Report of the OTO Advisory Council (April 12, 1993)

2-(7) Accepting U.S. inspection and certification data for airworthiness certificate tests of imported aircraft and helicopters made in the U.S. and radio equipment inspection

1. Complainant: the U.S. Embassy

2. Ministry concerned: Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications

3. Complaint:

The Civil Aeronautics Law stipulates that in order for aircraft to be imported and used for domestic flights, these aircraft must pass airworthiness inspections and receive airworthiness certificates. In addition, under the Radio Law, radio equipment installed in aircraft must pass the required inspections and be licensed by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.

The complainant states that these inspections impose excessive burdens and costs, claims the inconsistency with the Japan-U.S. Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement for civil aviation products, which means there is no need for airworthiness certificate inspection and radio equipment inspection for aircraft which have received airworthiness certificates in the U.S. The complainant would like to hold a technical-level discussion of experts to resolve the U.S. concern.

4. Results of deliberation:

There are many points which must be clarified regarding this complaint. First, the complainant fails to state which parts of the airworthiness certification inspection and radio equipment inspection under the current Civil Aeronautics Law and the Radio Law constitute a burden. Further, the Japan-U.S. Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement is perceived differently by the complainant and by the ministry or agency concerned.

To resolve this issue, the complainant and the ministry or agency concerned must arrive at a consensus and then proceed to consider the necessary actions. From that viewpoint, the technical-level meeting by experts proposed by the complainant should be held in the near future.

The ministry or agency concerned has agreed to take the necessary actions in this direction.

Government decision (May 27, 1993)

The claimant and the ministry or agency concerned should hold technical-level meetings of experts to resolve the problems with airworthiness certificate inspections and radio equipment inspections for aircraft and helicopters as soon as possible.