Part-CAO & ML Audit

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Part CAO

CAO.1 General

For the purpose of this Annex (Part-CAO):
(1) the competent authority shall be:
(a) for organisations having their principal place of business in a Member State, the authority designated by that Member State;
(b) for organisations having their principal place of business in a third country, the Agency.
(2) 'owner' means the person responsible for the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft, including the following persons:
(i) the registered owner of the aircraft;
( ii) the lessee in the case of a leasing contract;
(iii) the operator.

CAO.A.015 Application

Has the organisation applied for the issuance of, or change to, a CAO approval to the competent authority in a form and manner established by that authority?

CAO.A.017 Means of compliance

(a) Alternative means of compliance to the acceptable means of compliance adopted by the Agency may be used by an organisation to demonstrate compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and its delegated and implementing acts.
(b) When an organisation wishes to use alternative means of compliance, has it, prior to using it, provide the competent authority with a full description of those alternative means of compliance and does in include include an assessment demonstrating compliance of alternative means of compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and its delegated and implementing acts?
Has the organisation only used those alternative means of compliance after prior approval by the competent authority, and upon receipt of the notification as provided for in point CAO.B.017?

CAO.A.020 Terms of approval

(a) Has the organisation specified the approved scope of work in its combined airworthiness exposition (CAE), as provided for in point CAO.A.025?
1) For aeroplanes of more than 2 730 kg maximum take-off mass (MTOM) and for helicopters of more than 1 200 kg MTOM or certified for more than 4 occupants, does the scope of work indicate the particular aircraft types, and have changes to this scope of work been approved by the competent authority in accordance with point (a) of point CAO.A.105 and point (a) of point CAO.B.065?
(2) For complete turbine engines, does the scope of work indicate the engine manufacturer or group or series or type or the maintenance task(s), and have changes to this scope of work shall be approved by the competent authority in accordance with point (a) of point CAO.A.105 and point (a) of point CAO.B.065?
(3) For an organisation which employs only one person for both planning and carrying out of all maintenance tasks has the privileges for the maintenance not include : (a) aeroplanes equipped with a turbine engine (in the case of aircraft-rated organisations); (b) helicopters equipped with a turbine engine or with more than one piston engine (in the case of aircraft-rated organisations); (c) complete piston engines of 450 HP and above (in the case of engine-rated organisations); and (d) complete turbine engines (in the case of engine-rated organisations).
(4) For aircraft other than those mentioned in point (1), for components different from complete turbine engines and for non-destructive testing (NDT)-specialised services, has the scope of work been controlled by the CAO in accordance with the procedure set out in point (a)(11) of point CAO.A.025, and for maintenance of components different from complete engines, the scope of work been classified in accordance with the following system ratings:
Organisations obtaining an approval in accordance with this Annex on the basis of an existing organisation approval issued in accordance with Subpart G or Subpart F of Annex I (Part-M) or Annex II (Part-145) in accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 4, shall include in the scope of work all the necessary details to ensure that the privileges are identical to the ones included in the existing approval.
(b) The CAO approval shall be issued on the basis of the template set out in Appendix I to this Annex.
(c) When the CAO has fabricate parts, has it done so in conformity with maintenance data, and for use in the course of undergoing work within its own facilities, as indicated in their CAE?

CAO.A.025 Combined airworthiness exposition

(a) Has the CAO provided a manual containing at least the following information:
(1) a statement signed by the accountable manager confirming that the organisation will at all times work in accordance with the requirements of this Annex and the CAE;
(2) the CAE’s scope of work;
(3) the title(s) and name(s) of the person(s) referred to in points (a) and (b) of point CAO.A.035;
(4) an organisation chart showing the chains of responsibility between the person(s) referred to in points (a) and (b) of CAO.A.035;
(5) a list of certifying staff with their scope of approval, if such staff exist;
(6) a list of staff responsible for the development and approval of aircraft maintenance programmes (AMPs) with their scope of approval, if such staff exist;
(7) a list of airworthiness review staff with their scope of approval, if such staff exist;
8) a list of staff responsible for the issuance of permits to fly, if such staff exist;
(9) a general description and location of the facilities;
(10) procedures specifying how the CAO shall ensure compliance with the requirements of this Annex;
11) the CAE amendment procedure, as provided for in point (b) of point CAO.A.105.
(b) Has the initial CAE shall be approved by the competent authority?
(c) Have amendments to the CAE been handled in accordance with point CAO.A.105?

CAO.A.030 Facilities

Has the CAO ensured that all necessary facilities, including adequate office accommodation are provided for it to be able to carry out all the planned work?
In addition, where the scope of approval of the organisation includes maintenance activities, has the CAO ensured that:
(a) specialised workshops, hangars and bays that provide adequate protection from contamination and the environment;
(b) secure storage facilities are provided for components, equipment, tools and material, under conditions ensuring that unserviceable components and materials are segregated from all other components, material, equipment and tools, that the manufacturer’s instructions for storage are complied with and that access to the storage facilities is restricted to authorised personnel.

CAO.A.035 Personnel requirements

(a) Has the CAO appointed an accountable manager, who has authority for ensuring that all activities of the organisation can be financed so that those activities are carried out in accordance with the requirements of this Annex?
(b) Has the accountable manager nominated a person or group of persons who have responsible for ensuring that the CAO is always in compliance with the requirements of this Annex, and are these person(s) ultimately responsible to the accountable manager?
(c) Do all persons referred to in point (b) have the relevant knowledge, background and experience related to continuing airworthiness management or maintenance, as appropriate for their functions?
(d) Does the CAO have sufficient appropriately qualified staff for it to be able to carry out the planned work?
The CAO shall be entitled to use temporarily subcontracted staff.
(e) Has the CAO assessed and recorded the qualification of all personnel?
(f) Are personnel who carry out specialised tasks, such as welding, or non-destructive testing (‘NDT’) inspection other than colour contrast inspections qualified in accordance with an officially-recognised standard?

