A Certificate of Release to Service (CRS) confirms that maintenance has been completed in accordance with the applicable airworthiness requirements and that the aircraft, or component, is approved for return to service.
A CRS must be issued following the completion of maintenance carried out on a Gibraltar-registered aircraft or aeronautical product.
Who may issue a Certificate of Release to Service?
A Certificate of Release to Service may only be issued by:
- A maintenance organisation approved by the Gibraltar Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) under CAR 145; or
- A maintenance organisation approved by another aviation authority where that approval is recognised by the GCAA; or
- Appropriately authorised certifying staff, where permitted by the applicable regulations.
Maintenance organisations must ensure that the certifying staff issuing the CRS hold the appropriate authorisation for the work performed.
Certificate of Release to Service Statement
Unless otherwise specified by the applicable regulations, the following statement shall be included on all Certificates of Release to Service issued following maintenance carried out on Gibraltar-registered aircraft:
“Certifies that the work specified, except as otherwise specified, was carried out in accordance with the Gibraltar Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations and, in respect to that work, the aircraft/aircraft component is considered ready for release to service.”
The CRS should also include:
- The name of the approved maintenance organisation (where applicable).
- The maintenance organisation approval number.
- Details of the maintenance carried out, or a reference to the approved maintenance data.
- The date of completion of the maintenance.
- The name, authorisation number and signature (or approved electronic signature) of the certifying person.
Maintenance Performed by Organisations Located outside Gibraltar
The GCAA recognises maintenance carried out by appropriately approved organisations in accordance with the applicable Gibraltar regulations.
Maintenance organisations holding a valid approval issued by one of the recognised authorities listed below may perform maintenance on Gibraltar-registered aircraft within the scope of their existing approval and in accordance with the applicable requirements of CAR 145.
- EASA Part 145 / Part CAO
- UK CAA Part 145 / Part CAO
- UAE GCAA CAR 145
- FAA FAR Part 145
- Singapore CAAS SAR Part 145
- Hong Kong CAD HKAR-145
- Transport Canada CAR Part V, Subpart 73
Maintenance organisations holding a valid approval may issue a Certificate of Release to Service for Gibraltar-registered aircraft without obtaining separate GCAA approval, provided the maintenance is within the scope of their approval and is performed in accordance with the applicable Gibraltar requirements.
Record Keeping
The Certificate of Release to Service forms part of the aircraft’s continuing airworthiness record and must be retained in accordance with the applicable record-keeping requirements.
Owners, operators and maintenance organisations are responsible for ensuring that maintenance records are complete, accurate and available for inspection by the GCAA when requested.
If you have any questions regarding Certificates of Release to Service or maintenance requirements for Gibraltar-registered aircraft, please contact info@gcaa.gi.