Program Overview

Airworthiness of Military Aircraft

Overview

This course provides an understanding of MOD airworthiness organisations, policies, and procedures. The course explains the application of airworthiness to air systems and includes law, design, type, and continuing airworthiness, integrity, gas turbine engines, avionics, software, and human factors.

At a Glance

• Dates: 22 - 26 Jun 2026
• Duration: 5 days
• Location: Cranfield University at Shrivenham
• Cost: £2,500 (concessions available)

Course Structure

A five-day course that is run three times a year, face-to-face. The course comprises lectures and group exercises and is supported by visiting lecturers in the field of military airworthiness.

What You Will Learn

On successful completion, you will be able to:

• Analyse the legal basis that underpins airworthiness regulation in aircraft design, operation, and maintenance of military air systems
• Analyse the importance of airworthiness requirements for the design, production, operation, and maintenance of military air systems
• Appraise the principles of airworthiness as applied to the process for certification of military air systems
• Assess the process for Type and Continuing airworthiness management for different types of military air systems

Core Content

• Aviation Safety, Airworthiness, and Flight Safety: Aims and importance; individual and organisations responsible; relationship between airworthiness and aviation safety; organisations involved; how training and information are promulgated
• Air Law, Regulations, and Roles and Responsibilities: Importance of recognised standards in airworthiness; sources of regulations and standards; application of regulations and standards; differences in military and civil philosophy; accountability and responsibilities of airworthiness roles
• Safety Management Systems: Objectives of military airworthiness safety management systems and the implementation of safety management systems for military air systems
• Safety Assessment: Procedures for safety analysis of military air systems; risk analysis and risk-based criteria
• Design and Maintenance Approvals: Rationale for competent design and maintenance organisation; composition and functions of a competent design and maintenance organisation; mechanism for qualification and approval of designs
• Type and Continuing Airworthiness: Explanation of Type airworthiness and Continuing airworthiness; importance of occurrence reporting, investigation, feedback, and rectification action

Upgrade to a Professional Qualification

When taken as a Short Course for Credit, 10 credit points can be put towards the Military Aerospace and Airworthiness MSc.

Who Should Attend

This course is suitable for those requiring an understanding of military airworthiness. It is suitable for military and civilian personnel from within the defence industry, both the UK and internationally. It would be highly relevant to UK Ministry of Defence Continuing Airworthiness Management Organizations and Military Aviation Authority personnel and aircraft designers and aviation industries involved with the Ministry of Defence.

Speakers

• Dr Laura Lacey (module leader)
• Dr Simon Place
• Jeremy Turner

Concessions

A limited number of MOD sponsored places are available.

Location and Travel

Cranfield Defence and Security (CDS) is a Cranfield School based at the Ministry of Defence establishment on the Oxfordshire/Wiltshire borders. Shrivenham itself lies in the picturesque Vale of the White Horse, close to the M4 motorway which links London and South Wales. It is 7 miles from Swindon, the nearest town, which lies off the M4 at the hub of Britain's motorway network. Bath, Cheltenham, Bristol, and Oxford are all within an hour's drive, and London less than two hours away by car.