PART I

AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1

October 2017 Page 1 of 16

CHAPTER 1
REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES AND METHODOLOGY OF AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTORATE
1. Introduction
1.1 India as a signatories to ICAO Convention has an obligation to establish airworthiness
organization to meet the requirements set forth in the ICAO Convention and standards
and recommended practices. The organization shall ensure that every aircraft registered
and engaged in operation remains in a safe condition throughout the operational life of the
aircraft and continues to conform to the approved design data.
1.2 The above obligation are discharged through the DGCA, Directorate of Airworthiness.
This chapter details the airworthiness directorate’s structure, functions and responsibilities
located at Headquarters, regional and sub-regional offices. It also details the staffing
requirements and statutory authorities.

2. Organisation structure of airworthiness directorate

Organisation structure of airworthiness directorate is placed as Appendix-1

3. Functions and responsibilities of airworthiness directorate

The functions of the airworthiness directorate are broadly intended as guidelines and they
do not limit in any way the initiative and authority of an officer to ensure airworthiness by
an alternative means. The responsibilities are discharged at Headquarters and Regional /
Sub-regional Airworthiness Offices who carry out functions related to airworthiness and
safety oversight to ensure that the laid down standards are complied with.
Regional / Sub-regional Airworthiness Offices also provide feed-back to the headquarters
regarding any weakness in the system and also suggest corrective actions, if any.

3.2 Headquarters (Airworthiness Directorate)

The main functions and responsibilities of the Airworthiness Directorate

(Headquarters) are detailed below:

3.2.1 Regulations, Policies and Guidance functions

a) develop national regulations, standards, policy and guidance; related to airworthiness,

continuing airworthiness of aircraft etc..
b) amend, as appropriate, national airworthiness regulations, policy and guidance, based on
a continual review of the viability and effectiveness of those regulations, policy and
guidance;
c) examine changes in ICAO requirements for incorporation into Aircraft Rule or Civil
Aviation requirements, or the filing of appropriate differences;
d) examine current and, as necessary, new foreign regulations (EASA based) and
determine the need for adaption of critical features of such regulations in the DGCA
requirements concerning airworthiness.
e) establish working relationships with other CAAs and industry that facilitate the certification
of foreign aeronautical products to enable their import and export;
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 2 of 16

f) Issue of advisory circulars concerning airworthiness practices and procedures, where

such advice does not warrant mandatory action, but makes a significant contribution to
flight safety;
g) Participation at national and international levels on matters relating to airworthiness;
h) Evaluation and processing for grant of exemption received from Regional office(s).

3.2.2 Staffing and Training functions

a) Develop process for evaluation of work force requirements to perform the function related
to airworthiness.
b) Develop training program for training and qualification of Airworthiness Officers.
c) Develop procedures for nomination and authorisation of appropriately qualified technical
personnel as inspectors based on qualifications, training provided; (including specialized
training and OJT)
d) Implementation of training policy of Airworthiness Directorate including OJT;

3.2.3 Approvals and Certification functions

a) Review, process and record applications for registration, de-registration, amendment of

registration of aircraft as appropriate, and issuance of certificates of registration.
b) maintain the Civil Aircraft Register and ensuring updated information are available as and
when required;
c) grant or validate aircraft noise certification;
d) issuance/ validation of certificate of airworthiness and issuance of initial ARC and
processing of documents, as appropriate;
e) Approval and renewal of foreign aircraft maintenance organizations involved in
maintenance of Indian registered aircraft;
f) record, review and process application for issue of aircraft maintenance personnel /flight
engineers licence, renewal /validation and extension of licenses and ratings for additional
category of CAR-66 licence,
g) Evaluate and issue export certificates of airworthiness for aircraft.
h) Evaluate and approve or accept maintenance organization exposition, and, maintenance
training organization exposition related to foreign organisations.
i) Certification and approval of initial applications of air operators (airworthiness aspects) as
per CAP 3100, CAP 3300 and CAP 3400;
j) Participation in maintenance review board activities for development and approval of initial
maintenance inspection for newly type certificated aircraft/power plants being introduced
in service for the first time;
k) Issuance of directives concerning the design standards to be met by aircraft/aircraft
components/ equipment during manufacture and maintenance.
l) issue special flight permits with operating limitations for aircraft for delivering or export of
aircraft.
m) Review of Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins issued by State of Design to
determine their applicability to the civil registered aircraft;

