Certificate of Airworthiness
Choose one of the options below to find out more about applying for a Certificate of Airworthiness:
Initial Issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness
Applicable Requirements
- OTAR Part 21 – Certification of Aircraft, Subpart E – Certificates of Airworthiness
- OTAC 21-3 – Certificate of Airworthiness
- OTAR Part 39 – Continued Airworthiness Requirements
Applying for an Initial Issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness
When you make an application to the BCAA, you will be assigned a point of contact within the Airworthiness team. All correspondence and queries in relation to airworthiness should be directed to them to ensure your transaction is well supported.
Applicants for the initial issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness should follow the process described below. The necessary forms and supporting documents may be submitted by email to your assigned point of contact or to airworthiness@bcaa.bm.
Type Acceptance Certificate
Certificates of Airworthiness are based on the airworthiness standards of the applicable TAC. To verify that a TAC has been issued to the applicable Type Certificate, visit the Type Acceptance Certificate page.
Submit the applicable forms below – along with any required attachments – to airworthiness@bcaa.bm.
Arrangements for Continued Airworthiness Management
The continued airworthiness of any aircraft above 2,700 kg Maximum Take-Off Mass (MTOM) on the Bermuda Aircraft Registry must be managed by an appropriately approved CAMO under OTAR Part 39. CAMO arrangements must be in place prior to making an application for a Certificate of Airworthiness. Please view the Continuing Airworthiness Management Approval page for more information.
Maintenance Programme
All aircraft on the Bermuda Aircraft Registry must be maintained in accordance with an approved maintenance programme. Maintenance programme content should be aligned to the continuing airworthiness data of the Type Certificate Holder. Applicants should submit a copy of their maintenance programme for approval, along with the completed forms - Aircraft Maintenance Programme Approval – AW-285 and Aircraft Maintenance Programme Checklist – AW-287
Export Certificate of Airworthiness
To obtain a Certificate of Airworthiness, an applicant must first provide the BCAA with an Export Certificate of Airworthiness from the exporting State of registry, stating compliance to the Type Certificate standard the applicant wishes to register the aircraft to.
Mode S Transponder
The BCAA will source and allocate the Mode S code upon receiving a Certificate of Airworthiness application. The aircraft transponder(s) should be programmed with the provided code.
ELT Registration
At least one fixed Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) transmitting on 406Mhz must be installed and registered with the Bermuda Department of Marine & Ports Services. However, aircraft operated under the Article 83 bis Agreement between Bermuda and the Russian Federation will be registered in the National Database of Russia using code 273. View AWN-01-20 for more information.
Class Six Radio Licence
A Class Six Radio Licence must be obtained from the Bermuda Regulatory Authority.
Aircraft Inspection
The aircraft must be made available for inspection by an Airworthiness Inspector. The CAMO or Technical Coordinator must present the aircraft and all relevant airworthiness records to the BCAA's Inspector.
The aircraft must be in the following condition:
- In a suitable hangar
- Power available on the aircraft
- Flaps in the down position
- Any cargo bays open
- Any equipment bays open
- Any APU bays open
- Engine cowls open
- Adequate access equipment (steps and platforms) available
- Adequate lighting available
Finance Process
The owner/operator wishing to apply for a Certificate of Airworthiness should first request an invoice from the BCAA Finance Department. In addition, new clients need to register as a vendor with the BCAA Finance Department by submitting the Non-Euro Foreign New/Change Address Book Form to receivables@bcaa.bm. Visit the Fee Payment page for more information and to find the relevant forms.
Certificate Issue
On completion of the process, a Certificate of Airworthiness will be issued in electronic form, digitally certified by a duly authorised member of the BCAA Airworthiness team and valid for a period of twelve months. Hardcopy Certificates are available upon request, subject to an additional document charge.
Renewal of a Certificate of Airworthiness
Applicable Requirements
Renewal of a Certificate of Airworthiness
The BCAA Finance Department will contact the operator 90 days before the expiry of the Certificate of Airworthiness to enquire if the owner wishes to renew the Certificate. If the operator wishes to renew, the Finance Department will send through the renewal invoice which should be processed as soon as practicable.
Also, within 90 days before the expiry of the Certificate, the CAMO responsible for the aircraft shall submit the Recommendation for the Renewal of Certificate of Airworthiness – AW-201(r) along with the required supporting documentation, to the Principal Airworthiness Inspector directly or to airworthiness@bcaa.bm.
Aircraft Inspection
The aircraft must be made available for inspection by an Airworthiness Inspector. The CAMO or Technical Coordinator will liaise with the Inspector to determine a mutually convenient time and location for the inspection and must present the aircraft with all relevant airworthiness records to the Inspector.
The aircraft must be in the following condition:
- In a suitable hangar
- Power available on the aircraft
- Flaps in the down position
- Any cargo bays open
- Any equipment bays open
- Any APU bays open
- Engine cowls open
- Adequate access equipment (steps and platforms) available
- Adequate lighting available
AWN-04-20
AWN-03-20
AWN-01-20
Exemptions and Deviations
Deviation from OTAR Part 21– Reissue of Certificate of Airworthiness within 90 days
Exemption AN(OT)O Article 16 – Qualifications for Registration (Switzerland)