Video - What are the differences between the certification authorities ?

A few days ago, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certified the ARJ-21 Comac. But to fly abroad, the Chinese regional jet must now be certified by the American and European civil aviation authorities. 

70 years ago, the 191 signatories to the Chicago Convention, which each had their own certification authorities, established the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Today, all new aircraft entering the market must obtain airworthiness certification from their country of origin, but for international flights FAA and EASA certification is required, however, since they follow the same basic protocols, this makes them compatible.

Frederic Copigneaux, Deputy Certification Director - European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

"In the technical field, there may be some small differences of interpretation, here and there, but in general, and this is the important point, the level of security of the aircraft, or its compliance with the norms, and how this is demonstrated are identical. Of course we do not work in exactly the same way, but the results are the same."

A bilateral agreement, having been signed between the two agencies, established a sort of mutual confidence or trust between the FAA and EASA. One result of 40 years of cooperation is that when one authority certifies an aircraft, the other simply validates it, therefore simplifying the procedure. However, concerning the Civil Aviation Administration of China, it is a different story.

Frederic Copigneaux, Deputy Certification Director - European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

"China has set up an organization that is modelled on the American organization - that we know. On the other hand, we do not know how the Chinese Authority has verified whatsoever, or even what they have verified."

Whether a single certification body in the world could one day replace the various existing authorities, remains within the realms of possibility, although not for several decades – or more !