CAO.A.040 Certifying staff

a) Do certifying staff comply with the requirements of Article 5?
Article 5 Certifying staff
1. Certifying staff shall be qualified in accordance with the requirements of Annex III (Part-66), except as provided for in points M.A.606(h), M.A.607(b), M.A.801(d) and M.A.803 of Annex I (Part-M), in points ML.A.801(c) and ML.A.803 of Annex Vb (Part-ML), in points CAO.A.035(d) and CAO.A.040(b) of Annex Vd (Part-CAO) and in points 145.A.30(j) of and Appendix IV to Annex II (Part-145).
2. Any aircraft maintenance licence and, if any, the technical limitations associated with that licence, issued or recognised by a Member State in accordance with the JAA requirements and procedures and valid at the time of entry into force of Regulation (EC) No 2042/2003, shall be deemed to have been issued in accordance with this Regulation.
3. Certifying staff holding a licence issued in accordance with Annex III (Part-66) in a given category/sub-category are deemed to have the privileges described in point 66.A.20(a) of the same Annex corresponding to such a category/sub-category. The basic knowledge requirements corresponding to these new privileges shall be deemed as met for the purpose of extending such licence to a new category/sub-category.
4. Certifying staff holding a licence including aircraft which do not require an individual type rating may continue to exercise his/her privileges until the first renewal or change, where the licence shall be converted following the procedure described in point 66.B.125 of Annex III (Part-66) to the ratings defined in point 66.A.45 of the same Annex.
5. Conversion reports and Examination credit reports complying with the requirements applicable before Regulation (EU) No 1149/2011 applied shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Regulation.
6. Until specific requirements for certifying staff for components are added to this Regulation, the requirements laid down in the national laws in force in the relevant Member State shall continue to apply, except for maintenance organisations located outside the Union where the requirements shall be approved by the Agency.
Do certifying staff only exercise their privileges to release maintenance when the CAO has ensured:
(1) that these certifying staff meet the requirements of point (b) of point 66.A.20 of Annex III (Part-66) except when paragraph 6 of Article 5 refers to a national regulation of a Member State, in which case, they shall meet the requirements of such a regulation;
(2) that these certifying staff have an adequate understanding of the relevant aircraft or aircraft component(s) to be maintained, or both, as well as of the organisation procedures required to perform such maintenance.
(b) By derogation from point (a), in unforeseen circumstances where an aircraft is grounded at a location other than the main base where no appropriate certifying staff are available, the CAO contracted to provide maintenance support has issue a one-off certification authorisation, alternatively:
1) to one of their employees holding type qualifications for aircraft of similar technology, construction and systems;
(2) to any person with no less than 3 years of maintenance experience and holding a valid ICAO aircraft maintenance licence rated for the aircraft type requiring certification, provided that there is no organisation approved in accordance with this Annex at that location and that the contracted CAO obtains and holds on file evidence of the experience and licence of that person.
Has the issuance of a one-off certification authorisation been reported by the CAO to the competent authority within 7 days of the issuance, and has the CAO issuing the one-off certification authorisation ensured that any such maintenance that could affect flight safety is rechecked?
(c) By derogation from point (a), when the CAO uses certifying staff qualified in accordance with the following requirements when providing maintenance support to operators involved in commercial operations, subject to appropriate procedures to be approved as part of the CAE:
(1) for a repetitive preflight airworthiness directive (AD) which specifically states that the flight crew may carry out such an AD, the CAO may issue a limited certifying-staff authorisation to the pilot-in-command on the basis of the flight crew licence held, provided that the CAO ensures that sufficient practical training has been carried out by the pilot-in-command so he/she can accomplish the AD to the required standard;
(2) in the case of aircraft operating away from a supported location, the CAO may issue a limited certifying-staff authorisation to the pilot-in-command, on the basis of the flight crew licence held, provided that the organisation ensures that sufficient practical training has been carried out so that such a commander can accomplish the task to the required standard.
(d) Has the CAO recorded the details concerning certifying staff and maintain an up-to-date list of all certifying staff, together with details on their scope of approval, as part of the organisation’s exposition?

CAO.A.045 Airworthiness review staff

(a) In order for it to be approved to carry out airworthiness reviews and, if applicable, to issue permits to fly, a CAO shall have appropriate airworthiness review staff who shall comply with all of the following requirements:
1) they acquired experience in continuing airworthiness of at least 1 year for sailplanes and balloons and of at least 3 years for all other aircraft;
(2) they hold an appropriate licence issued in accordance with Article 5 of this Regulation or an aeronautical degree or equivalent or experience in continuing airworthiness in addition to the referred to in point (1) of at least 2 years for sailplanes and balloons and at least 4 years for all other aircraft;
3) they acquired appropriate aeronautical-maintenance training.
(b) Before the CAO issues an authorisation to an airworthiness review staff to perform airworthiness review, has the CAO nominated the person who will perform an airworthiness review of an aircraft under supervision of the competent authority or under the supervision of a person already authorised as airworthiness review staff of the CAO?
(c) Has the CAO ensured that its airworthiness review staff can demonstrate appropriate recent continuing airworthiness experience?
(d) Is each airworthiness review staff identified in the CAE in a list that contains the airworthiness review authorisation referred in point (b)?
(e) Has the CAO maintained a record of all its airworthiness review staff, which includes details of any appropriate qualification and a summary of relevant continuing airworthiness experience and training of the person concerned, as well as a copy of his or her authorisation, and is it retain for a period of at least 2 years after the date at which the person concerned no longer works for the CAO?

CAO.A.050 Components, equipment and tools

(a) Does the CAO: (1) hold the equipment and tools specified in the maintenance data provided for in point CAO.A.055, or verified equivalents as listed in the CAE, as necessary for day-to-day maintenance within the scope of the organisation's approval; (2) have a procedure to ensure that it has access to all other equipment and tools necessary to carry out its work, used only on an occasional basis, where needed?
b) Has the CAO ensured that the tools and equipment it uses are controlled and calibrated to an officially recognised standard, and it shall keep records of such calibrations and the standards used and comply with point CAO.A.090?
(c) Has the CAO inspected, classified and appropriately segregate all incoming components in accordance with points M.A.501 and M.A.504 of Annex I (Part-M) or with points ML.A.501 and ML.A.504 of Annex Vb (Part-ML), as applicable?

CAO.A.055 Maintenance data and work orders

(a) Does the CAO hold and use applicable current maintenance data specified in point M.A.401 of Annex I (Part-M) or in point ML.A.401 of Annex Vb (Part-ML), as applicable, in the performance of maintenance, including modifications and repairs, however, in the case of customer-provided maintenance data, it shall only be required to hold such data when the work is in progress?
(b) Before the commencement of maintenance, has a written work order been agreed between the CAO and the person or organisation requesting maintenance, in a manner that clearly establishes the maintenance to be carried out?

CAO.A.060 Maintenance standards

When performing maintenance, has the CAO complied with all of the following requirements:
(a) ensure that any person performing maintenance is qualified in accordance with the requirements of this Annex;
(b) ensure that the area in which maintenance is carried out is well organised and clean (no dirt or contamination);
(c) use the methods, techniques, standards and instructions specified in the maintenance data and work orders referred to in point CAO.A.055;
(d) use the tools, equipment and material specified in point CAO.A.050;
(e) ensure that maintenance is performed in accordance with any environmental limitations specified in the maintenance data referred to in point CAO.A.055;
(f) ensure that proper facilities are used in case of inclement weather or lengthy maintenance;
(g) ensure that the risk of multiple errors during maintenance and the risk of errors being repeated in identical maintenance tasks are minimised;
(h) ensure that an error-capturing method is implemented after the performance of any critical maintenance task;
(i) perform a general verification after completion of maintenance in order to ensure that the aircraft or component is clear of all tools, equipment and any extraneous parts and material and that all access panels removed have been refitted;
(j) ensure that all maintenance performed is properly recorded and documented.

CAO.A.065 Aircraft certificate of release to service

At the completion of any aircraft maintenance carried out in accordance with this Annex, has an aircraft CRS been issued in accordance with point M.A.801 of Annex I (Part-M) or point ML.A.801 of Annex Vb (Part-ML), as applicable?

CAO.A.070 Component certificate of release to service Regulation

(a) At the completion of all component maintenance in accordance with this Annex, has a component CRS been issued in accordance with point M.A.802 of Annex I (Part-M) or point ML.A.802 of Annex Vb (Part-ML), as applicable or an EASA Form 1 been issued in accordance with Appendix II to Annex I (Part-M), except as provided for in points (b) or (d) of point M.A.502 of Annex I (Part-M) and point ML.A.502 of Annex Vb (Part-ML) and for components fabricated in accordance with point (c) of point CAO.A.020?
(b) The EASA Form 1 referred to in point (a) may be generated from a computer database.

CAO.A.075 Continuing-airworthiness management

(a) Has all continuing airworthiness management been carried out in accordance with the requirements of Subpart C of Annex I (Part-M) or Subpart C of Annex Vb (Part-ML), as applicable?
(b) For every aircraft managed, has the CAO:
(1) develop and control the AMP for the aircraft managed and:
(i) in the case of aircraft complying with Annex Vb (Part-ML), approve the AMP and its amendments, or
(ii) in the case of aircraft complying with Annex I (Part-M), present the AMP and its amendments to the competent authority for approval, unless the approval is covered by an indirect approval procedure in accordance with point (c) of point M.A.302 of Annex I (Part-M);
2) provide a copy of the AMP to the owner;
(3) ensure that data used for any modification and repairs complies with points M.A.304 or ML.A.304, as applicable;
(4) ensure that all maintenance is performed in accordance with the AMP and released in accordance with Section A, Subpart H of Annex I (Part-M), Section A of Annex II (Part-145) or Section A, Subpart H of Annex Vb (Part-ML), as applicable;
(5) ensure that all applicable ADs and all operational directives with a continuing airworthiness impact are implemented;
(6) ensure that all defects discovered during maintenance or reported are corrected by an appropriately approved maintenance organisation or by independent certifying staff;
(7) ensure that the aircraft is brought for maintenance to an appropriately approved organisation or to independent certifying staff, whenever necessary;
(8) coordinate the scheduled maintenance, application of ADs, replacement of service-life-limited parts and component inspection in order to ensure the work is carried out properly;
(9) manage and archive all continuing-airworthiness records and, if applicable, the aircraft technical log;
(10) ensure that the mass-and-balance statement reflects the current status of the aircraft.

