M.A.901 Aircraft airworthiness review

Regulation (EU) 2021/700

To ensure the validity of the aircraft airworthiness certificate, an airworthiness review of the aircraft and its continuing airworthiness records shall be carried out periodically.

(a) An airworthiness review certificate is issued in accordance with Appendix III (EASA Form 15a or 15b) to this Annex upon completion of a satisfactory airworthiness review. The airworthiness review certificate shall be valid for 1 year;

(b) An aircraft in a controlled environment is an aircraft which, during the preceding 12 months:

1. has had its airworthiness continuously managed  by a unique CAMO or CAO;

2. has been maintained by a maintenance organisation approved in accordance with Subpart F of this Annex, Annex II (Part-145) or Annex Vd (Part-CAO), including the cases when maintenance tasks referred to in point (b) of point M.A.803 are carried out and released to service in accordance with point (b)(1) or (b)(2) of point M.A.801 of this Annex.

(c) For all aircraft used by air carriers licensed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, and for aircraft above 2 730 kg MTOM that are in a controlled environment, the organisation referred to in point (b)(1) managing the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft may in accordance with CAMO.A.125(e) of Annex Vc or point M.A.711(b) of this Annex or point CAO.A.095(c)(1) of Annex Vd, as applicable, and subject to compliance with point (j):

1. issue an airworthiness review certificate in accordance with point M.A.901;

2. extend at most twice the validity of the airworthiness review certificate it has issued, for a period of 1 year each time, where the aircraft concerned has remained within a controlled environment.

(d) The airworthiness review certificate shall be issued by the competent authority upon a satisfactory assessment based on a recommendation made by a CAMO or CAO, sent together with the application from the owner or operator for all aircraft used by air carriers licensed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, and for aircraft above 2 730 kg MTOM that complies with the following alternative conditions:

1. they are not in a controlled environment;

2. their continuing airworthiness is managed by an organisation that does not hold the privilege to carry out airworthiness reviews.

The recommendation referred to in the first subparagraph shall be based on an airworthiness review carried out in accordance with point M.A.901.

(e) For aircraft of 2 730 kg MTOM and below not used by air carriers licensed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, any CAMO or CAO chosen by the owner or operator may in accordance with CAMO.A.125(e) of Annex Vc or point M.A.711(b) of this Annex or CAO.A.095(c) of Annex Vd, as applicable, and subject to compliance with point (j):

1. issue the airworthiness review certificate in accordance with point M.A.901;

2. extend at most twice the validity of the airworthiness review certificate it has issued, for a period of 1 year each time, where the aircraft has remained within a controlled environment under its management.

(f) By derogation from points (c)(2) and (e)(2) of point M.A.901, for aircraft that are in a controlled environment, the organisation referred to in point (b)(1) managing the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft, may, subject to compliance with point (j), extend at most twice the validity of an airworthiness review certificate that the competent authority or another CAMO or CAO has issued, for a period of 1 year each time.

(g) Whenever circumstances reveal the existence of a potential risk to aviation safety, the competent authority shall carry out the airworthiness review and issue the airworthiness review certificate itself.

(h) Without prejudice to point (g), the competent authority may carry out the airworthiness review and issue the airworthiness review certificate itself in the following cases:

1. when the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft is managed by a CAMO or CAO which has its principal place of business located in a third country;

2. for any other aircraft of 2 730 kg MTOM and below, if the owner so requests.

(i) Where the competent authority issues the airworthiness review certificate itself in accordance with points (g) or (h) or after assessing the recommendation in accordance with point M.B.901, the owner or operator of the aircraft shall, where necessary for those purposes, provide the competent authority with:

1. any documentation required by the competent authority;

2. suitable accommodation at the appropriate location for its personnel;

3. the support of the certifying staff

(j) An airworthiness review certificate shall not be issued, nor extended if there is evidence or indications that the aircraft is not airworthy.

(k) The airworthiness review of the aircraft shall include a full documented review of the aircraft records establishing that the following requirements have been met:

1. airframe, engine and propeller flying hours and associated flight cycles have been properly recorded;

2. the flight manual is applicable to the aircraft configuration and reflects the latest revision status;

3. all the maintenance due on the aircraft pursuant to the approved AMP has been carried out;

4. all known defects have been corrected or, when applicable, carried forward  in a controlled manner in accordance with M.A.403;

5. all applicable ADs have been applied and properly registered;

6. all modifications and repairs applied to the aircraft have been registered and are in compliance with point M.A.304;

7. all life-limited parts and time-controlled components installed on the aircraft are properly identified, registered and have not exceeded their limitation;

8. all maintenance has been carried out in accordance with this Annex;

9. the current mass and balance statement reflects the current configuration of the aircraft and is valid;

10. the aircraft complies with the latest revision of its type design approved by the Agency;

11. if required, the aircraft holds a noise certificate corresponding to the current configuration of the aircraft in compliance with Subpart I of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.

