Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisations (CAMO) - Procedure for Applicants
CAMO Approval — AOC holders
The information below explains how to apply for an MCAR-M Subpart G approval for aircraft listed on your organisation's AOC.
Application
Your application should be sent to our Flight Operations section in the first instance.
Application for an Approval shall be made in accordance with Section A of MCAR-M using the CAA Form 2. The application shall contain a copy of the draft CAME (refer below) and Form 4s. The application may be emailed to the CAA or sent via normal post. Details of the CAA regulations related to fees and charges can be found in MCAR-187.
CAA determines from the application whether this is an application associated with an Air Operators Certificate, Non CAT or a change to an existing approval (this will determine the type of approval reference to be allocated, if necessary).
Once the application package is complete and the fees paid, applicants will be issued a preliminary approval number with a suffix "P" indicating the pending status of the approval (for example MV.MG.XXXXP). Airworthiness section of the CAA then starts the technical evaluation of the application according to MCAR-M.
Time Frame
The normal time frame to process an approval is 3 months from the application date, however the amount of time taken is largely dependent on the ability of the applicant to produce the documentation and rectify any non-conformances.
Technical Investigation
CAME
The applicant shall identify and analyse the processes intended to be included in the approval and ensure compliance of such processes with MCAR-M. This analysis shall be used to develop the draft CAME (including any assoicated list(s) and procedure(s) as applicable.
The UK CAA Anybody's (AOC) CAME can be used to develop the CAME. Additional guidance material on specific technical requirements published by EASA may also be used in this process.
Document Review
A CAA Inspector reviews the draft CAME to ensure full compliance with the applicable requirements and the relevant technical instructions. The inspector also verifies compliance of each management personnel (Form 4 post holders) and her/his deputies (where applicable) with the applicable requirements by using the relevant instructions as reference material.
Internal Audit
Once the draft of the CAME and the applicable CAA Forms 4 are confirmed as being acceptable by the assigned inspector, the Applicant’s Quality department shall audit the Organisation in full for compliance with the MOE and MCAR-145. All relevant CAA instructions dealing with specific technical matters (i.e. certifying staff, line maintenance, composite repairs, etc.) as applicable to the specific Organisation, shall be also used as reference.
A statement signed by the Organisation’s Quality Assurance Manager shall be provided to the assigned inspector before the CAA audit takes place confirming that processes, facilities, documentation, tools, equipment, material, components and personnel subject to the application have been reviewed and audited showing compliance with all applicable MCAR-M requirements. This means that all findings raised during this internal audit must have been closed with appropriate corrective actions before issuing this statement.
The relevant internal audit report(s) including the associated corrective actions shall be provided by the organisation along with the QM statement to the assigned inspector. The CAA compliance checklist may be used to demonstrate this.
CAA Audit
Once the draft CAME, CAA Form 4s, QM statement and internal quality audit report are deemed acceptable, the assigned inspector will initiate the on-site investigation. The inspector will liaise with the Organisation for scheduling the audit and to agree on the audit programme.
The CAA inspector(s) will audit the organisation against MCAR-M. They will also meet the Accountable Manager and all Form 4 post holders for an interview. The Inspector(s) will also present audit findings and conclusions to the organisation at the end of the audit. Organisations will be given the opportunity to discuss any non-compliances and timeframes. The final audit report will be produced with 20 working days from the end of the audit.
Should the initial investigation lead to significant and/or numerous discrepancies, this would show insufficient understanding / compliance of the applicant and a lack of effectiveness of the Q/A system. In that case the CAA may terminate/suspend the application, limit the requested scope of work or not accept the proposed post holders and/or nominated personnel.
Approval
Once the applicant’s compliance with MCAR-M has been established and all findings are closed, the CAA will approve the CAMEE and issue the approval certificate.
Surveillance
Each approved organisation is audited at least once a year. This can be extended to two years for organisations that hold approvals from other CAAs or where the scope of work is extremely limited.
MCAR-M Subpart F Maintenance Organisations
The organisations that also hold MCAR-M Subpart F approval will be audited together to reduce the burden on the organisation.