3.2.4 Liaison functions

a) Prepare and distribute to the public documents containing all issued MCAI and
airworthiness advisory material;
b) Confer at national and international levels on matters relating to the regulations and
technical matters concerning airworthiness.
c) Processing of proposal for foreign deputation for inspection, oversight, training, attending
workshops related to officers of the directorate.
d) Processing of applications for issue of Aero mobile Station Licenses for an aircraft;
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 3 of 16

e) Co-ordination with international agencies on matters relating to RVSM approval/

operations of Indian civil registered aircraft;

3.2.5 Surveillance, Investigations and Enforcement

a) Planning of annual surveillance programme of foreign organizations.

b) Co-ordinate with FSD for implementation of Ramp Inspection programme for domestic/
foreign operators.
c) Investigation of violations of the national regulations concerning airworthiness and
initiation of punitive/corrective actions, where necessary.

3.2.6 Miscellaneous Function

a) Matters pertaining to RTI Act, 2005 and replies thereof relating to Airworthiness;
b) Coordination with other directorates on matters relating to airworthiness, and initial
airworthiness of an aircraft, as required;

3.3 Regional/ Sub-regional Airworthiness Office

The main functions and responsibilities of the Regional/ Sub-regional offices are
detailed below:

a) Implementation of regulations to verify compliance of national regulations.

b) Implementation of training policy of Airworthiness Directorate including OJT in regional and

sub-regional offices.

c) Provide on the job training to officers before they are authorised to function independently.

d) Forwarding recommendations (annually) to Hqrs for training requirements of officers based

upon training need analysis.

e) Maintenance of training records of the officers.

f) Compilation of Monthly News Letter and forwarding to Headquarters (Airworthiness

Directorate).

g) Co-ordination with senior officers of DGCA during their official visits.

h) Ensure safety and security of office premises.

i) Reviewing, processing and recording of applications for issue /validation of Certificate of

Airworthiness and Airworthiness Review Certificate of an aircraft and provide
recommendation to Hqrs for initial issue of C of A and ARC.

j) Reviewing, processing and recording of applications for issue of Export Certificate of

Airworthiness of an aircraft and provide recommendation to Hqrs.

k) Reviewing, processing and recording of applications for issue / renewal/ variation of

approval of organizations.

l) Reviewing, processing and recording of applications for special operations such as RVSM,
EDTO, Cat-II/CAT-III, PBN etc related to Airworthiness and providing recommendations to
Hqrs for further action.
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 4 of 16

m) Inspection and airworthiness control of leased aircraft (CAP-3200).

n) Approval of continuing airworthiness related documents such as maintenance programme,

MEL, approval/ acceptance of modifications/ repairs, technical log book, acceptance of
maintenance and continuing airworthiness management contracts etc.

o) Certification and approval of initial applications of air operators (airworthiness aspects) as

per CAP 3100, CAP 3300 and CAP 3400.

p) Evaluation and approval of weight schedule and load & trim sheet.

q) Conduct written/ on-line examinations for issue/ extension of licenses of aircraft

maintenance personnel and flight crew.

r) Record, review and process application forms of aircraft maintenance personnel /flight
engineers licence (renewal), renewal and extension/ change of licenses and ratings for
additional category of AME licence.

s) Conduct of skill test for type rating of aircraft maintenance personnel/ issuance of
authorization.

t) Processing, reviewing, assessment for issuance of special flight permission. Review and
approval/ acceptance of expositions, procedures related to maintenance, production,
continuing airworthiness, on job training etc.

u) Review of Engineering Statistical Reports of operators and initiate appropriate action, if

required.

