CAR – M (Issue II, 20 Jan 2017)

SUBPART A – GENEARAL
 Rule 50A of A/c rules specify the condition for C of A to remain in force.
 CAR M is applicable to all operator of Indian register A/c irrespective of whether such a/c is maintained by
their own organization or by other approved maintenance organization.
 CAR M is issued under provision of rule 133A.
 DGCA shall be the competent authority.
 Maintenance Programmes is approved by DGCA.

SUBPART B - ACCOUNTABILITY
 The owner is responsible for continuing airworthiness of a/c. When the a/c is leased, the responsibility is
transferred to the lessee.
 The pre-flight inspection is carried out by PIC (Pilot-In-Command) in case of non-scheduled operator or any
qualified authorized person of scheduled operator.
 The performance of ground de-icing and anti-icing does not required CAR 145 approval.
 The operator should only sub-contract to organization which are specified by DGCA in AOC (Air Operator
Certificate) or CA Form 14 (Approval Certificate)
 Commercial ATO: It refer to flying training organization certified in accordance with DGCA regulations which
operate a/c for commercial purpose in order to provide Flight Crew License (FCL) training courses.
 Occurrence Reporting: Owner or operator who responsible for continuing airworthiness of a/c shall report to
DGCA of any identified condition of a/c or component which endanger flight safety.
 Report is made as soon as possible within 72 hours from the time when condition identified.
 Accountable person in organization ensure that manufacturer of a/c receives report of occurrence of a/c.

SUBPART C - CONTINUING AIRWORTHINESS

 Continuing Airworthiness Task: Task such as oil and hydraulic fluid uplift and tyre inflation may be considered
as a part of pre-flight inspection.
 In CAT, an operator hire a person responsible for pre-flight inspection and should demonstrate to DGCA that
person received appropriate training for the per-flight inspection. The training standard for personnel is given
in operator continuing airworthiness management exposition.
 Whenever possible, deferred defect should be known to the pilot/flight crew prior to their arrival at the a/c.
 Non-mandatory information such as service bulletins, service letters and other information that is produced
for a/c and its component by an approved design organization, manufacturer or DGCA.
 The owner or CAMO have a system to ensure that all a/c maintenance checks are performed within time limit
prescribed by the approved a/c maintenance programme. Whenever a maintenance check cannot be carried
out within the required time limit, its postponement is allowed in accordance with a procedure agreed by
DGCA.
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 A/c Maintenance Programme: Maintenance of each a/c shall be organized in accordance with an a/c
maintenance programme.
 The a/c maintenance programme and any amendment shall be approved by DGCA.
 When continuing airworthiness of a/c is managed by CAMO, the a/c maintenance programme and its
amendment may be approved through indirect approval procedure. In that case, the indirect approval
procedure shall be established by CAMO as a part of CAME (Continuing Airworthiness Management
Exposition) and shall be approved by DGCA.
 The a/c maintenance programme shall contain details (including frequency) of all maintenance to be carried
out, including any specific task.
 For complex motor powered a/c (Large a/c), when maintenance programme is based on maintenance steering
group logic or on condition monitoring, the a/c maintenance programme shall include a reliability programme.
 The maintenance programme details should be reviewed at least annually (once in a year).
 Reliability programme should only be develop for large a/c.
 The purpose of reliability programme is to ensure that the a/c maintenance programme task are effective and
their periodicity is adequate.
 Data for Modification and Repair: Damaged shall be assessed & modification and repair carried out using;
a) Data approved by DGCA
b) By an approved CAR 21 design organization
 Procedure for modification and repair is given in AAC No. 2 of 2013.
 A/c continuing airworthiness record system: Entry should be made as soon as practical but not later than 30
days after day of maintenance action.
 Authorized Release Document – CA Form 1/ EASA Form 1/ FAA 8130.
 Owner/ Operator ensure that the record should kept as specified period:
1) Maintenance record for a/c and service life limited component – Superseded by new but not less than 36
months after a/c release to service.
2) Total time in service (hours, landing cycles) of a/c and life limited component – at least 12 months after a/c
permanently withdrawn from use.
3) Time in service from last scheduled maintenance – at least superseded by new document.
4) Current status of AD’s – at least 12 months after a/c permanently withdrawn from service.
5) Current modification and repair – at least 12 months after permanently withdrawn from use.
 Term “Service life-limited component”;
1) Component subject to certified life limit after which the component should be retired
2) Component subject to service life limit after which the component should undergo maintenance to restore
their serviceability.
 The owner/ operator is responsible for retention of a/c record. If they cease their responsibility to other
person, also they will responsible for transferring of such records.
 The record system should be in paper form (robust material), computer database or combination of both.
Record stored in microfilm or optical disc form are also acceptable.
 The computer system should have at least one backup system, which should updated at least within 24 hours
from any maintenance.

