Pre-requisites
- Design 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 the relevant National Aviation Authorities (NAA).
Part 21 Subpart J design organisation approval
A Part 21 Subpart J Design Organisation Approval (DOA) is issued when the organisation demonstrates 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 as 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 UKTSOA 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 on this page.
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.
There is further guidance available on how to apply for a BCAR organisation approval.
How do I apply?
To apply for a UK Design Organisation Approval or Alternative Procedures to DOA (ADOA), complete and submit CAA Form - Application for the issue of or a change to a UK Design Organisation Approval (SRG1765).
How much does it cost?
You will need to refer to the Official Record Series 5 CAA Scheme of Charges.
If the number of hours taken by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to carry out its investigations in relation to the application exceeds the cost shown in the Scheme or Charges, the applicant must pay an excess hourly charge.
We will 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, please identify what the payment is for by including your approval reference and receiving department.
What do I need to send with my application?
You will need to provide the following information when sending your application:
An online application form submitted by an Authorised Representative of the Company. CAA Form - Application for the issue of or a change to a UK Design Organisation Approval (SRG1765).
A completed CAA SMS Evaluation Tool V7 (SRG1776).
Completed CAA Form - Details of Nominated Personnel in an Airworthiness Organisation (SRG1769) for required key personnel, in other words, Head of Design Organisation, Head of Airworthiness, Head of Independent Monitoring Function and Safety Manager, (Not applicable to ADOA).
Please ensure that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) policy on fitness of character is fully understood before submission of an application.
A draft copy of the Design Organisation Handbook (DOH)/Manual.
A completed Principal Place of Business Key Facts (SRG1760) 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 can be made online).
What else do I need to know?
The following information provides further guidance:
How long will it take for my application to be processed?
Correctly completed applications will be processed and acknowledged within 10 working days, then passed to the assigned Design Organisation Approval (DOA) Team Leader for investigation.
The DOA Team Leader will conduct their investigation, the timings will vary, according to complexity.
Approval certificates will be processed and dispatched within 20 working days, following receipt of a recommendation from the assigned DOA Team Leader.
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 Design Organisation Approval (DOA) Team Leader 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 DOA Team Leader will conduct an audit against the requirements and raise an audit report detailing any findings.
- The DOA Team Leader 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 DOA Team Leader of the actions taken.
- Once the audit findings relating to the initial application have been closed and when the DOA Team Leader is able to, a recommendation for the issue of the approval will be forwarded to Applications and Approvals (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 once you receive the certificates.
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 - 36 months (unless otherwise agreed) from the date of issue. This is raised by the Design Organisation Approval (DOA) Team Leader following a satisfactory audit programme.
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