Last Updated in November, 2024 by Patrick | Published: 2024
What is a CAMO or CAO, (why) do I need one and how much does it cost?
EASA CAMO CAO
What is a CAMO or CAO, (why) do you need one and how much does it cost?
A CAMO or CAO is an organization licensed by the NAA and contracted by an aircraft operator with providing administrative and management tasks for an aircraft’s maintenance and inspections (continuous airworthiness).
- CAMO: Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization
- CAO: Combined Airworthiness Organizations
- NAA: National Aviation Authority
- NCO: Non-commercial other than complex operations
- AMP: Aircraft maintenance program
- Part-ML: EASA Part Maintenance Light
- SEP: Single Engine Piston
- CAT: Commercial Air Transport (“Airlines” with an Air Operator Certificate)
- SET: Single Engine Turbine
A Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) is either integrated into an aviation company (e.g. AOC holder (airline) or a standalone company that manages the continued airworthiness of aircraft (a so called “controlled environment).
A Combined Airworthiness Organizations (CAO) is an independent company responsible for managing the continued airworthiness (and/or maintenance) of non-complex aircraft.
CAMO vs. CAO comparison: | CAO | CAMO |
| Can be a separate company | Y | Y |
| Can be integrated into aviation company (e.g. airline has own CAMO) | N | Y |
| For non-complex aircraft (e.g. SEP) | Y | Y |
| For complex aircraft (e.g. Jets) | N | Y |
Upon application for an operating license (EASA Form 2) in accordance with Part-CAMO or Part-CAO, the NAA issues a license to manage the continued airworthiness of aircraft to those companies that can demonstrate during an audit that they meet the legal requirements.
The CAMO or CAO has various tasks. Among other things, it develops maintenance programs for aircraft and, in particular, initiates or coordinates the necessary modification, repair and maintenance work. Carrying out the technical inspection of the aircraft (if the corresponding authorization is available) as well as maintaining the technical files of the aircraft are also part of the CAMO or CAO’s area of activity. Other services for the aircraft operator are of course possible as well.
In addition to their basic authorization, both organizations may have the privilege of carrying out the annual required technical inspection of aircraft within the EASA scope of application of Basic Regulation (EC) No. 2018/1139 and of issuing flight authorizations under certain conditions.
Who needs a CAO or CAMO?
The short summary is
– if you operate your aircraft privately according to NCO (e.g. self flying, flight clubs, non-profit flight training in a club etc..) you do not need to contract a CAO or CAMO, as you can personally manage and be legally responsible as well as accountable for the airworthiness of your aircraft acc. Part-ML.
– if you operate your aircraft for profit according to NCO (e.g. for profit charter and flight training) you must keep the aircraft in a “controlled environment” by contracting a CAO or CAMO to create and approve your AMP and to oversee your maintenance and inspections.
– any CAT ops with non-complex aircraft (e.g. AOC operations involving flying paying passengers in a single engine piston DAY/VFR) require a CAMO and airworthiness acc. Part-M.
Note: A typical SEP is a non-complex aircraft and the operation is therefore NCO. Commercial charter/for hire and flight training is still NCO. And NCO means Part-ML applies.
However, if a SEP is used in an AOC, then the operation is CAT and Part-M applies for maintenance.
– any CAT ops with complex aircraft (Jets in an AOC, airlines) require a CAMO.
The benefits of contracting a CAO/CAMO are the delegation of legal accountability for ensuring correct airworthiness of your aircraft away from yourself (perhaps even personally) to another entity.
A CAO/CAMO will also save you a lot of time and hassle by carrying out all the administrative work (tracking maintenance, workorders, documenting SB’s, AD’s, component status, maintenance items and inspections etc.).
How to find the best CAMO or CAO?
Obviously, a CAMO specialising on heavy jets will not be suitable to manage the airworthiness of a small privately flown SEP. And the local glider club’s “internal” CAO for their own gliders will not be up to the task of managing your privately flown SET. The best way to find a CAMO or CAO is to connect with likewise owners of similar aircraft in similar use-cases and ask for experiences and recommendations.
How much does a CAMO or CAO cost?
As always, it depends. You can think of CAO/CAMO services as yearly recurring subscription costs. Additionally, there are phase in fees when signing up initially (SB/AD status check, create AMP etc..). The prices of CAMOs and CAOs are not defined and vary greatly, depending on the respective fee structure, location and other factors.
Below you can see a CAMO/CAO cost comparison I created in mid 2024.
As you can see, the prices of CAMOs and CAOs vary greatly. This can be due to the respective CAMO/CAO’s fee structure, location and other factors. To receive more details about the cost comparison table, please contact me for detailed prices and my experience and recommendation.