What is Airworthiness? (The Airworthiness System)

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the role of Airworthiness in support of EASA Airworthiness Certification and Regulation.

Introduction - The Definition of Airworthiness 

The term airworthiness encompasses several aspects which relate to the legal and physical state of an aircraft.
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) considers the term airworthy as:

“When an aircraft or one of its component parts meets its type design and is in a condition for safe operation.”

A variation is provided by the UK MOD (Ministry of Defence):

“Airworthiness is the ability of an aircraft or other airborne equipment or system to be operated in flight and on the ground without significant hazard to aircrew, ground crew, passengers or to third parties; it is a technical attribute of material throughout its lifecycle.”

Operational Framework

An aircraft must be:

» Operated within the limits laid down in the Flight Manual;
» Maintained according to its Approved Maintenance Schedule for it to remain airworthy. 

o Maintenance performed throughout the life of the aircraft is considered within the term Continuing Airworthiness.

Flight Safety - Airworthiness Relationship

The relationship between airworthiness and flight safety is complex and multifaceted.

» Design Development to ensure:

o Meets all applicable certification codes
o Seeks to improve the aircraft’s economics and cost-benefit.

» Certification authorities evaluate all aspects of the design and construction of an aircraft

o When an aircraft type demonstrates that it meets all the certification requirements it will be issued with a Type Certificate (TC).

 In-Service Deficiencies related to Airworthiness:

» Related to incident or accident
» Related to unknown failures, errors, or limitations of the Type design
» Failure to meet the conditions for safe operation (Including Lack of Required Maintenance)

Defects, Failures, and Threats

A defect may have a significant effect on safety and, if not rectified, or only partly rectified, may become a latent precursor for a future accident. An investigation should analyse any events to determine any underlying airworthiness issues.

Example Causal Factors include the following:

» Overload
» Operation outside the certificated limits such as those laid down for flight in ice or snow conditions
» Component degradation due to fatigue, creep, fretting, wear, or corrosion, depending on the system or component
» Accidental damage (AD) and environmental damage (ED)
» Procedural (design, manufacturing, maintenance, or supply) error and human factors
» Inadequate or incomplete maintenance.
» Errors in maintenance that may result in a fault becoming obvious a long period after the error was originally made.
» Aging components
» Change of usage or unmonitored operation
» Lack of configuration control
» Obsolescence and/or legislation change
» Fuel and fuel system hazard
» Lack of adequate oversight of the operator, its practices, and policies including training, operation, and maintenance by the regulator
» Deficiencies in the process that lead to the issue of the original aircraft Type Certificate

Ensuring Continuing Airworthiness:

Wherever practicable, the original design should embody redundancy features that accommodate any failure of a system or component without any reduction in airworthiness.

Human Factor Error (Flight or Maintenance) - Adverse weather or an in-flight failure of an engine on a multi-engine aircraft, should not lead to an accident.

Through a combination of design integrity & flight crew training should allow safe continuation of the flight.

Through the entire process of aircraft type certification.

Note: This entire process is documented and serves as the foundation for the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft type.

Certificate of Airworthiness

As part of continuing airworthiness management, each aircraft must hold a Certificate of Airworthiness to prove that it conforms to the certificated type design and is in a condition for safe operation.

Note - European Union (EU), all aircraft must also be subject to a regular audit which leads to an airworthiness review certificate (ARC).

Regulatory Oversight

The regulator will require that the operator has in place a system to ensure compliance with the activities below:

» Compliance with the maintenance programme.
» An embodiment of mandatory modifications and inspections.
» Rectification of reported defects and investigation of adverse reliability matters.

 Next Steps

 We are pleased to provide Regulatory Compliant & Vocational Training as Classroom, Webinar, or Online Courses. Please see www.sassofia.com or www.sofemaonline.com or email team@sassofia.com