Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the Maintenance Check Flight (MCF) Requirements to comply with GM CAR M.301(i) Continuing airworthiness tasks

Introduction - MAINTENANCE CHECK FLIGHTS (MCFs)

The definition of and operational requirements for MCFs are laid down in the Air Operations Regulation and are carried out under the control and responsibility of the aircraft operator. During the flight preparation, the flight and the post-flight activities as well as for the aircraft handover, the processes requiring the involvement of the maintenance organisations or their personnel should be agreed in advance with the operator.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the Continuing Airworthiness Requirements to ensure compliance with GM M.A.301(i)  ED Decision 2020/002/R.

Introduction Maintenance Check Flights (MCFs)

The definition of and operational requirements for MCFs are laid down in the Air Operations Regulation and are carried out under the control and responsibility of the aircraft operator.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com – considers the specific requirements driven by EU 2023/203 (Information Security and Cyber Risks)

Introduction & Background

» Continuing airworthiness management organisations and maintenance organisations are to implement and maintain a management system to manage safety risks. (ref Annex II, point 3.1(b), to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139)
» Pilot training organisations, cabin crew training organisations, aero-medical centres for aircrew and operators of flight simulation training devices are to implement and maintain a management system to manage safety risks. (ref Annex IV, point 3.3(b) and point 5(b), to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139
» Air Operators are to implement and maintain a management system to manage safety risks. (Ref Annex V, point 8.1(c), to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, air operators are to implement and maintain a management system to manage safety risks.)

General Overview of Changes to GCAA CAR 145 presented by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com 

This revision of Gulf Civil Aviation Authority Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs) - CAR V - Airworthiness Regulations contains multiple changes and the following is a summary only – for full details please see the specific content.

UAE GCC CAR 145 sets out the requirements for the maintenance organization's approval of an aircraft or aircraft component. The regulation ensures that the maintenance organization has the appropriate procedures, equipment, personnel, and facilities to perform maintenance, repair, and overhaul of aircraft or aircraft components in compliance with applicable airworthiness requirements.

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com considers the route to FAA certificate of UAS equipment.

Introduction - Certification for Advanced Operations Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

What is Airworthiness?

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com considers the Maintenance Annex Guidance Procedures (MAG change 8) related to Air Carrier Obligations.

Definitions

Part 121 carrier is a regularly scheduled air carrier. Typically large, U.S.-based airlines, regional air carriers, and cargo carriers operating under 14 CFR Part 121 must be certified as such through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the purpose and use of FAA 8130-3.

Introduction

The 8130-3 form is an FAA-required document that is primarily used to verify parts and components within the global aviation system.

Overview by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

Validation of Design Certificates (Typically None Minor)

The Technical Agents have established two paths for validation:

» Streamlined validation; or

Overview by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

Introduction – TIPs provide specific procedures related to the following:

»  Airworthiness certificates and monitoring of civil aeronautical products;

» Environmental certificates and testing of civil aeronautical products;

Sofema Online Considers the Technical Records & Documentation Management

Requirements are driven by EASA Part 21 Regulatory requirements

Introduction – New Major Repair

Relevant substantiation data associated with a new major repair design and record keeping should include:

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the options to ensure compliance with AMC1 CAMO.A.310(a)(3) Airworthiness review staff qualifications (ED Decision 2020/002/R)

» Sofema Online Training for Airworthiness Review Staff
» EASA Airworthiness Review Staff Training Courses

Summary of General Qualifications for Airworthiness Review Staff

» At least 5 years of experience in continuing airworthiness;
» Acquired an appropriate license in compliance with Annex (III) Part-66 or an aeronautical degree or a national equivalent; 

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com considers the role, purpose, and applicability of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 8.

Introduction

ICAO SARPS (Standards and Recommended Practices) for each area of ICAO responsibility are contained in 19 Annexes. Each Annex deals with a particular subject area. All are subject to regular amendments and the detail in respect of many of them is contained in publications in the numbered ICAO Document Series.

Annex 8

Annex 8 Concerns the Airworthiness of Aircraft specifically related to the design, construction in accordance with the requirements of the State of Design and Operation in compliance with the appropriate airworthiness requirements of the State of Registry of the aircraft.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com reviews the applicable material related to EASA Initial Certification.

Introduction

EASA Part 21 regulates the approval of aircraft design and production organisations and the certification of aircraft Products, Parts and Appliances.

AMC & GM 14/07/2021 AMC & GM to Part 21 — Issue 2, Amendment 13
Reference - Issue 2 (full) originally dated 30/10/2012 (AMC & GM to Part 21 — Issue 2) with 13 amendments.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the changes which are introduced to the structure and format of the MOE to ensure compliance with Regulation 2021/1963

Note: All Transitional Activities must be complete by 2 December 2024.

» If not fully in compliance by 2 December 2024 then the approval certificate shall be revoked, limited, or suspended in whole or in part.

Introduction - EASA Part 145.A.70 concerns The Structure & Format of the MOE – The following points shall be complied with:

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com Considers the applicable repair criteria – ref Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness Revision 1 March 29, 2019.

Introduction - Design Data for Repairs

Acceptance of Design Data Used in Support of Repairs.

» Design data used in support of repairs must be approved or accepted, as appropriate, by the Exporting Authority (EA) / State of Design (SOD).

Overview by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are legally enforceable rules issued by the FAA in accordance with 14 CFR part 39 to correct an unsafe condition in a product.

• 14 CFR part 39 defines a product as an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance

Review by SofemaOnline (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com 

Doc 9760 is presented in 5 Parts:

» Part I ( Definitions and Abbreviations)
» Part II ( Airworthiness Organization Structure and Responsibilities of State)
» Part III ( State of Registry)
» Part IV ( State of the Operator)
» Part V ( State of Design and Manufacture)

Review by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

Introduction

International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)  is the specialized United Nations (UN) agency responsible for promoting the safe and orderly development of world civil aviation by establishing standards and rules related to safety, efficiency, and flight regularity to environmental protection. 

Annex 8, Definitions

Appropriate Airworthiness Requirements – means

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.”

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