Certificate of Airworthiness

Effective Date: June 2011

Version in effect: 2 (Revised September 2020)

Reference: TAM Part 5, Chapter 7, Section 2

OPI / Telephone: DTAES 3 / 819-939-4760

1. Purpose

1.1 This TAA Advisory provides guidance on demonstrating compliance with the requirements of the Technical Airworthiness Manual (TAM) related to the issuance of a Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) aircraft, including Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

2. Applicability

2.1 This TAA Advisory applies to Directorate of Technical Airworthiness and Engineering Support (DTAES) 3 staff responsible for initial type certification of new CAF fleets, Department of National Defence (DND) Project Management Offices (PMOs), for new CAF fleets, and to Weapon System Management (WSM) offices, for any changes to the CofAs for in-service fleets.  This TAA Advisory also applies to PMOs or Technical Authorities (TAs) responsible for aircraft fleets leased by the DND/CAF, when those aircraft are to be placed on the DND Military Aircraft Register and receive a DND Military Type Certificate.

3. Related Material

3.1. Definitions: Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) – A technical airworthiness document certifying that an individual aircraft meets the regulatory requirements for flight, in accordance with regulatory reference 3.2.a, in that it is in conformance with the approved type design and in a condition for safe operation. Unless surrendered, suspended or cancelled, it shall remain valid for as long as the approved type design remains compliant with the applicable airworthiness standards listed in the Certification Basis and the aircraft is in conformance with the approved type design.

3.2. Regulatory References: C-05-005-001/AG-001 – Technical Airworthiness Manual:

1. Part 5, Chapter 7
2. Part 5, Chapter 4

4. Discussion

4.1 As indicated in regulatory reference 3.2.a, a CofA is an airworthiness certification declaring that an individual aircraft is in conformance with the approved type design. CofAs are issued by DTAES 3, on behalf of the TAA, once the DND Military Type Certificate (or Provisional Type Certificate) has been issued. CofAs may also be issued in the event that additional aircraft are acquired, once the TAA staff have verified that the additional aircraft are in conformance with the approved type design. In order for a CofA to be issued, the following two documents, described in paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3, must be provided to DTAES.

4.2 Certificate of Conformance

4.2.1 The Applicant (normally, the PMO System Engineering Manager (SEM), or the WSM organization Senior Design Engineer (SDE)) is required to provide to DTAES 3 a CofC for each aircraft. The CofC certifies that the aircraft has been manufactured in accordance with the approved type design (regulatory reference 3.2.b). To make a declaration of manufacturing conformance, a review of production inspection records and an inspection of the aircraft must be conducted, in accordance with the conformity inspection system of the aircraft manufacturer or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

4.2.2 Each CofC shall include the following information:

1. The aircraft make, model and serial number;
2. Reference to the DND Military Type Certificate (or Provisional Type Certificate);
3. The following certification, or similarly worded statement:

4. A statement that the aircraft has been flight checked; and
5. Identification of both the signatory and the organization.

4.2.3 Acceptable CofCs include:

1. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Authorized Release Certificate – Airworthiness Approval Tag (FAA Form 8130-3);
2. Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) Statement of Conformity (Form AI-100);
3. European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Aircraft Statement of Conformity (EASA Form 52);
4. European Military Airworthiness Requirements (EMAR) Aircraft Statement of Conformity (EMAR Form 52); and
5. A CofC completed in accordance with the OEM’s approved procedures, provided it includes the information listed in paragraph 4.2.2.

4.3 Application Letter

4.3.1 An application letter for a CofA shall be submitted to the TAA by the Applicant (normally, the PMO SEM or WSM organization SDE) and shall include the following information:

1. Type Designation;
2. Aircraft manufacturer and model name;
3. Aircraft Registration;
4. Manufacturer’s serial number;
5. DND Type Certificate number;
6. Reference to the CofC;
7. Summary of the results of the PMO/WSM validation and verification activity including:
   1. as-designed (and certified) vs. as-built, noting significant discrepancies that affect certification, and their disposition;
   2. sample verification of part numbers, serial numbers and software versions; and
   3. confirmation that acceptance test flights have been successfully completed.

4.4 The template for a CofA to be issued to a CAF aircraft is provided in Annex A to this advisory. Internally, within DND, the template is available at MAP Online, as form AEPM 313, or in RDIMS, at AEPM nr. 1286814. The OPI for this Advisory can provide a copy, upon request.

4.5 CofAs form part of the aircraft technical record. A copy of each CofA must be retained by DTAES 3, as well as the Type Certificate Holder organization (typically the WSM).

Annex A

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