Maintenance Organization Approval (MRO): Quality and Safety
The cornerstone of flight safety in the aviation industry is the airworthiness of aircraft. Any organization performing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of aircraft or their components is required to hold the appropriate certificate. In Georgia, this process is regulated by the Civil Aviation Agency and is based on strict European standards (EASA Part-145). Maintenance Organization Approval confirms that the company has the necessary infrastructure, qualified personnel, tools, and quality management system to perform the work.
This service is vital for companies wishing to operate in the market as independent technical centers or as maintenance departments within an airline. The process involves a complex audit and detailed document review. Legal assistance reduces bureaucratic barriers, ensures full compliance with standards, and accelerates the certification process, allowing the business to start generating revenue on time.
What Does MRO Approval Service Cover?
Aviation lawyers and consultants offer clients full support at all stages of approval:
- Gap Analysis: Assessing existing infrastructure and processes for compliance with regulations to identify deficiencies.
- MOE Development: Preparing the Maintenance Organization Exposition (MOE), which serves as the organization's "constitution."
- Personnel Approval: Managing the qualification verification process for key managers (Maintenance Manager, Quality Manager) and Certifying Staff.
- Facility Certification: Ensuring compliance of hangars, warehouses, and workshops with standards (lighting, temperature, equipment).
- Foreign MRO Recognition: Validating a foreign organization's certificate to provide services in Georgia.
- Scope Extension: Legally formalizing the addition of new aircraft types or engines to the approval scope.
Common Situations and Needs
MRO organizations need legal assistance in the following cases:
- Opening a New Center: Investors are building an aircraft repair facility and need a Part-145 certificate to start operations.
- Audit Findings: A planned Agency audit revealed non-compliances (Level 1 or Level 2 Findings), requiring rapid rectification to retain the certificate.
- Personnel Changes: The Quality Manager is changing, requiring Agency approval (Form 4) and manual amendments.
- Airline Contract: An MRO organization is signing a service agreement with an airline, requiring a legally sound contract with liability allocation.
- Certificate Suspension: The organization's operating rights were suspended due to a safety violation, requiring legal defense and a rehabilitation plan.
Georgian Legal Framework
The main regulatory document in the field is the "Rule on Civil Aircraft Technical Maintenance," approved by the Director of the Civil Aviation Agency. This rule is almost identical to the European regulation (EASA Part-145). Additionally, the "Rule on Certification of Aviation Technical Personnel" (Part-66) applies, defining technician qualifications. The general legal framework is based on the Air Code of Georgia. Environmental and occupational safety norms are also strictly controlled at MRO facilities.
The Process: How a Specialist Works
The process begins with studying the client's business model (what types of aircraft will be serviced). The lawyer/consultant helps the client write/adapt the MOE (Maintenance Organization Exposition), which is a critical document. Parallel to this, personnel documentation preparation takes place. After submitting the application, the lawyer attends the Agency's on-site inspection, assists in communication with auditors, and ensures timely and legally correct rectification of identified findings. The final stage is receiving the certificate and subsequent monitoring of continuous compliance.
Why Use Legal.ge?
Maintenance Organization Approval is a high-tech and legally complex process. Errors in documentation mean certificate denial and business stoppage. Legal.ge gives you access to experts who have both aviation and legal experience. Our specialists will help you undergo certification compliant with EASA standards efficiently and with guarantees. Build a reliable aviation business with Legal.ge.
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