Introduction to Certification what purpose does each “part” serve?
An Overview by Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com looks at challenges related to Competence Oversight
Concerning CFR
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations and all the following parts are found with the area “14 CFR”
Part 21 is certification procedures for products and parts.
Part 39 are airworthiness directives.
Part 43 is maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration.
Part 145 contains the rules a certificated repair station must follow as well as any person who holds or is required to hold, a repair station certificate issued under this part.
Part 91 is general operating rules for all aircraft. General aviation flights are conducted under this part.
Note – Part 91, Subpart (K) prescribes operating rules for fractional ownership programs.
Part 121 concerns the requirements related to scheduled air carrier (airliners).
Part 135 is a set of rules applicable to commuter and on-demand operations.
Types of 14 CFR 135 Operations
The two basic types of certificates are available to be issued to U.S. applicants
- Air Carrier Certificate
An Air Carrier certificate is issued to an applicant that will conduct interstate, foreign, or overseas transportation, or will carry mail.
- Operating Certificate
An Operating certificate is issued to an applicant that will conduct intrastate transportation, which is transportation that is conducted wholly within the same state of the United States.
Standard Part 135 Introduction
A standard part 135 operator is a certificate holder that does not have pre-set limits on the available size or scope of their operations. The applicant must apply, qualify, and be granted FAA authorization thru Op Specs for each type of operation they wish to conduct. Standard Part 135 operators are required to develop and maintain manuals, training programs, and have the required management positions.
Introduction to Part 121 Air Carrier Certification
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) uses the air carrier certification process to ensure that the applicant, is able to design, document, implement, and audit safety critical processes that do two things:
Comply with regulations and safety standards.
Manage hazard-related risks in your operating environment.
The purpose of the certification process is to ensure an applicant is able to comply with all applicable regulations and safety standards and allows the management of hazard-related risks within the operating system and environment.
The process is designed to preclude the certification of applicants who are unwilling or unable to comply with regulations or to conform to safe operating practices.
Once completed, the certification process provides confidence that the infrastructure (programs, methods, and systems) results in continued compliance and provides for the ability to manage hazard-related risks in your operating systems and environment.
As seen in the regulations and policies, safety is both a priority and a legal responsibility of the FAA.
FAA Safety Management Systems
Advisory Circular (AC 120-92 (PDF)), ‘Introduction to Safety Management Systems for Air Operators’, provides information about the FAA’s philosophy and intent for air carrier oversight.
ICAO requirements that air carriers have a documented and implemented Safety Management System increase the importance of consideration of these programs for the applicant.
Programs such as Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) and the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) play a key role in helping the applicant to establish a Safety Management System.
These programs are the responsibility of the FAA’s Voluntary Safety Programs Branch.
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