REGULATORY AUTHORITY LIAISON CONSULTING

REGULATORY AUTHORITY LIAISON · Aero Support Group FZCO · Updated 22 October 2026

KEY TOPIC Approvals and authorisations are granted by authorities that each have their own procedures, forms, fees and expectations: EASA, the UK CAA, the FAA and national civil aviation authorities. Applications go faster when they are complete, when responses answer the question asked, and when the organisation understands which route applies, including the bilateral agreements between authorities. ASG manages that process for organisations seeking or maintaining approvals.

ORGANISATIONS GUIDED

0 +

AUTHORITIES COORDINATED

0 +

BILATERAL AGREEMENTS MANAGED

0 +

COMPLIANCE HOTLINE

0 /7

Which authority, which route

The first question is often which authority is competent and whether a bilateral agreement offers a simpler route:

EASA approves organisations located outside the EU, such as foreign Part-145 organisations, and authorises third country operators under Part-TCO. Within the EU, national authorities approve organisations based in their territory, under Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and its implementing rules.
The UK CAA approves UK organisations and issues UK Part-TCO authorisations and Foreign Carrier Permits. It no longer recognises EASA TCO authorisations.
The FAA certificates repair stations under 14 CFR Part 145, including stations outside the United States.
National authorities issue AOCs, approvals and licences under their own regulations, which in many States are based on EASA or FAA rules.

Bilateral agreements change the route for maintenance organisations. The EU–US agreement and its Maintenance Annex Guidance (Change 10, effective 10 October 2025) let EU organisations hold FAA certificates through their own authority, and vice versa. The EU has similar arrangements with Canada and Brazil. The EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement has no maintenance annex, so UK and EU organisations need separate approvals. The UK and the US have their own bilateral arrangements, published by the UK CAA.

What makes an application go smoothly

Completeness. Each authority publishes the forms and supporting documents it needs, for example EASA Form 2 for foreign Part-145, CPG3204 for UK TCO and FAA Form 8310-3 for repair stations. Incomplete applications are returned or held.
Documents that match the organisation. Manuals, organisation charts, scope of work and staff lists must be consistent with each other and with what the authority will see on site.
Direct answers. When the authority raises a question or finding, the response should answer exactly that question, cite the requirement and attach the evidence.
Realistic timing. Rule-based lead times, such as applying for a TCO at least 30 days before the first flight, are minimums. Authority workload and questions add time.
Prepared people. Accountable managers and nominated persons should be ready to explain their responsibilities and the organisation’s procedures at interview.

Fees Authority fees change regularly. EASA fees for approvals and TCO authorisations are set by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2347 from 1 January 2026, and the UK CAA publishes its Scheme of Charges each April. We check the fee schedule in force when we prepare an application.

Services

Advice on the applicable authority and route, including bilateral options.
Preparation and review of application packages and supporting documents.
Drafting of responses to authority questions and findings.
Preparation of accountable managers and nominated persons for interviews and audits.
Support during authority audits and inspections.
Management of changes that need prior approval, such as new scope, locations or nominated persons.
Tracking of regulatory amendments that affect existing approvals.

The organisation remains the applicant and signs its own submissions. ASG prepares, reviews and advises.

Where authority processes run into difficulty

The organisation assumes one authority’s approval will be recognised by another, as with EASA and UK TCO.
Documents are submitted in draft or inconsistent with each other.
Responses to questions argue rather than answer, or promise action without evidence.
Changes that need prior approval are made first and notified afterwards.
Key people are not available for interviews when the authority schedules them.

Conclusion

Authority processes reward organisations that apply through the right route, submit complete and consistent files and answer questions directly. ASG brings experience of EASA, UK CAA, FAA and national authority procedures to help organisations through initial approvals, changes and oversight.

Frequently asked questions

Can an EASA approval be used in the UK?

Generally no. Since 2021 the UK CAA and EASA have issued separate approvals and authorisations. The UK CAA does not recognise EASA TCO authorisations, and the EU–UK agreement has no maintenance annex.

How can an EU maintenance organisation obtain an FAA certificate?

Through the EU–US agreement and its Maintenance Annex Guidance. The organisation applies under the FAA special conditions, keeps an FAA supplement to its MOE and is overseen by its EU authority.

Who signs the application?

The organisation, normally its accountable manager. ASG prepares and reviews the application but does not apply on the organisation’s behalf.

What happens if the authority raises findings during the initial audit?

The organisation responds with root causes, corrective actions and evidence. The approval is issued once the authority is satisfied that findings affecting the approval have been addressed.

How long does an approval take?

It depends on the authority, the type of approval, the completeness of the application and the number of questions raised. Rule-based lead times are minimums, and we plan with a margin.

Key takeaways

Identify the competent authority and any bilateral route first
EASA, UK CAA and FAA approvals are separate
Applications must be complete and consistent with the organisation
Responses to questions should answer directly with evidence
Changes requiring prior approval must be approved before implementation

Dealing with an authority application?

Tell us which approval and which authority. ASG will review your route and your application before it goes in.

ASG

Aero Support Group

Global Aviation Consulting

Aero Support Group (ASG) is an aviation safety, quality and compliance consultancy with offices in Dubai and Istanbul and a branch office in London. It prepares airlines, MROs, ground handlers, airports and civil aviation authorities for IOSA and ISAGO audits, EASA and UK CAA Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation, EASA and FAA Part-145 approval, and ICAO USOAP audits.

Its work also covers Part-CAMO, Part-M and Part-147, Part-IS information security, SMS, QMS and SeMS development, gap analyses, mock audits and corrective action plans, operations manuals and MOEs, emergency response and business continuity planning, DAQCP, IFQP, JIG and IDQP inspection preparation, ACC3, RA3 and KC3 cargo security validation, CEIV Pharma, and SAF and CORSIA compliance.

ASG has completed 1,000+ projects at 500+ airports in 100+ countries. Its consultants have also served as subject matter experts, auditors and advisors for ICAO, IATA Consulting, IATA audit pools (IOSA, ISAGO, IDQP, IFQP), PRISM, ARGUS International and RSM.