EASA part M approved maintenance 

A simplified overview...

The Main Issues for Aircraft Designated as “EASA Aircraft”

􀂄Certificates of Airworthiness (CofAs) are changing, they will be non expiring.

􀂄The non expiring CofAs must be validated by Airworthiness Review Certificates (ARCs) either annually or 3 yearly.

􀂄For the 3 yearly ARC, aircraft must be within a “controlled environment”.

􀂄The above will need organisations to gain approval in accordance with Part M subpart G – Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisations.

Part M Approved Maintenance Providers

􀂄EASA Part 145

􀂾Commercial Air Transport (CAT) aircraft (any weight)

􀂾CAT helicopters

􀂾Non-CAT aircraft and helicopters (any weight)

􀂾Components for above aircraft

􀂄EASA Part M Subpart F

􀂾Non-CAT aircraft 5,700Kg MTOW and below

􀂾Non-CAT single engine helicopters

􀂾Components for above Non-CAT aircraft

􀂄EASA Part 66 LAE (outside of an approved organisation)

􀂾Non-CAT aircraft below 5,700Kg MTOW

􀂾Non-CAT single engine helicopters

Part M Subpart F Approved Maintenance Organisations

􀂄This maintenance approval is only valid for aircraft 5700kgs and below, and single engine helicopters.

􀂄Aircraft maintained by a Subpart F organisation can qualify as the maintenance provider within a “controlled environment”.

􀂄If an organisation already holds a CAA maintenance approval the initial charge for Subpart F will be substantially reduced.

􀂄This approval can also be used for component maintenance for fitment to the non commercial air transport aircraft above.

Transition to the New Non Transition Non-Expiring Certificates of Airworthiness (CofAs)

􀂄With effect from 28th September 2008 every EU member state must be in full compliance with EASA Parts 21, 145, 66, 147 and M.

􀂄With regard to CofAs this means that we must change from our current style of expiring document to the EASA Part 21 subpart H non-expiring version.

􀂄The non-expiring CofAs are validated by the issuance of Airworthiness Review Certificates (ARCs)

EASA Definitions

A few EASA definitions you will need to remember:

Large Aircraft:All aircraft above 5,700kgs MTOW and all multi-engine helicopters

Light Aircraft:All aircraft 5,700kgs MTOW and below and all single-engine helicopters

Aircraft of Simple Design: e.g.4 passengers and less, Fixed Pitch Propeller, Fixed Undercarriage.

So let's get this Part M into perspective and try to explain what it means to the owner. Part M is a large legal requirement brought out by EASA (European Aviation Safety Authority) to impose a European standard for maintenance. It is sub-divided into Sub-Parts A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I, (for India). Let's try and put the requirements into words of one syllable.

You are responsible for the continuing airworthiness of your aircraft and ensuring that no flight takes place unless: 1. the aircraft is maintained in an airworthy condition. 2. any operational and emergency equipment fitted is correctly installed and serviceable. 3. the airworthiness certificate remains valid. It really does mean that You are responsible, no one else.

Sub-Part C. This is the Continuing Airworthiness bit that informs you how you can achieve it. It includes the Maintenance Programme and what it should cover including the tasks that you as the owner can perform and certify. To find out exactly what should be in your Maintenance Programme go to the CAA Website.

Sub-Part D.This is the bit that tells you about the standards that your Maintenance Provider needs to maintain in looking after your aircraft.

Sub-Part G. This is the part that lays down the rules for a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO). Most AOC Operators, will have a Sub-Part G as a matter of course. Sub-Part F/ Part 145 organisations may well have this approval as well.

This Management Organisation will control the maintenance and act for you with your provider, using your Approved Maintenance Programme as the controlling 'bible'. It will also carry out the annual review and submit the result to a Subpart I signatory for signing. This Subpart G is essential if you wish to maintain your aircraft in a 'Controlled environment'.

You must stay with your chosen CAMO but you can however change your Subpart F / Part 145 provider as often as you like.

Sub-Part I. This is the new C of A and it is called the Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). It is in two parts, the first is issued once but it needs the second part to validate it. The second part has to be signed after carrying out an Airworthiness review and then it can be extended two more times for a period of one year each time then it repeats as long as it remains in its controlled environment.

This can all be done by your CAMO. This review process would generally align with your 12 month inspection, but it does have flexibility built in. This controlled environment does make things a lot easier if you propose to move aircraft in and out of other countries in Europe.

If you do not take advantage of a Subpart G organisation you will be outside a controlled environment and you will have to apply to the CAA each year for them to carry out a full Airworthiness review and sign the ARC every 12 months.

This method will be more expensive in general. It takes 12 months with a CAMO to gain controlled environment status so if you change your CAMO you will have to spend another 12 months with a new Subpart G before you achieved a controlled environment once more.