DAOD 2015-1, DND/CAF Airworthiness Program

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. Overview
4. Operating Structure
5. Airworthiness Instruments
6. Compliance and Consequences
7. Responsibilities
8. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2007-06-29

Date of Last Modification: 2018-07-26

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 (D Air Rdns)

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, standard, guideline, code, and education and information campaign in respect of 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. Overview

Context

3.1 The Aeronautics Act applies to all aspects of military aviation, including the design, manufacture, maintenance, materiel support and operation of military aeronautical products, and the investigation of military aviation safety-related occurrences and issues.

3.2 Ensuring the airworthiness of military aeronautical products, including their operation, and establishing control over various facilities and services relating to military aviation, contribute significantly to the objective of military aviation safety.

Aim

3.3 The aim of the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program is to ensure that an acceptable level of aviation safety is achieved and maintained for military aviation.

Objective

3.4 The DND/CAF Airworthiness Program is intended to provide a framework for the regulation of military aviation.

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4. Operating Structure

Program Requirements

4.1 The DND/CAF Airworthiness Program is established to:

1. promote and support the objective of aviation safety;
2. regulate activities associated with the design, manufacture, maintenance, materiel support and operation of military aeronautical products;
3. ensure that airworthiness instruments for military aviation are established and issued by the appropriate authorities;
4. ensure that only authorized individuals who are qualified and competent perform airworthiness-related activities;
5. apply risk management principles to situations if the application of the Aeronautics Act and airworthiness instruments may impact military operations;
6. investigate military aviation safety-related occurrences and issues, and formulate preventive measures;
7. provide oversight of all airworthiness activities associated with military aviation; and
8. regulate the provision of facilities and services necessary for the safe operation of military aeronautical products.

4.2 For additional detailed information on the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program, see A-GA-005-000/AG-001, DND/CAF Airworthiness Program.

Airworthiness Authorities

4.3 Pursuant to the Ministerial Airworthiness Direction of 18 July 2005, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) may designate authorities for the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program and delegate necessary powers, duties and functions. The following four designated authorities for the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program have been established by CDS orders:

1. Airworthiness Authority (AA);
2. Operational AA (OAA);
3. Technical AA (TAA); and
4. Airworthiness Investigative Authority (AIA).

Note – For the consistency of airworthiness terminology in DND and CAF airworthiness publications, the French term used for “Airworthiness Investigative Authority” (AIA) is "Autorité des enquêtes sur la navigabilité” (AEN), not "Directeur des enquêtes sur la navigabilité” as set out in the Aeronautics Act.

Medical Advisor

4.4 The person holding the position of medical adviser to the C Air Force has been designated as the “medical advisor” for the purpose of subsection 6.5(1) of the Aeronautics Act. This subsection requires that a medical advisor designated by the Minister of National Defence (MND) be informed of the medical or optometric condition of a person mentioned in that subsection if the condition is likely to constitute a hazard to aviation safety.

Special Advisors to Airworthiness Advisor

4.5 Due to the specialized nature of aerospace medicine and engineering flight testing, which form an integral part of the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program, the Aerospace Medical Authority (AMA) and the Flight Test Authority (FTA) act as special advisors to the airworthiness authorities.

Program Governance

4.6 The DND/CAF Airworthiness Program is governed by the following boards:

1. the Airworthiness Advisory Board (AAB); and
2. the Airworthiness Review Board (ARB).

Airworthiness Advisory Board

4.7 The AAB is chaired by the AA and is established to:

1. assist the AA in the development of recommendations to the MND and the CDS on airworthiness matters related to military aviation;
2. coordinate airworthiness requirements and objectives of the AA, OAA, TAA, AIA, AMA and FTA; and
3. provide direction to appropriate individuals within the chain of command structure who have authority to implement necessary actions under the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program.

4.8 Recommendations arising from the AAB must be actioned by the airworthiness authorities, OAA, TAA and AIA as AAs designated by the CDS or in their capacities as office holders in the DND and the CAF organizational structure. The AAB meets as required but no less than once per year.