CAO.A.080 Continuing airworthiness management data

Does the CAO hold and use applicable current maintenance data specified in point M.A.401 of Annex I (Part-M) or point ML.A.401 of Annex Vb (Part-ML), as applicable, for the performance of the continuing airworthiness management tasks referred to in point CAO.A.075 of this Annex (Part-CAO), and that data may be provided by the owner, subject to a contract as referred in points M.A.201(h)(2) or M.A.201(i)(1) or M.A.201(i)(3) of Annex I (Part-M), or points ML.A.201(e)(1) or ML.A.201(f) of Annex Vb (Part-ML), in which case the CAO only needs to hold such data for the duration of the contract, unless where it is to retain the data pursuant to point CAO.A.090(b) of this Annex (Part-CAO)?

CAO.A.085 Airworthiness review

Has the CAO performed airworthiness reviews in accordance with point M.A.901 of Annex I (Part-M) or point ML.A.903 of Annex Vb (Part-ML), as applicable?

CAO.A.090 Record-keeping

(a) Does the CAO retain the following records: (2) the continuing airworthiness management records required by any of the following: (i) point M.A.305 and, if applicable, point M.A.306 of Annex I (Part-M); (ii) point ML.A.305 of Annex Vb (Part-ML);
(a) Does the CAO retain the following records: (1) the maintenance records necessary to demonstrate that all requirements of this Annex have been met for the issuance of the CRS, including the subcontractor’s release documents; the CAO shall provide a copy of each CRS to the owner of the aircraft, together with a copy of any specific repair or modification data used for the repairs or modifications carried out; (2) the continuing airworthiness management records required by any of the following: (i) point M.A.305 and, if applicable, point M.A.306 of Annex I (Part-M); (ii) point ML.A.305 of Annex Vb (Part-ML); (3) where the CAO has the privilege referred to in point (c) of point CAO.A.095, it shall retain a copy of each airworthiness review certificate (ARC) issued in accordance with point (a) of point ML.A.901 of Annex Vb (Part-ML) and recommendation issued or, as applicable, extended, together with all supporting documents; (4) where the CAO has the privilege referred to in point (d) of point CAO.A.095, it shall retain a copy of each permit to fly issued in accordance with point 21.A.729 of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.
(a) Does the CAO retain the following records: (3) where the CAO has the privilege referred to in point (c) of point CAO.A.095, it shall retain a copy of each airworthiness review certificate (ARC) issued in accordance with point (a) of point ML.A.901 of Annex Vb (Part-ML) and recommendation issued or, as applicable, extended, together with all supporting documents;
(a) Does the CAO retain the following records: (4) where the CAO has the privilege referred to in point (d) of point CAO.A.095, it shall retain a copy of each permit to fly issued in accordance with point 21.A.729 of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.
(b) Does the CAO retain a copy of the records described in point (a)(1), and any associated maintenance data, for a period of 3 years from the date at which it released to service the aircraft or aircraft component to which the work relates?
c) Does he CAO retain a copy of the records referred to in points (a)(2) to (a)(4) for a period of 2 years from the date at which the aircraft has been permanently withdrawn from service?
(d) Are all records stored in a manner that ensures protection from damage, alteration and theft?
e) Is all computer hardware used for backup of the maintenance records stored in a different location from that containing those data and in an environment that ensures that they remain in good condition?
(f) Where the continuing airworthiness management of an aircraft is transferred to another organisation or person, are all the records retained under points (a)(2) to (a)(4) transferred to that organisation or person?
From the moment of the transfer, points (b) and (c) shall apply to that organisation or person.
(g) Where the CAO terminates its operation, all retained records shall be transferred as follows:
(1) the records referred to in point (a)(1) shall be transferred to the last owner or customer of the respective aircraft or component or shall be stored as specified by the competent authority;
(2) the records referred to in point (a)(2) to (a)(4) shall be transferred to the owner of the aircraft.

CAO.A.095 Privileges of the organisation

Has the CAO only exercised the following privileges: (a) Maintenance (1) Maintain any aircraft or component for which it is approved at the locations specified in the approval certificate and the CAE?
Has the CAO only exercised the following privileges: (a) Maintenance (2) Arrange for the performance of specialised services at another organisation appropriately qualified under the control of the CAO, in accordance with the appropriate procedures set out in the CAE and approved by the competent authority?
Has the CAO only exercised the following privileges: (a) Maintenance (3) Maintain any aircraft or component for which it is approved at any location, where the need of such maintenance arises either from the unserviceability of the aircraft or the need for supporting occasional maintenance, in accordance with the conditions specified in the CAE?
Has the CAO only exercised the following privileges: (a) Maintenance (4) Issue certificates of release to service upon completion of maintenance, in accordance with point CAO.A.065 or CAO.A.070?
(b) Continuing airworthiness management (1) Manage the continuing airworthiness of any aircraft for which it is approved.
(b) Continuing airworthiness management (2) Approve the AMP, in accordance with point (b)(2) of point ML.A.302, for aircraft managed in accordance with Annex Vb (Part-ML).
(b) Continuing airworthiness management (3) Carry out limited continuing airworthiness tasks with any contracted organisation working under their quality system, as listed on the approval certificate.
(b) Continuing airworthiness management (4) Extend, in accordance with point M.A.901(f) of Annex I (Part-M) or point ML.A.901(c) of Annex Vb (Part-ML), an ARC that has been issued by the competent authority, another organisation or person as applicable.
(c) Airworthiness review: (1) A CAO with its principal place of business in one of the Member States, the approval of which includes the privileges referred to in point (b), may be approved to carry out airworthiness reviews in accordance with point M.A.901 of Annex I (Part-M) or point ML.A.903 of Annex Vb (Part-ML), as applicable, and: (i) issue the related ARC or recommendation for the issuance of the ARC; (ii) extend the validity of an existing ARC.
(c) Airworthiness review: (2) A CAO with its principal place of business in one of the Member States, the approval of which includes the privileges referred to in point (a), may be approved to carry out airworthiness reviews in accordance with point ML.A.903 of Annex Vb (Part-ML) and issue the related ARC.
(d) Permit to fly A CAO with its principal place of business in one of the Member States, the approval of which includes the privileges referred to in point (c), may be approved to issue a permit to fly in accordance with point (d) of point 21.A.711 of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 for those aircraft for which it can issue the ARC when it attests conformity with the approved flight conditions, in accordance with an adequate procedure provided for in the CAE.
(e) A CAO may be approved for one or more privileges.

CAO.A.100 Quality system and organisational review

(a) To ensure that the CAO continues to meet the requirements of this Annex, has the organisation established a quality system and designate a quality manager.
(b) Does the quality system monitor the carrying out of the activities of the organisation covered by this Annex, and does it monitor in particular: (1) that all those activities are performed in accordance with the approved procedures; (2) that all contracted maintenance tasks are carried out in accordance with the contract; (3) that the organisation continues to comply with the requirements of this Annex.
(c) Are the records of that monitoring retained for at least the previous 2 years?
(d) Where the organisation holding a CAO approval is additionally approved in accordance with an Annex other than this Annex, the quality system may be combined with that required by the other Annex.
(e) A CAO shall be considered as a small CAO when one of the following condition is met:
(1) the scope of the CAO does only contain aircraft covered by Part-ML.
(2) the CAO does not exceed 10 full-time equivalent staff involved in maintenance.
(3) the CAO does not exceed 5 full-time equivalent staff involved in continuing airworthiness management.
(f) In the case of a small CAO, has the quality system been replaced by regular organisational reviews, subject to the approval of the competent authority. In that case, and has the CAO not contract continuing airworthiness management tasks to other parties?