v) Investigation/ analysis of defects in the aircraft and suggest corrective actions to arrest
negative trends, if needed. Approval or acceptance of modifications and repairs relevant to
continuing airworthiness of aircraft.

w) Monitoring and control of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI).

x) Co-coordinating requests for deviations from requirements and specifications, and ensuring
adequate treatment for those deviations.

y) Identifying and assessing industry problems which threaten timely and satisfactory
achievement of safety objectives related to national requirements, including issuing
recommendations for corrective action.

z) Witnessing critical tests performed and approving testing methods and test reports.

aa) Investigation of major problems or defects discovered in aeronautical products or parts in

service, and determine appropriate corrective action to be taken, when the airworthiness
objectives of national requirements are not being met.

bb) monitor manufacturer's service bulletins (SB) to consider their implications on design,
production and maintenance.

cc) evaluate accidents, incidents and service difficulties to determine possible unsatisfactory
designs or processes.
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 5 of 16

dd) Processing of requests of exemption of approved organisations and recommendation to

Hqrs.

ee) Surveillance and Periodic review of the approved organizations to assess their capability to
have continuous approval.

ff) Develop and implement annual surveillance programme based on the airworthiness
complexity of the organisation. Continuing airworthiness oversight including ACAM and
enforcement actions.

gg) Perform ramp inspection on domestic and foreign air operators.

hh) Perform periodic and unannounced surveillance of industry activities to ensure compliance
with national requirements, manufacturer standards and good maintenance practices.

ii) Ensure timely corrective action on deficiencies noted during oversight of certificated
operators. Maintenance of record.

jj) Investigate possible violations of the national law or regulations in regard to airworthiness
and to enforce corrective and initiate enforcement action, if legal actions, if required.

kk) Take enforcement action, when necessary, to ensure compliance with airworthiness
requirements.

ll) Maintenance of records pertaining to all activities.

mm) Maintaining fees records for various services rendered to organizations/ personnel.

nn) Attending VVIP movements, Airport Coordination Committee Meetings, Bomb Threat
Assessment Committee Meetings and Security Committee Meetings etc. at respective
airports.
4. Duties and Responsibilities of Officers of Airworthiness Directorates
4.1 Designation: Airworthiness Officer

a) Reviewing applications for certificate of registration, certificate of airworthiness, permit

to fly and amendments, renewals of such certificates;

b) Inspection of aircraft for issue, renewal, validation and cancellation of certificates of

airworthiness/ permit to fly and the subsequent execution of such documents as
appropriate;

c) Reviewing applications of aircraft maintenance personnel for issue, renewal, validation

and extension of licenses;

d) Supervision of the aircraft maintenance and flight crew licensing examinations;

e) Periodic review of the airworthiness conditions and records of aircraft to assess the
adequacy of their maintenance and to assess the competence and diligence of the
persons who perform the maintenance;

f) Investigation of major defects in aircraft and determination of corrective actions to be

taken where airworthiness may be affected;
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 6 of 16

g) Inspections on the aircraft undergoing routine maintenance, in order to assess the

standard of work and adherence to maintenance procedures;

h) Review of service bulletins and the airworthiness directives of foreign airworthiness

authorities w.r.t aircraft, engines, propellers to determine applicability to the national
aircraft; monitoring the implementation of the relevant airworthiness regulations issued
by the headquarters;

i) Surveillance of the approved organisations for issue and renewal of certificates of

approval to conduct activities bearing on the airworthiness of aircraft;

j) Surveillance of the carriage of dangerous goods, shippers and related organizations;

k) Surveillance of approved organizations;

l) Framing and amendment of regulatory requirements from time to time concerning all
matters of airworthiness within the scope of the functions and responsibilities of the
Airworthiness Directorate;

m) Investigation of possible violations of the national air law or regulations in regard to

airworthiness and to suggest corrective action where necessary.

