Civil Aviation Organization Requirements for MRO
The aviation industry is one of the most sensitive and highly regulated industries in the world . The reason for this sensitivity is directly related to the safety of
human lives.
In this context, MRO centers (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul)—responsible for maintaining, repairing, and overhauling aircraft and their components —play
a key role in ensuring flight safety. For this reason, the Civil Aviation Organization (CAO), as the highest regulatory authority in each country, develops and
enforces a set of requirements and standards for these centers.
MRO Operating License: The First Critical Step
No MRO center is allowed to operate without obtaining a valid certificate from the Civil Aviation Organization. This license, generally known as AM (Approved
Maintenance Organization), is issued after a thorough evaluation and inspection process.
Before issuing this certificate, the Civil Aviation Organization typically inspects the following items:
Physical and workshop infrastructure: The center must be equipped with workshops, hangars, and necessary tools to perform various repairs.
Personnel qualifications: Engineers and technicians at the center must hold valid specialized certifications and undergo up-to-date training.
Technical documentation and manuals: The center must have a Quality Management System (QMS) as well as approved manuals and maintenance
instructions.
Test and calibration equipment: All measuring and testing instruments must be calibrated according to specified time intervals.
Spare parts management: The center must have a mechanism in place to ensure authenticity of parts and warehouse inventory control.
Mandatory Programs and Procedures
In addition to physical and personnel requirements , Civil Aviation Organizations place special emphasis on having documented and executable procedures.
Some of these required programs include:
Quality Assurance Program (QA): Includes internal audits, follow-up of corrective actions, and analysis of quality data.
Event Reporting Program: MRO centers must immediately report any safety-related events ( such as the discovery of a critical defect in a component )
to the authority.
Record Control Program: All repairs, inspections, and part replacements must be fully documented and accessible . These records are generally kept until
the end of the aircraft’s operational life.
Training and Qualification of Human Resources
One of the most important requirements is related to technical personnel. According to regulations such as Part-66 (or similar local guidelines),the Civil Aviation
Organization emphasizes that:
All staff authorized to issue Certificates of Release to Service (CRS) must have a valid maintenance license.
Recurrent training is mandatory to ensure technical knowledge is regularly updated.
Personnel must be familiar with Safety Management Systems (SMS) and the reporting culture.
Specific Safety and SMS Requirements
In recent years,Civil Aviation Authorities have increasingly emphasized the need for Safety Management Systems (SMS) in MRO centers. SMS helps to identify
, assess, and manage potential hazards. This system should include:
A non-punitive reporting process
Safety data analysis
Audits and corrective actions
so that it can contribute to the continuous improvement of safety standards.
Periodic Inspections and CAO Audits
Issuing a certificate is not the end of CAO oversight . The organization conducts scheduled and unscheduled on-site audits . These inspections review
compliance with declared procedures , the status of maintenance records , tool calibration , and even observance of workshop safety protocols.
If major discrepancies are found , the MRO’s approval can be suspended or revoked , leading to serious financial and reputational consequences for
the company.
Conclusion: Compliance is Not Just an Obligation, but a Professional Necessity
Compliance with Civil Aviation Organization requirements for MRO centers is more than an administrative commitment — it is a demonstration of professional
integrity in the aviation industry . These standards not only ensure flight safety and passenger well-being , but also increase the confidence of aircraft
owners and operators in the services provided by the center.
The more proactive an MRO is in implementing quality processes , continuous staff training , and SMS frameworks , the stronger its position will be in the
competitive aviation maintenance market, ultimately attracting a larger share of domestic and international clients.
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