A Military Type Certificate (MTC) is issued by DASA to certify that an aircraft design is safe for the intended Defence operations. It is the outcome of a program demonstrating aircraft type design data complies with designated airworthiness requirements.
An MTC is only applicable to Defence registered aircraft. All Defence registered aircraft must have an MTC. An MTC is required before an aircraft’s first flight, however for some new aircraft where certification hasn’t been completed yet, initial flight operations may commence under a Military Permit to Fly.
The safety inherent in an aircraft design is demonstrated to the authority by the applicant showing evidence to the authority that the design meets certain airworthiness requirements. These airworthiness requirements are derived from recognised certification codes and Defence specific supplementation from the Defence Aviation Safety Design Requirements Manual. The set of applicable airworthiness requirements, termed the Type Certification Basis (TCB) is agreed between the applicant for the authorisation and the authority. The TCB must account for Defence’s intended usage of the aircraft and thus the Statement of Operating Intent and Usage (SOIU) is required before a TCB can be agreed upon. Military Certification Review Items (MCRI) are used to document supplementation of the airworthiness requirements in the TCB to account for Defence’s intended usage.
The MTC certification only considers airworthiness (safety) requirements, and will not cover capability requirements, thus functionality of mission systems is not normally covered within the scope of an MTC (Other than to demonstrate it is safe to operate).
The MTC is accompanied by a Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) which provides a concise definition of the configuration of the aircraft and includes the condition, limitations, and restrictions necessary to safely operate the aircraft. The TCDS also includes reference to the approved operating instructions (The Aircraft Flight Manual) as well as approved maintenance instructions (Instructions for Continued/Continuing Airworthiness)
In order to show the authority evidence of compliance to the TCB, the applicant for a MTC authorisation completes a certification programme. This programme is agreed with the Authority through the Certification Programme Plan (CPP). The CPP forms the pivotal agreement between the authority and the applicant and is a requirement for MTC approval. The CPP documents agreement to the TCB (and applicable airworthiness requirements), as well as the means by which the applicant will show compliance and how the authority will confirm compliance has been achieved.
An application for a MTC can be achieved through notifying DASA in writing of the intent to apply, otherwise the submission of the first version of the Certification Programme Plan (CPP) will be taken as the initial application. A final application for a MTC is also to be provided in writing to DASA and shall address the requirements of DASR 21.A.21. An application is valid for five years (unless otherwise agreed) to ensure that the standards used to establish the TCB remain current.
DASA approval. DASA’s approval of a new MTC is based on an assessment of the evidence of compliance against the requirements of the TCB. DASA may also establish a Level of Involvement in the certification program that requires DASA to assess the acceptability of compliance demonstration evidence prior to finalisation of the certification programme by the applicant.
Interaction and timing. A schedule for achieving issuance of a MTC will be agreed with DASA via the CPP. The CPP is a living document with major certification milestones included in the schedule that are updated as necessary.
DASPMAN Volume 3 Section 7 provides further information on the Type Certification process.
MTCs are normally issued to a Government organisation who is responsible for ensuring the obligations associated with the authorisation are carried out. Once a MTC is issued by DASA, compliance assurance is achieved through oversight and enforcement activities as they relate to the MTC holder obligations. Major Changes to Type Design, Major Repairs, Military Permits to Fly and Occurrence Reports can also provide regular opportunities for DASA to assess the performance of the MTCH.