In Part 1 we looked at a basic overview of the main certificates. In Part 2 we take a more in-depth view, particularly the Type Certificate and its underlying Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) and Certificate of Airworthiness (CoA). Given the vast number of Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and Ultralight Aircraft (UL) we will look at how they are certified.
Certification is a legal requirement for operating an aircraft. The aircraft cannot be registered, flown, or insured without certification. It guarantees that the aircraft design, components, and systems have been tested and evaluated for safety, reliability, and performance under specific operating conditions.
Maintenance and Modifications
Certification determines what maintenance and modifications are allowed:
Certified Aircraft: Must follow approved maintenance procedures, often requiring licensed aircraft maintenance engineers (LAMEs) and approved aircraft parts.
Experimental/Non-Certified Aircraft: Owners have more flexibility but also a greater responsibility and potential liability.
Operational
Certified aircraft are authorised for various operations (e.g., commercial flights, flight training) that uncertified or experimental aircraft might not be permitted to perform.
Compliance
Owners must ensure the aircraft continues to meet certification standards, including regular inspections (like annuals, 100 hourly) and adherence to airworthiness directives and service bulletins.
Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS)
We already know that the Type Certificate certifies the overall design. Behind this sits the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS). The TCDS details all the design requirements of a particular aircraft make, model, and sometimes different requirements for those manufactured within certain models or serial number ranges. The TCDS will provide information such as the engines and propellers that are approved, which Flight Manual you require, limitations, oils and lubricants and any other requirements the manufacturer and the certification basis requires.
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
STC's are simply a supplement to the original type design produced by a third party. It is for an approved design change that will apply to a particular make and model of aircraft and any owners can choose to utilise these upgrades or ‘add ons’. An example would be a particular avionics upgrade.
Type Acceptance Certificate (TAC)
When a country permits the import and operation of an aircraft in Australia it is issued with one of these. In our case, CASA will either choose to accept it as manufactured or choose to have it changed to meet our regulatory requirements. An example could be CASA mandating a particular piece of equipment for it to operate in Australia.
Certificate of Airworthiness
When the aircraft arrives in the country, the first step is registration. Until this time it is not classed as an Australian aircraft. The same applies if it has been built here. The next step is the Certificate of Airworthiness (CoA).
The issuing of the CoA is done by a CASA Delegate or a CASA Authorised Person. This process is essentially an audit of the aircraft to ensure it complies with the Type Certificate and the TCDS, and of course any other specified requirements or any other approved data. For used aircraft, this could be a modification that has required approval from a CASA CASR Part 21 engineer or it will come into the country with a modification that should have an approval from an equivalent engineer.
The Certificate of Airworthiness is not to be confused with the aircraft being serviceable to fly. When the aircraft is issued with its CoA it is on the basis that if it is maintained correctly it is capable of safe flight. So you have your Certificate of Airworthiness, can you fly? No, you must then have the required annual maintenance inspection conducted and the aircraft issued with a maintenance release (MR) then you are good to go and enjoy your aircraft.
Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and Ultralight Aircraft (UL) - Aircraft up to 600kg Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)
Let's look at the LSA certification. The majority of LSA are certified under the United States ASTM standard F2245. Manufacturers ‘self certify’ the aircraft subject to complying with the standard. However, there are some other standards as well.
Ultralight Aircraft (UL) are certified under a number of different standards. If you modify this aircraft then you can get approval from an aircraft engineering design organisation.
There are many different standards in this space, so do your homework and ask an expert.
LSA are not overseen by a National Airworthiness Authority such as CASA. The manufacturer generally has an approval to manufacture however are responsible for the certification or modification of the aircraft. An example here is if you want to fit a GoPro camera to your aircraft then you require approval from the manufacturer.
The important point here is that if you modify your aircraft without approval you could compromise the safety of your aircraft, your insurance and potentially face prosecution from your aviation authority. What might appear to be the most trivial modification still requires approval.
Amateur Built Aircraft
If you purchase a factory kit aircraft then it will be an approved kit and should come with some compliance documentation and will be issued with a Special Certificate of Airworthiness in the Experimental category.
When purchasing an aircraft it is important to understand at least at a basic level the certification of the aircraft as this influences several important points.
What can I do with this aircraft? Can it be used commercially?
Can I maintain the aircraft myself?
Is the aircraft accepted by our authorities to fly in Australia (in the case of a new aircraft?)
What are the weight limitations? Will it carry what I need to fit my operational requirements?
Can I fly it at night?
This can be daunting for some owners and purchasers however asking the questions of someone with this knowledge can save the heartache of having an aircraft that is not what you require.
This is a snapshot of the certification of an aircraft. If you have any questions or concerns Flight Envelope has experts that can answer those for you. Contact us if you need assistance or clarification.
In Part 3 we will outline what this means to you as a pilot and how the certification basis affects you and how you operate your aircraft.
Lorraine MacGillivray
CASA Authorised Person
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