CAO.A.105 Changes to the organisation

(a) In order to enable the competent authority to determine continued compliance with this Part, has the approved maintenance organisation notified it of any proposal to carry out any of the following changes, before such changes take place: (1) changes affecting the information contained in the approval certificate laid down in Appendix I and the terms of approval of this Annex; (2) changes of the persons referred to in points CAO.A.035(a) and (b); (3) changes in the aircraft types covered by the scope of work referred to in point (a)(1) of point CAO.A.020 in the case of aeroplanes of more than 2 730 kg maximum take-off mass (MTOM) and in the case of helicopters of more than 1 200 kg MTOM or certified for more than 4 occupants; (4) changes in the scope of work referred to in point (a)(2) of CAO.A.020 in the case of complete turbine engines; (5) changes in the control procedure set out in point (b) of this point.
(b) Any other changes in locations, facilities, equipment, tools, material, procedures, scope of work and staff shall be controlled by the CAO through a control procedure provided for in the CAE. Has the CAO submitted a description of those changes and the corresponding CAE amendments to the competent authority within 15 days from the day on which the change took place?

CAO.A.110 Continued validity

(a) An approval shall be issued for an unlimited duration and shall remain valid subject to: (1) the organisation remaining in compliance with the requirements of this Annex, in particular how the findings are handled in accordance with point CAO.A.115; (2) the competent authority being granted access to the organisation to determine continued compliance with the requirements of this Annex; (3) the competent authority not having surrendered or revoked the approval.
(b) Upon surrender or revocation of the approval, the organisation shall return the approval certificate to the competent authority.

CAO.A.115 Findings

(a) A Level 1 finding is any significant non-compliance with Part-CAO requirements which lowers the safety standard and seriously hazards flight safety.
(b) A Level 2 finding is any non-compliance with the Part-CAO requirements which may lower the safety standard and possibly hazard flight safety.
(c) After receiving a notification of a finding in accordance with point CAO.B.060, has the CAO adopted a corrective action plan and demonstrate to the satisfaction of the competent authority that it has taken the necessary corrective action to address the finding within the time period set by that authority?

Part ML

ML.A.202 Occurrence reporting

(a) Without prejudice to the reporting requirements set out in Annex II (Part-145) and Annex Vc (Part-CAMO), has the organisation responsible in accordance with point ML.A.201 reported any identified condition of an aircraft or component which endangers flight safety to: (1) the competent authority designated by the Member State of registry of the aircraft, and, when different to the Member State of registry, to the competent authority designated by the Member State of the operator?
(2) to the organisation responsible for the type design or supplemental type design?
(b) Has the reports referred to in point (a) been made in a manner determined by the competent authority referred to in point (a) and contains all pertinent information about the condition known to the organisation making the report?
c) Where the maintenance or the airworthiness review of the aircraft is carried out on the basis of a written contract, has the organisation responsible for those activities reported any condition referred to in point (a) to the owner of the aircraft and, when different, to the CAMO or CAO concerned?
(d) Has the organisation summited the reports referred to in points (a) and (c) as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours from the moment when the organisation identified the condition to which the report relates, unless exceptional circumstances prevent this?

ML.A.301 Continuing-airworthiness tasks

Has the aircraft continuing airworthiness and the serviceability of operational and emergency equipment been ensured by: (a) the accomplishment of pre-flight inspections?
b) by the rectification of any defect and damage affecting safe operation in accordance with data specified in points ML.A.304 and ML.A.401, as applicable, while taking into account the minimum equipment list (‘MEL’) and configuration deviation list, when they exist?
(c) by the accomplishment of all maintenance in accordance with the AMP referred to in point ML.A.302?
d) the accomplishment of any applicable (1) airworthiness directive (‘AD’)?
2) operational directive with a continuing-airworthiness impact?
(3) continuing-airworthiness requirement established by the Agency?
(4) measure required by the competent authority as an immediate reaction to a safety problem?
(e) the accomplishment of modifications and repairs in accordance with point ML.A.304?
(f) maintenance check flights, when necessary?

ML.A.302 Aircraft maintenance programme

a) Has the maintenance of each aircraft shall be organised in accordance with an AMP?
(b) (2) Has the AMP and any subsequent amendments thereto been approved by the CAMO or CAO responsible for managing the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft?
(1) declared by the owner in accordance with point (c)(7) of point ML.A.302, where the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft is not managed by a CAMO or CAO;
Is the aircraft maintained to an AMP?
(c) Does the AMP: (1) clearly identify the owner of the aircraft and the aircraft to which it relates, including any installed engine and propeller, as applicable?
(2) include, alternatively: (a) the tasks or inspections contained in the applicable minimum inspection programme (‘MIP’) referred to in point (d) or; (b) the instructions for continuing airworthiness (‘ICA’) issued by the design approval holder (‘DAH’)?
(3) may include additional maintenance actions to those referred to in point (c)(2) or maintenance actions alternative to those referred to in point (c)(2)(b) at the proposal of the owner, CAMO or CAO, once approved or declared in accordance with point (b). Alternative maintenance actions to those referred to in point (c)(2)(b) are more less restrictive than those set out in the applicable MIP?
(4) does it include all the mandatory continuing airworthiness information, such as repetitive ADs, the airworthiness limitation section (‘ALS’) of the ICAs, and specific maintenance requirements contained in the type certificate data sheet (‘TCDS’)?
(5) does it identify any additional maintenance tasks to be performed because of the specific aircraft type, aircraft configuration and type and specificity of operation, whereas the following elements shall be taken into consideration as a minimum (a) specific installed equipment and modifications of the aircraft?
(b) repairs carried out in the aircraft?
(c) life-limited components and flight-safety-critical components?
(d) maintenance recommendations, such as time between overhaul (‘TBO’) intervals, issued through service bulletins, service letters, and other non-mandatory service information?
(e) applicable operational directives or requirements related to the periodic inspection of certain equipment?
(f) special operational approvals?
(g) use of the aircraft and operational environment?
(6) shall identify whether the Pilot-owners are authorised to perform maintenance?
(7) when declared by the owner, shall contain a signed statement by which the owner declares that this is the AMP for the particular aircraft registration and that he is fully responsible for its
(8) when approved by the CAMO or CAO, has it been signed by this organisation, which shall retain records with the justification for any deviation introduced to the DAH’s recommendations?
(9) has it been reviewed at least annually in order to assess its effectiveness, and this review shall be performed, alternatively: (a) in conjunction with the airworthiness review of the aircraft by the person who performs such an airworthiness review; (b) by the CAMO or CAO managing the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft in those cases where the review of the AMP is not performed in conjunction with an airworthiness review?
If the review shows deficiencies of the aircraft linked with deficiencies in the content of the AMP, has the AMP been amended accordingly. In this case has the person performing the review informed the competent authority of the Member State of registry if he does not agree with the measures amending the AMP taken by the owner, CAMO or CAO?
The competent authority shall decide which amendments to the AMP are necessary, raising the corresponding findings and, if necessary, reacting in accordance with point ML.B.304.
Is the aircraft maintained to an MIP?
(d) Does the MIP: (1) contain the following inspection intervals: (a) for aeroplanes, touring motor gliders (‘TMGs’) and balloons, every annual or 100-h interval, whichever comes first, to which a tolerance of 1 month or 10 h may be applied. The next interval shall be calculated as from the time the inspection takes place; (b) for sailplanes and powered sailplanes other than TMG, every annual interval to which a tolerance of 1 month may be applied. The next interval shall be calculated as from the time the inspection takes place;
(2) contain the following, as applicable to the aircraft type: (a) servicing tasks as required by the DAH’s requirements?
(b) inspection of markings?
(c) review of weighing records and weighing in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, Regulation (EU) 2018/395 and Regulation (EU) 2018/1976?
(d) operational test of transponder (if installed)?
(e) functional test of the pitot-static system?
(f) in the case of aeroplanes: (i) operational tests for power and revolutions per minute (rpm), magnetos, fuel and oil pressure, engine temperatures; (ii) for engines equipped with automated engine control, the published run-up procedure; (iii) for dry-sump engines, engines with turbochargers and liquid-cooled engines, an operational test for signs of disturbed fluid circulation?
(g) inspection of the condition and attachment of the structural items, systems and components corresponding to the following areas: (i) for aeroplanes: airframe, cabin and cockpit, landing gear, wing and centre section, flight controls, empennage, avionics and electrics, power plant, clutches and gearboxes, propeller and miscellaneous systems, such as the ballistic rescue system?
(ii) for sailplanes and powered sailplanes: airframe, cabin and cockpit, landing gear, wing and centre section, empennage, avionics and electrics, power plant (for powered sailplanes) and miscellaneous systems, such as removable ballast and/or drag chute and controls, as well as water ballast system?
(iii) for hot-air balloons: envelope, burner, basket, fuel containers, equipment and instruments?
(iv) for gas balloons: envelope, basket, equipment and instruments.
As long as this Annex does not specify an MIP for airships and rotorcraft, their AMP shall be based on the ICA issued by the DAH, as referred to in point (c)(2)(b).
(e) By derogation from points (b) and (c), a declaration by the owner or an approval by a CAMO or CAO is not required, and an AMP document is not required to be produced when the following conditions are met:
(1) all the ICA issued by the DAH are being followed without any deviations;
(2) all maintenance recommendations, such as TBO intervals, issued through service bulletins, service letters, and other non-mandatory service information, are being followed without any deviations;
(3) there are no additional maintenance tasks to be performed resulting from any of the following:
(a) specific installed equipment and modifications of the aircraft;
(b) repairs carried out in the aircraft;
(c) life-limited components and flight-safety-critical components;
(d) special operational approvals;
(e) use of the aircraft and operational environment.
(4) Pilot-owners are authorised to perform Pilot-owner maintenance.
This derogation is not applicable if the pilot-owner or, in case of jointly-owned aircraft, any of the pilot-owners is not authorised to perform Pilot-owner maintenance because this has to be specified in the declared or approved AMP.
Easy Access Rules for Continuing Airworthiness
(Regulation (EU) No 1321
(f) If the conditions provided for in points (e)(1) to (e)(4) are met, the AMP applicable to the aircraft shall consist of the following: (1) the ICA issued by the DAH;
(2) the maintenance recommendations, such as TBO intervals, issued through service bulletins, service letters, and other non-mandatory service information?
(3) the mandatory continuing airworthiness information, such as repetitive ADs, the ALS of the ICA and specific maintenance requirements contained in the TCDS?
(4) the tasks due to specific operational or airspace directives or requirements in relation to particular instruments and equipment?

