Regulation Compliance Audits
What we do
As part of the regulatory procedure for Approval we undertake to carry out regulatory compliance audits on behalf of the Competent Authority.
How we operate
The compliance auditing service provided by Aviation Compliance Ltd is based on the concept of a partnered, flexible approach. We are focussed on achieving high customer satisfaction levels through a flexible, pragmatic, responsive and professional service delivery to both the MOD and the MAOS organisations. As Aviation Compliance Ltd is an independent compliance auditing organisation we will not sell or offer consulting, training or other commercial activities that will raise conflict of interest concerns with our role. Consequently we will seek to promote a professional and independent role, maintaining objectivity but also making expertise available in the form of non fee paying high level advice to the management of MAOS organisations and applicants.
The process
On receipt of an organisation's MAOS approval application acknowledgement letter from MAA, we will initiate communication with the applicant. The initial communication clarifies the engagement process between Aviation Compliance Ltd and the organisation and concentrates on establishing communication links, clarification of responsibilities, administration issues and the approval process in general.
The first stage of the approval process is the compilation by the applicant of a Maintenance Organisation Exposition, drafted in accordance with the Defence standard 05-130. This Exposition is then submitted to us for review, comment and finally acceptance.
In parallel with the Exposition review we will contact the applicant and arrange a pre-audit scoping visit, designed to familiarise us with the organisational structure, locations and scope of work. It also provides an opportunity for the applicant and ACL to clarify any issues that may have arisen during the initial application process and agree provisional dates and discuss the format for the approval audit.
We will produce an audit plan detailing the key areas of the audit activity, allocate an audit team and request who we consider as the key personnel required in attendance during our audit.
The audit process is carried out by experienced qualified aviation auditors from Aviation Compliance Ltd, sometimes in conjunction with MOD MAA personnel as part of the audit team.
The key areas
The key areas that must be addressed and completed prior to recommendation for Approval are:
Exposition acceptance
Form 4 management personnel interviewed and accepted
Closure of all audit non conformances either by ACL or with agreed actions and dates for closure.
Only at this stage will ACL formally recommend MAOS approval of the organisation to MAA. On receipt of the recommendation MAA will issue the organisation with a MAOS approval certificate detailing the organisations locations and the approved scope of work. This Approval is non expiring; however it is issued on the condition that the organisations compliance with the Defence Standards is continual monitored.
The frequency of the continuation audit process will depend on the size, complexity and number of locations of the organisations approval. Another factor taken into account would be any risk issues identified in previous audits or airworthiness issues brought to the attention of MAA.
If an organisation wishes to add to their approved scope of work then a variation application must be submitted to MAA detailing the additional work type (i.e. new aircraft type or approval rating).