You may have already heard of a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) and its role in the aviation industry. If you haven’t, don’t worry – get up to speed with our various CAMO-related articles here!
Today, it is becoming increasingly popular for airlines to outsource Continuing Airworthiness Management activities to an indendent (also referred to as third-party) Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO). This trend can help airlines save up to millions of dollars, and prevent millions of dollars in losses! Rather than discussing what a CAMO is, this article will cover the more practical aspects of how these types of organizations operate. If you’re part of an airline (especially one that’s in its infancy), looking to join a new airline, or are simply a curious lover of all things aviation, read on!
Traditionally, CAMOs were found within airlines, as one of the many departments within their organisation. As air travel grew, so did the size and number of airlines in the industry. This growing complexity meant that – in addition to the industry’s highly multi-faceted nature (from the business side to the operational side) – airlines and air operators were having to deal with more on their plates. Enter the era of an easier, hassle-free solution: independent CAMOs.
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Unfortunately, in Malaysia, this option was not widely available. In fact, it was on 18 July 2019, that the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) released a notice, Airworthiness Notice (Notice 6102, Issue 2), with regards to the approval of an independent CAMO (CAAM Part M Subpart G). Within a few months, the Dviation Group was successfully approved as the nation’s first independent CAMO for the commercial jet category on 1 November 2019.
All aircraft owners and operators are required to register their aircraft in cooperation with a CAMO. This ensures the highest safety standards for passengers. Now, by outsourcing CAMO needs, airlines can entrust their aircraft needs to an external party with peace of mind.
Source: Dviation Group
For a CAMO to be approved, it is necessary that the personnel requirements are met. Firstly, an accountable manager must be nominated. This person has corporate authority for ensuring that there is sufficient funds to finance all continuing airworthiness management activities, and that all activities are carried out in accordance with the governing laws. The accountable manager must not belong to the Approved Maintenance Organisation which carries out maintenance for the aircraft being overseen by the CAMO. Under the accountable manager, there shall be persons responsible for airworthiness review, maintenance planning, technical records, technical publications, engineering, as well as reliability. All personnel and their qualifications must be stated in the Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition (CAME).
On average, to set up a CAMO of their own, operators with up to 5 aircraft will need at least $10,000 monthly, to keep a CAMO running, with 6 personnel. Similarly, for airlines with 6 to 10 aircraft and 10 personnel, they may require a monthly expense of $15,000. While these are just ballpark figures, in comparison with outsourcing CAMO activities, the cost savings are immensely different. If an airlines outsource all their CAMO activities to an independent CAMO such as Dviation, they can benefit from up to 70% cost savings!
Find out more about Malaysia’s first independent CAMO approved for commercial jet aircraft here!