The Role of EASA Airworthiness Review Staff

Typically employed either by a standalone Continuous Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) or as a member of an Operators CAMO team, the Airworthiness Review Staff has a specific responsibility to ensure the Continuing Airworthiness of the applicable aircraft are maintained.

To be approved to carry out airworthiness reviews and if applicable, to issue permits to fly, an approved CAMO shall have appropriate airworthiness review staff to issue airworthiness review certificates or to make recommendations to the regulatory authority as appropriate.

Once satisfied the Airworthiness Review Certificate - Staff (ARC) Staff will either issue a full airworthiness review or sign an extension for aircraft maintained in a controlled environment (Between Airworthiness Reviews).

The role is very demanding and requires a deep and fundamental knowledge across a range of subject areas, including Maintenance Planning, CAMO Engineering, Technical Records, Reliability, Part 145 and Part 21.

Airworthiness Review Staff are Form 4 approved persons, authorised by the Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) and accepted by the Regulatory Authority or Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to perform Airworthiness Reviews on aircraft which are listed on the CAMO approval certificate or the Air Operators Certificate (AOC).

As part of the approval process, the CAA must formally accept the person nominated to be an Airworthiness Review signatory. This process will involve performing an airworthiness review under supervision to ensure both the procedure and process meet the requirements.

Airworthiness Review Staff must be able to demonstrate “appropriate” recent “Continuing Airworthiness” management experience (records shall be maintained) experience in continuing airworthiness’ means any appropriate combination of experience in tasks related to aircraft maintenance and/or continuing airworthiness management and/or surveillance of such tasks (note the use of the word appropriate provides a degree of flexibility however the CAA will ultimately accept or not as they decide).

In order to keep the validity of the authorisation, the AW review staff should have either.

Been involved in CAW management activities for at least six months in every two year period, or Conducted at least one AR in the last twelve month period.

Airworthiness Review Staff Qualifications

For all aircraft used in CAT and aircraft above 2730 Kg MTOM, these staff shall have acquired:

At least five years’ experience in continuing airworthiness, and – An appropriate Part-66 license or an aeronautical degree or equivalent – plus formal aeronautical maintenance training. In addition to hold a position within the approved organisation with “appropriate” responsibilities (again note the use of the word appropriate provides a degree of flexibility however the CAA will ultimately accept or not as they decide).

For all aircraft used in CAT and aircraft above 2730 Kg MTOM, except Balloons, as an alternative suitable experience in CAW may be used in place of the formal qualifications (This experience is in addition to the previous announced requirements.) At least 5 years’ experience in CAW, Additional 5 years’ experience in CAW (if no license or Degree)

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SofemaOnline (SOL) is a service provided by Sofema Aviation Services, offering a range of EASA compliant online video regulatory courses. The trainings are designed to be effective and to help you reach the correct level of understanding in the comfort of your own home or office. The course content is followed by an online examination after which you are able to print out your certificate.

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