4.2 Designation: Assistant Director of Airworthiness

a) Reviewing applications for certificate of registration, certificate of airworthiness, permit

to fly and amendments, renewals of such certificates;

b) Inspection of aircraft for issue, renewal, validation and cancellation of certificates of

airworthiness/permit to fly and the subsequent execution of such documents as
appropriate;

c) Reviewing applications from aircraft maintenance personnel for issue, renewal,

validation and extension of licenses. Grant of authorizations, approvals and certificate
of competency to aircraft personnel.

d) Supervision of the aircraft maintenance licensing examinations and other

examinations;

e) Periodic review of the airworthiness conditions and records of aircraft to assess the
adequacy of their maintenance and to assess the competence and diligence of the
persons who perform the maintenance;

f) Investigation of major defects in aircraft and determination of corrective actions where

airworthiness may be affected. Inspections on the aircraft undergoing routine
maintenance, in order to assess the standard of work and adherence to maintenance
procedures;

g) Review of service bulletins and the airworthiness directives of foreign airworthiness

authorities w.r.t aircraft, engines, propellers to determine applicability to the national
aircraft; monitoring the implementation of the relevant airworthiness regulations issued
by the headquarters;

h) Surveillance of the approved organisations for issue and renewal of certificates of

approval to conduct activities bearing on the airworthiness of aircraft;
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 7 of 16

i) Surveillance of the carriage of dangerous goods, shippers and related organizations;

j) Surveillance approved organizations

k) Framing and amendment of regulatory requirements from time to time concerning all
matters of airworthiness within the scope of the functions and responsibilities of the
Airworthiness Directorate;

l) Investigation of possible violations of the national air law or regulations in regard to

airworthiness and to suggest corrective action where necessary.

4.3 Designation: Dy. Director of Airworthiness

a) Issue of certificate of registration, certificate of airworthiness, permit to fly and

amendments, renewals of such certificates.

b) Inspection of aircraft for issue, renewal, validation and cancellation of certificates of

airworthiness/permit to fly and the subsequent execution of such documents as
appropriate.

c) Issue, endorse, renewal, validation and extension of licenses of aircraft maintenance

personnel and grant of authorizations, approvals and certificate of competency to
aircraft personnel.

d) Supervision of the aircraft maintenance and flight crew licensing examinations and
other examinations.

e) Periodic review of the airworthiness conditions and records of aircraft to assess the
adequacy of their maintenance and to assess the competence and diligence of the
persons who perform the maintenance.

f) Investigation of major defects in aircraft and determination of corrective action to be

taken where airworthiness may be affected. Inspections on the aircraft undergoing
routine maintenance, in order to assess the standard of work and adherence to
maintenance procedures.

g) Review of service bulletins and the airworthiness directives of foreign airworthiness

authorities w.r.t aircraft, engines, propellers to determine applicability to the national
aircraft; monitoring the implementation of the relevant airworthiness regulations issued
by the headquarters.

h) Surveillance of the approved organisations for issue and renewal of certificates of

approval to conduct activities bearing on the airworthiness of aircraft.

i) Surveillance of the carriage of dangerous goods, shippers and related organizations.

j) Framing and amendment of regulatory requirements from time to time concerning all
matters of airworthiness within the scope of the functions and responsibilities of the
Airworthiness Directorate.

k) Investigation of possible violations of the national air law or regulations in regard to

airworthiness and to suggest corrective action where necessary.
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 8 of 16

4.4 Designation: Director of Airworthiness

a) Issue of certificate of registration, certificate of airworthiness, permit to fly and

amendments, renewals of such certificates.

b) Issue, endorse, renewal, validation and extension of licenses of aircraft maintenance

personnel and grant of authorizations, approvals and certificate of competency to
aircraft personnel, validation of foreign maintenance licenses. Supervision of the
aircraft maintenance licensing examinations and other examinations.

c) Periodic review of the airworthiness conditions and records of aircraft to assess the
adequacy of their maintenance and to assess the competence and diligence of the
persons who perform the maintenance.