ML.A.303 Airworthiness directives

Have any applicable AD been carried out within the requirements of that AD unless otherwise specified by the Agency?

ML.A.304 Data for modifications and repairs

Has the organisation repairing an aircraft or a component assessed any damage and have modifications and repairs been carried out using, as appropriate, the following data: (a) approved by the Agency?
(b) approved by a design organisation complying with Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012?
(c) contained in the requirements referred to in point 21.A.90B or point 21.A.431B of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012?

ML.A.305 Aircraft continuing-airworthiness record system

(a) At the completion of any maintenance, has the certificate of release to service (CRS) required by point ML.A.801 been entered in the aircraft continuing airworthiness record system and has each entry been made as soon as possible but not later than 30 days after the day of the completion of the maintenance task?
(b) Do the aircraft continuing airworthiness records consist of an aircraft logbook, engine logbook(s) or engine module log cards, propeller logbook(s) and log cards, for any service-life-limited component, as appropriate?
(c) Has the aircraft type and registration mark, the date together with the total flight time and flight cycles and landings, been entered in the aircraft logbooks?
(d) Does the aircraft continuing airworthiness records contain: (1) the current status of ADs and measures mandated by the competent authority in immediate reaction to a safety problem?
(2) the current status of modifications, repairs and other DAH maintenance recommendations?
(3) the current status of compliance with the AMP?
(4) the current status of service-life-limited components?
(5) the current mass and balance report?
(6) the current list of deferred maintenance?
(e) In addition to the authorised release document, EASA Form 1, as set out in Appendix II of Annex I (Part-M), or equivalent, the following information relevant to any component installed, such as engine, propeller, engine module or service-life-limited component, have been entered in the appropriate engine or propeller logbook, engine module or service-life-limited component log card: (1) the identification of the component?
(2) the type, serial number and registration, as appropriate, of the aircraft, engine, propeller, engine module or service-life-limited component to which the particular component has been fitted, along with the reference to the installation and removal of the component?
(3) the date together with the component’s accumulated total flight time, flight cycles, landings and calendar time, as relevant to the particular component?
(4) the current information referred to in point (d), applicable to the component?
(f) Does the organisation responsible for the management of continuing airworthiness and tasks pursuant to point ML.A.201, control the records as detailed in point ML.A.305 and present the records to the competent authority upon request?
(g) Are all entries made in the aircraft continuing airworthiness records clear and accurate and when it is necessary to correct an entry, the correction has been made in a manner that clearly shows the original entry?
(h) An owner shall ensure that a system has been established to keep the following records for the periods specified:
(1) all detailed maintenance records in respect of the aircraft and any service-life-limited component fitted thereto, until such time as the information contained therein is superseded by new information equivalent in scope and detail but no less than 36 months after the aircraft or component has been released to service;
(2) the total time in service, this is to say hours, calendar time, cycles and landings, of the aircraft and all service-life-limited components, for at least 12 months after the aircraft or component has been permanently withdrawn from service;
(3) the time in service, this is to say hours, calendar time, cycles and landings, as appropriate, since the last scheduled maintenance of the component subjected to a service life limit, at least until the component scheduled maintenance has been superseded by another scheduled maintenance of equivalent work scope and detail;
(4) the current status of compliance with the AMP at least until the scheduled maintenance of the aircraft or component has been superseded by another scheduled maintenance of equivalent work scope and detail;
(5) the current status of ADs applicable to the aircraft and components, at least 12 months after the aircraft or component has been permanently withdrawn from service;
(6) details of current modifications and repairs to the aircraft, engine(s), propeller(s) and any other component vital to flight safety, at least 12 months after they have been permanently withdrawn from service.

ML.A.307 Transfer of aircraft continuing-airworthiness records

(a) When an aircraft is permanently transferred from one owner to another, the transferring owner shall ensure that the continuing airworthiness records referred to in point ML.A.305 are also transferred.
(b) When the owner contracts the continuing airworthiness management tasks to a CAMO or CAO the owner shall ensure that the continuing airworthiness records referred to in point ML.A.305 are transferred to the contracted organisation.
(c) The time periods for the retention of records set out in point (h) of point ML.A.305 shall continue to apply to the new owner, CAMO or CAO.

SUBPART D — MAINTENANCE STANDARDS

ML.A.401 Maintenance data

(a) Has the organisation maintaining an aircraft only use applicable maintenance data during the performance of maintenance?
(b) For the purposes of this Annex, 'applicable maintenance' data means:
(1) any applicable requirement, procedure, standard or information issued by the competent authority or the Agency;
(2) any applicable AD;
(3) applicable ICA issued by type certificate holders, supplementary type certificate holders and any other organisation that publishes such data in accordance with Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012;
(4) any applicable data issued in accordance with point (d) of point 145.A.45.

