Aviation Certification Consultants LLC

Some Bilateral Agreements Frequently Asked Questions

We can assist you with these questions and many more.

 

 

• What are bilateral agreements? What is the difference between the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement (BAA), Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) and the Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness (IPA)?    To learn more about bilateral agreements and the different types of bilateral cooperation, refer to the FAA’s Bilateral Agreements Overview page.   https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/international/bilateral_agreements/overview/

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• Which countries have bilateral agreements with the U.S., and where can I locate these documents?    The FAA Bilateral Agreements Listing webpage lists all of the countries that have bilateral agreements with the U.S.   https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/international/bilateral_agreements/baa_basa_listing/

 

• If I have FAA-issued design approval for my aircraft, how do I obtain equivalent approvals from a particular country?  Bilateral Partner Country Requirements: Refer to the applicable bilateral agreement through the Bilateral Agreements Listing webpage to determine the scope of acceptance or approval and associated validation procedures.  The applicant must work through their local Aircraft Certification Office (ACO).   https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/international/bilateral_agreements/baa_basa_listing/

 

• I am a Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) holder planning to shift manufacturing of my parts to a bilateral partner country. What are the necessary steps to extend my PMA?     FAA order 8120-22 and FAA order 8100.11 contains the steps and processes.  We can help explain and assist you on the process and explain various business options.

 

•  I hold a FAA Technical Standard Order Authorization (TSO), and plan to shift manufacturing of my articles to a foreign country. What are the necessary steps for retaining my FAA TSO Authorization?    We can help explain and assist you on the process and explain various business options.  https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/international/bilateral_agreements/mfg_under_tsoa/

 

• What is the process for importing and registering an aircraft from a foreign country?    Review the Import Airworthiness Approval and Import an Aircraft webpages to learn more about the documentation and registration procedures required for approval. https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/international/import_aw_approval/

      https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/aircraft_certification/aircraft_registry/import_aircraft/

 

• How do I import aircraft from a country that does not have a bilateral agreement with the U.S.?    In order to import a non-U.S. State of Design aircraft into the U.S., the U.S. and the State of Design must currently have a bilateral agreement with provisions pertaining to the item in question. For additional information, refer to Advisory Circular 21-23B.   We can help explain and assist you on the process and explain various business options.

 

• We are a foreign company that manufactures articles, and would like to export Article X to the U.S. How do we obtain FAA approval?  Contact your foreign civil aviation authority for instructions on the certification process. A Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement must exist between the U.S. and your country in order for you to import your articles to the U.S. You can check the Bilateral Agreements Listing webpage if your country has a bilateral agreement with the U.S.  We can help explain and assist you on the process and explain various business options.

 

• My U.S. Company would like to enter into a joint venture to manufacture products/parts at facilities in a bilateral partner country. How do we obtain FAA certification to import these products into the U.S.?    We can help explain and assist you on the process and explain various business options.

 

• Can I enter into a type design licensing agreement with a company in another country and what is the process, affects and concerns with doing so?    We can help explain and assist you on the process and explain various business options.

 

Export and CAA Requirements

• How do I export my U.S.-registered product or part to a foreign country? The FAA allows the issuance of export airworthiness approvals for all eligible products, articles and parts when they are found to conform to their FAA approved design and are in a safe condition for safe operation.  Ref FAA Order 8130.2. and AC 21-2.    We can help explain and assist you on the process and explain various business options.

 

• How do I apply for design approval with another country? Bilateral Partner Country: Review the relevant bilateral agreement for procedural requirements.

 

• Where do I submit my Foreign Request for Conformity (FRFC) to request conformity inspection be performed by an FAA designee?   Your company may use any qualified designee with the appropriate function code.  We have DARF function code 21 and can provide conformity inspections for your company.

After reviewing the associated Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness for your country select the appropriate e-mail address listed below to submit your FRFC to the FAA for.

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Small Airplane Directorate: 9-ACE-180-FRFC@faa.gov

Rotorcraft Directorate: 9-ASW-180-FRFC@faa.gov

Engine & Propeller Directorate: 9-ANE-180-FRFC@faa.gov

Transport Airplane Directorate: 9-ANM-108-FRFC@faa.gov