List of Abbreviations –
Glossary
This page contains a glossary of all key terms in the aviation industry from the areas of EN 9100, EASA Part 21, 145, and CAMO, as well as the MIL standards DEMAR and legacy procedures.
| Term | Abbreviation | Translation | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 F | Form, Fit, Function, Fatigue | ||
| Acceptable Means of Compliance | AMC | Acceptable Means of Compliance | AMCs are a method for complying with EASA regulations. They are practices for which any non-compliance must be justified to the authority. If the approved operator does not comply with the AMCs, it must demonstrate to the competent authority that the alternatives also ensure compliance with EASA regulations. These alternatives must be developed by the operator and approved by the competent authority. |
| Acceptance Test Procedure | ATP | Documentation on Planning and Conducting Tests | |
| Accountable Manager | ACCM | Operations Manager | A person designated by the approved organization who bears overall responsibility to the authority for compliance with EASA requirements. The accountable manager must be a member of senior management or have the necessary (financial) authority to hire personnel and procure other resources. Upon appointment, the accountable manager must demonstrate his or her competence and awareness to the aviation authority during a personal suitability interview. |
| Advanced Product Quality Planning | APQP | Advanced Product Quality Planning | A standard for advanced quality planning designed to ensure the systematic integration of product and process development from the kick-off of the development project through to the start of series production. It originated in the automotive industry. In the aerospace industry, APQP is typically carried out in accordance with EN 9145. APQP is a component of the Airbus Supplier Requirements (ASR). |
| Advisory Circular | AC | American AMC, i.e., implementation guidelines for U.S. aviation law, issued by the FAA. ACs are separate from the basic FAR regulations. | |
| Advisory Circular Joint | ACJ | Implementation guidelines from the JAR era, i.e., the predecessor to EASA. | |
| AeroImpulse | AI | AeroImpulse | Our Company |
| Airbus Corporate Jet | ACJ | VIP-equipped Airbus jets | |
| Airbus Supplier Requirements | ASR | Operational (Quality) Requirements for the Supply Chain | |
| Aircraft | AC, A/C | Aircraft | |
| Aircraft Communication, Addressing, and Reporting System | ACARS | ACARS is a digital data radio system for transmitting messages between commercial aircraft and ground stations (control centers, air traffic control). Similar to text messages on cell phones, it enables communication with aircraft through the exchange of simple messages. | |
| Airworthiness Review Certificate | ARC | Certificate of Airworthiness | Certificate confirming airworthiness following a comprehensive inspection of the aircraft. After two annual renewals of the airworthiness surveillance, a physical inspection of the aircraft must be conducted in the third year, in addition to a document review. |
| Aircraft Maintenance Manual | AMM | The AMM is the aircraft maintenance manual. The AMM contains descriptions of aircraft systems as well as associated work instructions for installation, removal, fault identification, and overhaul, along with specifications for functional tests and technical adjustments. In addition, it contains information on inspections and maintenance of the aircraft structure. In some cases, the AMM also specifies the materials and equipment to be used. The AMM is tailored to the individual aircraft configuration (MSN level). The structure of the AMM is based on the ATA chapter structure. | |
| Aircraft on the Ground | AOG | Maintenance priority status. A situation in which maintenance must be performed as quickly as possible and any necessary replacement parts must be delivered to the aircraft with the highest procurement priority. The goal is to immediately restore the aircraft to an airworthy condition in order to minimize flight delays and associated costs. | |
| ATA Chapter | The ATA classification system is a classification framework developed by the Air Transport Association of America (ATA) that is used to catalog and organize all components of modern passenger aircraft. Originally intended only for the United States, the ATA structure is now used by nearly all aircraft manufacturers. The ATA structure thus provides a global standard for the basic organization of aircraft documentation, which is also used in some cases for assigning part numbers. The widespread adoption and acceptance of the ATA structure is due in no small part to the fact that the FAA and EASA reference it in their construction regulations. The ATA numbering system serves as the starting point. | ||
| Alternative Method of Compliance | AMOC / AltMOC | AMCs published by EASA are generally considered implementation requirements. Deviations from these are permitted only in justified exceptional cases. An operator may implement measures other than those specified in the AMCs, provided that they offer a comparable level of safety. To this end, the alternative procedure (AltMoC) must be documented in writing, and a risk assessment—e.g., using PFMEA—must be conducted. This information must be submitted to the aviation regulatory authority for approval prior to implementing the alternative measures. | |
| Alternative Procedures for Design Organization Approval | ADOA | A procedure that allows manufacturers to use alternative methods for the standard approval of their design organization. The ADOA approval enables manufacturers to obtain approval for the development and production of aeronautical products without establishing a full Part 21/J-approved organization. This alternative may be appropriate for smaller or less complex projects where the effort and cost of a full DOA are not justified, particularly for ETSO components. However, organizations wishing to use ADOA must still demonstrate that they have adequate procedures and resources in place to ensure the airworthiness and conformity of their products. They must also demonstrate that they have implemented a suitable quality system. | |
| Old Procedures (Bundeswehr) | The old procedure (formerly: 19/1 or 1525) was introduced in the 1950s as the system for testing and certifying aircraft and aviation equipment for the German Armed Forces. The focus for ensuring airworthiness was placed on testing the individual unit (product-oriented approach). In 2019, the old procedure—which had been referred to as the “standard procedure” until then—was replaced by DEMAR as the new standard procedure. The Bundeswehr continues to make targeted use of the old procedure specifically for existing weapon systems. Under certain circumstances, new weapon systems to be introduced may also be certified and/or operated in accordance with the requirements of the old procedure. | ||
| Instructions for Maintaining Airworthiness | ICA | Instructions for Continued Airworthiness | Airworthiness Maintenance Instructions describe the methods, inspections, processes, and procedures required to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft, including their components. They are among the specifications issued by the development organization that are created for the planned maintenance of an aircraft or a component and must be taken into account during maintenance. |
