What Is a CAMO in Aviation? Who Keeps Your Aircraft Legal

A CAMO is a continuing airworthiness management organisation. It is an approved company that plans and controls the upkeep of an aircraft, so it stays legal and safe to fly. If you own or run an aircraft, a CAMO manages the tasks that keep it airworthy.

Where the CAMO idea comes from

The term CAMO comes from European rules. The core rules sit in Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014. Annex Vc is called Part-CAMO. It was added by Regulation (EU) 2019/1383. Before that, these approvals sat under Part-M Subpart G. The transition to Part-CAMO ended on 24 March 2022 under Regulation (EU) 2021/700. The main change in Part-CAMO is that the organisation must have a safety management system. The United Kingdom has its own retained version of these rules, overseen by the UK CAA.

What a CAMO does for your aircraft

• Makes sure a maintenance programme is developed and controlled for each aircraft it manages.
• Manages approval of modifications and repairs.
• Makes sure all maintenance follows the approved programme and is properly released.
• Makes sure airworthiness directives are applied.
• Makes sure defects are corrected by an appropriately approved maintenance organisation.
• Makes sure the aircraft goes to an approved maintenance organisation when needed.
• Coordinates scheduled maintenance, airworthiness directives, life limited parts, and component inspections.

A CAMO manages these tasks. It plans the work and checks it is done. It does not turn the wrenches. That is the job of an approved maintenance organisation.

CAMO vs Part-145, and how they work together

A CAMO manages continuing airworthiness. A Part-145 organisation does the hands-on maintenance and releases the aircraft after the work. One company may hold both approvals, but they are two separate approvals. Your CAMO will plan the work and send the aircraft to a Part-145 shop at the right time. If you want to understand Part-145 roles better, read our guide to Part 145 repair stations.

Topic	CAMO (EU)	Part-145 (EU)	United States
Main role	Plans and controls continuing airworthiness tasks.	Performs maintenance and releases the aircraft.	No CAMO approval. Mechanics maintain the aircraft.
Approval basis	Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014, Part-CAMO.	Part-145 maintenance approval.	Owner or operator is responsible under 14 CFR 91.403.
Airworthiness directives	Tracks and makes sure they are applied.	Applies them during maintenance as required.	Owner or operator must comply with Part 39.

In the European system, an aircraft needs a valid airworthiness review certificate; it is valid for 1 year. Ask whether the CAMO's approval allows it to carry out airworthiness reviews.

Who must use a CAMO

For complex motor-powered aircraft, continuing airworthiness tasks must be done by an approved CAMO. If the owner or operator is not a CAMO, it needs a written contract with one. Complex motor-powered aircraft include aeroplanes above 5,700 kg maximum take-off mass, aeroplanes with more than 19 passenger seats, aeroplanes with jet engines or more than one turboprop, and helicopters above 3,175 kg. Light aircraft in private use have more options. Some owners may do part of these tasks themselves under set limits.

EU-licensed airlines must hold a CAMO approval as part of the air operator certificate. They must either hold a Part-145 approval or have a written contract with a Part-145 organisation. If you are setting up or running an airline, see our guide to the air operator certificate.

How this differs in the United States

The United States does not use the CAMO approval. Under 14 CFR 91.403, the owner or operator is responsible for keeping the aircraft airworthy. That includes compliance with airworthiness directives under Part 39. The FAA says owners rely on mechanics but stay responsible. If you operate across regions, make sure your contracts and processes match the rules that apply to each aircraft.

The CAME and how a CAMO is set up

A CAMO uses a manual called the continuing airworthiness management exposition, or CAME. The CAME describes how the organisation works. It also lists the maintenance programmes for the aircraft under contract. Under Part-CAMO, the organisation must also have a safety management system. This adds a formal way to spot risks, to act on them, and to improve how the organisation manages airworthiness.

Leased aircraft and who holds the duties

If your aircraft is leased, the owner’s responsibilities can move to the lessee. This must be set out in the lease contract and in the registration papers. Make sure the contract shows who does what. Your CAMO can only manage what the contract lets it manage.

Picking a CAMO and planning maintenance

Ask the CAMO how it plans work with maintenance shops. Ask which Part-145 organisations it works with. Ask whether it is tied to any of them. You may also want to choose your own maintenance shop. For tips on comparing shops, see our guide on how to choose an MRO. A good CAMO will coordinate scheduled work, airworthiness directives, and parts with clear status reports to you.

A CAMO is not the same as an aircraft management company. An aircraft management company may handle crew, flights, and commercial support. A CAMO focuses on airworthiness management. If you need help on the broader service, read our overview of what an aircraft management company does.

Checklist: questions to ask a CAMO

• Can I see your approval certificate, and is my aircraft type listed?
• Who is my named contact?
• How do you track due items and how will you share the status with me?
• Which Part-145 shops do you work with, and are you tied to any of them?
• Does your approval let you carry out airworthiness reviews for my aircraft?
• How do you manage airworthiness directives and modifications on my aircraft?
• How are records kept, and how do I get them back if I leave?
• What does the contract say about deferrals, approvals, and who pays for what?

Sources: Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 (Part-M, Part-CAMO); Regulation (EU) 2019/1383; EASA Part-CAMO transition guide; 14 CFR 91.403; FAA.

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