPA);
- The aircraft cabin configuration such as
o Emergency equipment fitted,
o Cockpit configuration,
o Placards,
o Instrument limitations,
o Cabin layout;
o The required maintenance needed for import, such as
- An embodiment of modifications needed to comply with the EASA type certificate,
- Bridging check to comply with the new maintenance programme;
- Avionics such as, but not limited to,
o Radio and navigation equipment,
o Instrument flight rules (IFR) equipment,
o Digital flight data recorder (DFDR)/cockpit voice recorder (CVR) test,
o Emergency locator transmitter (ELT) 406 MHz code and identification;
o Compass compensation;
- Special operating rules such as
o Extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS)/long-range operations (LROPS),
o Reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM),
o Minimum navigation performance specifications (MNPS),
o All-weather operations (AWOPS),
o Area navigation (RNAV);
- The aircraft survey including
o Verification of conformity with the flight manual and the datasheet
o Presence of fire proof identification plates,
o Conformity of markings including registration,
o Presence and serviceability of emergency equipment,
o Internal and external lighting systems, and
o Maintenance check flight including a check of control system/cockpit ground check/engine run-up.
Note - If there is no CAMO or maintenance organisation approved for the airworthiness review of the specific aircraft type available, the competent authority may carry out the airworthiness review – 30 Day Notice
Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com & Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com offers EASA Compliant Regulatory & Vocational Training to meet the full intent of EASA Part CAMO Regulation 1321/2014 as amended by Regulations (EU) 2019/1383 & (EU) 2020/270. Please see the websites or email team@sassofia.com