(l) The airworthiness review of the aircraft shall include a physical survey of the aircraft. For that survey, airworthiness review staff not appropriately qualified in accordance with Annex III (Part-66) shall be assisted by such qualified staff.

(m) Through the physical survey of the aircraft, the airworthiness review staff shall ensure that:

1. all required markings and placards are properly installed;

2. the aircraft complies with its approved flight manual;

3. the aircraft configuration complies with the approved documentation;

4. no evident defect can be found that has not been addressed in accordance with point M.A.403;

5. no inconsistencies can be found between the aircraft and the documented review of records referred to in point (k).

(n) By derogation from point (a), the airworthiness review may be anticipated by a maximum period of 90 days without loss of continuity of the airworthiness review pattern, so as to allow for the physical review to take place during a maintenance check.

(o) The airworthiness review certificate (EASA Form 15b) or the recommendation for the issue of the airworthiness review certificate (EASA Form 15a) referred to in Appendix III to this Annex can only be issued:

1. by authorised airworthiness review staff on behalf of the approved organisation;

2. if the airworthiness review has been completely carried out.

(p) A copy of any airworthiness review certificate issued or extended for an aircraft shall be sent to the Member State of registry of the aircraft concerned within 10 days.

(q) Airworthiness review tasks shall not be subcontracted.

(r) Should the outcome of the airworthiness review be inconclusive, the organisation having carried out the review shall inform the competent authority as soon as possible and in any case within 72 hours from the moment the organisation identifies the reason for which the airworthiness review is inconclusive.

(s) The airworthiness review certificate shall not be issued until all findings have been closed.

AMC M.A.901 Aircraft airworthiness review

ED Decision 2015/029/R

In order to ensure the validity of the aircraft airworthiness certificate, M.A.901 requires performing periodically an airworthiness review of the aircraft and its continuing airworthiness records, which results in the issuance of an airworthiness review certificate valid for one year.

GM M.A.901 Airworthiness review

ED Decision 2020/002/R

Responsibilities of airworthiness review staff:

The following is a summary of the requirements contained in M.A.901 as well as the associated AMC and Appendices, in relation to the responsibilities of the airworthiness review staff:

               Airworthiness review staff are responsible for performing both the documental and the physical survey.

               Procedures must be established by the CAMO or CAO in order to perform the airworthiness review, including the depth of samplings.

               Procedures must make very clear that the final word about the depth of the inspections (both documental and physical) belongs to the airworthiness review staff, who can go beyond the depth established in the CAME or CAE if they find it necessary. At the end, it is the responsibility of the airworthiness review staff to be satisfied that the aircraft complies with Part-M and is airworthy, and the organisation must ensure that no pressure or restrictions are imposed on the airworthiness review staff when performing their duty.

               A compliance report must be produced by the airworthiness review staff, detailing all items checked and the outcome of the review.

               Airworthiness review staff are responsible for the items checked during the airworthiness review. However, they do not take over the responsibilities of the CAMO, maintenance organisation, DOA, POA or any other organisations, not being responsible for problems not detected during the airworthiness review or for the possibility that the approved or declared maintenance programme may not include certain recommendations from the design approval holder. Obviously, if the airworthiness review staff are not independent of the airworthiness management process and were nominated on the basis of the option of having overall authority on such a process, they will be responsible for the full continuing airworthiness of such aircraft. Nevertheless, this responsibility will be a consequence of their position in the organisation and not of their function as airworthiness review staff.

               The issuance of the airworthiness review certificate (ARC) by the airworthiness review staff only certifies that the aircraft is considered airworthy in relation to the scope of the airworthiness review performed and the fact that the airworthiness review staff are not aware of instances of non-compliance which endanger flight safety. Furthermore, it only certifies that the aircraft is considered airworthy at the time of the review.

It is the responsibility of the owner or contracted CAMO or CAO to ensure that the aircraft is fully airworthy at any time.

GM M.A.901(a) Aircraft airworthiness review

ED Decision 2020/002/R

EASA Form 15a is issued by competent authorities while EASA Form 15b is issued by a CAMO or CAO organisation.

AMC M.A.901(b) Aircraft airworthiness review

ED Decision 2016/011/R

1. If the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft is not managed according to an Appendix I Continuing airworthiness contract, the aircraft should be considered to be outside a controlled environment. Nevertheless, such contract is not necessary when the operator and the CAMO are the same organisation.