ML.A.402 Performance of maintenance

(a) Has maintenance performed by approved maintenance organisations been in accordance with Subpart F of Annex I (Part-M), Annex II (Part-145) or Annex Vd (Part-CAO), as applicable?
(b) For maintenance not performed in accordance with point (a), the person performing maintenance shall:
(1) be qualified for the tasks performed, as required by this Annex;
(2) ensure that the area in which maintenance is carried out is well organised and clean with no dirt or contamination;
(3) use the methods, techniques, standards and instructions specified in the maintenance data referred to in point ML.A.401;
(4) use the tools, equipment and material specified in the maintenance data referred to in point ML.A.401. If necessary, tools and equipment shall be controlled and calibrated to an officially recognised standard;
(5) ensure that maintenance is performed within any environmental limitations specified in the maintenance data referred to in point ML.A.401;
(6) ensure that proper facilities are used in case of inclement weather or lengthy maintenance;
(7) ensure that the risk of multiple errors during maintenance and the risk of errors being repeated in identical maintenance tasks are minimised;
(8) ensure that an error-capturing method is implemented after the performance of any critical maintenance task;
(9) perform a general verification after completion of maintenance to ensure that the aircraft or component is clear of all tools, equipment and any extraneous parts and material, and that all access panels removed have been refitted;
(10) ensure that all maintenance performed is properly recorded and documented.

ML.A.403 Aircraft defects

(a) Has any aircraft defect that seriously endangers the flight safety been rectified before further flight?
(b) Have only the following persons decided that a defect does not seriously endanger flight safety, and may defer it accordingly: (1) the pilot in respect of defects affecting non-required aircraft equipment; (2) the pilot, when using the minimum equipment list, in respect of defects affecting required aircraft equipment — otherwise, these defects may only be deferred by authorised certifying staff; (3) the pilot in respect of defects other than those referred to in points (b)(1) and (b)(2) if all the following conditions are met: (i) the aircraft is operated under Annex VII to Regulation(EU) No 965/2012 (Part-NCO) or, in the case of balloons or sailplanes, not operated under Subpart-ADD of Annex II (Part-BOP) to Regulation (EU) 2018/395 or not following Subpart DEC of Annex II (Part-SAO) to Regulation (EU) 2018/1976; (ii) the pilot defers the defect with the agreement of the aircraft owner or, if applicable, of the contracted CAMO or CAO; (4) the appropriately qualified certifying staff in respect of other defects than those referred to in points (b)(1) and (b)(2), where the conditions referred to in point 3(i) and (ii) are not met.
(c) Are aircraft defects that do not seriously hazard flight safety been rectified as soon as practicable from the date on which the defect was first identified and within the limits specified in the maintenance data?
(d) Has any defect not rectified before flight been recorded in the aircraft continuing airworthiness record system referred to in point ML.A.305 and a record made available to the pilot?

ML.A.501 Classification and installation

(a) Unless otherwise specified in Subpart F of Annex I (Part-M), Annex II (Part-145), Annex Vd (Part-CAO) to this Regulation and Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012, has a component only been fitted if all of the following conditions have been met: (i) it is in a satisfactory condition; (ii) has been appropriately released to service using an Form 1 as set out in Appendix II of Annex I (Part-M), or equivalent; (iii) has been marked in accordance with Subpart Q of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012?
(b) Prior to the installation of a component on an aircraft, has the person or approved maintenance organisation ensured that the particular component is eligible to be fitted if different modifications or AD configurations are applicable?
(c) Are standard parts only fitted to an aircraft or component when the maintenance data specifies those particular standard parts, and the standard parts are only fitted when accompanied by evidence of conformity to the applicable standard and has appropriate traceability?
(d) Is raw or consumable material only used on an aircraft or component provided that: (i) the aircraft or component manufacturer allows for the use of raw or consumable material in relevant maintenance data or as specified in Subpart F of Annex I (Part-M), Annex II (Part-145) or Annex Vd (Part-CAO). (ii) such material meets the required material specification and has appropriate traceability. (iii) such material is accompanied by documentation clearly relating to the particular material and containing a conformity-to-specification statement as well as the manufacturing and supplier source?
(e) In case of balloons, where different combinations of baskets, burners and fuel cylinders are possible for a particular envelope, has the person installing them ensured that: (1) the basket, burner and/or fuel cylinders are eligible for installation according to the TCDS or other documents referred to in the TCDS; (2) the basket, burner and/or fuel cylinders are in serviceable condition and have the appropriate maintenance records?

ML.A.502 Component maintenance

(a) Have components accepted by the owner in accordance with point (c) of point 21.A.307 of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 been maintained by any person or organisation, and have been subject to reacceptance by the owner under the conditions of point 21.A.307(c) of that Annex, and this maintenance is not eligible for the issuance of a Form 1, as set out in Appendix II of Annex I (Part-M), and been subject to the aircraft release requirements?
(b) Components shall be released in accordance with the following table?

ML.A.503 Service-life-limited components

(a) The term ‘service life-limited components’ contains the following components:
(1) components subject to a certified life limit after which the components should be retired, and;
(2) components subject to a service life limit after which the components shall undergo maintenance to restore their serviceability.
(b) Have installed service-life-limited components exceeded the approved service life limit as specified in the AMP and ADs, except as provided for in point ML.A.504(c)?
(c) Is the approved service life expressed in calendar time, flight hours, landings or cycles, as appropriate?
d) At the end of the approved service life limit, has the component been removed from the aircraft for maintenance, or for disposal in the case of components with a certified life limit?

ML.A.504 Control of unserviceable components

(a) Has a component been considered unserviceable in any of the following circumstances: (1) expiry of the component’s service life limit as defined in the AMP; (2) non-compliance with the applicable ADs and other continued-airworthiness requirement mandated by the Agency; (3) absence of the necessary information to determine the airworthiness status of the component or its eligibility for installation; (4) evidence of component defects or malfunctions; (5) component involvement in an incident or accident likely to affect its serviceability?
(b) Have unserviceable components been identified as one of the following: (1) unserviceable and stored in a secure location under the control of an approved maintenance organisation or independent certifying staff until a decision is made on the future status of such components; (2) unserviceable by the person or organisation that declared the component unserviceable, and its custody shall be transferred to the aircraft owner after documenting such transfer in aircraft maintenance record system referred to in point ML.A.305?
c) Have components which have reached their certified life limit or contain a non-repairable defect or malfunction been classified as unsalvageable and prevented from re-entering the component supply system unless certified life limits have been extended or a repair solution has been approved in accordance with point ML.A.304?
(d) Has any person or organisation responsible pursuant to point ML.A.201 in the case of an unsalvageable component, as provided for in point (c), take one of the following actions: (1) retain such component in a location referred to in point (b)(1); (2) arrange for the component to be mutilated in a manner that ensures that it is beyond economic salvage or repair before relinquishing responsibility for such a component?
e) Notwithstanding point (d), a person or organisation responsible pursuant to point ML.A.201 may transfer responsibility of components classified as unsalvageable without mutilation to an organisation for training or research.

