Type Certification Procedures Manual 9. Costing Type Certification 9.1 Introduction to Costing

Transcription

1 9.1 Introduction to Costing 9.1 Introduction to Costing Background Act 97 Section 97 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 allows prescribed fees to be payable to the Authority in advance of work to be done. In the case of TCs, STCs and TACs, an hourly fee specified in the CASA Schedule of Fees is charged. The regulatory certification of aircraft is a relatively costly affair, but it is important for all to realise that the major proportion of costs would be required, irrespective of oversight and issue of a TC or STC by the Authority, as: 1. Proper configuration management systems are required of all technically competent design/manufacturing organisations if their management values the principles of accountability and public safety. 2. There is no possibility of export sales unless the manufacturer can provide to foreign NAAs what is expected for Australian certification in regard to data, proof of compliance etc. In fact, experience has shown that some NAAs require more information (with attendant higher costs) than is required in Australia. 9-1

2 9.2 Costs of Certification 9.2 Costs of Certification TC, Amended TC and STC Costs The relevant costs of certification associated with the issue of TCs, amended TCs and STCs may be broadly grouped as follows: 1. Costs incurred by the organisation (regardless of CASA's cost recovery): a. Test specimens/samples/coupons b. Drawings c. Specifications d. Prototype build e. Aircraft/component/sub-component ground tests f. Flight tests g. Test report compilation h. Analysis report compilation i. Compilation of compliance summary j. Compilation of any Type Record k. Fulfilling further overseas regulatory authority requirements if export is involved l. Requested liaison with foreign NAAs. 2. Costs paid to the Authority (costs attributable to CASA's cost recovery policy): a. Any technical assistance requested by the applicant b. Witnessing of specific certification tests c. Data assessment and approval d. Conformity inspections e. Certification ground inspection f. Certification flight review g. Project Management h. Administration activities. 9-2

3 9.2 Costs of Certification Note 1: The time spent by CASA personnel in providing initial advice to the applicant, setting the certification basis and preparing cost estimates, will not be charged, but the hourly flat rate for CASA staff in assessing data, checking compliance, witnessing certification tests, resolving problems and administration activities up to the point of completion of the program, must be charged. Any research by the Authority or training of CASA officers to progress the application will not be charged to the applicant. Note 2: Production/quality control aspects need to be well under way before TC issue. Costs associated with the involvement of the Authority in production/ quality control aspects, although not certification costs, are amounts which may need to be charged to the applicant. These are also reflected in the Schedule of Fees and Charges. Note 3: The cost estimate is greatly influenced by the capabilities and experience of the applicant. Applicants coordinated through an organisation holding design approval could expect that involvement by the Authority and hence cost-recovery will be significantly less than for an inexperienced applicant. AC The cost-recovery applied by the Authority is for the hours worked by all staff in processing an application. Normally, this is fairly routine when an application is filed as outlined in AC 21.30, Type Acceptance Certificates for Imported Aircraft, and all required data is submitted However, if the data package is incomplete, or other problems are encountered, then the application will take longer to process and cost-recovery charges will be correspondingly higher. 9-3

4 9.3.1 Procedure for TC, Amended TC and STC Cost-recovery The estimate, payment and reconciliation procedure to be followed is: 1. The Project Manager, with assistance from the Finance Section as necessary, prepares an estimate based on experience and the specific tasks to be undertaken. General eligibility, time-frame and operational role aspects are discussed. The estimate is based on time estimates and travel times as applicable. 2. The applicant pays the estimated fee. For major TC projects, the applicant may be able to negotiate an initial payment and progressive payments with the Project Manager through the Finance Section. 3. Actual hours expended are recorded as the task is undertaken. 4. A reconciliation is made just before the TC is issued. If the costs have been overestimated, a refund is paid to the applicant. If underestimated, a final payment from the applicant will be required. 9-4

5 9.3.2 Procedure for TAC Cost-recovery The estimate, payment and reconciliation procedure to be followed is: 1. The Project Manager, with assistance from the Finance Section as necessary, prepares a time estimate based on experience and the specific tasks to be undertaken. 2. The applicant pays the estimated fee. 3. Actual hours expended are recorded as the task is undertaken. 4. A reconciliation is made just before the TAC is issued. If the costs have been overestimated, a refund is paid to the applicant. If underestimated, a final payment from the applicant will be required. 9-5

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