Before a newly developed aircraft type or change to this aircraft type may enter into operation, it must obtain a type certificate or change approval from the responsible aviation regulatory authority. Since 2003, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is responsible for the certification of aircraft in the European Union (EU) and for some non-EU European countries. This certificate testifies that the type of aircraft meets the safety and environmental protection requirements set by the EU.
The 4 steps of the type certification process:
- Technical familiarisation and certification basis
The aircraft design organisation presents the project to EASA when it is considered to have reached a sufficient degree of maturity. The latest safety and environmental protection requirements (certification basis) that are in place at the date of the application are the set starting point for the certification process.
- Establishment of the certification programme
The applicant needs to propose a certification programme that also covers the certification basis for novel or unusual design features and the means to demonstrate compliance with each requirement of the certification basis, which needs to be accepted by EASA. This goes hand in hand with the identification of EASA’s “level of involvement” during the certification process.
- Compliance demonstration
The applicant must demonstrate compliance of its product with regulatory requirements: among others, the structure, engines, control systems, electrical systems and flight performance are analysed against the certification basis. This compliance demonstration is done by analysis, simulations, flight tests, ground tests (such as tests on the structure to withstand bird strikes, fatigue tests) and other means. Depending on the risk, EASA experts perform a detailed examination of this compliance demonstration, by document reviews in their offices in Cologne, test witnessing and other means.
This is the longest phase of the certification process. In the case of large aircraft, the period to complete the certification project with the agreed certification basis is set at five years and may be extended, if necessary.
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Technical closure and issue of approval
If technically satisfied with the compliance demonstration by the applicant, EASA closes the investigation and issues the certificate.Note: EASA delivers the primary certification for European aircraft types and changes to them, which are also being validated in parallel by foreign authorities, e.g. the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the United States of America or Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). Conversely, EASA will validate e.g. the FAA certification of US aircraft types and changes to them according to applicable Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements (BASAs) between the EU and the concerned third country.