Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) considers key aspects of the EASA Part 21 Certification Process

Definitions

Product - shall mean “an aircraft, an engine or a propeller”

Parts - shall mean “any element of a product, as defined by that product's type design”

Appliances - shall mean any “non-installed equipment”, i.e. “any instrument, equipment, mechanism, apparatus, appurtenance, software, or accessory carried on

board of an aircraft by the aircraft operator, which is not a part, and which is used or intended to be used in operating or controlling an aircraft, supports the occupants'

survivability, or which could impact the safe operation of the aircraft”. 

EASA’s compliance verification activities are directly linked to class determination.

The involvement of EASA will follow these guidelines:

• Risk Class 1: No EASA involvement in verifying compliance data and activities performed by the applicant to demonstrate compliance at the CDI level;
• Risk Class 2: EASA’s LOI is typically limited to the review of a small portion of the compliance data; there is either no participation in the compliance activities or participation in a small number of compliance activities (witnessing of tests, audit, etc.);
• Risk Class 3: In addition to the LOI defined for Risk Class 2, EASA’s LOI typically comprises the review of a larger amount of compliance data, as well as participation in some compliance activities (witnessing of tests, audit, etc.); and
• Risk Class 4: In addition to the LOI defined for Risk Class 3, EASA’s LOI typically comprises the review of a large amount of compliance data, the detailed interpretation of test results, and the participation in a large number of compliance activities (witnessing of tests, audit, etc.).

As a basic principle, any product, any part, and any appliance may be certified according to Part 21.

Note - In practice there are limitations.

• Three kinds of elements are actually excluded from the EASA certification and are not considered for approvals according to Part 21 rules, even they are included in the applicable design data and process:

» Standard parts,

» Raw materials and

» Consumable materials.

Regarding Design Organization Approval (DOA) & Product Organization Approval (POA)

The DOA is issued by EASA whereas the POA is generally issued by the NAA on behalf of EASA.

• A Design Organization Handbook (DOH) and/or Product Organization Exposition (POE), must be provided to authorities. The manuals describe

» The general organization of the company on the design and/or product activities,

» Detailing staff sizing, allocation, formation, and general management process in order to comply with aeronautic quality standards.

The DOA Process is related to a Product Type Certification.

Design Organizations shall demonstrate a Design Assurance System (DAS) with the management of all activities including quality control & quality assurance.

• Qualified staff,
• Quality control and
• Organization structure that allows (as well design capability) the ability to demonstrate to the authorities, compliance of their products with the applicable certification specification.

Note - Whilst a Part 21 Subpart J DOA is the normal way to demonstrate design capability, the regulation allows alternative ways to demonstrate the organization's design capability.

The Alternative Procedures to DOA (called APDOA) provides an entry-level opportunity to engage with either simple designs or temporary procedures as a step to being able to meet the full DOA requirements.

Next Steps

Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com and Sofema Online www.sofemaonline.com provide classroom and online EASA Part 21 Training for details please see our websites or email team@sassofia.com

Tags: Design Organisation Approval (DOA), DOA, POA, Production Organisation Approval (POA)