| Base Maintenance | BM | Base Maintenance | Extensive maintenance work performed on the aircraft to restore it to its intended condition, during which the aircraft is temporarily taken out of service. |
| Construction and Equipment Parts | B&A | Parts and Appliances | Structural and equipment parts are components of an aircraft as a whole. The term “structural and equipment parts” is used in EASA Part 21 in the context of development and manufacturing. Similarly, these parts are referred to as “components” in EASA Part 145. |
| Design specifications | CS | Certification Specification | Airworthiness regulations are requirements established by aviation authorities governing the technical design and construction of aircraft. In the EASA region, these are referred to as Certification Specifications (CS); others include the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). In some cases, FAR airworthiness regulations are also used as a basis for demonstrating compliance. |
| Loan (Bundeswehr) | The delegation of sovereign functions to natural or legal persons governed by private law. Section 30a of the Air Traffic Act (LuftVG), in conjunction with the Air Traffic Delegation Ordinance (LuftVGBV), established the possibility of delegating authority to an enterprise or organization. This includes, for example, the release of aircraft and components following maintenance or the classification of modifications during development. The definition of the actions to be delegated, as well as the issuance of decisions, is the responsibility of the delegating authority. | ||
| Airworthiness Review Certificate | ARC | Airworthiness Review Certificate | Aircraft operators must verify the airworthiness of their aircraft at regular intervals. This requires a review of the relevant maintenance records every 12 months, as well as a physical inspection of the aircraft every 3 years. This review is conducted by a CAMO and is referred to as an Airworthiness Review. It is essentially the aircraft’s equivalent of a vehicle inspection. Following the review, confirmation is provided via an ARC (EASA Form 15). |
| Operating Manual | Statement | A document that records the scope of an organization’s approval and demonstrates that EASA requirements are incorporated into the internal QM documentation. | |
| Operating Regulations for Aircraft | Aviation Operating Regulations LuftBO | ||
| Bilateral Safety Agreements | BASA | Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreements (BASA) are treaties binding under international law between the EU and several major aviation nations (Canada, the United States, and Brazil). The purpose of the BASA agreements is to streamline type certification, manufacturing, maintenance, and the operation of aircraft. BASA agreements include, as annexes, the BASA MAG and the BASA, which set forth detailed procedures for cooperation in the field of maintenance as well as the mutual recognition of operating certificates and product certifications. If no BASA agreement exists with a particular country, there is often a smaller-scale alternative in the form of cooperation agreements between aviation authorities. | |
| Boeing Business Jet | BBJ | VIP-equipped Boeing jets | |
| Category (AML License Types A, B, C) | CAT |
Part 66 stipulates that maintenance personnel authorized to release aircraft at a Part 145 organization must hold a personal regulatory certification known as the Aircraft Maintenance License (AML). This is a basic certification for aircraft mechanics (A-rating) issued by the national aviation authority. The requirements for obtaining such an AML include proof of the necessary professional experience at a Part 145 maintenance organization and proof of theoretical training at a Part 147 organization in accordance with Part 66. Category A: Line Maintenance Certifying Mechanic |
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| Certificate of Release to Service | CRS | See the release document | |
| Component Maintenance Manual | CMM | The CMM is the maintenance manual for components. It contains functional descriptions and work instructions for disassembly, cleaning, inspection, maintenance or repair, and reassembly. In addition, the CMM typically provides information on functional tests and compliance. Where necessary, special tools are listed. For more complex components, a separate Illustrated Parts Catalog is included with the CMM. | |
| Computer-Based Training | CBT | Computer-Based Training. | Our e-learning courses. |
| Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization | CAMO |
A CAMO is a specific type of organization authorized under aviation law. A CAMO is responsible for monitoring the ongoing maintenance of airworthiness—that is, ensuring the maintenance management of aircraft. The most important tasks of a CAMO are the development, maintenance, and monitoring of maintenance programs In addition to their obligation to ensure that airworthiness is maintained, CAMOs may apply for the privilege of conducting airworthiness reviews |
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| COTS (Goods) | COTS (Product) | Off-the-Shelf Commercial | Standardized components that are ordered using a part number but are not based on a recognized standard or industry standard. COTS products are typically shipped with a simple certificate of conformity rather than an EASA Form 1. |
| Critical Design Review | CDR | The CDR takes place after the detailed design phase is complete, but before production or construction begins. The goal of the CDR is to review and ensure that all aspects of the design have been finalized (design freeze). | |
| Permanent Flight Authorization (German Armed Forces) | DFF | The Permanent Airworthiness Certificate supplements the Bundeswehr’s two regulatory frameworks: “Old Procedure” and “DEMAR Standard Procedure.” It is applied in exceptional cases when, during type testing, the requirements of the type certification basis and the type test program for certifying the aircraft type cannot be fully met or demonstrated in accordance with the respective regulatory framework. In such cases, the increased risk is weighed against the fulfillment of the military mission. The decision is made by the Inspector General based on the Bundeswehr’s right to grant exemptions (§30 LuftVG). | |
| Declaration of Design & Performance | DDP | Confirmation regarding construction and | |
| Performance Characteristics, Especially for ETSO Components | |||
| DEMAR Alliance | DA | Our project to offer consulting and training on Demar. In collaboration with CQC Aviation. | |
| Demar Wiki | DW | Demar Wiki, see DA | |
| Design Assurance Level | DAL | Classification of an aircraft’s risk class based on the potential extent of damage. Safety measures must be derived based on the risk classification. A distinction is made between DAL Levels A through E, where DAL A = Catastrophic; DAL B = Hazardous/Severe Major; DAL C = Major; DAL D = Minor; and DAL E = No Safety Impact. Details are specified in FAA AC 25.1309-1A, p. 4, including DAL E in accordance with AMJ 25.1309. | |
| Design Organization Exposition | DOE | Development Operations Manual | Development Operations Manual for Approved Organizations under EASA Part 21/J |
