AMC-ELA No 2 to 21.A.143(a)(13) Exposition – Policies and procedures related to flight test    

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 1

For companies to which AMC-ELA No 1 to 21.A.143(a)(13) is not appropriate, the POA may implement policies and procedures for conducting these activities that include a proportionate and efficient risk and safety management system. This approach is documented either within a separate FTOM or as an integral part of any other valid manual of the organisation, such as the company manual, or any other relevant quality manual. The FTOM, or its equivalent, should be proportionate to the complexity of the aircraft and the organisation.

The risk and safety management system, documented within the FTOM, or its equivalent, covers the following aspects:

1. The definition of the key qualifications, responsibilities and accountabilities for the staff involved in conducting the flight test, and should cover at least:

    — The Head of Flight Test (HoFT), who coordinates all the activities related to flight test, and who assumes the responsibility for flight testing (which can be shared with other management positions within the PO);

    — The Flight Test Engineer, who manages the individual flight tests (or campaigns);

    — The Test Pilot, who conducts any flight tests; and

    — The Flight Test Mechanic, who conducts all the maintenance tasks and makes all the configuration changes to the test aircraft.

One person who has adequate qualifications may act in more than one role. The HoFT should have a direct reporting line to the AM.

2. A method that provides practical guidance to conduct a hazard assessment to classify flight tests according to the risks involved. At least two categories should be identified:

    — Category 1: for high-risk flight tests; and

    — Category 2: for medium- and low-risk flight tests.

3. Definitions of generic risk mitigation strategies, such as the use of minimum and maximum altitudes or airspeed safety margins, and safety rules to be obeyed for the typical major test phases and missions.

4. The identification of the aircraft-related safety equipment that needs to be available, including references to the maintenance requirements of this equipment.

5. The policy on how to alert and involve rescue services, such as the fire brigade or emergency physicians, in order to provide sufficiently short reaction times.

6. Crew qualifications, including requirements for their qualifications to be current and crew (refresher) training, as required.

7. For aircraft with MTOMs of 2 000 kg or more:

    — the provisions of Appendix XII to Part-21 apply;

    — the minimum flight experience per year should be:

      — for pilots: 50 hours. In addition:

        — for pilots who have flight test ratings, the 50 hours should include 20 flight test hours in any flight test category;

        — for pilots to perform Category 3 flight tests, their flight test experience should be expressed in terms of the number of flights that led to the issuing of a certificate of airworthiness (CofA) (e.g. first flights);

        — for pilots to perform Category 4 flight tests, their minimum flight test experience should be proportionate to the activity envisaged.

8. Crew composition and duty time limitations that are adequate for the kind of testing and the risk category of the flight tests conducted by the POA.

The procedural aspects, documented within the FTOM, or its equivalent, should cover the following aspects:

9. The initiation and planning of a flight test activity, including, for example, but not limited to:

    — hazard analysis;

    — detailed flight test planning;

    — the generation and approval of flight conditions;

    — the definition and verification of the test-aircraft configuration;

    — the preparation of the aircraft;

    — the integration, calibration and verification of any flight test equipment;

    — verification of the fitness of the aircraft for flight;

    — issuing or obtaining a PtF;

    — the preflight briefing, and conducting the flight test; and

    — debriefing and data reporting.

10. The identification of all the documents and records that are required to be generated or maintained in relation to the flight test, including the definitions for the authority to sign.

11. Identification of how training for flight tests is organised.

The definition of the methods required may be provided in different ways including but not limited to flow charts, process descriptions, forms that are detailed enough to enforce adherence to the required workflow, workflow implementation in IT-based ERP systems, or similar means.

The implementation of the standard FTOM, including its associated process definitions and forms, ensures that there will be adherence to this AMC, and hence that there will be compliance with the relevant requirements of Part-21.

Any flight tests that are subcontracted to a third party should comply with the FTOM of the POA, unless the third party has established an FTOM that is in compliance with Part-21, and its use has been agreed between the two organisations.