ML.A.801 Aircraft certificate of release to service

(a) Has a CRS been issued after the required maintenance has been carried out properly on an aircraft?
(b) Has the CRS been issued, by: (1) appropriate certifying staff on behalf of the approved maintenance organisation; (2) independent certifying staff; (3) the pilot- owner in compliance with point ML.A.803?
(c) By derogation from point (b), in the case of unforeseen circumstances, when an aircraft is grounded at a location where no appropriately approved maintenance organisation and no appropriate certifying staff are available, has the owner authorise a person, with no less than 3 years of appropriate maintenance experience and holding the proper qualifications, to maintain the aircraft according to the standards set out in Subpart D of this Annex and release the aircraft, and has the owner in each case: (1) obtain and keep in the aircraft records, details of all the work carried out and of the qualifications held by the person issuing the certification; (2) ensure that any such maintenance is rechecked and released in accordance with point (b) of point ML.A.801 at the earliest opportunity and within a period not exceeding 7 days or, in the case of aircraft operated under Annex VII to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (Part-NCO) or, in the case of balloons, not operated under Subpart-ADD of Annex II (Part-BOP) to Regulation (EU) 2018/395 or, in the case of sailplanes not following Subpart DEC of Annex II (Part-SAO) to Regulation (EU) 2018/1976, within a period not exceeding 30 days; (3) notify the contracted CAMO or CAO, or the competent authority in the absence of such a contract, within 7 days of the issuance of such authorisation?
(d) In the case of a release to service in accordance with points (b)(1) or (b)(2), has the certifying staff has been assisted in performing the maintenance tasks by one or more persons who have been under his direct and continuous control?
(e) Does the CRS contain at least: (1) basic details of the maintenance carried out; (2) the date on which the maintenance was completed; (3) the identity of the organisation or person issuing the release to service, including, alternatively: (i) the approval reference of the maintenance organisation and certifying staff issuing the CRS; (ii) in the case of point (b)(2), the identity and, if applicable, the licence number of the independent certifying staff issuing the CRS; (4) the limitations to airworthiness or operations, if any?
(f) By derogation from point (a) and notwithstanding point (g), when the required maintenance cannot be completed, has a CRS been issued within the approved aircraft limitations, and in this case, does the CRS indicate that the maintenance could not be completed, as well as indicate any applicable airworthiness or operations limitations, as part of the information required in point (e)(4) ?
(g) A CRS shall not be issued in the case of any known non-compliance with the requirements of this Annex which endangers flight safety.

ML.A.802 Component certificate of release to service

(a) Has a component CRS been issued after the required maintenance has been carried out properly on an aircraft component in accordance with point ML.A.502?
(b) Is the authorised release certificate identified as Form 1, as set out Appendix II of Annex I (Part-M) , constitutes the component CRS, except when such maintenance is released at aircraft level, as indicated in point ML.A.502(b)?

ML.A.803 Pilot-owner authorisation

(a) To qualify as a pilot-owner, the person must:
(1) hold a valid pilot licence or equivalent licence issued or validated by a Member State for the aircraft type or class rating;
(2) own the aircraft, either as a sole or joint owner; that owner must be, alternatively:
(i) one of the natural persons on the registration form;
(ii) a member of a non-profit recreational legal entity, where the legal entity is specified on the registration document as owner or operator; that member must be directly involved in the decision-making process of the legal entity and designated by that legal entity to carry out Pilot-owner maintenance.
(b) For aircraft operated under Annex VII (Part-NCO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 or, in the case of balloons, not operated under Subpart-ADD of Annex II (Part-BOP) to Regulation (EU) 2018/395 or, in the case of sailplanes, not following Subpart DEC of Annex II (Part-SAO) to Regulation (EU) 2018/1976, has the pilot-owner issued a CRS after limited Pilot-owner maintenance as provided for in Appendix II to this Annex?
(c) Has the CRS been entered in the logbooks and contain basic details of the maintenance carried out, the maintenance data used, the date on which that maintenance was completed, as well as the identity, the signature and the pilot licence (or equivalent) number of the pilot-owner issuing such a certificate?

ML.A.901 Aircraft airworthiness review

To ensure the validity of the aircraft airworthiness certificate ('ARC'), an airworthiness review of the aircraft and its continuing airworthiness records shall be carried out periodically.
(a) Is an ARC is issued in accordance with Appendix IV (Form 15c) to this Annex upon completion of a satisfactory airworthiness review, and is the ARC valid for 1 year?
(b) Has the airworthiness review and the issuance of the ARC been performed in accordance with point ML.A.903?
Alternatively by:
(1) the competent authority;
(2) an appropriately approved CAMO or CAO;
(3) the approved maintenance organisation while performing the 100-h/annual inspection contained in the AMP;
(4) for aircraft operated under Annex VII (Part-NCO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 or, in the case of balloons, not operated under Subpart-ADD of Annex II (Part-BOP) to Regulation (EU) 2018/3951 or, in the case of sailplanes, not following Subpart DEC of Annex II (Part-SAO) to Regulation (EU) 2018/19762, the independent certifying staff while performing the 100-h/annual inspection contained in the AMP, when holding:
(i) a licence issued in accordance with Annex III (Part-66) rated for the corresponding aircraft or, if Annex III (Part-66) is not applicable to the particular aircraft, a national certifying-staff qualification valid for that aircraft;
(ii) an authorisation issued by, alternatively:
(A) the competent authority who issued the licence issued in accordance with Annex III (Part-66),
(B) if Annex III (Part-66) is not applicable, the competent authority responsible for the national certifying-staff qualification.
Independent certifying staff holding a licence issued in accordance with Annex III (Part-66), may perform airworthiness reviews and issue the ARC for aircraft registered in any Member State. However, independent certifying staff holding a national qualification shall only perform airworthiness reviews and issue the ARC for aircraft registered in the Member State responsible for the national qualification.
ARCs issued by independent certifying staff holding a national qualification shall not benefit from mutual recognition when transferring the aircraft to another Member State.
Whenever circumstances reveal the existence of a potential safety threat, the competent authority shall carry out the airworthiness review and issue the ARC itself.
(c) Has the validity of an ARC only been extended a maximum of two consecutive times, for a period of one year each time, by an appropriately approved CAMO or CAO, subject to the following conditions: (1) the aircraft has been continuously managed for the previous 12 months by this CAMO or CAO; (2) the aircraft has been maintained for the previous 12 months by approved maintenance organisations; this includes pilot-owner maintenance tasks carried out and released to service either by the pilot-owner or by independent certifying staff; (3) the CAMO or CAO does not have any evidence or reason to believe that the aircraft is not airworthy?
This extension by the CAMO or CAO is possible regardless of which staff or organisation, as provided for in point (b), initially issued the ARC.
(d) By derogation from point (c), the extension of the ARC may be anticipated for a maximum period of 30 days, without loss of continuity of the airworthiness review pattern, to ensure the availability of the aircraft in order to place the original ARC on board.
(e) When the competent authority carries out the airworthiness review and issues the ARC itself, the owner shall provide the competent authority with:
(1) the documentation required by the competent authority;
(2) suitable accommodation at the appropriate location for its personnel;
(3) when necessary, the support of appropriate certifying staff.

ML.A.902 Validity of the airworthiness review certificate

(a) Has the ARC becomes invalid if, alternatively: (1) it is suspended or revoked; (2) the airworthiness certificate is suspended or revoked; (3) the aircraft is not in the aircraft register of a Member State; (4) the type certificate under which the airworthiness certificate was issued is suspended or revoked?
b) Has the aircraft not flown if the ARC is invalid or if any of the following circumstances are present: (1) the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft or any component fitted to the aircraft does not meet the requirements of this Annex; (2) the aircraft does not remain in conformity with the type design approved by the Agency; (3) the aircraft has been operated beyond the limitations of the approved flight manual or airworthiness certificate, without appropriate action being taken; (4) the aircraft has been involved in an accident or incident that affects the airworthiness of the aircraft, without subsequent appropriate action to restore airworthiness; (5) a modification or repair to the aircraft or any component fitted to the aircraft is not in compliance with Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012?
(c) Upon surrender or revocation, has the ARC been returned to the competent authority?

