1. System Requirements for an Approved Maintenance Organisation

Any organisation performing maintenance on certified products—such as aircraft, engines, propellers, parts and appliances, or ETSO articles—in accordance with the approved Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA) requires approval from the competent authority.

Mandatory approval standard
Approval in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014, Part 145 is mandatory for the maintenance of both commercially and privately operated aircraft, as well as their components.

Approval as a maintenance organisation is limited to the approved Scope of Work (SoW), which defines the organisation’s specific range of activities—either for complete aircraft, components, or both.

2. Core responsibilities of an approved maintenance organisation

The primary responsibility of a Part-145 organisation is to ensure that:

• Maintenance activities are performed in accordance with Part 145
• All work is carried out in compliance with the approved ICA
• Release to service is properly issued by authorised personnel

The organisation is therefore responsible for the compliant execution and certification of the maintenance performed.

3. Requirements for approval as a Part-145 organisation

For application (EASA Form 2) and successful approval by the competent authority, the following prerequisites must be met:

3.1 Organisational and personnel requirements

• Availability of qualified certifying staff for the release of aircraft or components
• Appointment of a Safety Manager
• Clear organisational structure with defined responsibilities

3.2 Technical requirements

• Availability of current and valid Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA)
  (e.g. AMM, CMM, SRM, CRM)
• Precise work and task planning in accordance with the ICA
• Suitable facilities, tools, test equipment, and resources
• The technical and organisational resources must ensure that all work can be performed in compliance with legal requirements as well as the specifications of the respective Design Approval Holder (DAH).

4. Quality Management System in Accordance with EASA Part 145

4.1 Requirement to establish a QMS
EASA Part 145 requires approved maintenance organisations to establish an effective Quality Management System (QMS).

The QMS:

• Ensures transparent control of all processes and procedures
• Guarantees compliant execution of maintenance activities
• Provides the basis for the release of work

The system is described in the Maintenance Organisation Exposition (MOE / MOH) in accordance with 145.A.70.

4.2 Core procedures of an approved maintenance organisation (MOA)
A Part-145 organisation must implement, in particular, the following system- and product-related processes:

• Resource-based planning and control of maintenance tasks
• Qualification and authorisation of personnel (in particular certifying staff)
• Supplier management (selection, evaluation, and monitoring)
• Occurrence reporting (event management)
• Integration of a Safety Management System (SMS)
• Continuous compliance monitoring (e.g. internal audits)
• Management of significant organisational changes
• Issuance of Certificates of Release to Service (CRS)
• Procurement, storage, and provision of parts and materials
• Archiving and documentation of maintenance records

These procedures ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and the sustained effectiveness of the management system.

4.3 Privileges of an approved Part-145 organisation
Within its Scope of Work, an approved maintenance organisation holds the following privileges:

Release of aircraft

• Issuance of a Certificate of Release to Service (CRS) in accordance with 145.A.50(a)

Release of components

• Issuance of EASA Form 1 in accordance with 145.A.50(d) following: Overhaul, Repair, Inspection/Test, Modification

Standard changes in General Aviation

• Issuance of EASA Form 123 for standard changes or standard repairs on ELA1 and ELA2 aircraft

5. ACC Services in the Area of EASA Part 145

We support maintenance organisations in the establishment, optimisation, and extension of their approval in accordance with EASA Part 145—practical, audit-ready, and efficient.

5.1 Consulting and operational support

• Establishment and further development of processes in accordance with Part 145
• Implementation and optimisation of comprehensive management systems (QMS / CMM)
• Process and procedure optimisation within existing Part-145 organisations
• Extension of the Scope of Work
• Interim management in the area of Compliance Monitoring Management (CMM)
• Implementation and integration of a Safety Management System (SMS)
• Support in conformity determination (e.g. certifying staff, material management, supplier management)
• Project-accompanying coaching of key roles
  (e.g. Compliance Manager, Accountable Manager, Certifying Staff, Purchasing, Maintenance Planning, Project Management)
• Development of tailored training concepts
  (Human Factors, SMS, Part 145, aviation regulations, etc.)

5.2 Documents and system components

• Generic Quality Management Handbook (MOE / MOH) including procedures
• Customised forms, checklists, and process templates—aligned with the level of complexity and scope of approval