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 If record is lost, reconstruction of record is done on basis of other document and still the record is incomplete,
owner/ operator make a statement in new record describe the loss. The reconstructed record is submitted to
DGCA for acceptance.
 Operator technical log system: For CAT in addition to a/c record as above, an operator use a/c technical log
system contains the information;
1) Information about each flight
2) Current a/c CRS
3) Maintenance statement contains maintenance status and net due maintenance. It is kept in operators
engineering office
4) All deferred defect rectification
 A/c log system and their amendment is approved by DGCA. An operator retain a/c technical log for 36 months
from the date of last entry.
 An a/c technical log shall contain 5 sections:
Section 1 - A/c and operator information such registration mark of a/c, name and address of operator.
Section 2 – Maintenance record such as next maintenance due, current CRS
Section 3 – Operation of a/c such as time of takeoff and landing, total flying hours, preflight inspection
signature. This section is made in 2 copy (one copy in a/c and other in ground until a/c complete its flight)
Section 4 – Deferred defect
Section 5 – Information for a/c commander such as how to contact maintenance engineer.

SUBPART D – MAINTENANCE STANDARDS

 Maintenance Data: Maintenance data are documents as any information issued by DGCA, AD’s, Instruction
issued by TC holder.
 The data should be available in the close proximity of a/c or component being maintained for mechanic and
certifying staff to perform maintenance.
 For lengthy maintenance task that cause changing of maintenance personnel, it must use supplementary work
card or worksheets to identify what work has actually done.
 Performance of Maintenance: The person not authorized to issue CRS should work under the supervision of
certifying staff.
 The person doing specialized task such as welding must possesses C of C (Certificate of Competency)
 Independent inspection should be carry out by at least TWO person. The technical record contains the
signature of both person before CRS is issued.
 Independent inspection is an inspection made by authorized person signing the CRS & having full responsibility
of work done. The second person is not issuing CRS & therefore not require to hold license but suitably
qualified to carry out inspection.
 A/c Defect: Only authorized certifying staff decide whether a/c defect is rectified before flight or deferred for
later rectification. The defect not rectified before flight shall be recorded in a/c technical log or a/c
maintenance record system.
 The deferred defect should be known to pilot before their arrival to a/c.

SUBPART E - COMPONENTS
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 Installation: No component is installed on a/c unless it possess certificate on CA form 1 and mark according to
CAR 21 Subpart Q.
 Raw or consumable material shall only be use on a/c or component when a/c or component manufacturer
states in maintenance data. Such material must accompanied with documentation.
 Tape is use to cover electrical connection or fluid fittings/openings because adhesive residues can insulate
electrical connection and contaminate hydraulic or fuel units.
 Component Maintenance: It is not eligible to issue CA form 1 for component that is removed from a/c and
installed after performing maintenance on it.
 Maintenance of engine/ auxiliary power unit (APU) is performed by B rated organization.
 Component removal and installed on a/c is considered as a/c maintenance and not component maintenance.
 Service Life Limited Component: Installed component shall not exceed service life limit as specified in
maintenance programme and AD.
 Service life limit is express in calendar time, flight hours, landing cycles.
 For Non-CAT other than large a/c, if component is unserviceable may transfer its custody to a/c owner
provided such transfer is reflected in a/c logbook or engine logbook or component logbook.

