CAR-145 - Approved Maintenance Organisations
What approval means
A CAR-145 approved maintenance organisation (AMO) is an organisation approved by DGCA to perform maintenance and certify it. The core concept is that the organisation holds the approval, and its staff act under it. Candidates must know the scope of approval (aircraft types, component ratings, specialised services such as NDT, welding, non-destructive testing) and that work outside the scope is not permitted.
Learn the required elements: a maintenance organisation exposition (MOE) describing procedures and scope; a quality system with independent audits; personnel requirements including a Accountable Manager and nominated post-holders (quality, maintenance); training and competence records; facilities, tooling and stores; and record keeping with retention periods. Also understand the certificate of release to service (CRS) issued under the organisation's approval, and the requirement for a maintenance findings/occurrence reporting system.
The MOE is the organisation's own rulebook, approved by DGCA. A classic trap is treating the MOE as guidance - it is binding on the organisation once approved. Another trap is confusing the Accountable Manager (corporate authority and resources) with the Quality Manager (independent audit function). A third trap is assuming an AMO can certify any aircraft; approval is always limited to the listed scope.
Worked example / rule of thumb
If a task is not listed in the MOE scope, the organisation cannot perform or certify it, even if a licensed engineer is competent. Approval scope beats personal competence.