Airworthiness Review Board

4.9 The ARB is co-chaired by the OAA and TAA, and is established to:

1. manage the interface between the operational and technical airworthiness of each aircraft type;
2. recommend the airworthiness clearance of new aircraft types to the AA and approve the airworthiness clearance of significantly modified aircraft types if required;
3. conduct an annual review of the airworthiness clearance of all in-service aircraft types; and
4. address observations and concerns raised by the AA, AIA, AMA or FTA.

4.10 The ARB normally meets on a semi-annual basis or as the situation requires.

5. Airworthiness Instruments

Issuance of Airworthiness Instruments and Compliance

5.1 Under the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program, designated airworthiness authorities may issue airworthiness instruments, other than regulations, for the:

1. design, manufacture, maintenance, materiel support and operation of military aeronautical products;
2. provision of facilities and services necessary for the safe operation of military aeronautical products, including air navigation systems and aerospace control;
3. investigation of military aviation safety-related occurrences and issues; and
4. training, qualification and authorization or licensing of personnel who perform airworthiness-related activities.

Compliance

5.2 The designated airworthiness authorities and the special advisors must ensure that:

1. only trained, qualified and authorized personnel perform airworthiness-related activities; and
2. the Aeronautics Act and all applicable airworthiness instruments are followed.

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6. Compliance and Consequences

Compliance

6.1 DND employees and CAF members must comply with this DAOD. Should clarification of the policies or instructions 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. Managers and military leaders have the primary responsibility for and means of ensuring the compliance of their DND employees and CAF members with this DAOD.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

6.2 DND employees and CAF members are accountable to their respective managers and military leaders for any failure to comply with the direction set out in this DAOD. Non-compliance with this DAOD may result in administrative action, including the imposition of disciplinary measures for a DND employee, and administrative or disciplinary action, or both, for a CAF member. Consequences of non-compliance may also include one or more of the following:

1. the withdrawal of any authority or responsibility provided to a DND employee or CAF member under the DAOD 2015 series; and
2. imposition of liability on the part of Her Majesty in right of Canada, DND employees and CAF members.

Note – In respect of the compliance of DND employees, see the Treasury Board Framework for the Management of Compliance for additional information.

7. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

7.1 The following table identifies the primary responsibilities for the DND/CF Airworthiness Program:

8. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Aeronautics Act
• Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act
• Visiting Forces Act
• Framework for the Management of Compliance, Treasury Board
• DAOD 2015-0, Airworthiness
• DAOD 1000-8, Policy Framework for Safety and Security Management

Other References

• Ministerial Direction Regarding DND/CF Airworthiness Program, 16 September 1998
• Ministerial Airworthiness Direction, 18 July 2005
• Ministerial Medical Adviser Direction, 12 June 2006
• CDS Orders of Delegation to the AA, 28 July 2008
• CDS Operational Airworthiness Authority Order, 17 December 2013
• CDS Technical Airworthiness Authority Order, 20 December 2005
• CDS Orders of Delegation to the AIA, 28 July 2015
• DM Approval of Technical Airworthiness Authority Designation, 13 October 2005
• Flight Test Authority Designation, 30 September 2011
• CDS Medical Adviser Designation, 17 July 2006
• Aerospace Medical Authority Designation, 8 September 2006
• A-GA-005-000/AG-001, DND/CAF Airworthiness Program
• A-GA-135-001/AA-000, Flight Safety for the Canadian Armed Forces
• 1 Cdn Air Div Order 1-623, Operational Airworthiness
• B-GA-100-001/AA-000, Flying Orders, Flight Rules, Air Standards and Procedures
• B-GA-164-000/AA-001, Aerospace Control Management Orders
• B-GA-297-001/TS-000, Air Weapons Safety for Canadian Armed Forces
• C-05-005-001/AG-001, Technical Airworthiness Manual (TAM)
• C-05-005-001/AG-002, Airworthiness Design Standards Manual (ADSM)
• C-05-020-007/AM-000, Flight Test Orders for the Canadian Forces