SUBPART F – MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION

 CAR M Subpart F deals with approval of organization for maintenance of light a/c used for non-commercial
operation.
 An application for issue or variation of maintenance organization approval shall be made in CA Form 2.
 An organization may fabricate a parts for maintenance of a/c in its maintenance facility.
 Organization for fabrication of parts must have procedures include in its maintenance organization manual.
 An approved data for fabrication of parts is approved either by DGCA, TC or STC holder, CAR 21 organization.
 Parts should not be fabricated unless an engineering drawing of item is produced & acceptable to DGCA.
 Maintenance organization manual and its amendments shall be approved by DGCA RAO.
 Minor amendment to manual is indirectly approved provided the amendments are submitted to DGCA LAO at
least 15 days before their effectivity.
 Personnel Requirements: An organization appoint accountable manager who has corporate authority for
ensuring that all maintenance is financed and carried out to standard required by DGCA. A person may be AM
for more than one organization & is not require be knowledgeable on technical matters. It may be CEO.
 Maintenance organization depend on extent of approval should have a/c maintenance manager, workshop
manager are responsible to AM (accountable manager).
 A/c maintenance Manager is responsible to ensure that any maintenance, defect rectification carried out
accordance with design and quality standard.
 Workshop Manager is responsible to ensure that all work on a/c component is carried out to standard.
 A/c maintenance manager or Workshop manager should have knowledge of CAR M, knowledge of
maintenance organization manual, 5 years aviation experience of which at least 3 years should be practical
maintenance experience.
 The organization may temporary sub contract the staff for higher than normally contracted work. Temporary
staff should not issue CRS.
 A personnel carrying specialized task such as welding, NDT, NDI shall hold Certificate of Competency.
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 NDT test are dye penetrant, magnetic particle, eddy current, ultrasonic, radiographic (X ray & gamma ray)
 Boroscope and Coin tapping are non-destructive inspection NDI.
 For repetitive pre-flight airworthiness directives or if a/c operating away from supported location, the
organization may issue “Limited certifying staff authorization” to a/c commander on the basis of flight crew
license after organization satisfy that sufficient practical training has been carried out to require standard.
 The commander hold either ATPL, CPL or equivalent acceptable to DGCA.
 The task carried out and certified by commander are replacement of internal lights, filament, closing of
cowling, refitment of quick access inspection panel, any simple check/ replacement.
 The Limited certifying staff authorization having validity of 12 months subject to satisfactory recurrent
training.
 Certifying Staff: To exercise the privileges of certifying staff, the person must possess AME license issued by
DGCA & having knowledge of a/c rated on his license.
 An organization appoint certifying staff after the assessment of competence and capability of person under
the supervision of another certifying staff.
 When person recruit from another organization and was certifying staff in that organization then written
confirmation from previous organization may require.
 The organization may issue “one off certification authorization” when a/c is grounded away from main base
and there is no certifying staff is available to issue CRS.
 One-off Certification Authorization is issue;
1) To an employee’s of an organization having type qualification on a/c of similar system, OR
2) To any person with not less than 3 years of maintenance experience and holding AME license for such type
of a/c.
 The above must be reported to DGCA within 7 days of issuance of authorization. An organization ensure that
any maintenance that could affect flight safety is re-checked.
 The above requirement is documented in organization exposition.
 Component Certificate of Release to Service: After completion of component maintenance, a component
certificate of release to service is issued in CA Form 1.
 The CA Form 1 contain block: block 14b – Signature, block 11 – stating “Inspected”, block 12 – Remark Column
 Maintenance Records: The approved maintenance organization shall provide a copy of each certificate of
release to service to the a/c owner.
 Organization should retain a copy of all maintenance records and any associated data for 3 years from the
date of a/c release to service.
 When organization terminates its operation, all maintenance record of last 3 years shall be distributed to last
owner or customer of respective a/c.
 Validity of approval: Subpart F Maintenance Organization approval shall be valid for Max period of 5 years.
 Findings:
 Level 1 finding is any non-compliance with CAR M requirement which lower the safety standard and hazards
seriously the flight safety.
 Level 2 finding is any which lower the safety standard and possibly hazards the flight safety.
 Corrective action is taken for level 1 finding is within 7 days & for level 2 finding within 30 days.