| German Military Airworthiness Requirements | DEMAR | German Military Airworthiness Requirements | Standard procedures for the certification of aviation maintenance organizations (Part 21/J, Part 21/G, Part 145, M / CAMO, and Part 147, analogous to the civil EASA Parts). The German Military Airworthiness Requirements (DEMAR), as a separate regulatory framework, constitute the German implementation of the European Military Airworthiness Requirements (EMAR) harmonized within the framework of the MAWA Forum. The EMAR are based on the EU’s requirements for civil aviation. |
| German Institute for Standardization | DIN | Publishing Organization for German DIN Standards | |
| German Military Component Certification | DEMPA | German Military Part Approval | The DEMPA is equivalent to the civilian EPA designation. Such approval is required when an approved manufacturing facility produces a component based on a drawing provided by a development facility, and that development facility is not a TC holder. |
| German Military Technical Standard Certification | DEMTSO Section | German Military Technical Standard Order | A German Military Technical Standard Approval certifies an aviation standard and authorizes the use of onboard equipment or auxiliary equipment manufactured in accordance with that standard in aviation, regardless of the aircraft model. Its purpose is to certify that equipment complies with the required aviation standard. |
| Service Provider | Service Provider | Service providers perform work on the product or in its immediate vicinity, but do not make any changes to the parts. Typical examples include calibrations, non-destructive testing (NDT), and logistics tasks. Training providers also fall under the category of service providers. | |
| DO / PO Arrangement | Design Organization (DO)/Production Organization (PO) Agreement | Development and production organizations must establish a coordinated and documented framework for their collaboration. A Part 21/G organization therefore requires a commitment of support from the type certificate (TC) or supplemental type certificate (STC) holder—that is, the responsible Part 21/J development organization—for its production activities. This is accomplished through a DO/PO arrangement (Design Organization/Production Organization). The purpose of such an agreement is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the products. Details regarding the DO/PO arrangement are specified in Part 21/G 21.A.133. | |
| EASA | EASA | European Union Aviation Safety Agency, European Aviation Safety Agency | |
| EASA Form 1 | EASA Form 1 | A form issued by EASA for the purpose of certifying the airworthiness of new parts/components by the manufacturer, or of maintenance work performed on used components. EASA Form 1 is therefore the release document for parts under EASA Part 21/G and for components under EASA Part 145. | |
| EASA Form 4 | EASA Form 4 | A form issued by EASA until 2023, in which details regarding senior personnel must be provided. The senior personnel specified by EASA must be reported to the competent authority using this form. Individuals accepted by the LBA via this form were previously also referred to as “Form 4 holders.” | |
| EASA Form 52 | EASA Form 52 | See the release document | |
| EASA Form 53 | EASA Form 53 | Certificate of Release for Maintenance Work on an Aircraft in Production. Form 53 is used only after Form 52 has been issued and before delivery to the customer. A D1 rating under Part 21/G is required to issue this form. Typical applications include: software updates for cabin entertainment systems retroactive implementation of ADs or Service Bulletins (SBs) storage programs due to extended periods between the completion of the aircraft and its acceptance by the customer. These include, for example, preservation measures or routine inspections. |
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| Authority to Enforce Laws Independently (Bundeswehr) | Autonomous regulatory authority is the power of a government agency to issue regulations on its own. In the context of the Bundeswehr, this applies to the Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVg), which may deviate from the German Air Traffic Act (LuftVG) and issue its own regulations governing the development, manufacture, maintenance, and operation of military aircraft. Autonomous regulatory authority forms the basis for the regulatory framework governing military certification. | ||
| Electrostatic Discharge | ESD | Electrostatic Discharge |
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the phenomenon in which stored static electricity is suddenly released. This typically occurs when two objects with different electrical charges come into contact or are close enough to each other that a spark can jump between them. This discharge can cause a noticeable crackling sound or a spark. ESD is particularly relevant in industries where electronic components and microchips are handled, as even a small discharge can be enough to damage sensitive electronic components. In electronics manufacturing and other technical fields, extensive ESD prevention measures are therefore taken, such as wearing ESD-protective clothing, using ESD-safe workstations, and employing antistatic materials to minimize the risk of damage. |
| Electromagnetic Interference | EMI | Electromagnetic Interference |
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) refers to the disruption that occurs when electromagnetic waves from one electrical device or system negatively affect the operation of another nearby device or system. This interference can disrupt or impair the performance, operation, or data integrity of the affected devices. EMI can be caused by cell phones, computers, industrial machinery, and natural sources such as thunderstorms. To minimize EMI and ensure device functionality, electronic devices are often shielded, and special design standards and materials are used. Industry standards and regulatory guidelines, such as those established by the FCC or the EU, help control the effects of EMI. |
| Engine Manual | EM | Engine Manual | The EM is the maintenance manual for an engine. It includes, among other things, disassembly and reassembly instructions, maintenance criteria, repair procedures, test specifications, and information on equipment and consumables. Engine Manuals are designed specifically for individual engine types. |
| Engineering Order | EO | Engineering Orders are implementation instructions for maintenance measures or modifications issued by the responsible 21/J development organization. EOs originate from ADs, SBs, repair developments, special inspections, or modifications. An EO contains a detailed description of the action to be performed, a completion date, and information regarding the organizational unit responsible for carrying out the work. In addition, an EO always includes information on the affected aircraft registration number or component serial number. | |
| Enterprise Resource Planning System | ERP system |
Refers to a type of business software that helps companies map out their service delivery processes. The key advantage of an ERP system lies in its ability to centralize data flows within an organization, leading to increased efficiency and streamlined business processes. By consolidating all data in one place, ERP systems enable better data analysis and reporting, as well as improved coordination between departments. Modern ERP systems are often modular in design, allowing companies to select the specific modules they need. The most important ERP software in Germany is SAP. |
