Certification in aviation

Build right the first time with certification guidance

01 Avoid delays in market entry and unnecessary capital-intensive development iterations.

02 Build a strong intellectual property position early, increasing your attractiveness to investors.

03 Increase your professional credibility, which improves stakeholder confidence and your chance of success.

04 Find the right partners and advisors sooner.

not just for manufacturers

Who needs certification?

01

Design organisations

OEMs, Start-ups and modifiers alike all need Design Organisation Approval (DOA)

02

Production companies

Airframe producers, component manufacturers, and interior suppliers should be aware of Production Organisation Approvals (POA) or AS9100

03

Maintenance organisations

MROs, line maintenance, and overhaul need Maintenance Organisation Approval (Part-145)

04

Component suppliers

If you make avionics, engine parts, or composites, you will need Material & process testing + supplier approvals

05

Test & measurement companies

These organisations whether they be Wind tunnels or battery labs all require accredited test certificates

06

Flight test organisations

From flight test centres, prototype testing teams, Approved Test Organisation (ATO) / Flight Test Operations approval will be required

Certification at a glance

Map the use case and early safety assumptions. Identify which approvals may apply (EASA/ILT). Click the links on the right for more information.

EASA Certification Specifications

EASA FAQ Certification Processes

IL&T (Dutch Civil Aviation Authority)

Align your design with applicable requirements. Plan verification & validation (analysis, ground/flight tests). Click the links on the right for more information.

 

ARP4761 – Safety Assessment Guidelines

EASA Acceptable Means of Compliance

Submit your application with evidence (plans, conformity, test results) to the competent authority. Click the links on the right for more information.

EASA Documents Guidance & Examples

EASA Application Forms

 

Authority reviews, audits and inspections for compliance (processes, product, operations). Click the link for more information.

EASA Application Forms

Certificate granted. Continuous oversight applies to keep privileges (changes, surveillance). Click the link for more information.

EASA Rules for Continued Airworthiness
Explore Ongoing Projects

Certification-related items in Europe

Project

CONCERTO (Clean Aviation)

EU project developing novel certification methods and digital frameworks for next-gen aircraft.
Learn more
Certification Authority

ILenT (Civil Aviation Authority NL)

Dutch authority page for aviation oversight, approvals and guidance.
Learn more
Event Materials

EASA Hydrogen Certification Roadmap (Dec 17, 2024)

Roadmap outlining the approach to certify hydrogen-powered aircraft and systems.
Learn more
Event Materials

EASA Certification Conference 2023

Three days of exchanges between EASA and industry on certification, sustainability, SMS implementation, and Part 21 developments.
Learn more
Event materials

Maiden Flight HYDRA II project NLR (knowledge)

Research insights on hydrogen technologies relevant to certification aspects.
Learn more
Working Group

Working Group WG-80 EUROCAE

Standards working group to develop guidelines and collect best practices to support qualification and certification of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems.
WG-80

AeroNL & LiT are here to support you

Click here to ask for guidance
01

Stay Informed

Up-to-date information on certification via our websites and an annual (online or physical) event.

02

Connect & Accelerate

Linking the Dutch ecosystem to EASA, international groups, and the EU CONCERTO project to streamline innovation certification.

03

Need Guidance?

Questions about funding opportunities? We’re not the experts ourselves, but we’re happy to connect you with the right people.

Certification