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 SUBPART G – CONTINUING AIRWORTHINESS MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION
 An application for issue or extension of CAMO approval shall be made on CA Form 2.
 The approval of CAMO is indicated on CA Form 14 Approval Certificate.
 The scope of work of CAMO is specified in CAME (Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition).
 The CAME and its amendments is approved by DGCA.
 The operator may use EDP (Electronic Data Processing) for publication of CAME.
 Personnel Requirements: For CAT (Commercial Air Transport), the accountable manager is a person of
corporate authority to ensure that all operation of operator can be financed and carried out to standard
require for the issue of AOC (Air Operator’s Certificate)
 The actual number of person employed & their necessary qualification is depends on “Task to be performed”,
“Size and complexity of organization”, & “Amount and complexity of maintenance Contracting”.
 Nominated person or a group of such person should have:
1) Comprehensive knowledge of AOC holder operation specification, operations manual.
2) Knowledge of Quality system.
3) 5 years relevant work experience of which at least 2 years should be from aeronautical industry.
4) Engineering degree or a/c maintenance technician qualification.
5) Knowledge of organization CAME.
 For CAT, accountable manager nominate a Post Holder (i.e. QCM) is responsible for management and
supervision of activities in CAMO. DGCA accept post holder if employed from CAR 145 organization.
 Airworthiness Review Staff: An appropriate license in compliance with CAR 66 category B1 in subcategory of
a/c reviewed or Cat B2 or C license. A review staff should not issue CRS.
 For a/c used in CAT & having MTOM of above 2730 kg except balloons, the staff should acquire;
1) At least 5 years of experience in continuing airworthiness
2) Appropriate AME license or aeronautical degree
3) Formal aeronautical maintenance training
4) Position in approved organization with appropriate responsibilities.
5) Not satisfy the above, requirement given in 2) is replaced by 5 years of experience in continuing
airworthiness in addition to 1).
 For a/c not used in CAT & having MTOM of 2730 kg or below and balloons, the staff should acquire;
1) At least 3 years of experience in continuing airworthiness.
2) Appropriate AME license or aeronautical degree
3) Formal aeronautical maintenance training
4) Position in approved organization with appropriate responsibilities.
5) Not satisfy the above, requirement given in 2) is replaced by 4 years of experience in continuing
airworthiness in addition to 1).
 Airworthiness Review Staff nominated by approved CAMO can only issue an authorization by CAMO when
accepted by DGCA in CA Form 4 after satisfactory completion of review under supervision of DGCA.
 To keep the validity of review staff authorization, the review staff should have either;
1) Involved in continuing airworthiness management activities for at least 6 months in every 2 years, OR
2) Conducted at least one review in last 12 months.
 If not satisfy the requirement for validity, the review staff should conduct review under supervision of DGCA at
satisfactory level.
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 The CAMO should retain the record of Review Staff for 2 years after they left the organization.
 Continuing Airworthiness Management: CAT should have maintenance programme and Non-CAT have
reliability programme. For Non-CAT, the copy of maintenance programme is provided to the owner of the a/c.
 For CAT, if operator is not approved under CAR 145, the operator may have written contract with such an
organization.
 A/c base maintenance, scheduled line maintenance and engine maintenance contract shall be accepted to
DGCA.
 If a/c require unscheduled line maintenance, the contract is in the form of Work Order.
 The list of CAR 145 contractor or the reference of the list should be included in CAME.
 The maintenance contract is not necessary when the maintenance is based on one time work order (only for
particular one time maintenance).
 Documentation: For Non CAT, the CAMO may develop “baseline” and/ or “generic” maintenance programme
for initial approval.
 Baseline maintenance programme is develop for particular a/c type and generic maintenance programme
develop for a group of similar types of a/c. Both are not applicable for a single a/c.
 Airworthiness Review: Review of a/c is carried by, Document review and Physical survey of a/c.
 A full document review of a/c records carried out by CAMO. The CAMO should develop procedures for the
airworthiness review staff to produce a compliance report that confirm the a/c is review and found in
compliance with CAR M.
 The review staff of CAMO shall carry out physical survey of a/c. If review staff are not appropriately approved
to licensing requirements shall be assisted by such qualified person.
 Airworthiness review is anticipated by max of 90 days without loss of continuity of the review. For example; if
review is done on 31 July 2016 & next due is 31 July 2017 but may be carried out by up to 30 Oct 2017.
 A copy of both physical inspection and document review compliance report is sent to DGCA along with CA
Form 15.
 A copy of airworthiness review certificate issued for an a/c shall be sent to state of registry (DGCA) within 10
days.
 Airworthiness review task shall not be sub-contracted.
 If the outcome of review is inconclusive, DGCA shall be informed.
 Privileges of the organization: The task to be managed by CAMO is given in;
1) For Non CAT – Approval certificate
2) For CAT – AOC and Approval certificate
 It is not necessary for organization to carry out airworthiness review. It can be contracted to another approved
organization. In such case, review is carried out every year and ARC issued by DGCA.
 Quality System: The QS shall monitor organization activities includes the functions;
1) Monitor that the organization task is performed in accordance with approved procedures
2) Monitor that all contracted maintenance is carried according to the contract
3) Monitor the continued compliance with this CAR.
 The record of above activities is stored for at least 2 years.
 In large organization, the accountable manager should held a meeting with senior staff at least twice per year
to review for overall performance and receiving at least a Half yearly summary report on findings of non-
compliance.
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 The primary objective of QS is to enable CAMO to ensure the airworthy a/c & to remain in compliance to this
CAR.
 An essential element of quality system is the Independent Audit.
 If there is no safety related findings, the audit time period is increased by 100 % if agree by DGCA.
 For small organization managing Non CAT, the QS is replaced by regular organizational review subject to
approval of DGCA.
 A small organization is an organization with up to 5 full time staff
 Changes to CAMO should be notify to DGCA at the earliest opportunity.
 Record Keeping: The copy of each airworthiness review certificate and recommendation issued is retain for 2
years after a/c is permanently withdrawn from use.
 When CAMO terminates its operation, the retained records shall be transferred to the owner of the a/c.
 Continued Validity of Approval: An approval to CAMO shall be issued for maximum period of 5 years.