d) Investigation of major defects discovered in aircraft and determination of corrective

action to be taken where airworthiness may be affected. Inspections on the aircraft
undergoing routine maintenance.

e) Issue of service bulletins and the airworthiness directives of foreign airworthiness

authorities w.r.t aircraft, engines, propellers to determine applicability to the national
aircraft; monitoring the implementation of the relevant airworthiness regulations issued
by the headquarters.

f) Surveillance of the approved organisations for issue and renewal of certificates of

approval to conduct activities bearing on the airworthiness of aircraft, carrying out
routine surveillance check of the standard of work in the hangars, workshops and
associated facilities of approved organizations.

g) Surveillance of the carriage of dangerous goods, shippers and related organizations.

h) Framing and amendment of regulatory requirements from time to time concerning all
matters of airworthiness within the scope of the functions and responsibilities of the
Airworthiness Directorate.

i) Investigation of possible violations of the national air law or regulations in regard to

airworthiness and to suggest corrective action where necessary.

4.5 Duties and Responsibilities of Airworthiness Consultants:

DGCA may induct Consultants on short-term contract basis to meet the functional needs
of DGCA. The Consultants are inducted against vacant regular positions of Airworthiness
Officer/ Assistant Director of Airworthiness as an interim arrangement to enhance the
capacity till the time regular recruits are inducted in DGCA.

The duties and responsibilities of the various officers of Airworthiness Directorate are
described in this chapter. The Consultants do not have statutory authority to approve/
issue any certificate/ license/ approval. Their duties are restricted to assisting the regular
officers of Airworthiness Directorate to discharge their safety oversight responsibilities.
Detailed duties of Consultants at Airworthiness Directorate (Headquarters), Central
Examination Organization and Regional/ sub-regional Airworthiness Offices is given
below:
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 9 of 16

4.5.1 Airworthiness Directorate (Headquarters)

Consultant in the Airworthiness Directorate (Headquarters) would assist the regular officers
in the following areas:

a) Maintenance of Civil Aircraft Register and to ensure that updated information is

available as and when required;

b) Reviewing, processing and recording of applications for registration of aircraft and

deregistration of the aircraft;

c) Reviewing, processing and recording of applications for issue of certificate of

airworthiness;

d) Reviewing of Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins issued by State of Design

to determine their applicability to the civil registered aircraft;

e) Reviewing and processing applications for the approval and renewal of foreign aircraft
maintenance organizations involved in maintenance of Indian registered aircraft;

f) Issuance of advisory material concerning airworthiness practices and procedures,

where such advice does not warrant mandatory action, but makes a significant
contribution to flight safety;

g) Investigation of violations of the DGCA regulations concerning Airworthiness and

initiation of punitive/corrective actions, wherever necessary;

h) Reviewing, processing and recording applications for issue, renewal and extension of
aircraft maintenance personnel and Flight Engineer’s licenses;

i) Matters pertaining to Parliament Questions and RTI Act, 2005 and replies thereof
relating to Airworthiness;

j) Coordination with other directorates of DGCA on matters related to airworthiness, flight

operations and initial airworthiness of an aircraft, as and when required.

k) Airworthiness certification of as per CAP-3100, CAP-3300 and CAP-3400;

l) Airworthiness approval of modification and repair.

m) Overall implementation of training policy of Airworthiness Directorate including OJT;

4.5.2 SED and ASRG (Headquarters)

Consultant in SED and ASRG would assist the regular officers in the following areas:

a) Preparation of Annual Surveillance Programme, Regulatory Audit Programme, SOFA,

Quality Assessment and Cross Regional Checks, monitoring compliance of SAFA
findings;

b) Coordination with other Directorates on matters related to monthly Surveillance Data;

 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 10 of 16

c) Consolidation of all Surveillance data (received from all Directorates) in the form of
Tables;

d) Preparation of documents for Monthly Surveillance Meeting and Board for Aviation
Safety Meeting;

e) Preparation of Root cause analysis and Sharing of Safety Related information on

Surveillance findings;

f) Development/ Revision of SPM, EPM, Regulatory Audit Manual etc.;

g) Follow up of satisfactory closure of findings related to Surveillance, regulatory Audits,

SOFA, SAFA etc.;

h) Data Management - Coordination and consolidation of data related to DGCA

Surveillance system and Enforcement Action with all Directorates and RAOs.

