AIC C 017/2005 - Effective 02 Jul 2005
FLIGHT TESTING OF AIRCRAFT ON THE CYPRUS REGISTER

1.1 EASA now has responsibility for continuing airworthiness regulation for all aircraft registered in the EU. EASA has publshed continuing airworthiness requirements in Commission Regulations 1702/2003 and 2042/2003. EASA does not require the routine flight testing of aircraft for Certificate of Airworthiness Issue, renewal or prior to the issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness for export. This AIC defines the Department of Civil Aviation's policy for the airworthiness flight testing of aircraft on the Cyprus register.

1.2 This policy will also apply to the Part M, Subpart I, Airworthiness Review Certificate process when this is introduced.

2.1 The Department of Civil Aviation may require the flight testing of an aircraft on the Cyprus register If concerns arise about the aircraft's ability to operate to the type certification performance requirements defined in the approved flight manual, pilots operating hand book or type certificate data sheet.

2.2 Circumstance that may require the flight testing of an aircraft include, but are not limited to,

1. Following major repairs or modifications.
2. After an incident or accident.
3. If doubt exist about the performance of the aircraft.
4. If the aircraft has been inactive for an extended period of time.

3.1 The Department of Civil Aviation will notify the owner / operator that it requires the flight testing of an aircraft in a particular case. The airworthiness section will agree with the owner/ operator the format of the flight test and also the flight test schedule to be used.

3.2 The pilot flying the aircraft should be experienced on the aircraft type. If necessary, an experienced test pilot from another authority or the aircraft manufacturer may be used. For aircraft above 5700kgs, the pilot flying the aircraft must have flown with a test pilot acceptable to the Department before performing flight tests. In all cases, tll; person flying the aircraft should ensure they are fully briefed on the tests to be performed and able to fly the aircraft in the required manner.

3.3For aircraft below 5700kgs, a Department of Civil Aviation, flight test observer from the Flight Operatiors Department. will accompany the pilot on the test flight. The flight test observer will be responsible for monitoring that the flight test is performed in the required manner and the flight test schedule accurately completed.

3.4 For aircraft above 5700kgs, the owner/operator can use another pilot or flight engineer qualified on the aircraft type, as a flight test observer. The flight test observer must be carried in addition to the flight crew required by the approved flight manual. The Department reseres the right to require one of its flight test observers to be onboard the aircraft during the flight test.

3.5 On all flight tests, the Department may require a surveyor to be on board the aircraft.

3.6 For further advice on the flight testing of aircraft, please contact the Department of Civil Aviation, Safety Regulation Unit.