DAOD 2015-3, Aircraft Release to Service

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. Abbreviations
4. Overview
5. Requirements
6. Readiness Endorsement
7. Release to Service Approval
8. Modified Aircraft
9. Reporting
10. Compliance and Consequences
11. Responsibilities
12. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2020-12-23

Date of Last Modification: 2025-08-13

Date of Last Review: 2025-08-13

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).

Supersession:

• CANFORGEN 118/18, C Air Force 22/18 131935Z Jul 18
• AFO 8001-2, Release To Service - New And Modified Aircraft Fleets

Approval Authority: Chief of the Air Force Staff (C Air Force)

Enquiries: Director Air Readiness 4 (D Air Rdns 4)

2. Definitions

airworthiness (navigabilité)

A standard of safety that ensures an aeronautical product is fit and safe for flight in its intended role, in conformance with its approved type design and manufacturing and maintenance standards, when operating within its design limits. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 696203 to be amended)

Airworthiness Authority (Autorité de navigabilité)

The designated individual who has the authority to approve airworthiness-related policy and is responsible for the development, promotion, supervision and management of the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program.

Note: The Chief of the Defence Staff, under the direction of the Minister of National Defence, has delegated this authority to the Chief of the Air Force Staff. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 41386 to be amended)

airworthiness clearance (autorisation de navigabilité)

A declaration by the Airworthiness Authority that an aeronautical product meets the requirements of the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 695781 to be amended)

Airworthiness Investigative Authority (Autorité des enquêtes sur la navigabilité)

The designated individual who has the authority to regulate the airworthiness aspects of the Flight Safety Program, independently investigate airworthiness-related occurrences and monitor the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program to identify deficiencies and recommend preventive measures.

Note: The Minister of National Defence, under the provisions of the Aeronautics Act, has delegated this authority to the Director Flight Safety. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 41388)

initial operational capability (capacité opérationnelle initiale)

The milestone reached when the ability to employ a capability is first attained.

Note: IOC is unique to each capability and is identified in applicable documentation. IOC normally occurs when adequate infrastructure, personnel, training and support are in place. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 30980)

Operational Airworthiness Authority (Autorité de navigabilité opérationnelle)

The designated individual who has the authority to regulate all flying operations and facilities, operational procedures, flight standards, operator training, qualification and licensing, aerospace control operations, aviation weather services, and to determine the airworthiness of aeronautical products prior to granting an operational airworthiness clearance.

Note: The Chief of the Defence Staff, under the direction of the Minister of National Defence, has delegated this authority to the Commander 1 Canadian Air Division. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 41426 to be amended)

readiness (disponibilité opérationnelle)

Preparedness to respond to government direction.

Note: It encompasses the resources needed to maintain equipment, conduct training, and prepare units for operations. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 34053)

release to service (autorisation de mise en service)

A declaration that an aircraft is airworthy and ready for the commencement of operational service to support CAF force posture and readiness requirements. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 696202)

Specific Purpose Flight Permit (Permis de vol à des fins spécifiques)

A flight permit issued to provide temporary flight authority when the aircraft does not meet the conditions for a Certificate of Airworthiness but is capable of safe flight.

Note: In DND/CAF, an SPFP is issued jointly by the Technical Airworthiness Authority and Operational Airworthiness Authority. (Defence Terminology Bank Record number 694560 to be amended)

Technical Airworthiness Authority (Autorité de navigabilité technique)

The designated individual who has the authority to regulate the technical airworthiness aspects of the design, manufacture, maintenance and materiel support of aeronautical products, and to determine the airworthiness acceptability of those products prior to operational service.

Note: The Chief of the Defence Staff, under the direction of the Minister of National Defence, has delegated this authority to the Director General Aerospace Equipment Program Management. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 41444 to be amended)

uncrewed aircraft system (système d’aéronef sans équipage)

A system that includes uncrewed aircraft and the necessary equipment, network and personnel to operate it. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 44145)

weapon system (système d'arme)

A combination of one or more weapons with all related equipment, materials, services, personnel and means of delivery and deployment, if applicable, required for self-sufficiency. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 5631)

3. Abbreviations

4. Overview

Interpretation

4.1 In this DAOD:

• “aircraft” refers to any machine capable of deriving support in the atmosphere from reactions of the air and includes all UAS unless the context requires otherwise;
• “aircraft” does not include rockets; and
• “authorized representative” of an L1 advisor must hold the rank of Colonel or above or hold a position of Director or above and must have authority over the unit operating the UAS.

Context

4.2 The Aeronautics Act is the legal foundation for military aviation safety and the basis of the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program (see DAOD 2015-0, Airworthiness, and DAOD 2015-1, DND/CAF Airworthiness Program). The aircraft RTS process demonstrates that a capability is at an acceptable level of safety and ready to commence operational service.

4.3 Although the positions of C Air Force and Comd RCAF are held by the same individual, each position has different authorities and responsibilities, as indicated.

Aim

4.4 The aim of this DAOD is to govern stakeholders regarding the release of aircraft to commence operational service.

Exceptions

4.5 C Air Force is the approving authority for any exceptions related to the RTS of aircraft. D Air Rdns 4 should be contacted for the terms and eligibility for RTS exceptions.

5. Requirements

5.1 RTS must be approved before an aircraft enters operational service. RTS does not equate to the project milestone of IOC.

