CAA SkyWise on Manufacturers
Additive Layer Manufacturing technologies in Products, Parts and Appliances
Organisations adopting Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM/3-D printing) to produce aircraft parts are referred to EASA Certification Memorandum CM-S-008 which addresses Design, Production and Maintenance and confirms the need for organisations to communicate with their competent Authority ‘at the earliest opportunity’ to ensure any necessary investigation is concluded prior to parts release.
Previous CAA FAQ advised that first ALM adoption constituted a significant change. The CM now allows National Authorities to decide that such a change is not necessarily significant, for example when introduced by the responsible TC Holder with proven materials knowledge or where the airworthiness significance of parts involved is low.
Dated: November 2018