CAMO.A.320 Airworthiness review

ASSISTANCE TO AIRWORTHINESS REVIEW STAFF

(a)Subject to an organisation procedure approved by the competent authority, the airworthiness review staff may be assisted by qualified personnel employed by the organisation and accepted by both the organisation and the airworthiness review staff, for the performance of specific tasks. However, the intention is not for all tasks to be delegated, with the airworthiness review staff merely signing the ARC. The purpose is to allow the delegation of some tasks to qualified personnel that are competent, trained and capable in order to increase the efficiency of the process. In such cases, and when applicable, the airworthiness review staff should ensure that any items reviewed documentarily by qualified personnel are also physically verified on the aircraft by the same personnel. The airworthiness review staff is responsible for providing the necessary support, maintaining close supervision, and ultimately bear full responsibility for the entire airworthiness review process.

(b)The procedure should include, as a minimum, the following elements:

(1)Qualification requirements: The qualified personnel that assist the airworthiness review staff should meet experience and training standards similar to those required for airworthiness review staff.

(2)Assessment of potential conflicts of interest: It should be ensured that the qualified personnel assisting the airworthiness review staff have no conflict of interest that could compromise the performance, accuracy or completeness of the airworthiness review. For example, a conflict of interest may exist if qualified personnel is/are involved in the continuing airworthiness management of the aircraft under review.

(3)Number of qualified personnel that assist the airworthiness review staff: The number of qualified personnel should be proportionate to the complexity of the specific airworthiness review.

(4)Supervision: The procedure should clearly define how the airworthiness review staff will supervise and ensure that all delegated airworthiness review tasks are performed correctly and in accordance with the applicable requirements. Supervision requires that both assisting qualified personnel and airworthiness review staff have physical access to the aircraft, its continuing airworthiness records and any other necessary data (e.g. certificates).

(5)Responsibility: The procedure should specify that, in addition to the assisting personnel being qualified in accordance with the organisation’s procedure, they should also be acceptable to the airworthiness review staff. The airworthiness review staff should define the scope and details of the tasks assigned to the qualified personnel and should be satisfied with the quality and completeness of the reported outcomes, as they remain responsible for the content and any potential omissions in the airworthiness review report.