An MCoA is an aircraft operating authorisation issued against an aircraft tail that has the purpose to validate that the aircraft conforms to the type design as specified on the Military Type Certificate (MTC). It serves as the final assurance artefact that the aircraft is in a state of airworthiness per the inherent level of safety afforded by the type design and the underlying MTC basis. It is enabled by an organisation or operator, who has registered the aircraft on the Australian Defence register, and has ensured conformity through meeting various requirements.
An Operator organisation may hold an MCoA when DASA are satisfied that the requirements of DASR Part 21 Subpart H have been met. To enable eligibility, the relevant DASRs describe the criteria that must be verified to enable issue.
MCoAs in the Australian Defence context can only be issued by the DASA or a Delegate of the Safety Authority (DoSA). The release document is via a DASR Form 25 - Military Certificate of Airworthiness and applies only to aircraft that are registered on the Defence register in Australia.
An application for an MCoA shall be made by an eligible organisation via DASR Form 25a - Application for Certificate Of Airworthiness. In the Australian Defence context, the MAO and/or their CAMO are eligible to be applicants for an MCoA as holders of a MAOC. Aircraft that are Non-Defence Registered (NDR), do not have a corresponding DASA Military Type Certificate and therefore cannot be issued a MCoA.
An MCoA application shall be made in a form and manner established by the Authority (DASA in Australia) of the State of Registry11, per DASR.21.A.174(a). When considering an MCoA application, the Authority will consider all documentation in support of the state of the aircraft at application. This has particular significance for used aircraft, where records of usage, maintenance, modifications and repairs may not be to the standard normally required by Defence.
The MCoA application presents documentation that the aircraft conforms to the type design approved under the relevant MTC. The required documentation, artefacts, reports and historical evidence (if applicable) to support the application shall be in accordance with DASR.21.A.174(b). Any deviations from the certified type design must be approved by an appropriately authorised design organisation.
For used aircraft, DASA will require a Military Airworthiness Review Certificate (MARC) conducted in accordance with DASR Part M regulations before issuing an MCoA. The MARC review is a physical survey of the aircraft and supports issue of the MCoA to satisfy DASA that the submitted documentation is reflective of the physical aircraft. The MARC process is further discussed as part of paragraphs 17 and 18 of this section.
An MCoA can only be approved and issued if any modifications, repairs and/or production deviations implemented on the aircraft are approved under DASR 21, or under a recognised national civil or military airworthiness framework.
For new aircraft being delivered to Defence originating from a civil derivative, the acquisition project should seek a civil export CoA, via the prime aircraft OEM, where there is a civil Type Certificate (TC) in place via the relevant Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This export CoA can form a foundation for the issue of an Australian MCoA.
For instances where Defence is leasing/acquiring an aircraft that has been in civilian use, the requirement for an export CoA should still be sought from the applicable CAAs. If the lease is of a continuous nature that will not warrant transfer to the Defence register, then Defence will need to gain sufficient evidence to confirm that the extant civil CoA remains valid and that the aircraft has remained in a controlled environment. Defence will accept only a Standard CoA under DASR 21.A.172, DASR 21.A.173 and DASR 21.A.174. DASA-DIA staff should be consulted for specific advice.
Where national regulations allow ownership (either nationally or to another State/Nation) of a Defence registered aircraft to be changed, the Authority should be engaged as early as possible for specific advice. Such ownership changes may be allowed in certain circumstances.
The MCoA Holder (typically the MAO) is responsible for the continuing validity of an MCoA. An MCoA may be amended or modified only by the Authority (DASA in Australia) of the State of registry1. An MCoA may be issued for an unlimited duration, and remains valid subject to the conditions described in DASR.21.A.181.
Additionally, the ongoing validity of an MCoA requires that damage be assessed, and all applicable modifications and repairs carried out, using as appropriate the data requirements of DASR.M.A.304.
The validity of an MCoA is periodically renewed via the MARC process, as per DASR.M.A.901. This involves an airworthiness review of the aircraft and its continuing airworthiness records. The initial airworthiness review is due within 12 months of the issue date of the aircraft's initial MCoA.
The MAO is accountable for the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft and shall ensure that no flight takes place unless the MCoA and the MARC remain valid, as per DASR.M.A.201. If an MCoA becomes invalid, the MAO must return the aircraft to an airworthy condition before operating the aircraft or seek an alternate DASR authorisation. A new MCoA is only required if the aircraft is being returned to the Defence register after removal, or the certificate is revoked by the Authority (DASA in Australia) of the State of registry11.
DASA Website (Content relating to MCoAs)
DASR Form 25a - Application for Certificate Of Airworthiness