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| Design Organization (Part 21/J) | DO | Design Organization | Type of aviation approval under EASA Part 21/J for development organizations. Approval is granted by the Federal Aviation Authority (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) as the national aviation authority or by EASA. |
| Development Documentation (Applicable) | Applicable Design Data | Development documents created by the development organization during the type certification process. “Applicable design data” is the umbrella term for all design data and can refer to both approved development documents (Approved Data) and non-approved development documents (Non-Approved Data). Applicable development documents also include specifications that were approved for type certification only indirectly, e.g., through norms, standards, and recognized specifications. | |
| Development Documents (Approved) | ADD | Approved Data | Documents issued by the development organization that have been approved through a type certificate. Development data is always used in series production. A distinction is made between approved design data and approved maintenance data. |
| Development documents (unapproved) | NADD | Non-Approved Data | Specification documents from the development organization that have not (yet) been approved via a type certificate. Non-approved design data plays an important role in the construction of prototypes or test specimens. |
| European Standard | EN | ||
| European Defense Agency | EDA | A European Union agency founded in 2004 that is tasked with harmonizing defense planning, procurement, and research across Europe. | |
| European Military Airworthiness Requirements | EMAR | European harmonized airworthiness requirements for military aircraft, published as a proposal by the MAWA Forum. The national military certification regulations of the individual member states are derived from the EMARs. In Germany, the EMARs form the basis for the national standard procedure DEMAR. | |
| European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment | EUROCAE | An organization that publishes several important standards, particularly in the field of development | |
| European Technical Standard Order | ETSO | The European Technical Standard Order (ETSO) is a standard for selected structural components and equipment installed in civil aircraft. ETSO parts therefore have their own regulatory approval. However, these are merely minimum requirements regarding the performance or characteristics of the products in question. These minimum requirements are defined in separate construction regulations (CS-ETSO). Typical components subject to the ETSO standard include, for example, instruments, seats, tires, emergency and safety equipment, and APUs. The procedures for the development, certification, and manufacture of ETSO products are regulated in Part 21, Subpart O. | |
| Extended-Range Twin-Engine Operational Performance Standards | ETOPS | ETOPS is a standard that defines the requirements for how far twin-engine aircraft may continue flying with one engine out in order to reach the nearest alternate airport. Long ETOPS times therefore allow for more direct routes than would normally be permitted for aircraft with only two engines. This regulation is particularly relevant for long-haul flights over oceans, deserts, or other areas where there are no nearby alternate airports. For example, an ETOPS-180 certification means that an aircraft must be capable of flying for an additional 180 minutes with only one operational engine. | |
| Failure Mode and Effects Analysis | FMEA | ||
| Fault Tree Analysis | FTA | Fault Tree Analysis | |
| Feeds | Feeds | Posts for LinkedIn | |
| Federal Aviation Administration | FAA | U.S. Federal Aviation Administration | |
| Federal Aviation Regulations | FAR | U.S. design specifications (the U.S. counterpart to EASA’s Certification Specifications (CS)). These are also used in the EASA region for aircraft design when no applicable EASA design specifications exist. | |
| Manufacturing Documents | Manufacturing Data | Specifications derived by the manufacturing organization from the design organization’s specifications (Approved Design Data) to provide further detail on the design specifications. Examples include work cards, manufacturing parameters, master samples, templates, and work instructions. Manufacturing Data are created by the responsible manufacturing organization and subcontractors. | |
| Final Assembly Line | FAL | Final Assembly Line, Equipment Installation | The Final Assembly Line marks the conclusion of the actual manufacturing or assembly process. In the FAL, the so-called “monuments”—such as restrooms and galleys—are installed, and the cabin’s interior fittings are gradually added, including cabin lighting, storage compartments, covers, carpeting, and seats. In addition, the aircraft is finally equipped with in-flight entertainment and emergency equipment (emergency slides, life jackets, oxygen masks). |
| First Article Inspection | FAI | First-Article Inspection | In an FAI, a representative unit of the product in question is systematically put through its paces at the start of a new production run. The goal is to provide objective evidence that the product can be manufactured in accordance with the development specifications. An FAI demonstrates that the significant risks that may arise in connection with a production ramp-up or following a change to the product or the production process have been systematically assessed. Specifically, the FAI involves conducting individual tests to verify compliance with the essential product requirements. This includes verifying whether the • documentation, • equipment and fixtures, • materials are suitable for manufacturing the product in accordance with the requirements. |
| Flight Authorization | PtF | Permit to Fly | Permits to fly are required for aircraft that do not (yet) have an airworthiness certificate. |
| Certifying staff | CS | Certifying Staff | Highly qualified personnel who have been authorized by the company to certify the airworthiness of aircraft or components following manufacture and/or maintenance. Maintenance personnel authorized to issue releases must hold, in addition to their company authorization, an official license issued by the LBA in accordance with EASA Part 66. |
| Approval Document | Release Certificate | Release documents certify the airworthiness of an aircraft or a component following manufacture or maintenance. Release documents are classified as follows: Declaration of Conformity for a Complete Aircraft Following Manufacture (EASA Form 52) Certificate of Conformity for Components Following Manufacture Based on Non-Approved Design Data (EASA Form 1) Certificate of Release for Components Following Manufacture or Maintenance (EASA Form 1) Certificate of Release for Aircraft Following Manufacture Prior to Delivery (EASA Form 53) Certificate of Release to Service for Aircraft Following Maintenance |
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| Injury Caused by a Foreign Object | FOD | Foreign Object Debris / Damage | Items left behind after manufacturing or maintenance, such as tools, rags, tubes and cans, ballpoint pens, packaging, drill shavings, coins, and smartphones. Surface contamination caused by oil, grease, or dust also falls under the FOD category. FOD stands for Foreign Object Debris (causes:> ) and Foreign Object Damage (consequences:> ). |
