Airworthiness Review Certificates

All operational aircraft listed on the UK Register must hold a valid Certificate of Airworthiness (“C of A”) or Permit to Fly.  From 28th September 2008 all aircraft (commercial and non-commercial) which are subject to EASA regulation must be issued with a non-expiring C of A supported by an Airworthiness Review Certificate (“ARC”).  If you are not in compliance you run the risk of your aircraft being grounded. 

Generally, it is the owner who is responsible for holding a valid C of A and for the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft and its components.  This responsibility may be transferred to a lessee if the aircraft is leased out.   

The new regime

The CAA has set up your current C of A to expire prior to 28th September 2008.  If you apply for renewal in time a new non-expiring C of A will be issued together with an initial ARC.

The initial ARC will be valid for 12 months and will need to be extended or re-issued by an approved organisation prior to expiry in order for legal flight to continue.  A list of approved organisations can be found at the following website:

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1204&pagetype=90&pageid=9631.

On the expiry of the initial ARC a different procedure applies depending on whether the initial ARC is to be extended or whether a new ARC needs to be issued.  This, in turn, depends on whether or not your aircraft has remained in what is called a ‘controlled environment’:

In a controlled environment

For an aircraft to have remained in a controlled environment it must have been continually managed by an approved management organisation and maintained by an approved maintenance organisation for the preceding 12 months.  The initial ARC may then be extended twice for a period of 12 months at a time.

Not in a controlled environment or after 3 years

If the aircraft has not remained in a controlled environment or after three years from the ARC being originally granted, a full airworthiness review must be completed in order for a new ARC to be issued.  This will require a full documentary review of the aircraft records and a physical survey of the aircraft.