5.2 RTS has two components that must be satisfied:

1. the airworthiness component demonstrates that an aircraft is safe for flight in its intended role; and
2. the readiness component demonstrates the preparedness of the force element to operate, sustain and support the aircraft in areas such as human resources, infrastructure, training, materiel support, maintenance, etc., to meet planned operational commitments.

5.3 The following table lists the minimum requirements for satisfying the RTS components that are proportionate to the complexity of the aircraft and its operating environment:

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6. Readiness Endorsement

6.1 The PMO in collaboration with the applicable operational and technical authorities must identify:

1. all readiness elements that are required to be in place; and
2. any standards that must be achieved to support and sustain operational service.

6.2 It is the responsibility of the PMO to ensure that all readiness elements are well established and recorded

6.3 The following table identifies examples of resources and elements that can be used to convey a readiness capability in order to enter operational service:

6.4 When the force element for a fleet of aircraft is approaching an appropriate state of readiness, the PMO in consultation with D Air Rdns 4 personnel must convene an RTS Board. The board is chaired by Comd RCAF as the approving authority and supported by the PMO, Comd 1 or 2 Cdn Air Div staff (as appropriate to the fleet) as the operational authority, and Director General Aerospace Equipment Project Management or Director General of Major Project Delivery (Air and Land) staff (as applicable) as the technical authority. Other stakeholders may be invited as required.

Note – Airworthiness Clearance and RTS Boards have common stakeholders, and therefore should be attempted to be convened on the same day in respective order.

6.5 The PMO and the responsible authorities demonstrate to the Comd RCAF that the capability is at an acceptable level of safety and is ready to commence operational service in terms of project, technical and operational support elements. The PMO prepares the corresponding RTS report with the support of the technical and operational authorities. They must each sign the final report as endorsing readiness and recommending RTS before it is staffed to Comd RCAF 

7. Release to Service Approval

Crewed aircraft and Certified Category UAS

7.1 RTS is approved when declared verbally by Comd RCAF at the RTS Board or upon signature of the RTS report, whichever occurs first. Operational service may commence in accordance with any conditions as accepted or directed by Comd RCAF at the RTS Board or in the report. The PMO must retain all documents related to RTS and ensure copies are available to stakeholders as required.

Open Category and Specific Category UAS

7.2 RTS is approved when:

1. the responsible L1 or their authorized representative has confirmed to SSO UAS that they accept responsibility for the operation of the UAS; and
2. SSO UAS has confirmed to the responsible L1 organization that all of the required information has been received.

7.3 Operational service may commence in accordance with any conditions as accepted or directed by the responsible L1 or SSO UAS. The responsible L1 organization must retain all documents related to RTS and ensure copies are available to stakeholders as required.

Aircraft subject to an RTS Exception

7.4 Subject to paragraph 4.5, aircraft that are approved to commence operational service prior to RTS under an RTS exception may do so in accordance with the conditions stated in the exception.

8. Modified Aircraft

8.1 If the current role, mission or sustainability of in-service crewed aircraft or Certified Category UAS are significantly changed during fleet modification, the responsible fleet staff officer in consultation with the PMO and applicable authorities must evaluate the ability of force elements to operate, sustain and support the modified capability. Dir Flt Rdns or Dir AF Trg (as appropriate to the fleet) must be notified of any risks. In cases of major risk or when fleet modifications are significant, Comd 1 or 2 Cdn Air Div (as appropriate to the fleet) must be notified. If it is deemed that an updated RTS is required for approval by the Comd RCAF, the requirements of this DAOD apply as they would for a new aircraft.

Note – The AA decides if a new Airworthiness Clearance is required based on the recommendations of the OAA, the AIA, and the TAA.

8.2 When in-service UAS operating in the Open Category or Specific Category are modified or the conditions or role under which they are authorized to be operated are modified:

1. the responsible L1 organization must notify SSO UAS of the planned modifications; and
2. SSO UAS must, in consultation with the responsible authorities, determine if further action is necessary. 

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9. Reporting

9.1 DND and CAF aircraft must be reported on at the ARB before or after RTS in accordance with the Airworthiness Program or as required by the TAA and OAA as the ARB co-chairs. Questions related to the ARB are to be directed to Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel)/Directorate Technical Airworthiness and Engineering Support 2.

10. Compliance and Consequences

Compliance

10.1 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 their 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

10.2 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. impact to fleet operations;
2. the withdrawal of any authority or responsibility provided to a DND employee or CAF member under DAOD 2015-0, DAOD 2015-1 or this DAOD; and
3. imposition of liability on the part of His 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.

11. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

11.1 The following table identifies the responsibilities associated with this DAOD:

12. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Aeronautics Act
• Framework for the Management of Compliance, Treasury Board
• DAOD 1000-8, Policy Framework for Safety and Security Management
• DAOD 2015-0, Airworthiness

Other References

• DAOD 2007-0, Safety
• DAOD 2015-1, DND/CAF Airworthiness Program
• CANFORGEN 220/15, Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) Activities
• A-GA-005-000/AG-001, DND/CAF Airworthiness Program
• B-GA-100-001/AA-000, National Defence Flying Orders, Book 3, Open and Specific Category Uncrewed Aircraft System Operations
• B-GA-104-000/FP-001, Operational Airworthiness Manual (Available in English only)
• C-05-005-001/AG-001, Technical Airworthiness Manual
• Technical Airworthiness Program
• Operational Airworthiness Program

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