DND/CAF Airworthiness Program overview

The DND/CAF Airworthiness Program (NDID number A-GA-005-000/AG-001) is the policy document that regulates the safety of Canada’s military fleet. The program achieves this objective by influencing areas related to aeronautical products acquired by the Canadian government and their operation.

Issued under the authority of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), A-GA-005-000/AG-001 outlines:

• the requirements of an effective DND/CAF Airworthiness Program
• the airworthiness regulatory responsibilities of the four authorities involved in the implementation and development of the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program:
  • the Airworthiness Authority (AA)
  • the Operational Airworthiness Authority (OAA)
  • the Technical Airworthiness Authority (TAA)
  • the 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.
    
• the relationships between these authorities
• the key advisors to the program – the Aerospace Medical Authority (AMA) and Flight Test Authority (FTA)
• how the program is integrated within the DND/CAF

This document provides relevant information to staff concerned with the aircraft acquisition process, as well as the in-service operation and support of DND aircraft. Together with the following important documents, it represents the roadmap to the DND/CAF Airworthiness Program:

• The Aeronautics Act – which provides the legal foundation of the Airworthiness Program
• Military Airworthiness Investigation Regulations [PDF-236KB]
• DAOD 2015-0, Airworthiness
• DAOD 2015-1, DND/CF Airworthiness Program
• DAOD 2015-2, Airworthiness Investigations, Reports and Privilege
• DAOD 2015-3, Release to Service – New and Modified Aircraft, Including Unmanned Aircraft Systems