DAOD 2015-0, Airworthiness
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
Date of Issue: 2007-06-29
Date of Last Modification: 2018-07-26
Date of Last Review: 2026-06-03
Application: This DAOD is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).
Approval Authority: Chief of the Air Force Staff (C Air Force)
Enquiries: Director Air Readiness 4 (D Air Rdns 4)
2. Definitions
aeronautical product (produit aéronautique)
Any aircraft, aircraft engine, aircraft propeller or aircraft appliance or part or the component parts of any of those things, including any computer system or hardware. (subsection 3(1) of the Aeronautics Act)
aircraft (aéronef)
Any machine capable of deriving support in the atmosphere from reactions of the air, and includes a rocket. (subsection 3(1) of the Aeronautics Act).
airworthiness instrument (document de navigabilité)
A regulation, order, instruction, standard, guideline, code or education and information campaign with respect to military aviation and airworthiness. (Defence Terminology Bank, record number 37325)
military aviation (aviation militaire)
The set of activities, services and facilities associated with the design, manufacture, materiel support, maintenance and operation of military aeronautical products; the operation and maintenance of aircraft operated by or on behalf of the military; and the operation and maintenance of aircraft operated by or on behalf of a visiting force while in domestic airspace.
Note – The term “visiting force” is defined in section 2 of the Visiting Forces Act. (Defence Terminology Bank, record number 37327)
3. Policy Direction
Context
3.1 The Aeronautics Act is the legal foundation for military aviation safety. Under this Act, the Minister of National Defence (MND) is the responsible minister for any matter relating to defence, including any matter relating to military personnel or military aircraft. The MND has directed that the DND and the CAF develop and implement an airworthiness program to fulfil this obligation. The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) acts under the direction of the MND in respect of matters under the Aeronautics Act.
3.2 In accordance with subsection 4.3(1) of the Aeronautics Act, and on the direction of the MND, the CDS has designated the officer holding the position of C Air Force as the Airworthiness Authority (AA) for the DND and the CAF. The AA exercises overall supervision and management of the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program.
Policy Statement
3.3 The DND and the CAF are committed to achieving and maintaining an acceptable level of safety for military aviation.
Requirements
3.4 The DND and the CAF must:
- implement the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program; and
- ensure that DND employees and CAF members perform all airworthiness-related activities in accordance with the Aeronautics Act and applicable airworthiness instruments.
3.5 The D Air Rdns must notify the C Air Force of any non-compliance with this DAOD.
3.6 For more information, see DAOD 2015-1, DND/CAF Airworthiness Program.
4. Consequences
General
Should clarification of the policy statement, requirements or authorities set out in this DAOD be required, DND employees and CAF members may seek direction through their channel of communication or chain of command, as appropriate. The anticipated results set out in the policy statement may not be achieved by the DND and the CAF if the requirements specified in this DAOD are not properly implemented. Not achieving the anticipated results could affect the ability of the DND and the CAF to ensure that the CAF is prepared to undertake missions for the protection of Canada and Canadians and the maintenance of international peace and stability.
5. Authorities
Authority Table
5.1 The following table identifies the authorities associated with this DAOD:
| The … | has the authority to … |
|---|---|
| C Air Force |
|
| AA |
|
6. References
Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD
Other References
- DAOD 1000-8, Policy Framework for Safety and Security Management
- DAOD 2015-1, DND/CAF Airworthiness Program
- DAOD 2015-3, Aircraft Release to Service
- Ministerial Direction Regarding DND/CF Airworthiness Program, 16 September 1998 (accessible only on the National Defence network)
- Ministerial Airworthiness Direction, 18 July 2005 (accessible only on the National Defence network)
- CDS/DM Directive for the DND/CAF Airworthiness Authority, 28 February 2023 (accessible only on the National Defence network)