SUBPART H – CERRTIFICATE OF RELEASE TO SERVICE (CRS)

 A/c Certificate of release to Service: No a/c is released to service unless a CRS is issued at the completion of
any maintenance.
 For unforeseen case, when a/c is grounded where no approved maintenance organization is available, the
owner may authorize any person with not less than 3 years of maintenance experience and holding proper
qualification.
 The a/c is rechecked and release by an authorized person by subpart F of CAR M or CAR 145 organization at
the earliest opportunity but within a period not exceeding 7 days.
 When maintenance of a/c cannot be completed, CRS may be issued within in the approved a/c limitation.
 A CRS shall not issue in case of any known non-compliance which endanger flight safety.
 Component CRS shall be issue on CA Form 1.
 When organization carried a maintenance on component and used on his own, then CA Form 1 is not
required.
 Pilot Owner Authorization: For light a/c use in non-CAT, to qualify for pilot-owner, the person must;
1) Hold a valid pilot license issued by DGCA for a/c type rated or class rated; and
2) Own the a/c, either a sole or joint, the owner must be;
(a) One of the natural person on the registration form; or
(b) Member of non-profit recreational legal entity
 The scope of limited pilot-owner authorization is specified in A/c Maintenance Programme.
 The CRS shall be entered in the logbook and contain basic details of maintenance carried out, date of
maintenance, maintenance data used, signature & pilot license number issuing certificate.

SUBPART I – AIRWORTHINESS REVIEW CERTIFICATE (ARC)

 A/c Airworthiness Review: To ensure the validity of C of A, an airworthiness review of the a/c is carried out
periodically.
 An airworthiness certificate is issued on CA Form 15a or 15b on completion of the review. CA Form 15a is
issued by DGCA while CA Form 15b is issued by CAR M Subpart G organization (CAMO).
 The ARC is valid for 1 year.
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 An a/c is in controlled enviornment if continuously managed during last 12 months by CAMO, CAR M Subpart F
and CAR 145 organization.
 For a/c use in CAT and having MTOM of above 2730 kg except balloons are in a controlled enviornment, the
organization (CAR 145, CAR M Subpart- F or G) issue ARC. For ARC issued, the a/c in controlled enviornment,
extend twice the validity of ARC for a period of one year each time.
 For a/c use in CAT and having MTOM of above 2730 kg except balloon are not in controlled enviornment, the
organization (CAR 145, CAR M Subpart – F & G) not hold the privileges to issue CRS, the ARC is issued by DGCA.
 For a/c not use in CAT and having MTOM of 2730 kg or below including balloon, the organization issue ARC.
For ARC issued under controlled enviornment may extend twice the validity of ARC for a period of 1 year each
time.
 DGCA shall not be issued ARC for more than two consecutive years.
 Whenever circumstances reveal the existence of a potential safety threat DGCA shall carry out the
airworthiness review and issue ARC on CA Form 15a.
 DGCA may also issue ARC in the following cases;
1) If a/c managed by CAMO located outside of India;
2) For balloons and any other a/c of 2730 kg MTOM and below, if requested by owner;
 It is acceptable to anticipate the extension of ARC by maximum of 30 days without loss of continuity of
airworthiness review pattern.
 If a/c ARC is expired and require extension;
1) The a/c could not fly until the ARC is extended; and
2) The new expiration date (after extension) is set 1 year after the previous expiration date (not 1 year after
extension is performed).
 Upon surrender or revocation, the ARC shall be returned to DGCA.
 In case of leased a/c, the period of validity of ARC shall be restricted to the date of validity of C of R.
 If a/c registration is transferred to India, the ARC remains valid until its expiry date.
 Airworthiness Review of A/c Imported into India: If a/c imported in India, the person;
1) Apply to DGCA for issuance of new C of A;
2) For a/c other than new, required airworthiness review;
 The person should inform DGCA at least 10 working days in advance of the time and location of airworthiness
review.
 If require airworthiness review by DGCA should be requested to DGCA with a 30 day notice.

Written by,

Davindarsingh Punjabi

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