Airworthiness (STLB & STLZ)

In order for an aircraft to be listed in the Swiss Aircraft Register, it must be inspected for compliance with the applicable airworthiness requirements. The airworthiness requirements are based on international and/or national regulations, depending on the aircraft.

If the specified airworthiness requirements are met, the necessary airworthiness certificate or permit to fly are issued for the aircraft concerned.

Aircraft listed in the Swiss Aircraft Register must be subjected to a periodic airworthiness review in order to ensure they remain airworthy. The inspection intervals vary between 12 and 24 months. Owners and operators of aircraft are also obliged to notify the FOCA about any safety-relevant events, in particular faults and deficiencies, that may arise during flight operations.

An export airworthiness inspection may also be required if an aircraft is to be sold to a foreign buyer (exported). The regulations of the country of destination to where the aircraft is to be exported must be observed. FOCA recommends that sellers should contact the civil aviation authorities in the country concerned.

Organisation

Supervision of the airworthiness of aircraft registered in Switzerland is divided between 2 sections:

Section Airworthiness Bern (STLB)
Section Airworthiness Zurich (STLZ)

Section STLB (Bern)

The Airworthiness Section Bern supervises the airworthiness of aircraft registered in Switzerland classed as helicopters, non-complex aircraft, and aircraft belonging to special categories. As well as aircraft inspections at import and export, this also includes both planned and random testing to ensure airworthiness is maintained, and the approval of maintenance programmes and specific types of operation. This concerns the following aircraft categories in particular:

helicopters
powered aircraft and gliders
balloons and airships
historic aircraft
amateur-built aircraft
ultralight aircraft and ultralight gyrocopters

Section STLZ (Zurich)

The Airworthiness Section Zurich supervises the airworthiness of aircraft registered in Switzerland classed as complex aircraft. As well as aircraft inspections on import and export, this also includes both planned and random testing to ensure airworthiness is maintained, and the approval of maintenance programmes and specific types of operation. This concerns the following aircraft categories in particular:

· multi-engined aircraft with jet or turboprop engines

As part of the European inspection programme SAFA (Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft), foreign-registered complex aircraft, especially those of commercial aviation operators, and their crews are subject to random tests and inspections.