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EASA Module 13 study materials
EASA Module 13 study resources

EASA Module 13: Continuing Airworthiness Organisations - Part-CAMO and Part-CAO

EASA Module 13 · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

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Continuing Airworthiness Organisations - Part-CAMO and Part-CAO

This domain covers the two continuing airworthiness organisation approvals in Regulation (EU) 1321/2014: Part-CAMO (Annex Vb) and Part-CAO (Annex Vd), both introduced with Part-ML by Regulation (EU) 2019/1383. The exam tests which approval fits which aircraft, what each organisation must control, and where the boundary with Part-145 lies.

Part-CAMO

  • Required for continuing airworthiness management. The organisation is approved against Annex Vb and works to a Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition (CAME) approved by the competent authority; the CAME is part of the approval, not a separate document.
  • Core functions: control of the maintenance programme, Airworthiness Directive and modification embodiment, defect and deferral control, mass and balance, MEL, and the aircraft continuing airworthiness record system.
  • Personnel: accountable manager, nominated persons for continuing airworthiness management and quality, and airworthiness review staff meeting Part-CAMO criteria.
  • A written contract with the owner or operator (and arrangements with the Part-145 performing maintenance) must allocate responsibilities; the CAMO does not release aircraft to service unless it also holds Part-145 approval.
  • Airworthiness review: a CAMO may perform the review and issue the ARC only where the privilege is in its scope and the staff meet the criteria; otherwise the competent authority does it.

Part-CAO

  • A single approval combining continuing airworthiness management and/or maintenance for eligible aircraft: non-complex motor-powered aircraft not used by licensed air carriers, plus light aircraft within Part-ML.
  • The CAO needs no separate Part-145 approval for aircraft in its scope, but its exposition, quality monitoring, competent staff and records must cover both activities; the approval limits the scope.
  • A CAO with management scope may carry out airworthiness reviews where approved.

Worked example

A flying school operates four Cessna 172s, non-complex and not used by an air carrier, and wants one organisation to manage continuing airworthiness and do the maintenance. Part-CAO fits: one approval can cover both, provided the types are in scope, staff hold Part-66 licences with authorisation, and the exposition covers airworthiness review if ARCs are to be issued. An AOC holder operating ATR 72s cannot use a CAO: it needs Part-CAMO for management and Part-145 for maintenance.

Traps

  • Placing CAT or complex motor-powered aircraft under Part-CAO.
  • Assuming a CAMO approval includes maintenance release.
  • Forgetting the owner/operator contract and CAMO responsibility for the maintenance programme.
  • Believing any CAMO may issue an ARC without the privilege and qualifying staff.
  • Confusing Part-ML (light-aircraft maintenance programme standard) with Part-CAO (organisation approval).