ML.A.903 Airworthiness review process

(a) To satisfy the requirement for the airworthiness review of an aircraft referred to in point ML.A.901, have the airworthiness review staff performed a documented review of the aircraft records to verify that: (1) airframe, engine and propeller flying hours and associated flight cycles have been properly recorded; (2) the flight manual is applicable to the aircraft configuration and reflects the latest revision status; (3) all the maintenance due on the aircraft according to the AMP has been carried out; (4) all known defects have been corrected or deferred in a controlled manner; (5) all applicable ADs have been applied and properly registered; (6) all modifications and repairs made to the aircraft have been registered and are in compliance with Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012; (7) all service-life-limited components installed on the aircraft are properly identified, registered and have not exceeded their approved service life limit; (8) all maintenance has been certified in accordance with this Annex; (9) if required, the current mass-and-balance statement reflects the configuration of the aircraft and is valid; (10) the aircraft complies with the latest revision of its type design approved by the Agency; (11) if required, the aircraft holds a noise certificate corresponding to the current configuration of the aircraft in compliance with Subpart I of Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012?
(b) Have the airworthiness review staff referred to in point (a) carried out a physical survey of the aircraft, and for this survey, airworthiness review staff not appropriately qualified under Annex III (Part-66) have been assisted by such qualified personnel?
(c) Through the physical survey of the aircraft, have the airworthiness review staff ensured that: (1) all required markings and placards are properly installed; (2) the aircraft complies with its approved flight manual; (3) the aircraft configuration complies with the approved documentation; (4) no evident defect can be found that has not been addressed according to point ML.A.403; (5) no inconsistencies can be found between the aircraft and the documented review of records as referred to in point (a)?
(d) By derogation from point ML.A.901(a), the airworthiness review may be anticipated for a maximum period of 90 days, without loss of continuity of the airworthiness review pattern, so as to allow the physical review to take place during a maintenance check.
(e) Has the ARC (Form 15c) set out to in Appendix IV only been issued: (1) by appropriately authorised airworthiness review staff; (2) when the airworthiness review has been completely carried out, all findings have been closed; (3) when any discrepancy found in the AMP in accordance with point (h) has been satisfactorily addressed?
(f) Has a copy of the ARC issued or extended for an aircraft been sent to the Member State of registry of that aircraft within 10 days?
(g) Have Airworthiness review tasks not been subcontracted?
h) Has the effectiveness of the AMP may be reviewed in conjunction with the airworthiness review in accordance with point (c)(9) of point ML.A.302, and has this review been completed by the person who performed the airworthiness review, and if the review shows deficiencies of the aircraft linked with deficiencies in the content of the AMP, has the AMP shall be amended accordingly, also has the person performing the review informed the competent authority of the Member State of registry if he does not agree with the measures amending the AMP taken by the owner, CAMO or CAO?
In such case the competent authority shall decide which amendments to the AMP are necessary, raising the corresponding findings defined in point ML.B.903 and, if necessary, reacting in accordance with point ML.B.304.

ML.A.904 Qualification of airworthiness review staff

(a) Airworthiness review staff acting on behalf of the competent authority shall be qualified in accordance with point ML.B.902.
(b) Are airworthiness review staff acting on behalf of the organisation referred to in Subpart F or Subpart G of Annex I (Part-M), Annex II (Part-145), Annex Vc (Part-CAMO) or Annex Vd (Part-CAO) qualified in accordance with Subpart F or Subpart G of Annex I (Part-M), Annex II (Part-145), Annex Vc (Part-CAMO) or Annex Vd (Part-CAO), respectively?
(c) Airworthiness review staff acting on their own behalf, as permitted pursuant to point ML.A.901(b)(4), shall:
(1) hold a licence issued in accordance with Annex III (Part-66) rated for the corresponding aircraft or, if Annex III (Part-66) is not applicable to the particular aircraft, hold a national certifying-staff qualification valid for that aircraft; and
(2) hold an authorisation issued by, alternatively:
(i) the competent authority who issued the licence in accordance with Annex III (Part-66);
(ii) if Annex III (Part-66) is not applicable, the competent authority responsible for the national certifying-staff qualification.
(d) The authorisation required under point (c)(2) shall be issued by the competent authority when:
(1) the competent authority has assessed that the person has the knowledge of the parts of this Annex relevant to continuing-airworthiness management, performance of airworthiness reviews and issuance of ARCs;
(2) the person has satisfactorily performed an airworthiness review under the supervision of the competent authority.
This authorisation shall remain valid for a duration of 5 years as long as the holder has performed at least 1 airworthiness review every 12-months. If this is not the case, a new airworthiness review shall be satisfactorily performed under the supervision of the competent authority.
Upon expiration of its validity, the authorisation shall be renewed for another 5 years subject to a new compliance with points (d)(1) and (d)(2). There is no limit to the number of renewals.
The holder of the authorisation shall keep records of all the airworthiness reviews performed and shall make them available, upon request, to any competent authority and to any aircraft owner for whom they are performing an airworthiness review.
This authorisation may be revoked by the competent authority at any time if it is not satisfied with the competence of the holder or with the use of such an authorisation.

ML.A.906 Airworthiness review of aircraft imported into the Union

(a) When importing an aircraft from a third country into the UK, has the applicant: (1) applied to the competent authority of the Member State of registry for the issuance of a new airworthiness certificate in accordance with Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012; (2) for aircraft other than new, have an airworthiness review carried out satisfactorily in accordance with point ML.A.901; (3) have all maintenance carried out to comply with the approved or declared AMP?
b) When the aircraft complies with the relevant requirements, the competent authority, the CAMO or CAO, the maintenance organisation or the independent certifying staff performing the airworthiness review, as provided for in point (b) of point ML.A.901, and an ARC issued and has summited a copy to the competent authority of the Member State of registry?
(c) Has the owner allowed access to the aircraft for inspection by the competent authority of the Member State of registry?
(d) Has a new airworthiness certificate been issued by the competent authority of the Member State of registry if the aircraft complies with Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012?

ML.A.907 Findings

(a) Findings are categorised as follows:
(1) A Level 1 finding is any finding of significant non-compliance with the requirements of this Annex which lowers the safety standard and seriously endangers flight safety.
(2) A Level 2 finding is any finding of non-compliance with the requirements of this Annex which may lower the safety standard and may endanger flight safety.
(b) After receipt of notification of findings in accordance with point ML.B.903, has the person or organisation, having responsibilities pursuant to point ML.A.201, defined and demonstrated to the competent authority within a period agreed with this authority a corrective action plan , aimed at preventing reoccurrence of the finding and its root cause?

Summary

Procedures Reviewed
Auditors comments

Part-CAO & ML Audit

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CAO.1 General

CAO.A.015 Application

CAO.A.017 Means of compliance

CAO.A.020 Terms of approval

CAO.A.025 Combined airworthiness exposition

CAO.A.030 Facilities

CAO.A.035 Personnel requirements

CAO.A.040 Certifying staff

CAO.A.045 Airworthiness review staff

CAO.A.050 Components, equipment and tools

CAO.A.055 Maintenance data and work orders

CAO.A.060 Maintenance standards

CAO.A.065 Aircraft certificate of release to service

CAO.A.070 Component certificate of release to service Regulation

CAO.A.075 Continuing-airworthiness management

CAO.A.080 Continuing airworthiness management data

CAO.A.085 Airworthiness review

CAO.A.090 Record-keeping

CAO.A.095 Privileges of the organisation

CAO.A.100 Quality system and organisational review

CAO.A.105 Changes to the organisation

CAO.A.110 Continued validity

CAO.A.115 Findings

ML.A.202 Occurrence reporting

ML.A.301 Continuing-airworthiness tasks

ML.A.302 Aircraft maintenance programme

ML.A.303 Airworthiness directives

ML.A.304 Data for modifications and repairs

ML.A.305 Aircraft continuing-airworthiness record system

ML.A.307 Transfer of aircraft continuing-airworthiness records

ML.A.401 Maintenance data

ML.A.402 Performance of maintenance

ML.A.403 Aircraft defects

ML.A.501 Classification and installation

ML.A.502 Component maintenance

ML.A.503 Service-life-limited components

ML.A.504 Control of unserviceable components

ML.A.801 Aircraft certificate of release to service

ML.A.802 Component certificate of release to service

ML.A.803 Pilot-owner authorisation

ML.A.901 Aircraft airworthiness review

ML.A.902 Validity of the airworthiness review certificate

ML.A.903 Airworthiness review process

ML.A.904 Qualification of airworthiness review staff

ML.A.906 Airworthiness review of aircraft imported into the Union

ML.A.907 Findings

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