IATA Aircraft Lease Guidance

Annex VIII: Airworthiness Directives Guidelines
addition, the EASA has published GM and AMC, which provide additional insights into the regulatory
requirements of the processed compliance (ED Decision 2003/19/RM).
The EASA defines an AD as: “a document issued or adopted by the EASA which mandates actions to be
performed on an aircraft to restore an acceptable level of safety, when evidence shows that the safety level of
this aircraft may otherwise be compromised”.
The rules for applicability are stated in ED Decision 02/2003 – Article 1, where any AD issued by a state of
design for an aircraft imported from a third country, or for an engine, propeller, part, or appliance imported
from a third country and installed on an aircraft registered in an EU Member state, shall apply.
Certain circumstances may prevent an operator or MRO from performing the exact instructions detailed in
the AD. The EASA allows for deviation from the instructions detailed in the AD by means of an AMOC. An
AMOC is an approved deviation from an AD. It is a different way, other than the one specified in an AD, to
address an unsafe condition on products, parts and appliances. An AMOC must provide an acceptable level
of safety, equivalent to the level of safety intended for compliance with the original AD. AMOCs are usually
requested because the utensils (e.g. tools) or specific procedures needed to accomplish an AD are not readily
available for all operators, or an alternative method is more cost effective. Circumstances surrounding the
approval of an AMOC differ for individual airlines, and are therefore evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
AMOCs may be issued in respect of, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
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Alternative modifications
Alternative inspection procedures
Alternative maintenance intervals and/or procedures
Specific operating procedures or limitations
Different tooling available
AD not applicable, due to configuration differences (STCs), etc.
With respect to EASA AMOCs, the regulations stipulate that EASA cannot accept AMOC applications for
aircraft that are not registered in an EU Member State or associated country, as this would be outside of its
jurisdiction, unless the applicant is an EU TC Holder.
As stated in Decision 2004/04/CF Article 4, EASA automatically approves FAA AMOCs when the TC has
been issued by EASA.
2.2 FAA
Operators under FAA jurisdiction are responsible for ensuring that issued ADs are accomplished according
to the applicable regulations as specified in the US Code of Federal Regulations 14 CFR Part 39. Furthermore,
the FAA has issued an AD Manual to provide policy and guidance for the drafting, issuance, and distribution
of ADs for FAA staff (FAA AD Manual IR0M-8040.1C). An AC provides guidance and information to owners
and operators concerning their responsibility for complying with AD and recording AD compliance (FAA AC
39-7D).
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