Outsourcing Aircraft Support = Abdicating the Airworthiness Accountability?

The Airworthiness and Maintenance Group are holding a half day workshop on the theme of Hourly Usage Agreements on Thursday 30 October 2014 from 12-5pm. 

There is a growing trend towards Hourly Usage Agreements between aircraft operators and service providers, reflected in brand names such as Power By The Hour, Goldcare and TotalCare in the Civil sector; and concepts such as contracting for capability and availability in the Military.  

These agreements raise particular issues for operators and their Continuing Airworthiness Management obligations.  The outsourcing of these services, that now include the provision of whole aircraft, has the potential to blur the lines (if not jeopardise them completely) of the Operators’ ICAO Annex 6 accountabilities and responsibilities. 

This workshop will address the outsourcing of aircraft support services and the associated impact on perceptions of airworthiness accountability.  The subject will include both the civil hourly usage agreements and the military contracting for availability context, with participation from military and civil aircraft operators, service providers and regulators.