In accordance with Regulation (EC) 2042/2003, all EASA aircraft types that qualify for an EASA Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) are issued with a non-expiring CofA, validated annually with an Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). This annual validation will be either the issue of a new ARC or an Extension of the validity of the current ARC.

Ready to Issue, Extend or Recommend? If you are ready to Issue, Extend or Recommend ARC Issue, you can do so using the CAA's newly revised online service, Touch It Once.

Please note the following changes to the Airworthiness Review Certificate Extension Process in the latest amendment to Part M (ED Decision No 2008/013/R of 12/12/2008), effective from 19th December 2008.

• The anticipation period for extending an Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) is now increased to a maximum of thirty (30) days from the expiry date (previously this was 14 days).

• It is now acceptable to extend the ARC after the expiry date provided the aircraft could not fly since the expiry date of the last ARC. The new expiry date, after the extension, remains one year after the expiry date of the last ARC

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Controlled Environment

An aircraft in a Controlled Environment is one that has been continuously managed by a unique Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) for 12 months prior to ARC expiry. Additionally, all maintenance carried out on the aircraft must have been performed by a suitably approved maintenance organisation.

Please Note: Aircraft not used for Commercial Air Transport may not have their first ARCs extended, even if they have remained under the management of a unique CAMO for the past year. This is currently only available to Commercial Air Transport aircraft as, for them, Part M has been applicable since September 2007. An aircraft must have remained in a Controlled Environment under Part M for 12 months before an ARC may be extended. Since Part M became applicable to Non-Commercial Air Transport from 28 September 2008, only ARCs issued after that date may be extended on expiry (Provided that the aircraft has remained in a Controlled Environment).

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Issues

Issue refers to the first ARC an aircraft has or a new ARC issued on expiry of the old one. A new ARC is issued for an aircraft that has not remained in a Controlled Environment under Part M for 12 months previous to ARC expiry.

Before a new ARC can be issued, the aircraft must have a full airworthiness review in accordance with M.A.710. An airworthiness review may be conducted only by an approved Part M Subpart G organisation with the ARC privilege. A full documented review of the aircraft records and a physical survey of the aircraft will be required in order to ascertain that;

• the airframe, engine and propeller flying hours and associated flight cycles have been properly recorded,

• the flight manual is applicable to the aircraft configuration and reflects the latest revision status,

• all the maintenance due on the aircraft according to the approved maintenance programme has been carried out,

• all known defects have been corrected or, when applicable, carried forward in a controlled manner,

• all applicable airworthiness directives have been applied and properly registered,

• all modifications and repairs applied to the aircraft have been registered and are approved in accordance with Part-21,

• all service life limited components installed on the aircraft are properly identified, registered and have not exceeded their approved service life limit,

• all maintenance has been released in accordance with Part M requirements,

• the current mass and balance statement reflects the configuration of the aircraft and is valid,

• the aircraft complies with the latest revision of its type design approved by EASA.

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Extension

The validity of an ARC may be Extended provided that the aircraft has remained in a Controlled Environment under Part M for 12 months prior to ARC expiry. An ARC may be Extended twice. After this, a new ARC must be issued.

Please Note: Aircraft not used for Commercial Air Transport may not have their first ARCs extended, even if they have remained under the management of a unique CAMO for the past year. This is currently only available to Commercial Air Transport aircraft as, for them, Part M has been applicable since September 2007. An aircraft must have remained in a Controlled Environment under Part M for 12 months before an ARC may be extended. Since Part M became applicable to Non-Commercial Air Transport from 28 September 2008, only ARCs issued after that date may be extended on expiry (Provided that the aircraft has remained in a Controlled Environment).

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Further Information

Who is approved to Issue and Extend ARCs?

What does the aircraft owner or operator need to do to have a new ARC issued or the current ARC Extended?

ARC Issues and Extensions - Process Guidance

CAA guidance document - 'Extension of the CAA Issued ARC - Form 15a'