2. The fact that limited pilot-owner maintenance as defined in M.A.803(b) is not carried out and released by an approved maintenance organisation does not change the status of an aircraft in a controlled environment providing the CAMO under contract has been informed of any such maintenance carried out.

AMC M.A.901(c)2, (e)2 and (f) Aircraft airworthiness review

ED Decision 2015/029/R

When the aircraft has remained within a controlled environment, the extension of the validity of the airworthiness review certificate does not require an airworthiness review but only a verification of the continuous compliance with M.A.901(b).

It is acceptable to anticipate the extension of the airworthiness review certificate by a maximum of 30 days without a loss of continuity of the airworthiness review pattern, which means that the new expiration date is set up one year after the previous expiration date. This anticipation of up to 30 days also applies to the 12 month requirements shown in M.A.901(b), meaning that the aircraft is still considered as being in a controlled environment if it has been continuously managed by a single organisation and maintained by appropriately approved organisations, as stated in M.A.901(b), from the date when the last airworthiness review certificate was issued until the date when the extension is performed (this can be up to 30 days less than 12 months).

It is also acceptable to perform the extension of an airworthiness review certificate after its expiration date, as long as all the conditions for the extension are met. However, this means the following:

               The aircraft could not fly since the airworthiness review certificate expired until it is extended, and

               The new expiration date (after extension) is set one year after the previous expiration date (not one year after the extension is performed).

AMC M.A.901(d) Aircraft airworthiness review

ED Decision 2020/002/R

The recommendation sent by a CAMO or CAO to the competent authority of the Member State of registry should be, at least, in English when the Member State of registry is different from the CAMO/CAO’s Member State. Otherwise, it can be completed in the official language(s) of the CAMO/CAO’s Member State.

The recommendation sent to the competent authority should contain at least the items described below:

(a) General information

               CAMO information

               owner/lessee information

               date and place where the document review and the aircraft survey were carried out

               period and place the aircraft can be seen if required by the competent authority

(b) Aircraft information

               registration

               type

               manufacturer

               serial number

               flight manual reference

               weight and centre of gravity data

               maintenance programme reference

(c) Documents accompanying the recommendation

               copy of registration papers

               copy of the owners request for a new airworthiness review certificate

(d) Aircraft status

               aircraft total time and cycles

               list of persons or organisations having carried out continuing airworthiness activities including maintenance tasks on the aircraft and its components since the last airworthiness review certificate

(e) Aircraft survey

               a precise list of the areas of the aircraft that were surveyed and their status

(f) Findings

               a list of all the findings made during the airworthiness review with the corrective action carried out

(g) Statement

A statement signed by the airworthiness review staff recommending the issue of an airworthiness review certificate.

The statement should confirm that the aircraft in its current configuration complies with the following:

               airworthiness directives up to the latest published issue, and;

               type certificate datasheet;

               maintenance programme;

               limitation for life-limited parts and time-controlled components;

               the valid weight and centre of gravity schedule reflecting the current configuration of the aircraft;

               Part-21 for all modifications and repairs;

               the current flight manual including supplements, and;

               operational requirements.

The above items should clearly state the exact reference of the data used in establishing compliance; for instance the number and issue of the type certificate data sheet used should be stated.

The statement should also confirm that all of the above is properly entered and certified in the aircraft continuing airworthiness record system and/or in the operator’s technical log.

AMC M.A.901(i) Aircraft airworthiness review

ED Decision 2020/002/R

Suitable accommodation should include:

(a) an office with normal office equipment such as desks, telephones, photocopying machines etc. whereby the continuing airworthiness records can be reviewed.

(b) a hangar when needed for the physical survey.

The support of personnel appropriately qualified in accordance with Part-66 is necessary when the competent authority’s airworthiness review staff is not appropriately qualified.

AMC M.A.901(k) Aircraft airworthiness review

ED Decision 2020/002/R

FULL DOCUMENTED REVIEW

1. A full documented review is a check of at least the following categories of documents:

— registration papers;

— M.A.305 aircraft continuing airworthiness record system;

— M.A.306 aircraft technical log system;

— list of deferred defects, minimum equipment list and configuration deviation, list if applicable;

— aircraft flight manual including aircraft configuration;

— aircraft maintenance programme;

—             maintenance data;

— relevant work packages;

— AD status;

—             modification and SB status;

— modification and repair approval sheets;

— status of life-limited parts and time-controlled components;

— relevant EASA Form 1 or equivalent;

— mass and balance report and equipment list;

— aircraft, engine and propeller TC data sheets.

