Aircraft Certification - Business Plan 2003-2010

AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION: MANDATE AND MISSION

Mandate

Aircraft Certification is responsible for the promotion of aviation safety through the regulation of aeronautical product design inCanada, including the development and administration of policies and standards for the certification of domestic and foreign aeronautical products, and a shared responsibility for product continued airworthiness.

MISSION

The Aircraft Certification Mission is to fulfill its Mandate for aviation safety through the effective use of internal and externally delegated resources and through international cooperation with foreign aviation authorities.

PRINCIPLES OF THE ORGANIZATION

Aircraft Certification applies the following principles in guiding Aircraft Certification towards achieving its Mission:

To Promote Safety

By adopting and promoting a systems approach to safety and oversight of aeronautical product design

To Have Clear Accountabilities

By clarifying with staff the internal accountabilities for program delivery and with industry the shared accountability for the safety of Canadian aeronautical products

To Develop & Maintain Partnerships

By exercising our shared accountability with industry through consultation, joint initiatives and open lines of communication

To Use a Risk Management Approach

By employing appropriate risk management processes in decision-making

To Foster Continuous Improvement

By working towards a more effective and efficient Aircraft Certification contribution to the safety framework and by implementing performance measures and goals

Aircraft Certification achieves its Mandate and Mission in the following activity areas:

Qualifying Aeronautical Products, Individuals and Organizations:

Immediate outcome: Reasonable expectations that individuals, organizations and/or products can operate safely.

Certification: Aircraft Certification certifies the design of Canadian aeronautical products on behalf of the Minister of Transport.

Delegation: Aircraft Certification manages the ministerial delegation of authority to organizations and individuals in the aerospace industry.

Oversight of the Aviation System:

Immediate outcome: Determination of the level of compliance and confirmation that hazards and risks are systemically managed.

Oversight / Surveillance: Aircraft Certification exercises due diligence on behalf of the Canadian public by overseeing:

1. aeronautical product design certification; and
2. design approval certificate holders and delegates.

Continuing Airworthiness: Aircraft Certification monitors both Canadian designed and Canadian operated products, and takes the corrective actions necessary to resolve in-service aircraft airworthiness issues.

Education, Promotion and Evaluation:

Immediate outcome: Increased understanding of hazards and risks as well as techniques for proactively managing them.

Education, Promotion: Aircraft Certification educates and provides training for stakeholders in safety management systems, and promotes design safety throughout the aerospace industry.

Evaluation: Aircraft Certification uses safety intelligence information to support the continued airworthiness of aeronautical products.

Leadership and Management:

Immediate outcome: Effective organization that embraces continuous improvement.

Aircraft Certification provides national leadership for all matters relating to the certification of aeronautical products in Canada and delivers its services through its cadre of committed staff and delegates.

Safety Policy, Rulemaking and Agreements

Immediate outcome: Regulatory framework and agreements focused on performance and risk management.

Standards and Regulations: Aircraft Certification develops, including research and development activities, regulations, standards, and guidance material in support of Transport Canada Civil Aviation legislation.

International Cooperation: Aircraft Certification sustains collaborative work relationships with foreign authorities and international agencies, through the use of international agreements.