| Guidance Material | GM | GMs are implementation guidelines issued by EASA. Unlike AMCs, guidance material is more explanatory in nature and provides additional information. GMs serve to illustrate contexts and fundamental expectations. Therefore, GMs generally do not contain specific implementation requirements. | |
| Holder of the Military Type Certificate (Bundeswehr) | HMilMz | Upon issuance of the type certificate, the HMilMz assumes responsibility for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft type (Continued Airworthiness). The HMilMz thus formally becomes the Design Responsible Party upon completion of the development phase. The HMilMz’s responsibilities may be delegated. The HMilMz is located within the BAAINBw. | |
| Manufacturing Facility | PO | Production Organization | Type of aviation approval in accordance with EASA Part 21/G. Approval is granted by the Federal Aviation Authority (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) as the national aviation authority or by EASA. |
| Auxiliary Power Unit | APU | Auxiliary Power Unit | |
| Illustrated Parts Catalog | IPC | The IPC lists the parts of an aircraft and/or a component. Such a catalog consists, among other things, of part illustrations (e.g., exploded views) and a parts list with corresponding part numbers. In some cases, interchangeable parts are also listed. Detailed descriptions of subassemblies are usually included in the IPC only if the IPC publisher (the responsible development organization) is also responsible for that component. Some complex components have their own IPCs; alternatively, IPC elements are integrated into the CMM. The structure of an IPC is normally based on the ATA chapters (aircraft) or the modules for engines and propellers. IPCs are published on a model-specific basis. | |
| Implementing Rule (EASA) | IR | Implementing Regulation |
EU aviation regulations. These provide authorities and aviation operators with direct guidelines regarding the requirements and procedures for the respective technical field (e.g., manufacturing or maintenance). The most important implementing regulations are: Implementing Rule on Initial Airworthiness for the Issuance of Airworthiness and Environmental Certificates for Aircraft, Related Products, Parts, and Equipment, and for the Approval of Design and Manufacturing Organizations (Implementing Rule on Initial Airworthiness), Implementing Rule on Continuing Airworthiness for Aircraft, Related Products, Parts, and Equipment, and the Granting of Approvals to Organizations and Persons Performing These Activities (Implementing Rule on Continuing Airworthiness). |
| International Aerospace Quality Group | IAQG | International Aerospace Quality Group. An organization with overall responsibility for EN9100, AS9100, and JP9100. The IAQG is composed of representatives from the world’s major corporations in the aerospace supply industry. | |
| International Organization for Standardization | ISO | The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an independent, non-governmental international organization that develops globally recognized standards. ISO develops standards such as ISO 9001 (quality management), which serves as the basis for EN 9100, ISO 14001 (environmental management), and ISO 27001 (information security management). | |
| Insights | WordPress posts. Unlike our regular pages, our news and informational articles are stored as posts in WordPress. We call them “Insights,” and you can find them under the “Insights” tab on our website. | ||
| Maintenance | Maintenance | Maintenance refers to all measures that must be carried out during the service life to ensure the property remains fit for its intended use, in order to properly slow down or eliminate structural and other deviations from the “design specifications” resulting from wear and tear, aging, and weathering. | |
| Repair | Repair refers to all measures taken to restore a system to its intended condition after defects or damage have already occurred. | ||
| International Civil Aviation Organization | ICAO | A specialized agency of the United Nations for civil aviation. The ICAO establishes fundamental standards, which are then implemented by national aviation authorities. | |
| International Electrotechnical Commission | IEC | The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a leading global organization that develops international standards for all electrical, electronic, and related technologies. The IEC publishes several standards relevant to aviation (which begin with “IEC”). | |
| Joint Aviation Authorities | JAA | Even before the establishment of EASA, efforts were underway in Europe to harmonize safety regulations. To this end, as many as 35 European civil aviation authorities joined forces in 1970 to form the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). Since the agency was established and began operations, it has gradually assumed the responsibilities of the JAA, leading to the JAA’s dissolution in 2009. The Joint Aviation Authorities were not a regulatory authority, but rather an association of individual national aviation authorities. Through the Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR), the JAA drafted comprehensive regulations that are implemented and monitored by the national civil aviation authorities. | |
| Joint Aviation Requirements | JAR | Predecessor to the EASA implementing regulations. At that time, these were JAA aviation regulations, which were implemented and monitored by the national European aviation authorities. As part of their harmonization efforts, the JAA member states drew heavily on U.S. regulations, with the result that the regulatory framework developed by the JAA—and largely adopted by EASA—bore a strong resemblance to that of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. | |
| Key Performance Indicator | KPI | Key Performance Indicator | Key Performance Indicator |
| Components | Components | Term from EASA Part 145. Components include all moving parts that fall under the category of structural and equipment parts. EASA Part 21 does not use the term “component”; instead, it refers to structural and equipment parts. | |
| Configuration Management | KM | Configuration Management | Configuration management (CM) is the systematic control and complete documentation of a product’s composition and characteristics throughout its entire product lifecycle. CM can also be described as configuration tracking. Its purpose is therefore to provide a complete technical and functional description of a product during its development based on formalized procedures. |
| Certificate of Conformity | CoC | Certificate of Conformance | A certificate or confirmation that a component, operating material, raw material, or auxiliary material complies with the contractually specified requirements and/or an recognized (national or international) standard. |
| Declaration of Conformity for Newly Manufactured Aircraft (EASA Form 52 under Part 21G) | Aircraft Statement of Conformity | See the release document | |
| Declaration of Conformity Following the Completion of the Development Process | DoC | Declaration of Compliance | A statement signed by the head of the development organization certifying compliance with all applicable requirements of the type certification basis and, where applicable, environmental protection requirements. It is hereby declared that the aircraft is airworthy within its specific design and performance limits and that the processes specified in the approved manual were followed during development. |
