Airworthiness

The Airworthiness Unit is responsible for maintaining continuous regulation and supervision of the airworthiness activities of air operators and maintenance facilities. Effective safety oversight ensures high standards and international obligations are maintained.

The functions of the Unit are to:

• Register aircraft and maintain the national register;
• Ensure the continuing airworthiness of aircraft and their components;
• Issue maintenance certifications for air operators;
• Review and approve maintenance training organizations and programs;
• License aircraft maintenance personnel;
• Conduct regular surveillance, audits, and inspections of local operators;
• Perform periodic surveillance and ramp inspections on foreign-registered aircraft operating in Barbados;
• Administer examinations to ensure AME licenses align with competency-based assessment standards;
• Develop, issue, and amend Airworthiness Directives, Advisory Circulars, and related documents;
• Develop and maintain national operating regulations to ensure ongoing compliance with prescribed standards;
• Conduct surveillance inspections and certification for local AOC holders and foreign operators performing scheduled and non-scheduled flights;
• Inspect Barbados-registered aircraft and their maintenance documentation annually and on an ongoing basis;
• Investigate accidents and incidents;
• Assess the technical competence of operators seeking licenses or permits to operate in and out of Barbados;
• Inspect local and foreign maintenance facilities used by Barbadian operators;

The Regulatory Framework enables the Authority to ensure that all airworthiness activities comply with ICAO standards and the National Civil Aviation Regulations.

The Airworthiness Unit is staffed by two Airworthiness Inspectors, both are licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers.