Airworthiness Responsibilities
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Upon Signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation in 1944 (commonly
known as the Chicago Convention), a UN specialized agency was formed known as
International Civil Aviation Organization. ICAO works with the Convention’s
191 Signatory States and global industry and aviation organizations to develop international
Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) which are then used by States to develop
legally-binding national civil aviation regulations.
Currently there are 19 Annexes to the Chicago Convention. Out of these 19 Annexes
following are wholly or partially related to Airworthiness of the Aircraft. The
Annexes are
- Annex 1 – Personnel Licensing
- Annex 6 – Operation of Aircraft
- Annex 7 – Aircraft Nationality and Registration Marks
- Annex 8 – Airworthiness of Aircraft
- Annex 16 – Environmental Protection
- Annex 19 – Safety Management System
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Core Functions
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The Airworthiness Directorate has the regulatory role in respect of airworthiness
through the establishment of standards, recommended practices and guidelines, and
their enforcement as required by the Civil Aviation Rules 1994.
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Processes & Activities
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The primary role of this Directorate is to enhance and promote aviation safety through
effective and up-to-date airworthiness regulation and by encouraging industry to
deliver high standards of airworthiness. Airworthiness activities are regulated
through various processes, taking into consideration all aspects of the airworthiness
which have an impact on aviation safety. These processes include registration of
civil aircraft, certification of aircraft design and built standards, licensing
of aircraft maintenance engineers, approval of relevant organizations, development
of standards and safety investigation. The Airworthiness regulating activities are:
- Engineering
- Certification of aeronautical products
- Issue of Airworthiness Directives
- Approval of Modification and Repair
- Investigation of Incidents & Defects
- Type Certificate Acceptance
- Audit & Surveillance
- Approval of Maintenance Organizations / Repair Stations
- Approval of Design Organizations and Manufacturing Organizations
- Approval of Aircraft Maintenance & Facilities
- Approval of Training Organizations
- Spot Checks / Ramp Inspections
- Regulations
- Initial Issue and Renewal of Certificate of Airworthiness
- Continuing Airworthiness Maintenance
- Registration of civil aircraft
- Develop and update standards, requirement and procedures
- Analyze airworthiness data, including all occurrence reporting, service difficulties
reporting, malfunction and defects
- Engineers Licensing
- Syllabus Approvals
- Grant of Limited Authorization
- Personal Approvals (Shops)
- Foreign AMEs Validation
- AME Examinations
- AME License
- Executive Appointments
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