1. Timothy E. Gowen NATO Ad Hoc Airworthiness Group
NATO perspective
Timothy E. Gowen
NATO Ad Hoc Airworthiness Group

2. Briefing Outline Introduction Current Framework
NATO Specific Requirements
Latest Developments
Future Steps
Areas of co-operation

3. Introduction Airworthiness
is about achieving an acceptable level of safety …
…is a standard of safety for an aeronautical product demonstrating that it is fit and safe for flight, in conformance with its approved type design, manufacturing and maintenance standards, and operated within its design limits….
….and, is a discipline that is concerned with the determination of whether or not an aeronautical product has achieved a state of being technically and operationally airworthy, and produces the evidence to this effect.

4. Current framework Military Aviation
Military aircraft have unique requirements:
Armament
Battle damage
Ejection Seats
Flight envelope extremes; and
Higher levels of risk management
Still a National responsibility - each country is responsible for it’s own regulation and management…
…but standards and/or unique regulations required

5. NATO Specifics Common policy, standards and procedures
NATO is NOT a “Regulator” but dependent on the availability and interoperability of its Member Nations’ Forces, thus:
Standardisation
Economy of effort
Mutual trust
Balance between Military Mission and Safety
NATO Wide Minimum Safety Framework
Common policy, standards and procedures
leverage the benefits for NATO’s existing and future air assets
provide for value-added cooperation.
are Critical

6. NATO Specifics Recognized A/W needs
NATO Specific capabilities (owned/leased air assets)
NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control (NAEW&C)
NATO Strategic Air Lift Capability (NSAC)
NATO AGS (Air Ground Surveillance), and
NATO UAVs, need:
Standardised military aviation requirements (including A/W standards)
Seamless connection into the overall aviation system
Harmonized requirements for airspace usage in cross-border operations
‘Due regard’ to international obligations and general (Air) Law principles

7. Latest Developments NATO Airworthiness Ad-Hoc Working Group
Scope
develop specific policy/standards for NATO owned/leased air assets and/or those operating under NATO Aegis
provide the necessary framework for the regulation of military aviation that achieves an acceptable level of safety for NATO owned or leased air assets, including those operating under NATO Aegis.
Focus:
Define the roles and responsibilities of a NATO Military Aviation Authority.
Define the minimum Military Aviation Regulations and look into the need to develop standards for minimum A/W requirements.
Address both initial (acquisition) and continuing (maintenance) airworthiness.
Identify and define a common set of terms and definitions for NATO A/W.

8. Latest Developments NATO Airworthiness Ad-Hoc Working Group
Program of Work
address the need to develop a NATO A/W Framework (Principles and Policy);
address the need to develop NATO A/W related STANAGs;
expand liaison and cooperation with other A/W specialized/affected organizations;
address A/W Terminology;
continuously update its Terms of Reference.
Objectives
Achieve an acceptable and known level of safety for military aeronautical products
Provide safe flights for all personnel
Address liability issues with NATO Aircraft and/or those operating under NATO.
Address legal and political scrutiny
Increase harmonization of airspace regulations
Leverage of common policies, standards and procedures: good business practices.
Provide for a common airworthiness policy.
Allow for common validation and certification.
Enable Exchange of Information.

9. 4th meeting of NATO AWAHWG
Future Steps
Better coordination between different functionalities - A/W and Safety are all encompassing activities from procurement, through maintenance, material support, and operation, to disposal
Coherent approach
Military cooperation in Airworthiness has just started
Active involvement required
Possible establishment of a permanent NATO A/W Body
Increased cooperation - strong liaison with A/W related organizations (EDA, EMAAG, EASA, ASIC, etc)
4th meeting of NATO AWAHWG
21-23 April 2009 (NATO HQ)

10. Areas of Co-operation Common rulemaking principles
Harmonisation of regulations and procedures
Exchange of best practises
Certification of military aircraft
Exchange of safety information
Working arrangements and Agreements for Technical Co-operation

11. Airworthiness
NATO perspective