Continued Airworthiness (Continuing Airworthiness)
Section 02: Regulatory Vocabulary
Definition
The set of processes, activities, and arrangements that ensure an aircraft continues to meet its approved type design requirements and remains in a condition for safe operation throughout its operational life. Continued airworthiness encompasses the TC holder's obligation to provide maintenance and operational instructions (Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, ICA), the operator's responsibility to maintain the aircraft per the approved maintenance program, the authority's mandatory corrective actions (Airworthiness Directives), and the systematic monitoring of the in-service fleet.
Where This Shows Up
Continued airworthiness responsibilities are shared among multiple parties: the TC/STC holder must develop ICAs and address unsafe conditions; the registered owner/operator must perform maintenance and comply with ADs; the State of Registry must provide regulatory oversight. This lifecycle approach to safety extends from certification through the entire service life of the aircraft.
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Primary Sources
FAA requirement for TC holders to provide instructions for continued airworthiness.
ICAO SARPs establishing the international framework for continuing airworthiness.
EASA implementing rules for continuing airworthiness (Part-M, Part-145, Part-CAMO).
Across Jurisdictions
14 CFR Part 39, Part 43, Part 91 Subpart E, Part 121 Subpart L
Continued airworthiness in the FAA system involves ADs (Part 39), maintenance rules (Part 43), owner/operator obligations (Part 91/121), and TC holder ICA obligations (21.50).
Part-M, Part-ML, Part-CAMO, Part-145
EASA uses the term 'continuing airworthiness' and has a comprehensive regulatory framework (Part-M, Part-CAMO, Part-145, Part-ML) with the CAMO concept as a central element.
EASA requires a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) for commercial operations, a concept not directly paralleled in the FAA system.
CAR Part V, Division VI, Continuing Airworthiness
TCCA's continuing airworthiness framework is established in CAR Part V and associated standards.
Related Terms
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