4.5.3 Central Examination Organisation

Consultant in CEO would assist the regular officers in the following areas:

a) Scheduling of examinations;

b) Reviewing applications for allotment of computer numbers and allotment of roll

numbers;

c) Preparation for Online examination; Packaging and Dispatch of Examination Materials

to Examination Centre (written examination);

d) Checking received sealed packets/ bundles of examination materials from examination

Centre;

e) Processing and declaration of results;

f) Preservation of question papers, OMRs / answer sheets and other examination related
material;

4.5.4 Regional/ Sub Regional Airworthiness Office

Consultant in Regional/ Sub Regional Airworthiness Office would assist the regular officers
in the following areas:

a) Reviewing, processing and recording applications for issuance/ renewal of Certificate of

Airworthiness and Airworthiness Review Certificate of an aircraft;

b) Approval/ renewal and surveillance of manufacturing, maintenance, testing and training

organizations including aviation fuel vendors;

c) Approval of maintenance programme and its subsequent revisions for aircraft/aircraft

components/equipment and approval of minor modifications/repairs of aircraft/aircraft
components/ equipment;
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 11 of 16

d) Surveillance and Periodic review of the approved organizations to assess their capability
to have continuous approval;

e) Investigation/ analysis of defects in the aircraft and suggest corrective actions to arrest
negative trends, if needed;

f) Reviewing, processing and recording of applications for endorsement/ renewal of

licenses for Pilot & Aircraft Maintenance Engineers;

g) Reviewing of CAME, MOE of organizations;

h) Approval of MEL/ MEL revisions and Special Operations such as PBN,RNAV,RNP,P-

RNAV, RVSM etc.

i) Attending VVIP movements;

j) Conducting written examinations for issue/ extension of licenses of aircraft maintenance

personnel and Flight Crew.

k) Implementation of training policy of Airworthiness Directorate including OJT in regional

and sub regional offices

Note: In the interest of proper airworthiness control, all Airworthiness Officers and
Consultants should be familiar with their duties and responsibilities; and discharge
them with utmost diligence. They should also keep themselves abreast with the latest
development in the aviation industry in order to keep in pace with the modern aircraft.

5. Statutory Authority

5.1 Rule 156 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 empowers Director General of Civil Aviation to issue
General or Special Order in writing, authorizing an officer of Airworthiness Directorate for
the following:

5.1.1 To enter any place to which access is necessary for the purpose of exercising
airworthiness control;
5.1.2 To enter any approved organization during working hours where manufacturing,
maintenance, storage of aircraft/parts/components and training activities are being
undertaken;
5.1.3 To inspect at any time, any aircraft and its documents required to be certified as
airworthy or in respect of which Certificate of Airworthiness is in force or has been
suspended or deemed to be suspended;
5.1.4 To enter, inspect and search any aircraft for the purpose of securing compliance with
any of these Rules or the provisions of the Aircraft Act, 1934.
5.2 Section 8 of Aircraft Act, 1934 authorizes detention of aircraft. This power has been
vested in the officers of Airworthiness Directorate vide S.O. 754 dated the 28th February,
1994 as given in AIC 06 of 1994.
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 12 of 16

5.3 Relevant Statutory Orders empowering Airworthiness Officers to discharge their duties
are available on DGCA Website.
5.3.1 The activities of the Airworthiness Officers will be governed by the following:
5.3.1.1 The Aircraft Manual, Civil Aviation Requirements and delegated powers for exercising
the duties and functions;
5.3.1.2 Airworthiness Procedures Manual;
5.3.1.3 Airworthiness Advisory Circulars, applicable AICs;
5.3.1.4 Other relevant Directives and Instructions that may be issued from time to time by the
Director General.

