Resources / CAMO
CAMO, AMO and Part-145 — explained without the jargon.
Practitioner reference sheets from the AeroOps360 team — the distinctions that decide who is accountable when a regulator or customer asks.
Reference Sheet 01
CAMO vs AMO — who does what
AeroOps360CAMO
The documented side
Defines the “what”
- Owns engineering orders and work-package definition
- Plans maintenance and controls compliance status
- Accountable for continuing airworthiness of the fleet
- Approves the maintenance programme and reliability data
AMO
The hands-on side
Performs the “how”
- Carries out maintenance, inspection and troubleshooting
- Executes the tasks exactly as released to the floor
- Certifies completed work and releases to service
- Owns tooling, facility and technician competency
In short: the CAMO decides what must be done and when; the AMO decides how it is done and certifies that it was. Both are required — and the interface between them is where most findings appear.
Reference Sheet 02
CAMO vs Part-145 organisation
AeroOps360CAMO
Manages continuing airworthiness across the aircraft lifecycle
Part-145
Delivers physical maintenance and approved modifications
CAMO
Ensures the work is specified and completed to the required standard
Part-145
Completes the maintenance tasks as scoped and documented
CAMO
Analysis, planning, reliability and programme management
Part-145
Practical, hands-on maintenance execution
CAMO
Staffed by airworthiness engineers, planners and managers
Part-145
Staffed by certifying technicians and mechanics
CAMO
Active continuously, for the whole life of the aircraft
Part-145
Active whenever maintenance or modification work is performed
Reference Sheet 03
Accountability in contracted aviation services
AeroOps360The fundamental principle: you cannot outsource accountability.
Tasks can be delegated. Ultimate responsibility for safety stays with the organisation holding the certificate.
Ground Handling
ORGH.MGM.205
Arrangement
Contracting non-certified providers (IT, cleaning, facilities)
Nature of the relationship
The provider operates entirely outside aviation certification rules.
Primary safety accountability
The ground handling organisation
Must apply its own SMS to identify and mitigate the risk before the contract starts.
Arrangement
Contracting certified providers (other approved organisations)
Nature of the relationship
The provider holds its own relevant aviation approval.
Primary safety accountability
Shared responsibility
The provider owns its tasks; you still assess the impact on your own operation.
Maintenance
Part-145.A.205
Arrangement
Subcontracting — the third party works under your umbrella
Nature of the relationship
Work is performed under your approval and management system.
Primary safety accountability
Your Part-145 organisation
You retain full responsibility; the work is released under your certificate.
Arrangement
Contracting — engaging another approved Part-145
Nature of the relationship
Work is released under the other organisation's own approval.
Primary safety accountability
Transfer of specific responsibility
Responsibility for those tasks moves to the organisation releasing the work.
CAMO
CAMO.A.205
Arrangement
Contracting maintenance to an approved Part-145
Nature of the relationship
The CAMO engages a Part-145 to perform the physical maintenance.
Primary safety accountability
Dual accountability
Part-145 owns the task; the CAMO retains ultimate accountability for continuing airworthiness.
Arrangement
Subcontracting CAM tasks (AD analysis, planning)
Nature of the relationship
Limited tasks performed by qualified organisations under the CAMO's system.
Primary safety accountability
The CAMO
Full accountability stays with the CAMO; tasks must be listed on the certificate.
Universal requirements — applies to every sector
SMS integration
Every contracted activity belongs in your hazard identification and risk management process.
Active compliance monitoring
Never contract and forget. Audit and verify provider approvals on a defined cycle.
Authority access
The competent authority must have guaranteed access to your third-party providers.
Occurrence reporting
Clear channels must exist so safety data flows in both directions between organisations.
Not sure where your accountability actually sits?
We map your contracted and subcontracted activities against your approvals, then close the gaps before an auditor finds them.
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