Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement

BASA

Section 02: Regulatory Vocabulary

Definition

A government-to-government agreement between two States that establishes a framework for the mutual recognition and acceptance of aviation safety approvals. A BASA typically covers airworthiness certification (type certificates, STCs, production approvals), maintenance approvals, and may extend to environmental certification and flight crew licensing. The detailed technical and procedural provisions are contained in Technical Implementation Procedures (TIPs) that sit beneath the umbrella BASA.

Where This Shows Up

BASAs facilitate international trade in aeronautical products by allowing the validating authority to rely on the certification work of the exporting authority, rather than requiring full independent certification. Key BASAs include the US-EU BASA, US-Canada BASA, and EU-Canada BASA.

Primary Sources

US-EU Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement, signed June 2011

The bilateral agreement between the United States and the European Union on aviation safety cooperation.

14 CFR § 21.29 and § 21.500FAA

FAA regulations referencing bilateral agreements in the context of import/export of aeronautical products.

Related Terms

ValidationHarmonizationTechnical Implementation Procedures (TIP)

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