6 Staffing Requirements
6.1 Staffing of the Directorate of Airworthiness with sufficient number of suitable Airworthiness
Officers, experienced, qualified and capable of accomplishing the wide range of activities
covered in this manual, is paramount to ensure the Safety Oversight Programme of the
DGCA.
6.2 Airworthiness Officers must not only have the knowledge, experience and qualifications to
carry out their duties in a professionally sound manner, but also possess the personality to
win the respect and confidence of the operators. This would require a reasonable level of
tact, understanding, firmness, impartiality, integrity and exemplary personal conduct both in
the office and at the Operator’s premises.

6.3 Work Force Evaluation Methodology

The Workforce Evaluation Methodology, to determine Airworthiness staffing requirements

according to the size and complexity of civil air operations in India is described below. The
Workforce Evaluation Methodology is conducted separately for each offices of the
Airworthiness Directorate to determine the officer’s requirements. The Methodology should
be re‐visited periodically to account for aviation system growth or when a brand new type of
Aircraft / Airlines is introduced into the system.

6.3.1 STEP 1: Calculate Total Airworthiness Officers Hours Required

1. First, it is necessary to calculate Total Airworthiness Officers Hours Required. This

requires collection of three types of information:
a. The identification of each work function broken down into categories of activities
i. Surveillance activities
ii Certification activities
iii. Renewal activities
iv. Other regulatory and administrative activities

b. The annual frequency of each work function

c. The total number of inspector hours required to complete each work function

2. Enter the information into an Excel spreadsheet (see Figure 1 for a sample Workforce
evaluation Worksheet). The total number of annual hours required for each work function
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 13 of 16

can be calculated by multiplying the times per year each work function is performed by the
number of inspector hours required to complete each work function.
3. Calculate the total Airworthiness Officers Hours Required by each Airworthiness office
Separately (Hqrs, Regional / Sub‐Regional Airworthiness), then find the sum of the total
number of hours required for each work function performed by the Airworthiness
Directorate.

6.3.2 STEP 2: Calculate Total Airworthiness Officers Hours Available

1. There are two important components to calculating Total Airworthiness Officers Hours
Available:

a. The number of hours that each officer is available to conduct work functions
b. The total number of Airworthiness Officers

1. To determine the number of work hours, assumptions must be made regarding:

a. The number of hours each day each Airworthiness officer is expected to work
(typically 8 hours per day)
b. The number of days annually an Airworthiness officer will work (typically between
1500 and 1600 hours)
c. The number of work days annually the Airworthiness officer will be in training,
on vacation or unavailable to work for other reasons. For example, If it is assumed an
Airworthiness officer works 8 hours per day, and devote 5 days weeks to vacation
and training activities, the inspector’s available work hours will be 8 hours x 220 work
days = 1,760.

3. This analysis is conducted separately for each offices of the Airworthiness Directorate.
Therefore, the total number of offices of the Airworthiness Directorate refers to the total
number of current, qualified and available officers.

4. Once these two numbers are determined, Total officers of the Airworthiness office Hours
Available can be calculated by finding the sum of the number of hours each the
Airworthiness officers available to perform work function and the total number the
Airworthiness officers. Thus, if an Airworthiness officer has 1,760 hours available, and
there are 6 Airworthiness officer then the Total Hours Available r of that Airworthiness
office are 10,560 (1,760

6.3.3 STEP 3: Compare Total Hours Required and Total Hours Available

Compare the Total Airworthiness Officers Hours Required calculated in Step 1 to the Total
Inspector Hours Available calculated in Step 2. If the Total Inspector Hours Required is
less than the Total Inspector Hours Available, then the Airworthiness office has sufficient
staffing. However, if the Total Airworthiness Officers Hours Required is more than the
Total Inspector Hours Available, then be DGCA may consider adding additional staff to
that office.

