Airworthiness

Airworthiness of aircraft has always been considered by ICAO to be a key element in the safety of international civil aviation. This is reflected in the Chicago Convention, which gives particular emphasis to the issuance of Certificates of Airworthiness according to the approved Standards. In order to fulfil their airworthiness responsibilities, build the necessary confidence and integrity, and meet the requirements set forth in the Chicago Convention and in Annexes 6 and 8, it is vital to establish and effective airworthiness system (organization).

The airworthiness inspection system is established according to the level and scope of aviation activity within the State. The essential duties and responsibilities of the airworthiness unit include:

1. Issuance of approvals based on the assessment of aircraft, engines, propellers, and equipment intended to be placed on the registry of Belize;
2. Develop national airworthiness regulations, standards, policy, and guidance;
3. Amend, as appropriate, national airworthiness regulations, policy, and guidance, based on a continual review of the viability and effectiveness of those regulations, policy and guidance. Examining current and new international and foreign airworthiness standards related to continuing airworthiness and determining the need for adoption of critical features of those foreign standards into BCAR requirements ;
4. Recording, reviewing and processing application from aircraft maintenance personnel for issuance, renewal, validation and extension of Licensing- Maintenance engineers;
5. Process applications for grant of Air Operators Certificate, surveying the maintenance facilities including training provisions, organization and quality control procedures of applicants for issuance and renewal of certificate of air operator certificates (AOCs) and making recommendations as appropriate with regard to the applications;
6. Advise DCA on status of maintenance organizations;
7. Monitor workshops for publication, notices and directives, documentation and records; reviewing aircraft and component manufactures ´service bulletins and airworthiness directives issued by foreign airworthiness authorities to determine their applicability to the Belize’s registered aircrafts and directing corrective action where the airworthiness may be affected.
8. Monitor maintenance organization and staffing, equipment and tools stores and technical control function.
9. Monitor standard of maintenance;
10. Aircraft registration and maintain a register of aircraft, keeping the national register of civil aircraft and making information from the register available as and when required;
11. Liaise with Public Works Department on maintenance of government strips;
12. Evaluate accidents, incidents and service difficulties to determine possible unsatisfactory designs or processes; collaborate with Flight Standards Inspector on accident investigation and occurrence reports;
13. Marking maintenance engineers exams and information on results;
14. Certification and approval of initial applications of air operators (airworthiness aspects);
15. Continue inspections and surveillance of certificated air operators (airworthiness aspects);
16. Issuance, reviewing, renewal and processing applications for certificate of airworthiness;
17. Surveying aircraft for issuance, renewal and validation of Certificates of Airworthiness and the subsequent execution of such documents as appropriate;
18. Approvals of modifications and mandatory inspection;
19. Approval and continuing inspection of aircraft maintenance organizations (AMO´s);
20. Approval and continuing inspection of the maintenance aspects of an AOC; and
21. Monitoring and control of mandatory continuing airworthiness information.
22. Perform regular surveillance and audits of industry activities to ensure compliance with airworthiness requirements and associated specifications. This includes:
    1. Ensuring the proper functioning of any delegates or delegation systems;
    2. Evaluating changes to a certificate/approval to ensure continued compliance with the applicable airworthiness requirements;
    3. Coordinating requests for deviations from requirements and specifications, and ensuring adequate treatment for those deviations;
    4. Discovering and assessing industry problems which threaten timely and satisfactory achievement of safety objectives related to BCAR requirements, including issuing recommendations for corrective action; and
    5. Witnessing critical tests performed and approval of testing methods and test reports.
23. Investigate major problems or defects discovered in aeronautical products or parts in service, and determine appropriate corrective action to be taken, when the airworthiness objectives of the BCAR requirements are not being met; and
24. Take enforcement actions, when necessary, to ensure compliance with airworthiness requirements.