Introduction

All Defence registered aircraft are to be operated with a valid Military Certificate of Airworthiness (MCoA) issued by DASA. This represents a baseline level of airworthiness risk aligning to both civil and military global convention. In some circumstances however, Defence aircraft may be required to operate without a valid MCoA, potentially at an elevated level of risk.

When it is not reasonably practicable to restore the validity of a Military Certificate of Airworthiness (MCoA) through the use of approved data or by deferring a defect, a Military Permit to Fly (MPTF) is required in lieu. The application for, and issue of an MPTF is a specific application of the seven step risk management process detailed in DASA AC 003/2018 – Risk Management in the DASP.

Situations requiring an MPTF commonly include:

  • No Military Certificate of Airworthiness having been issued
  • Flying with unapproved modifications installed
  • Ferry flights to maintenance venues
  • Flying outside the operating limitations of the Aircraft Flight Manual

What We Do

DASA will only issue MPTFs based on an approved set of flight conditions. The flight conditions represent the set of risk controls that minimise the risk so far as is reasonably practicable. The MPTF will be issued when the risk controls (flight conditions) are applied to the subject aircraft.

Local Delegates of the Safety Authority (DoSAs) can issue MPTFs in some circumstances. MPTFs can also be issued under organisational privilege (if awarded).

How Do I Apply?

Applications for MPTFs are to be made using DASR Form 21. The application for an MPTF will need to include reference to a current set of approved flight conditions, or a concurrent application for the approval of new flight conditions.

I Want To Learn More…

If you want to learn more about MPTFs, please consult the following resources:

Guidance Material

Regulation Links

DASR Forms

Support

If you have questions about this topic please contact DASA.TypeCert@defence.gov.au

For DASR queries please submit a DASR Query Form (DQF) Form 110

Related Content

DASA Webpage

Approval of Flight Conditions
Military Certificates of Airworthiness