Airworthiness

1. Airworthiness NATO perspective Timothy E. Gowen NATO Ad Hoc Airworthiness Group

2. Briefing Outline • Introduction • Current Framework • NATO Specific Requirements • Latest Developments • Future Steps • Areas of co-operation

3. Airworthiness • is about achieving an acceptable level of safety … • …is a standard of safety for an aeronautical product demonstrating that it is fit and safe for flight, in conformance with its approved type design, manufacturing and maintenance standards, and operated within its design limits…. • ….and, is a discipline that is concerned with the determination of whether or not an aeronautical product has achieved a state of being technically and operationally airworthy, and produces the evidence to this effect. Introduction

4. Current framework Military Aviation • Military aircraft have unique requirements: • Armament • Battle damage • Ejection Seats • Flight envelope extremes; and • Higher levels of risk management • Still a National responsibility - each country is responsible for it’s own regulation and management… • …but standards and/or unique regulationsrequired

5. NATO is NOT a “Regulator” but dependent on the availability and interoperability of its Member Nations’ Forces, thus: • Standardisation • Economy of effort • Mutual trust • Balance between Military Mission and Safety • NATO Wide Minimum Safety Framework • Commonpolicy, standards and procedures • leverage the benefits for NATO’s existing and future air assets • provide for value-added cooperation. NATO Specifics are Critical

6. NATO SpecificsRecognized A/W needs NATO Specific capabilities (owned/leased air assets) • NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control (NAEW&C) • NATO Strategic Air Lift Capability (NSAC) • NATO AGS (Air Ground Surveillance), and • NATO UAVs, need: • Standardised military aviation requirements (including A/W standards) • Seamless connection into the overall aviation system • Harmonized requirements for airspace usage in cross-border operations • ‘Due regard’ to international obligations and general (Air) Law principles

7. Scope • develop specific policy/standards for NATO owned/leased air assets and/or those operating under NATO Aegis • provide the necessary framework for the regulation of military aviation that achieves an acceptable level of safety for NATO owned or leased air assets, including those operating under NATO Aegis. Focus: • Define the roles and responsibilities of a NATO Military Aviation Authority. • Define the minimum Military Aviation Regulations and look into the need to develop standards for minimum A/W requirements. • Address both initial (acquisition) and continuing (maintenance) airworthiness. • Identify and define a common set of terms and definitions for NATO A/W. Latest DevelopmentsNATO Airworthiness Ad-Hoc Working Group

8. Program of Work • address the need to develop a NATO A/W Framework (Principles and Policy); • address the need to develop NATO A/W related STANAGs; • expand liaison and cooperation with other A/W specialized/affected organizations; • address A/W Terminology; • continuously update its Terms of Reference. Objectives • Achieve an acceptable and known level of safety for military aeronautical products • Provide safe flights for all personnel • Address liability issues with NATO Aircraft and/or those operating under NATO. • Address legal and political scrutiny • Increase harmonization of airspace regulations • Leverage of common policies, standards and procedures: good business practices. • Provide for a common airworthiness policy. • Allow for common validation and certification. • Enable Exchange of Information. Latest DevelopmentsNATO Airworthiness Ad-Hoc Working Group

9. Better coordination between different functionalities - A/W and Safety are all encompassing activities from procurement, through maintenance, material support, and operation, to disposal • Coherent approach • Military cooperation in Airworthiness has just started • Active involvement required • Possible establishment of a permanent NATO A/W Body • Increased cooperation- strong liaison with A/W related organizations (EDA, EMAAG, EASA, ASIC, etc) Future Steps 4th meeting of NATO AWAHWG 21-23 April 2009 (NATO HQ)

10. Common rulemaking principles • Harmonisation of regulations and procedures • Exchange of best practises • Certification of military aircraft • Exchange of safety information • Working arrangements and Agreements for Technical Co-operation Areas of Co-operation

11. Airworthiness NATO perspective