AMC1 21.A.122 Eligibility

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 40

LINK BETWEEN DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

An ‘arrangement’ is considered suitable if it is documented and satisfies the CAA that coordination is satisfactory.

To achieve satisfactory coordination, the documented arrangements must at least define the following aspects, irrespective of whether the design organisation (DO) and the organisation producing or intending to produce under Part 21, Subpart F are separate legal entities or not:

  1. The responsibilities of a DO which assure correct and timely transfer of up- to-date applicable design data (e.g. drawings, material specifications, dimensional data, processes, surface treatments, shipping conditions, quality requirements, etc.);

  2. The responsibilities and procedures of the production organisation (PO) for receiving, managing, and using the applicable design data provided by the DO;

  3. The responsibilities and procedures of the PO for developing, where applicable, its own manufacturing data in compliance with the applicable design data package;

  4. The responsibilities of the PO to assist the DO in dealing with continuing airworthiness matters and for required actions (e.g. traceability of parts in case of direct delivery to users, retrofitting of modifications, traceability of processes’ outputs and approved deviations for individual parts as applicable, technical information and assistance, etc.);

  5. The scope of the arrangements covering Subpart F requirements, in particular, points 21.A.126(a)(4), 21.A.129(d), and 21.A.3A, and any associated GM or AMC;

  6. The responsibilities of the PO, in the case of products prior to type certification, to assist a DO in demonstrating compliance with the CS (access and suitability of production and test facilities for manufacturing and testing of prototype models and test specimen);

  7. The procedures to deal adequately with production deviations and non-conforming parts;

  8. The means to achieve adequate configuration control of manufactured parts, to enable the PO to make the final determination and identification for conformity or airworthiness release and eligibility status;

  9. The identification of responsible persons that control the above; and

  10. The acknowledgment by the holder of the TC/STC/repair or change approval/UKTSO authorisation that the approved design data that is provided, controlled and modified in accordance with the arrangement is recognised as approved.

In many cases, the person producing or intending to produce under Part 21, Subpart F may receive the approved design data through an intermediate PO. This is acceptable, provided that an effective link between the design approval holder (DAH) and the PO can be maintained to satisfy the intent of point 21.A.122.

When the DO and the PO are two separate legal entities, a direct delivery authorisation should be available for direct delivery to end users in order to guarantee continued airworthiness control of the released parts and appliances.

Where there is no general agreement for a direct delivery authorisation, specific permissions may be granted (see AMC 21.A.4).