UK CAA – FAA Export Airworthiness Approval Considerations
Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the various requirements related to the issue of Export Airworthiness Certification.
Introduction – Export Airworthiness Approval Procedures
Export Certificates of Airworthiness are issued by the FAA and the CAA for completed aircraft.
» Authorized Release Certificates (Airworthiness Approval Tags), or equivalent, are issued by the FAA and the CAA for aircraft engines, propellers, and articles.
» The FAA’s requirements and procedures for import are described in:
o 14 CFR part 21, FAA Order 8130.2, and
o Advisory Circular (AC) 21-23.
o The CAA’s requirements and procedures for import are described in (UK) Part 21 Subpart H.
» The FAA’s requirements for issuing export airworthiness approvals are contained in:
o 14 CFR part 21, FAA Order 8130.2,
o FAA Order 8130.21, and
o FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 21-2.
o The CAA’s requirements for issuing export certificates are described in BCAR Section A3-6. (CAP 553 BCAR Section A Airworthiness Procedures where the CAA has Primary Responsibility for Type Approval of the Product).
New or Used Aircraft Exported for which a Design Approval Has Been Granted
The Importing Authority (IA) will accept an Export Certificate of Airworthiness on new aircraft and on used aircraft only if a TC holder exists to support continuing airworthiness of such aircraft, identified in paragraph - when the EA certifies that each aircraft:
» Conforms to a type design approved by the IA (including all applicable STCs);
» Has undergone a final operational check;
» Is in a condition for safe operation, including compliance with applicable IA ADs;
» Meets all additional requirements prescribed by the IA in paragraph 7.8, as notified.
Additional requirements for Used Aircraft
Is properly maintained using approved procedures, and methods throughout its service life to the requirements of an approved maintenance program as evidenced by logbooks and maintenance records; and:
» Records which verify that all overhauls, major changes and repairs were accomplished in accordance with approved data.
» Each aircraft imported to the U.S. or the UK with an EA airworthiness approval will have an Export Certificate of Airworthiness and should contain information equivalent to the following comment:
o “The [INSERT AIRCRAFT MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBER] covered by this certificate conforms to the type design approved under the TC Number [INSERT TC NUMBER, REVISION LEVEL, AND DATE], and is found to be in a condition for safe operation,” and any other clarifying language as specified in the TCDS. Under certain conditions, the IA may decide that an Export Certificate of Airworthiness is not required for used aircraft.
» When a U.S. or UK SoD used aircraft is to be imported from a third State into the U.S. or the UK, the FAA or the CAA, as the SOD Authority will, upon request by the other, assist in obtaining information regarding the configuration of the aircraft at the time it left the manufacturer.
» The SoD Authority will also provide, upon request, information regarding subsequent installations on the aircraft they have approved.
If a used civil aircraft produced in the U.S. or the UK has been used in military service in either country at any time, the EA will consult with the IA to determine if they will accept such an aircraft.
Acceptance of Used Aircraft Being Exported (Returned) to the Original SOD
Either Authority will accept an Export Certificate of Airworthiness on a used aircraft being exported (returned) to the original SoD for the aircraft, when the conformity conditions of the paragraph have been met.
» If the EA is not in a position to assess whether or not the used aircraft satisfies the above conditions, it will inform the IA accordingly.
Acceptance of Used Aircraft for which a Third State is the SOD
The IA will accept Export Certificates of Airworthiness from the EA for used aircraft for which a third State is the SOD.
» For used aircraft being imported from the UK to the U.S., or from the U.S. to the UK, the conformity conditions of the paragraph have been met.
» If the EA is not in a position to assess whether or not the used aircraft satisfies the above conditions, it will inform the IA accordingly.
New, Used, and Rebuilt Aircraft Engines and New Propellers Exported to the U.S. or the UK
The IA will accept the EA’s Authorized Release Certificates, or equivalent, certifying that each new, used, and rebuilt aircraft engine or new propeller exported to the U.S. or the UK:
» Conforms to a type design approved by the IA, as specified in the IA’s TCDS, and any additional STCs accepted by the IA;
» Has undergone a final operational check;
» Is in a condition for safe operation, including compliance with applicable IA ADs; and
» Meets all additional requirements prescribed by the IA.
» For rebuilt aircraft engines being exported to the UK from the U.S., that the aircraft engine has been rebuilt by the production approval holder and the Total Time Since New (TTSN) is specified in both the technical record of the aircraft engine and the accompanying Authorized Release Certificate, or equivalent.
Each new aircraft engine and propeller exported will have an Authorized Release Certificate, or equivalent that identifies the IA’s approved design data.
For new and used aircraft engines and propellers, the Authorized Release Certificate, or equivalent, should contain information equivalent to the following statement:
» “The [INSERT AIRCRAFT ENGINE OR PROPELLER MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBER] covered by this certificate conforms to the type design approved under the IA’s TC Number [INSERT TYPE CERTIFICATE NUMBER, REVISION LEVEL, AND DATE], and is found to be in a condition for safe operation and has undergone a final operational check”. This must include any other conditions specified in the IA’s TCDS.
Next Steps
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