IATA Aircraft Lease Guidance

Delivery
importing states recognize that a TC does not necessarily represent all design aspects, as some may
have been introduced by means of an STC. For certifying and accepting both modification and repairs,
the difference between whether the modification or repair is minor or major means certification,
validation or blind acceptance by the state of import. For some states, the import procedures of
modifications and repairs are defined in the binding bilateral agreement between the importing and
exporting state (see 3.3).
3.3.3 Airworthiness Certification
Airworthiness certification has two main functions: certifying that a new or used product meets the relevant
design standards and certifying that a used product has been properly maintained. For products, particularly
aircraft, the formal document attesting airworthiness is the CoA. To assist the international transfer of aircraft,
many states use an export CoA. Parts and components not installed in the aircraft are certified by an
airworthiness approval tag.
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Certificate of Airworthiness (CoA)
The CoA proves the airworthiness status of the aircraft. As part of applying for a CoA, the owner or holder
of the aircraft needs to submit documents and records. In some states, submission of documents and
records in electronic form is accepted, while other states require them to be submitted on paper. In
addition to the documents and records and their evaluation, states typically also require a physical
inspection of the aircraft when the aircraft is imported. This inspection is done by either a state inspector
or an approved organization. In some states, a check or demonstration flight is part of this initial physical
inspection. Some states require a maintenance check before they issue a CoA, even if a maintenance
check was just carried out in the state of export. The European Union Member States issue, in addition to
the CoA, an Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). This certificate allows the free movement of aircraft
because the ARC is accepted by all EASA member states. The ARC needs to be renewed on a regular
basis by means of an airworthiness inspection.
Export CoA
The Export CoA is a document used between states. It is generally used for the delivery of new aircraft to
states other than the state of manufacture, and the transfer of used aircraft. The United States, and states
that have adopted the US aviation regulatory system, have regulated the issue of export CoA. The
European Union has not issued such regulations. Some EU members have local requirements for this
process, others do not. The EASA recommends its member states to accept either an export CoA or a
recent CoA.
Airworthiness Approval Tag
For parts and components, the airworthiness certificate is known as an Airworthiness Approval Tag.
These tags are more commonly known as Certificates of Conformity (used only for newly built parts and
components), or Authorized Release Certificates (for used parts and components). The EASA uses Form 1
and the FAA uses Form 8130-3 as the Authorized Release Certificate.
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