Figure A.I.1. Sample Airworthiness Officers Inspector

Workforce Evaluation Worksheet

REGION NEW DELHI

 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 14 of 16

STEP 1: Calculate Total Inspector Hours Required

Work Function Annual Frequency Hours per Hours

Function Required

Function 1 36 24 864
Function 2 48 6 288
Function 3 24 4 96
Function 4 108 2 216
Function 5 12 24 288
Function 6 18 36 648

Total Inspector Hours Required 2400

STEP 2: Calculate Total Airworthiness Officers Hours Available

Annual Hours Available per Airworthiness Officers 1760

Current Number of Airworthiness Officers 2
Total Airworthiness Officers Hours Available 3520

STEP 3: Compare Total Hours Required To Total Hours Available

Total Officer Hours Available 3520

Total Officer Hours Required 2400
Difference 1120

6.3.4 STEP 4: Ensure Airworthiness Workforce Is Properly Qualified and Trained

This step involves taking the number of Airworthiness Officers required and determining
the necessary training and qualification requirements for the inspectors to meet the
demands of the civil aviation system. These training requirements include the necessary
airworthiness Officers training (initial, recurrent and on‐the‐job training) as well as the
necessary aircraft type‐rating qualifications needed for effective oversight of air operators.
The training requirements are detailed in APM Part –I Chapter ‐3.

6.3.5 Administrative Staff

Workforce issues related to administrative staff supporting Airworthiness Offices required

to be assessed separately. The Airworthiness Offices should have sufficient
administrative staff appropriate to the size and complexity of the office, to effectively
discharge their responsibilities
6.3.6 Responsibilities

The Workforce Evaluation Methodology is conducted separately for each offices of the
Airworthiness Directorate to determine the officer’s requirements. The Methodology should be
re‐visited periodically to account for aviation system growth or when a brand new type of Aircraft
/ Airlines is introduced into the system.
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 15 of 16

7 Qualification Requirements of Airworthiness Officers

7.1 Individuals seeking positions as Airworthiness Officer should have extensive academic
and technical education; and have progressed through positions of increased technical
and supervisory responsibility in the aviation industry or the military services.
7.2 The satisfactory or unsatisfactory execution of the various Airworthiness functions
depends to a large extent on the qualification, experience, competence and dedication of
an individual Officer. In addition to the vital importance of technical competency in
performing airworthiness inspections and the surveillance of certificated operators and
approved maintenance organizations, it is likewise critical that Officers possess a high
degree of integrity, be impartial in carrying out their tasks, be tactful, have a good
understanding of human nature and possess the ability to get along well with people.
Considering the specialized and sensitive nature of the Officer’s job profile, the
qualifications, experience and personal characteristics of each person employed to
perform Officer’s duties will be verified and carefully evaluated before selections are
made.
7.3 The induction of Airworthiness Officers presently in the airworthiness Directorate is at two
levels; viz. Airworthiness officer and Assistant Director of Airworthiness (earlier known as
Senior Airworthiness Officer) based upon Qualification/Experience as detailed in
Recruitment Rules.
 PART I
AIRWORTHINESS PROCEDURES MANUAL Issue 2 Rev. 2 Chapter 1
October 2017 Page 16 of 16

APPENDIX - I

Organization Structure
Airworthiness Offices

Director General of Civil Aviation

Joint Director General

Deputy Director General

Airworthiness
Directorate(Headquaters)

Office of Director Office of Director Office of Director Office of Director

of Airworthiness( of Airworthiness( of Airworthiness( of Airworthiness( Office of Director
Wertern Region) Northern Region) Eastern Region) Southern Region) Banglore
Mumbai Delhi Kolkata Chennai

Sub Regional Sub Regional Sub Regional Sub Regional Sub Regional
Airworthiness Airworthiness Airworthiness Airworthiness Airworthiness
office Bhopal office Lucknow office Patna office Hyderabad office Kochi

Sub Regional
Sub Regional
Airworthiness
Airworthiness
office
office Kanpur
Bhubneshwar

Sub Regional Sub Regional

Airworthiness Airworthiness
office Patiala office Guwahati