Page 124 - UK Regulation Part 21 Initial Airworthiness Annex I (consolidated) March 2022

PART 21 - INITIAL AIRWORTHINESS (ANNEX I)

The objective of this AMC is to identify the items that need to be considered for a safe flight test, that
need to be practised, and, if necessary, defined in the flight test operations manual (FTOM) or related
procedures, templates or checklists. Those items are the following:
1. A flight test plan, completed flight conditions, and the related Forms 18a and 20b for the
purpose of conducting the production flight testing of a new production aircraft that are
provided as part of the approved type design. These define:
- a crewing policy, including its composition, and any competence, currency and flight
time limitations;
- procedures for the carriage of persons other than crew members, and for flight test
training;
- a policy for risk and safety management, and associated methodologies that are
adequate for the purpose of the flight;
- a definition of the instruments and equipment to be carried on board during this test
flight; and
- a list of the records that need to be produced when conducting this flight test.
2. This flight test plan constitutes the FTOM for this limited purpose.
21.A.143(a)(13) AMC2-ELA Exposition – Policies and procedures related to flight test
For companies to which AMC-ELA No 1 to 21.A.143(a)(13) is not appropriate, the POA may
implement policies and procedures for conducting these activities that include a proportionate and
efficient risk and safety management system. This approach is documented either within a separate
FTOM or as an integral part of any other valid manual of the organisation, such as the company
manual, or any other relevant quality manual. The FTOM, or its equivalent, should be proportionate to
the complexity of the aircraft and the organisation.
The risk and safety management system, documented within the FTOM, or its equivalent, covers the
following aspects:
1. The definition of the key qualifications, responsibilities and accountabilities for the staff
involved in conducting the flight test, and should cover at least:
- The Head of Flight Test (HoFT), who coordinates all the activities related to flight
test, and who assumes the responsibility for flight testing (which can be shared with
other management positions within the PO);
- The Flight Test Engineer, who manages the individual flight tests (or campaigns);
- The Test Pilot, who conducts any flight tests; and
- The Flight Test Mechanic, who conducts all the maintenance tasks and makes all
the configuration changes to the test aircraft.
One person who has adequate qualifications may act in more than one role. The HoFT
should have a direct reporting line to the AM.
2. A method that provides practical guidance to conduct a hazard assessment to classify
flight tests according to the risks involved. At least two categories should be identified:
- Category 1: for highrisk flight tests; and
- Category 2: for medium and lowrisk flight tests.
3. Definitions of generic risk mitigation strategies, such as the use of minimum and
maximum altitudes or airspeed safety margins, and safety rules to be obeyed for the
typical major test phases and missions.
4. The identification of the aircraft-related safety equipment that needs to be available,
including references to the maintenance requirements of this equipment.
5. The policy on how to alert and involve rescue services, such as the fire brigade or
emergency physicians, in order to provide sufficiently short reaction times.
6. Crew qualifications, including requirements for their qualifications to be current and crew
(refresher) training, as required.
7. For aircraft with MTOMs of 2 000 kg or more:
- the provisions of Appendix XII to Part21 apply;
- the minimum flight experience per year should be:
- for pilots: 50 hours. In addition:
- for pilots who have flight test ratings, the 50 hours should include 20
flight test hours in any flight test category;
- for pilots to perform Category 3 flight tests, their flight test experience
should be expressed in terms of the number of flights that led to the
issuing of a certificate of airworthiness (CofA) (e.g. first flights);
- for pilots to perform Category 4 flight tests, their minimum flight test
experience should be proportionate to the activity envisaged.
8. Crew composition and duty time limitations that are adequate for the kind of testing and
the risk category of the flight tests conducted by the POA.
The procedural aspects, documented within the FTOM, or its equivalent, should cover the
following aspects:
9. The initiation and planning of a flight test activity, including, for example, but not limited to:
- hazard analysis;
- detailed flight test planning;
- the generation and approval of flight conditions;
- the definition and verification of the testaircraft configuration;
- the preparation of the aircraft;
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