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Design Organisation Approvals

  • Part 21 Subpart J design organisation approval

    A Part 21 Subpart J Design Organisation Approval (DOA) is issued when the organisation demonstrated that it is in compliance with Part 21 Subpart J and the other Subparts applicable to the scope of the DOA. The DOA is required for applicants wishing to design and approve/seek approval for 'Part 21' products (aircraft, engine, propeller) or changes (modifications) or repairs to those products. It is also required for applicants for UKTSO Authorisation of Auxiliary Power Units (APU).

    The Part 21 Subpart J DOA may include privileges to classify and approve certain changes/repairs, approve Flight Conditions and issue Permits to Fly.

    Alternative Procedures to DOA (ADOA)

    This is a simplified design organisation approval. It can be used a derogation to the requirement to hold a Part 21 Subpart J DOA for certain simpler certification projects and is the default design organisation approval necessary for applicants for UK Technical Standard Order Authorisations (UKTSOA), with the exception of UKSTOA for APU.

    The ADOA does not include any privileges, except when issued to support UKTSOA, the ADOA Holder may classify and approve certain minor changes to its approved equipment.

    The process for the application for DOA and ADOA is detailed below.

    BCAR A8-21 Design Organisation Approval

    The BCAR A8-21 design organisation approval is an equivalent to the Part 21 Subpart J DOA. It is required for applicants wishing to design and approve/seek approval for 'Non-Part 21' (or National) products (aircraft, engine, propeller) or changes (modifications) or repairs to those products.

    The BCAR A8-21 design organisation approval may include privileges to classify and approve certain changes/repairs and issue instructions.

  • Guidance on how to apply for a BCAR organisation approval. 

    Please see the following guidance:
    process for Type Certification 
    approval of changes (modifications) and repairs 
    approval of UK Technical Standard Order Authorisations (UKTSOA) 

    Pre-requisites

    • Production organisations should have their principal place of business located in the UK.
    • Organisations with their principal place of business located outside the UK, including the Channel Islands, should apply directly to EASA

    How much does it cost?

    See the Official Record Series 5 CAA Scheme of Charges.

    If the number of hours taken by the CAA to carry out its investigations in relation to the application exceeds the cost shown above, the applicant must pay an excess hourly charge. The CAA shall determine the excess hourly charge by taking the total number of excess hours taken by the CAA to complete the required investigations in relation to the application and multiplying that number of hours by an hourly charge. The balance for the excess hourly charge (total hourly charge less initial charge already paid) is payable by the applicant to the CAA and will be invoiced to the applicant.

    Payments can be made by credit or debit card or by bank transfer or by a cheque made payable to the Civil Aviation Authority.

    When using bank transfer, it would be helpful if you could please identify what the payment is for by including your approval reference and receiving department.

    How long will it take for the application to be processed?

    • Correctly completed applications will be processed, acknowledged and passed to the Regional Office for investigation within 10 working days.
    • Approval certificates will be processed and dispatched within 20 working days following receipt of a recommendation from a CAA Regional Office.

    An automated email receipt for your online application will be returned.

    Same day services

    Same day, special delivery and other customised services are available at an additional cost. This service is on request, which should be made at the time of initial application. Documents are worked to a same day turnaround from receipt of customer request by 11:00 to completion of the processing of the application by 16:30 on the same working day. The customer will be able to collect the documents by 16:30 on the same day or the documents shall be sent by Royal Mail special delivery, where this is included in the service.

    View same day, special and customised delivery charges

    How long is it valid for?

    • Approvals remain valid unless cancelled, suspended or revoked.
    • Once granted an approval requires a recommendation for continuation every 24 months from the date of issue. This is raised by the CAA Surveyor following a satisfactory audit programme.

    What else do I need to know?

    What do I need to include with my application?

    • An online application form submitted by an Authorised Representative of the Company
    • Completed CAA Form 4 for required key personnel i.e. Head of Design Organisation, Chief of the Office of Airworthiness and Chief of the Independent System Monitoring
    • Function. Please ensure that the CAA policy on fitness of character is fully understood before submission of an application.
    • A draft copy of the Design Organisation Handbook (DOH)
    • A completed SRG 1760 form (Principal Place of Business Key Facts form) if your organisation is trading as a registered company.
    • A copy of the company Certificate of Incorporation if your organisation is trading as a registered company.
    • Payment of the relevant fee (this van be made online).

    How do I Apply?

    Complete and submit CAA Form SRG1765 

    What happens next?

    • An automated email receipt following submission of the online application form.
    • An email to confirm your provisional Part 21 approval number - normally within 10 working days.
    • A Technical Support Officer will make an initial assessment of your application and DOH and will contact you with any queries
    • The Resource Management Team will contact you to arrange for a Surveyor to carry out the on-site audit
    • Any questions regarding the scheduling of your on-site visit can be directed to the Resource Management Team at 01293 573600
    • A Surveyor will conduct an audit against the requirements and raise an audit report detailing any findings
    • The Surveyor will review the nominated personnel. Interviews for key personnel may be carried out.
    • If findings have been raised the organisation should address the findings and notify the Surveyor of the actions taken
    • Once the audit findings relating to the initial application have been closed and when the surveyor is able to, a recommendation for the issue of the approval will be forwarded to A&A
    • When A&A receive the recommendation the approval certificates will be raised and sent to your organisation within 20 working days
    • On receipt of the certificates, your organisation can begin undertaking and releasing work work once you receive the certificates. 

  • Significant changes to the Design Organisation Approval as defined in 21.A.247 such as changes to scope or privileges, that would require the re-issue of the approval certificate, will require the submission of CAA Form SRG1765.

     

    The application for the significant change to the approval will follow the process described in 'What happens next?' (above) for an initial application.

     

    Changes to the key personnel in an organisation must be notified to CAA.

    Please ensure that the CAA policy on fitness of character is fully understood before submission of an application.

    You can add or remove/change the details of one or several people, including identifying their role(s) and the types of approval(s) they have responsibility for, by completing the Change of Accountable Manager or Nominated Postholder form. This form caters for all types of approvals. There is no charge for changes of personnel. 

    Please note that for changes of Nominated Postholders, a CAA Form 4 (SRG1705) will need to be completed and attached to the application.

    To help us progress your application, please send a copy of your draft exposition to apply@caa.co.uk or attach/upload the draft exposition to the online application form (where applicable).