In the world of aviation, ensuring the continuing airworthiness of your aircraft is imperative to ensure its safety and value retention. However, achieving these goals requires meticulous oversight and adherence to strict regulations. This is where a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) steps in, offering tailored maintenance and operational programs endorsed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
CAMOs play a crucial role in the post-certification phase of aircraft management. After the initial certification and delivery of the aircraft, complex or commercially operated aircraft must be managed in accordance with EASA requirements by an approved CAMO. This ongoing management includes inspections, part replacements, and adherence to maintenance requirements set by manufacturers, vendors, or Design Organizations (DOs).
So, what exactly are the core functionalities of a CAMO provider?
First and foremost, CAMOs take on the responsibility of airworthiness, acting as trustees on behalf of the aircraft owners, and acting in their best interests to ultimately maximize the value of their aircraft. This includes everything from record-keeping to coordinating with Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) organizations, negotiating and monitoring agreements, and conducting airworthiness reviews.
Fixed CAMO services encompass a wide range of tasks, including developing maintenance programs, coordinating with authorities, providing consulting advice to owners, and managing last-minute requests. Essentially, fixed CAMOs handle all aspects of airworthiness management, allowing aircraft owners to focus on their core operations while ensuring the safety and reliability of their assets.
But why should aircraft owners entrust these responsibilities to a CAMO instead of managing them internally?
While CAMO is mandatory for all complex or commercial aircraft, technically, any aircraft owner can perform CAMO duties, so long as the aircraft is not classified as “complex” or if it is only being used for private use.
According to EASA Regulation (EC) No 216/2008, a “complex motor powered aircraft” shall mean:
(i) an aeroplane:
– with a maximum certificated take-off mass exceeding 5700 kg, or
– certificated for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than 19, or
– certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least 2 pilots, or
– equipped with (a) turbojet engine(s) or more than one turboprop engine, or(ii) a helicopter certificated:
– for a maximum take-off mass exceeding 3175 kg, or
– for a maximum passenger seating configuration of more than 9, or
– for operation with a minimum crew of at least 2 pilots, or(iii) a tilt rotor aircraft;
However, improper management of the airworthiness of an aircraft can result in significant costs and risks, and may result in the aircraft’s value diminishing rather than being maximized.
Personnel who work for a registered CAMO undergo a rigorous certification process to be able to perform CAMO duties, requiring extensive training and compliance with regulatory standards. This training ensures that your aircraft will be properly managed in accordance with best practices and regulations, optimizing both its value and safety over time.
This means that you, as an aircraft owner, can spend more time flying, and less time worrying about whether your aircraft is being properly managed and unnecessarily losing value. Even if it’s not mandatory for your aircraft to use an approved CAMO to manage the continuing airworthiness of your aircraft, just this increase in value alone may persuade you.
When selecting a CAMO provider, several factors should be considered. Experienced personnel, responsiveness to requests, necessary approvals, and a willingness to adapt procedures based on customer expectations are among the key criteria. This is where QCM CAMO stands out.
QCM CAMO, an independent organization
QCM CAMO is a trusted organization with extensive experience across authorities, regulations, and countries. Being an independent organization unaffiliated with any specific operator or MRO, our top priority is guarding our clients’ best interests. This is why, unlike other CAMOs that offer basic services with hidden costs, QCM CAMO delivers transparent pricing and all-inclusive packages.
We pride ourselves on our strong reputation, flexibility, and customer-centric approach, providing worldwide coverage and responsive support to all situations, including grounded aircraft (AoGs), ARC inspections, and pre-purchase inspections. And with an experienced team of professionals fluent in various languages, and one dedicated staff member as your point of contact overseeing your aircraft/s, you can expect effective communication and seamless operations throughout your partnership with us.
In addition to fixed CAMO services, QCM CAMO offers a diverse range of additional support, including subcontracted CAMO, interim CAMO, asset management, aircraft delivery, operator audits, aircraft valuations, and more. This comprehensive suite of services reflects QCM CAMO’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of aircraft owners and operators at every stage of their journey.
CAMOs are indispensable partners in the aviation industry, ensuring the safety, compliance, and value retention of aircraft assets. With QCM CAMO, aircraft owners can rest assured that their assets are in capable hands, allowing them to focus on their core operations and achieve new heights in the world of aviation.
QCM CAMO is a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization which helps aircraft owners and operators to ensure their airplanes and helicopters maintain their full market value over time.
Established in 2007, our team has extensive experience in aircraft technical management to ensure that your aircraft remain airworthy through compliance with all applicable regulations and requirements, ultimately maximizing their market value over time.
As well as overseeing and managing the airworthiness of your aircraft, our expertise extends to Pre-Purchase Inspections, Airworthiness Reviews (including ARC inspections), Asset Management services, Operator Audits, Aircraft Import/Export, Representation during maintenance events, and more.
Our qualified engineers and mechanics focus on what they do best – managing your aircraft’s complex regulations and requirements – so that you can focus on what you do best – flying, chartering, or leasing.
For more information about how we can assist you, please contact us at info@camoplus.ch or visit https://www.qcm.ch/camo-plus/.