Proposed amendments to the Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness (IPA)

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (Infrastructure) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), welcomes comment on proposed amendments to the Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness (IPA) under the Agreement on the Promotion of Aviation Safety between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America, done at Canberra on 21 June 2005, more commonly known as the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA). The agreement is intended to promote aviation safety and to enhance commercial opportunities for Australian aviation goods and services providers.

The BASA consists of two parts: The Executive Agreement (EA) and a series of Implementation Procedures (IPs) on specific topics. Both the EA and IPs are treaty level documents. The BASA establishes a mechanism through which the United States can accept aviation safety certifications and approvals issued by CASA. The Implementation Procedure for Airworthiness (IPA) was the first IP negotiated under the BASA and sets outs the technical processes which CASA and the FAA would undertake in accepting the certification, approval and oversight of airworthiness activities undertaken by each authority.

Through the BASA, Australia has means to negotiate a more equitable recognition of Australia’s high standard of safety oversight processes and as such significantly streamline certification processes for Australian businesses when dealing with the United States. The proposed amendments to the IPA are designed so Australian Parts Manufacturer Approval (APMA) processes for certain aircraft parts will be accepted and recognised by the FAA. This will simplify the process and reduce costs involved for Australian manufactures who wish to access the large US market.

To assist consultation, a discussion paper outlining the proposed changes is available for download:

• Discussion Paper [PDF: 43 KB] [DOC: 768 KB]

In addition, you may wish to view the Agreement on the Promotion of Aviation Safety with the Government of the United States of America and the Implementation Procedures on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.

Comments on the proposed amendments are required in writing by midnight 13 September 2009.
Submissions should be sent by email to IPAconsultation@infrastructure.gov.au or alternatively by post to:

International ICAO Section
Aviation Safety Branch
Aviation and Airports Business division
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional development and Local Government
GPO Box 594
CANBERRA ACT 2605