| Level of Involvement | LoI | A written agreement between a Part 21/J development organization and the aviation authority regarding the authority’s involvement in the certification process for a major-category development project. | |
| Supplier | Vendor | A vendor is a supplier that delivers parts with an official approval certificate. Companies that supply raw materials, standard parts, or COTS goods are also classified as vendors. | |
| Life-Limited Part | LLP | Life-Limited Components | Parts that, as a condition of their approval, must not exceed a specified operating time, calendar time, number of operating cycles, or other approved units of service life limitation. |
| Line Maintenance | These are maintenance activities intended to maintain the aircraft in its intended condition. Maintenance measures performed during ongoing flight operations without taking the aircraft out of service fall under line maintenance, | ||
| Line Maintenance Control Center | LMCC | An organizational unit within a maintenance facility that plans and manages all line maintenance activities for a fleet during operations. This is done in coordination with the flight operations management of the aircraft owner (usually the airline). Thus, the LMCC also serves as the technical interface with the operator. | |
| List of Active Pages | LEP | ||
| Licensing | Personnel licensing is the certification by an aviation authority of a natural person’s required level of training and experience, thereby declaring the person qualified to perform release activities on an aircraft following maintenance. | ||
| (Competent) Aviation Authority | NAA | National Airworthiness Authority | National aviation authority responsible for the airworthiness of military aircraft. In Germany, this is the German Armed Forces Aviation Office (LBA) or, in military terms, the LufABw. |
| Federal Aviation Authority | LBA | Federal Aviation Authority | |
| Aircraft | A term from the old regulatory framework or national civil aviation law. In the EASA and DEMAR context, the terms “components,” “aircraft,” “products,” and “structural and equipment parts” are used. | ||
| Aircraft Maintenance Program | IHP | Aircraft Maintenance Program | A document that describes the specific scheduled maintenance tasks and their frequency, the associated maintenance procedures, and the associated standard maintenance practices required to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft to which it applies, or incorporates them by reference. The IHP is prepared by the CAMO on a per-aircraft basis and approved by the LBA. |
| Airworthiness | Airworthiness | Airworthiness defines the ability of an aircraft or component to be operated without posing a significant risk to the flight crew, ground personnel, passengers, or third parties. | |
| Airworthiness Directive | LTA, AD | Airworthiness Directive | An AD (Airworthiness Directive) is a document issued by an aviation authority that specifies measures to restore adequate safety to an aircraft. When ADs are issued, it is because defects have been identified that could not have been foreseen during the type certification process. These defects are then discovered during flight operations or as part of maintenance by operators or aviation maintenance organizations. Compliance with ADs is mandatory. |
| Air Traffic Act | LuftVG | The Air Traffic Act is the central legal basis for aviation law in Germany. | |
| Air Traffic Act Loan Regulation | LuftVGBV | Regulation on the Granting of Loans to Legal Entities Under Private Law Pursuant to Section 30a of the Air Traffic Act for the Performance of the Tasks Specified in Section 30a(1), Sentence 1, of the Air Traffic Act by means of an administrative act of the Federal Armed Forces Aviation Authority. | |
| Maintenance Annex Guidance | MAG | Supplement to the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) in the area of maintenance, specifically for European maintenance organizations holding an additional FAA Repair Station approval | |
| Maintenance Organization Exhibition | MOE | Maintenance Operations Manual for EASA Part 145-Approved Organizations | |
| Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul | MRO | Umbrella term / abbreviation for aviation maintenance | |
| Master Minimum Equipment List | MMEL | Minimum Equipment List | The MMEL is a specification document issued by the development organization that defines the minimum systems and components that must be operational to ensure the aircraft’s airworthiness. The MMEL is prepared for each specific aircraft model. |
| Materials Review Board | MRB | Materials Allocation Committee | A committee of specially qualified employees who decide on the further use of nonconforming components. Typically, the MRB consists of one employee each from production, quality assurance (QA) or quality management (QM), work planning, and development. |
| Means / Methods of Compliance | MoC / MC | Methods for demonstrating that the evidence gathered during the development process complies with each certification requirement specified in the type certificate. Examples include testing, analysis, and inspection; flight tests; simulations; fire tests; and vibration or EMC testing. | |
| Human Factors | HF | Human Factors | It is a collective term for psychological, cognitive, and social factors that interact between human and technical system components. In aviation, the term “human factors” encompasses all circumstances that influence the work performance of individuals involved in development, manufacturing, or maintenance. The term is typically used in the plural. |
| Military Airworthiness Authorities Forum | MAWA Forum | The MAWA Forum was established in 2008 to support the harmonization of airworthiness requirements among EDA nations. It consists of representatives from each of the EDA National Military Airworthiness Authorities (NMAAs) and is chaired by the EDA, which also provides organizational and administrative support. | |
| Minimum Equipment List | MEL | Minimum Equipment List | The Minimum Equipment List represents the specific adaptation of the MMEL for each individual aircraft. It is prepared by the operating organization on a per-aircraft basis. The MEL may be more restrictive than the MMEL, but under no circumstances may the requirements of the MMEL be exceeded in the MEL. |
| (Master) Minimum Equipment List | (M)MEL | The MMEL specifies the minimum systems and equipment that must be operational to ensure the aircraft’s airworthiness. The MMEL also defines operational restrictions regarding technical and time-related scope. The MMEL is not a maintenance manual per se, but it sets guidelines—particularly in the context of line maintenance—for the deferral of findings and is therefore an extremely important reference document in maintenance. The MMEL is issued by the development organization. As a rule, it is expanded upon by the operator or CAMO and is then referred to as the (operator-specific) MEL. | |
| Modification | Modification | A modification is a change to the design relative to the approved configuration. Typical examples include component changes, the addition of equipment, or software changes, and often involve a revision of the drawings and supporting documentation. Each modification requires an amendment to the type certificate or a supplemental type certificate. | |
