Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) is excited to present a new webinar aimed at helping aviation experts navigate the intricate requirements of EASA Part 21 Subpart G (Production) and Subpart J (Design).

Join us for an interactive live webinar workshop on Tuesday, 10 February, from 10:30 am to 13:00 (Sofia, Bulgaria time).

Register here

In this article, Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) considers in depth the relationship between a Part 21G organisation and a Part 21J organisation, how to create a new business and gain a Part 21G certificate. How to proceed if the Part 21G does not have a 21J partner.

21G ↔ 21J: Roles & Responsibilities

The synergy between these two approvals ensures that what is manufactured is exactly what was engineered and flight-tested.

• 21J (Design Organisation Approval - DOA): Acts as the "brain." It owns the approved design data (TCs, STCs, Repairs) and manages continued airworthiness.

• 21G (Production Organisation Approval - POA): Acts as the "hands." It demonstrates conformity to that data and issues the final release (EASA Form 1 or Form 52).

EASA explicitly requires satisfactory coordination between design and production (DOA↔POA). This is codified in 21.A.4 and 21.A.133 with AMCs that describe the documented arrangement linking you (POA) to the design approval holder (DAH).

If you do not have a 21J partner, what can you manufacture?

Without a DOA of your own (21J) or a documented arrangement with a design approval holder (TC/STC/ETSO/repair approval holder), a 21G cannot show conformity to approved design data for most aviation parts, so you cannot release them on EASA Form 1 under 21.G. You still have these options:

>> Standard parts (per AMC 21.A.303(c))

>> Build-to-print for a DAH under a documented arrangement

>> Subpart F (Letter of Agreement) as a stepping stone

>> ETSO route (Subpart O)

To Issue EASA Form 1

To issue Form 1 for anything other than standard parts (or narrowly exempted cases), a 21G must be linked to the design holder via 21.A.133(d) documented arrangements- or be the design holder.

Step-by-step: How to gain a 21G approval (POA)

• Step 1 - Define your scope & sourcing of design data
• Step 2 - Apply (21.A.134) and plan the means of compliance
• Step 3 - Put in place the DOA–POA arrangement (21.A.133(d))
• Step 4 - Build your Production Management System (21.A.139)
• Step 5 - Develop your POE (21.A.143)
• Step 6 - Prove Resources & Competence (21.A.145)
• Step 7 - Inspection, testing & conformity processes (21.A.126–21.A.130)
• Step 8 - Define Privileges sought (21.A.163)
• Step 9 - Understand Obligations (21.A.165) and Validity (21.A.159)
• Step 10 - Approval & Terms of Approval (21.A.151)
• Step 11 - Manage changes (21.A.147 / 21.A.148 / 21.A.153)

Typical issues & challenges (and how to avoid them)

>> Design link gaps

>> Form 1 eligibility mistakes

>> Supplier control & traceability

>> Non-conformances & concessions

>> Keeping the approval valid

>> Best-practice blueprint (what great looks like)

To learn more on the topic: Join Mr. Steven Bentley, CEO of Sofema, speaker, on Tuesday, 10th February, to clarify your path to approval and ensure your organisation is built on a solid, compliant foundation.

Register here

About Sofema

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) and Sofema Online (SOL) deliver high-level regulatory training. Over the years, we have helped thousands of aviation professionals gain a deep understanding of both the regulatory environment and competence-building vocational training. We have issued over 100,000 course completion certificates to our delegates. Explore over 1,000 Classroom & Online Training Courses Currently Available.