As a minimum, sample checks within each document category should be carried out.

2. The CAMO or CAO should develop procedures for the airworthiness review staff to produce a compliance report that confirms the above have been reviewed and found in compliance with Part-M.

AMC M.A.901(l) and (m) Aircraft airworthiness review

ED Decision 2020/002/R

PHYSICAL SURVEY

1. The physical survey could require actions categorised as maintenance (e.g. operational tests, tests of emergency equipment, visual inspections requiring panel opening, etc.). In this case, after the airworthiness review, a release to service should be issued.
2. When the airworthiness review staff are not appropriately qualified as per Part-66 in order to release such maintenance, M.A.901(l) requires them to be assisted by such qualified personnel. However, the function of such Part-66 personnel is limited to performing and releasing the maintenance actions requested by the airworthiness review staff, it not being their function to perform the physical survey of the aircraft.
3. This means that the airworthiness review staff who is going to sign the airworthiness review certificate or the recommendation should be the one performing both the documented review and the physical survey of the aircraft. It is not the intent of the rule to delegate the survey to Part-66 personnel who are not airworthiness review staff. Furthermore, the provision of M.A.901(n) that allows a 90-day anticipation for the physical survey provides enough flexibility to ensure that the airworthiness review staff (ARS) are present.
4. The physical survey may include verifications to be carried out during flight.
5. The CAMO or CAO should develop procedures for the ARS to produce a compliance report that confirms that the physical survey has been carried out and found satisfactory.
6. To ensure compliance, the physical survey may include relevant sample checks of items.

AMC M.A.901(n) Aircraft airworthiness review

ED Decision 2020/002/R

‘Without loss of continuity of the airworthiness review pattern’ means that the new expiration date is set up 1 year after the previous expiration date. As a consequence, when the airworthiness review is anticipated, the validity or the airworthiness review certificate is longer than 1 year (up to 90 days longer).

This anticipation of up to 90 days also applies to the 12-month requirements shown in M.A.901(b), which means that the aircraft is still considered as being in a controlled environment if it has been continuously managed by a single organisation and maintained by appropriately approved organisations, as stated in M.A.901(b), from the date when the last airworthiness review certificate was issued until the date when the new airworthiness review is performed (this can be up to 90 days less than 12 months).

AMC M.A.901(o) Airworthiness review

ED Decision 2020/002/R

A copy of both the physical survey and document review compliance reports stated above should be sent to the competent authority together with any recommendation issued.

M.A.902 Validity of the airworthiness review certificate

Regulation (EU) 2019/1383

(a) An airworthiness review certificate becomes invalid if:

1. suspended or revoked; or

2. the airworthiness certificate is suspended or revoked; or

3. the aircraft is not on the aircraft register of a Member State; or

4. the type certificate under which the airworthiness certificate was issued is suspended or revoked.

(b) An aircraft must not fly if the airworthiness certificate is invalid or if:

1. the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft or any component fitted to the aircraft does not meet the requirements of this Part; or

2. the aircraft does not remain in conformity with the type design approved by the Agency; or

3. the aircraft has been operated beyond the limitations of the approved flight manual or the airworthiness certificate, without appropriate action being taken; or

4. the aircraft has been involved in an accident or incident that affects the airworthiness of the aircraft, without subsequent appropriate action to restore airworthiness; or

5. a modification or repair is not in compliance with point M.A.304.

(c) Upon surrender or revocation, the airworthiness review certificate shall be returned to the competent authority

M.A.903 Transfer of aircraft registration within the EU

Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014

(a) When transferring an aircraft registration within the EU, the applicant shall:

1. inform the former Member State in which Member State it will be registered, then;

2. apply to the new Member State for the issuance of a new airworthiness certificate in accordance with Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.

(b) Notwithstanding point M.A.902(a)(3), the former airworthiness review certificate shall remain valid until its expiry date.

AMC M.A.903(a)1 Transfer of aircraft registration within the EU

ED Decision 2015/029/R

The applicant should notify to the competent authority within the former Member State of registry so as to allow the proper transfer of information between the two competent authorities during the aircraft transfer process.

AMC M.A.903(b) Transfer of aircraft registration within the EU

ED Decision 2015/029/R

In case of transfer of aircraft registration within EU, the aircraft owner/ operator should verify that the competent authority of the new Member State of registry has entered the new aircraft registration on the existing airworthiness review certificate and validated the change.