| Prototype Condition / Prototype Type | Type Design | This refers to the definition of an aircraft’s design. The type design is described through drawings, schematics, and specifications that are necessary to define the configuration and design characteristics of the products. | |
| Sample Testing Control Center | MPL | Office of Airworthiness | Development organizations must demonstrate that they have an MPL as an independent department. This department is responsible for planning and conducting the type certification process, including certification and design-related continued airworthiness. In addition, the Type Certification Office serves as the interface between the development organization and the competent authority in all matters related to the type certification process. |
| Sample Test Program | Certification Program | A document for the planning and systematic conduct of the demonstration of compliance. It specifies the nature and scope of the evidence required to meet individual airworthiness requirements. The Type Test Program is developed by the design organization at the beginning of the development process and approved by the competent aviation authority. | |
| Supplemental Type Certificate | STC | Supplemental Type Certificate – STC | A document issued or recognized by the authority that certifies a significant addition to a type certificate by an organization other than the original design organization. |
| Type Certification | TC | Type Certificate | A certificate issued by EASA or the LBA (or LufABw) stating that an aircraft complies with the applicable airworthiness requirements. |
| Type Certification Basis | Type Certification Basis | List of airworthiness requirements to be met, which may be established by EASA or the LBA (or LufaBW) may be drawn up at the suggestion of the development organization. The type certificate basis may be part of the product specification and specifies the requirements an aircraft must meet to obtain a type certificate. | |
| Record-keeping | Demonstration of Compliance / | Its purpose is to verify and substantiate that the development complies with the applicable building codes. The demonstration of compliance involves the structured validation of development activities. The methods for demonstrating compliance are defined in the MoC. | |
| NADCAP | National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program |
NADCAP is a standard used in the aerospace and defense industries, primarily for specialized processes. These disciplines include: Surface Coatings The program aims to achieve a very high level of process stability and to ensure monitoring through audits. NADCAP certifications are among the most challenging in the industry. |
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| Purchase Order | PO | Order | |
| Qualification Test Plan | QTP | ||
| Qualification Test Report | QTR | ||
| Quality Management | QM | Quality Management | Quality Management |
| Quality Management Representative | QMB | Quality Management Representative | |
| Quality Management Manual | QMH | Quality Management Manual | Quality Management Manual, QM Manual—a term primarily used in the EN 9100 context; in aviation law, the terms “Operations Manual,” “POE,” or “MOE” are generally used instead |
| Quality Assurance for Production Orders (Airbus terminology) | QSF | Fundamentals of Quality Systems | QSF A and B were a standardized quality assurance agreement within the Airbus supply chain. They were part of the Airbus Quality System, which aims to ensure compliance with international standards and specific Airbus requirements. Between 2018 and 2022, QSFs were incorporated into the Airbus Supplier Requirements. |
| Quality Assurance Agreement | QSV | Quality Assurance Agreement | An agreement between two parties, typically a customer and a supplier, to regulate quality-related matters, such as the handling of nonconformities, the approval of process changes and subcontracting, requirements for personnel qualifications or the quality management system, etc. |
| Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics Document | RTCA |
The RTCA is a U.S.-based organization dedicated to developing communication, navigation, and surveillance standards for civil aviation. It plays a central role in developing technical solutions and standards that improve the safety, reliability, and efficiency of air traffic. RTCA works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other international regulatory agencies to ensure that its standards are applicable and effective worldwide. The following regulations, in particular, play an important role in this development: RTCA DO-160, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment RTCA DO-178 and Supplements; System Aspects Related to Software Development RTCA DO-256. Minimum Human Factors Standards for Air Traffic Services |
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| Regulatory Framework (Bundeswehr) | The Bundeswehr has two regulatory frameworks: 1. DEMAR as the standard procedure under A-275/3, and 2. the legacy procedure under A-275/2. | ||
| Repair | Repair | A repair is the correction of damage and/or the restoration of airworthiness. However, only work that requires design actions—that is, the involvement of a development organization approved in accordance with EASA Part 21J—is considered a repair. Less complex damage that can be repaired without any design work—for example, because the repair method is clearly specified in a repair manual—falls under maintenance. | |
| SAE | SAE | Society of Automotive Engineers | SAE International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to engineering and science. SAE was founded in 1905 as the Society of Automobile Engineers with the goal of increasing the level of standardization in the automotive industry. Today, SAE has approximately 120,000 members and focuses its work on the transportation sector, particularly the automotive and aviation industries. SAE’s technical committees develop standards for the aviation and automotive industries. |
| Safety Information Bulletin | SIB | SIBs are regulatory implementation recommendations that, while safety-related in nature, do not pose a threat to airworthiness if not followed. SIBs are therefore issued whenever the potential risk posed by a defect does not warrant the issuance of an AD. | |
| Safety Management | Text Message | Safety Management | Safety management involves a structured approach to addressing safety-related risks in aviation operations in order to proactively minimize threats to airworthiness. The focus is therefore on the product. |
| Service Bulletin | SB | Improvement measures for aircraft and engines. Issued by their manufacturers or the holders of the type certificate. The implementation of SBs is voluntary, as their content typically has little or no safety relevance. Service Bulletins do not necessarily indicate a quality defect, so the publication of an SB is not comparable to a recall. Thus, the manufacturer is not obligated to publish SBs, to carry out SBs on behalf of the customer, or to cover the costs of their implementation. Service bulletins typically contain technical measures (e.g., modifications) designed to optimize flight operations or enhance passenger comfort. | |
