Airworthiness Engineering Organizations AEOs

Part 2 ✈ Chapter 2 - Airworthiness Audit Policy and Procedures Page 37 Part 1 - Civil Aviation Audit Policy and Procedures MRA – 1st Edition September 1998 2 An AEO must submit for Civil Aviation approval a design approval procedures manual DAPM, which provides a complete framework within which the AEO exercises their authority. This DAPM is the primary document for assessing compliance during Civil Aviation audits.

2.3.4 Design Approval Organizations DAOs

1 Design approval organisations DAOs are engineering corporations, approved by Civil Aviation, engaged in the design, modification or repair of aeronautical products. This category of delegation is typically associated with design organisations of aeronautical-product manufacturers, repair and overhaul facilities, or consulting engineering firms. A DAO employs individuals qualified to make findings of compliance with airworthiness standards within the limits of authority granted. 2 A DAO must submit for Civil Aviation approval a DAPM, which provides a complete framework within which the DAO exercises their authority. This DAPM is the primary document for assessing compliance during Civil Aviation audits.

2.3.5 Manufacturers

1 These organisations are approved by Civil Aviation to make or assemble aeronautical products. The manufacturers of these products submit a quality control manual for Civil Aviation approval. 2 The manual describes their organisation, method of operation and system for controlling product quality. This manual, once approved, is the primary document referenced by Civil Aviation when these types of organisations are audited.

2.3.6 Distributors

Distributors are organisations with ministerial approval to recertify and distribute aeronautical products that have previously been certified by the manufacturer. Companies engaged in these types of operations must describe their method of control in a product control system manual PCSM. This manual, once approved by Civil Aviation, serves as the primary standard for the regulatory audit. The checklists included in this part reflect that standard. Page 38 Part 2 ✈ Chapter 3 - Checklists MRA – 1st Edition September 1998 Part 2 ✈ Chapter 2 - Airworthiness Audit Policy and Procedures

Chapter 3 Checklists

3.1 Purpose

Audit checklists have been developed that reflect the standards to be applied in the area being reviewed. To detect a non-conformance, the auditor must follow a guideline reflecting that standard. The checklists tell the audit team what “should” be happening and their observations tell them what is happening. A gap between the two generally indicates a non-conformance.

3.1.1 Requirements

The audit checklists must: a be used when a process, procedure or program is monitored; b be updated to reflect the latest revision; c be completed; d be initialled by the auditor team member responsible for that checklist area; e get the auditor started, keep him or her on track, and confirm completion; and f be as flexible as necessary so that questions may be added and specific situations supported.

3.1.2 Caution

If used correctly, audit checklists can be an extremely valuable auditing tool. However, if handled incorrectly, they can ruin a good audit. When referring to a checklist item, the auditor must record his or her findings opposite the area under review.

3.1.3 Checklist as a Framework

The checklists are not exhaustive but do provide a consensus approach to auditing a function. For this reason, inspectors are encouraged to review the lists and add to their content when necessary.