M.A.904 Airworthiness review of aircraft imported into the EU

Regulation (EU) 2019/1383

(a) 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:

1. 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;

2. for aircraft other than new, have an airworthiness review carried out in accordance with point M.A.901;

3. have all maintenance carried out to comply with the AMP approved in accordance with point M.A.302.

(b) 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.

(c) The owner of the aircraft shall allow access to the aircraft for inspection by the competent authority of the Member State of registry.

(d) 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.

(e) That 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.

AMC M.A.904(a)1 Airworthiness reviews of aircraft imported into the EU

ED Decision 2015/029/R

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.

AMC M.A.904(a)2 Airworthiness reviews of aircraft imported into the EU

ED Decision 2020/002/R

WORK TO BE UNDERTAKEN TO ESTABLISH AIRWORTHINESS

1. 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.

2. In determining the work to be undertaken during the airworthiness review on the aircraft, the following should be taken into consideration:

(a) the information from third country authorities such as export certificates, primary authority information;

(b) the information on aircraft maintenance history such as continuing airworthiness records, aircraft, engine, propeller, rotor and life limited part log books or cards as appropriate, tech log/flight log/cabin log, list of deferred defects, total flight times and cycles, times and cycles since last maintenance, accident history, former maintenance schedule, former AD compliance status;

(c) the information on aircraft such as aircraft, engine and propeller type certificate datasheets, noise and emission certificate data sheets, flight manual and supplements;

(d) the aircraft continuing airworthiness status such as the aircraft and component AD status, the SB status, the maintenance status, the status of life-limited parts and time-controlled components, weight and centre of gravity schedule including equipment list;

(e) the modification and repair status of the aircraft detailing elements such as owner/operator designed modifications and repairs, STCs, and parts needing European parts approval (EPA);

(f) the aircraft cabin configuration such as emergency equipment fitted, cockpit configuration, placards, instrument limitations, cabin layout;

(g) the maintenance needed for import, such as embodiment of modifications needed to comply with the EASA type certificate, bridging check to comply with the new maintenance programme;

(h) the avionics such as, but not limited to, radio and navigation equipment, instrument flight rules (IFR) equipment, digital flight data recorder (DFDR)/cockpit voice recorder (CVR) test, emergency locator transmitter (ELT) 406 MHz code and identification;

(i) the compass compensation;

(j) special operating rules such as extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS)/long range operations (LROPS), reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM), minimum navigation performance specifications (MNPS), all weather operations (AWOPS), area navigation (RNAV);

(k) the aircraft survey including verification of conformity with the flight manual and the datasheet, presence of fire proof identification plates, conformity of markings including registration, presence and serviceability of emergency equipment, internal and external lighting systems, and

(l) maintenance check flight including check of control system/cockpit ground check/engine run up.

3. 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 in accordance with this paragraph and the provisions M.A.901(g) and M.B.902. In this case, the airworthiness review should be requested to the competent authority with a 30-day notice.

AMC M.A.904(b) Airworthiness review of aircraft imported into the EU

ED Decision 2020/002/R

CONTENT OF RECOMMENDATION

The recommendation sent to the competent authority should contain at least the items described below.

(a) All the information set forth by AMC M.A 901(d)

(b) Aircraft information

               aircraft assigned registration;

               state of manufacturer;

               previous registration;

               export certificate number;

               TC and TC data sheet numbers;

               noise and emissions TC and TC data sheet numbers;

               comparison of prior maintenance programme with the proposed new maintenance programme.

(c) Documents accompanying the recommendation

               copy of the application;

               original export certificate;

               copy of the approvals of the flight manual and its supplements;

               list of ADs incorporated up to the latest published issue;

               proposed new maintenance programme;

               status of all life-limited parts and time-controlled components;

               the valid weight and centre of gravity schedule reflecting the current configuration of the aircraft, and;

               Part-21 approval reference for all modifications and repairs.

(d) Maintenance

               a copy of the work packages requested by the CAMO including details of any bridging check to ensure all the necessary maintenance has been carried out.

(e) Aircraft maintenance check flight

               a copy of the maintenance check flight report.

M.A.905 Findings

Regulation (EU) 2019/1383

(a) A level 1 finding is any finding of significant non-compliance with the requirements of this Annex, which lowers the safety standard and seriously endangers flight safety.

(b) A level 2 finding is any finding of non-compliance with the requirements of this Annex, which may lower the safety standard and may endanger the flight safety.

(c) After receipt of notification of findings according to point M.B.903, the person or organisation accountable referred to in point M.A.201 shall define a corrective action plan and demonstrate corrective action to the satisfaction of the competent authority within a period agreed with this authority including appropriate corrective action to prevent reoccurrence of the finding and its root cause.