Download the PDF consolidation of Part 146 [PDF 294 KB]
This appendix prescribes the qualifications and experience required for, and
the privileges and limitations associated with, the grant of a delegation, in
accordance with section 462 of the Act, for the approval of design changes.
(a) A holder of a delegation for the approval of design changes may be authorised by an aircraft design organisation to act as the senior person prescribed in rule 146.51(a)(3).
(b) An aircraft design organisation may only authorise a holder of a delegation for the approval of design changes to exercise that delegation if the holder is a senior person nominated under rule 146.51(a)(3).
(c) A delegation for the approval of design changes ceases when the holder ceases to be employed by an aircraft design organisation certificated under this Part.
(d) For the purposes of defining the scope of the design changes that may be approved by the holder of a delegation, design changes are classed as follows:
(1) Class A are those design changes that require comprehensive engineering justification, assessment, and substantiation:
(2) Class B are those design changes that do not require comprehensive engineering justification, assessment, and substantiation.
(e) The Director may prescribe limitations and restrictions on the scope of design approvals issued by the holder of a delegation for the approval of design changes.
(f) The senior person required by rule 146.51(a)(3) must only approve a supplement to a flight manual that—
(1) has resulted directly from, and forms part of, a design change; and
(2) is in a format acceptable to the Director.
(a) An applicant for the grant of a delegation for the approval of design changes must be employed by an aircraft design organisation certificated under this Part.
(b) The senior person responsible for the issue of design approvals in a design organisation must—
(1) have a clear knowledge and understanding of—
(i) the design control system detailed in the organisation’s exposition; and
(ii) the applicable design provisions of Part 21 and this Part; and
(2) undertake any examination or interview that the Director may require to determine the senior person’s competency; and
(3) for Class A design changes, have—
(i) an acceptable Bachelor of Engineering degree or equivalent; and
(ii) eight years experience, of which a maximum of four years may be university engineering training; and
(iii) sufficient relevant experience acceptable to the Director that demonstrates their ability to undertake engineering tasks relating to Class A design changes.
(4) for Class B design changes—
(i) meet the requirements of paragraph (3) except that the Director may accept lesser qualifications and experience than prescribed; and
(ii) demonstrate an ability to distinguish Class A and Class B design changes.