| Service Letter | SL | Service Letter (SL) or Service Information Letter (SIL). These are recommendations for optimizing maintenance procedures. These letters contain information that simplifies or speeds up maintenance work or reduces the effort required. In addition, alternative replacement parts (part numbers) are published via these circulars. Changes to the Aircraft Maintenance Manual that have not yet been published through an official revision are also announced in this manner. | |
| Specification | Spec. | Specifications | A design specification (abbreviated as “Spec.”)21 is a concrete and formalized description of a development task yet to be performed, in which the requirements for the result are specified by the customer, the market, company management, or the legislature. The goal of a design specification is to create a description that is as complete, coherent, and unambiguous as possible based on these requirements, which can then serve as the foundation for product development. In this sense, the ideal specification does not formally contain any solutions but merely formulates requirements. Explanations of the principles governing how the development results function are provided only in the project description (Design Description). The specification thus serves merely as a starting point or baseline document for the actual development activities. |
| Standard part | Standard part | See standard part. | |
| Standard Procedures (German Armed Forces) | See DEMAR | ||
| Statement of Approved Design Data | SADD | A Statement of Approved Design Data (SADD) from the development organization to the 21/G organization conveys and confirms the “Approved” status of the design documentation. | |
| Structure Repair Manual | SRM | Repair Manual | The SRM is the aircraft structure repair manual. It explains the procedures for standard repairs. This includes, among other things, general repair practices, material information, inspection requirements (corrosion, cracks), specifications for (static) repair requirements, damage criteria, and damage tolerances. Damage that falls outside the damage criteria or limits requires the involvement of the responsible design organization. |
| Suspected Unapproved Parts | SUP | Parts of dubious origin | SUPs may be placed on the market with invalid or missing (approval) certificates, accompanying documents, or records containing mixed-up or ambiguous markings or packaging. For this reason, it must be assumed that the affected components, assemblies, or materials were not manufactured, maintained, or released in accordance with approved or recognized procedures. Alternatively, it must be assumed that they do not conform to an approved design or to generally applicable norms or standards. Since the exact nature of a part of dubious origin cannot be verified, it poses a potential threat to airworthiness. As long as parts are merely classified as being of dubious origin, they do not need to be reported to the aviation authority. In most cases, the status is clarified, and the material can be incorporated into the normal material cycle or returned to it. |
| Technical Implementation Procedures | TIP | Supplementary Protocol to the BASA Agreement. It contains detailed guidelines and requirements for the development and certification of aircraft and components, including PMA parts. Another key focus is the requirements for the export of new and used aircraft to the other regulatory jurisdiction. | |
| Technical, operational, and personnel (requirements) | TOP (Prerequisites) | The term “TOP requirements” refers to the technical, organizational, and personnel conditions that must be met in order to be authorized to perform an aeronautical manufacturing or maintenance service. These TOP requirements must not only be verified once during the establishment or expansion of the scope of approval and demonstrated to the competent aviation regulatory authority. Before each job, the company must verify that the TOP requirements for the upcoming customer order are met as work begins (internal verification procedure). Work must not begin if compliance with the TOP requirements is not ensured. | |
| Transport Canada Civil Aviation Directorate | TCCA | Canadian Aviation Authority | |
| Subcontractor | UAN | Subcontractor | Subcontractors are suppliers who do not hold their own official license. They perform parts of the service on behalf of licensed companies as an extension of their operations, such as the manufacture of parts based on drawings, surface treatment, or engineering services (extension of the drafting table). |
| Support Staff | Support Staff | Personnel who assist the authorized personnel (with a CAT C license) during a base maintenance layover as part of quality assurance. The scope of duties for support staff primarily includes document reviews and technical spot checks. Support staff must hold an EASA Part 66 license in Category B1 or B2, including the appropriate type rating. | |
| Traffic Safety | Traffic safety encompasses all activities, behaviors, precautions, and measures related to the safe use of modes of transportation and transportation routes on land, water, and in the air. This also includes requirements for operating permits and registration requirements. | ||
| Vehicle Registration | Airworthiness certification is the official authorization for an individual aircraft to participate in air traffic. Airworthiness certification is the formal registration of individual aircraft in the military aircraft registry by the authority, including the assignment of a tactical designation. Under the standard procedure, proof of airworthiness certification is the airworthiness certificate (under the old procedure, it was the airworthiness certificate). | ||
| Regulation on the Inspection of Aircraft | LuftGerPV | ||
| Defense Technical Service 61 | WTD 61 | The Bundeswehr’s Technical Service for Aircraft and Aviation Equipment was founded on October 1, 1957, as Test Center 61 and is located in Manching near Ingolstadt at the Ingolstadt/Manching Air Base. It is responsible for testing aviation equipment for the Bundeswehr and reports organizationally to the BAAINBw. | |
| Wiring Diagram Manual | WDM | The WDM explains the design and composition of all electrical and electronic systems. In addition to schematic diagrams, it includes, among other things, information (standard practices) on troubleshooting and fault identification, as well as procedures for simple repairs, cable routing, and the use of cable ties and cable lugs. | |
| It also contains parts lists (Electrical and Electronic Equipment Lists) as well as measurement data (Charts and Lists). The latter are used to perform target-to-actual comparisons during inspections carried out as part of a maintenance event (e.g., resistance measurements). In some cases, the WDM is issued not only on a model-specific basis but also at the aircraft serial number (MSN) level. | |||
| Certification | Certification | Proof of an organization’s quality capability as an alternative to regulatory operating authorization. As is typical in the industry, many companies in the aviation, aerospace, and defense sectors hold certification under the EN 91XX series of standards. | |
| Certification (Bundeswehr) | The umbrella term for all activities related to the development, certification, manufacture, maintenance, maintenance management, or maintenance personnel licensing of military aircraft and components under the standard DEMAR procedure. | ||
| Supplier | A general term for suppliers, subcontractors, and service providers | ||
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