Buyer's guide
ARC: what the airworthiness review certificate means when you buy an aircraft in Europe
Published 13 November 2026.
Every listing for a light aircraft registered in the European Union mentions the ARC, the airworthiness review certificate, usually with an expiry date. Below is what Part-ML, the annex of the European regulation that covers the maintenance of light aircraft, says about that certificate: which aircraft it applies to, how long it lasts, what the review checks and what happens when the aircraft changes country. At the end, what we ask the seller.
Which aircraft Part-ML covers
Part-ML is Annex Vb to Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014. It applies to aircraft other than complex motor-powered aircraft, including:1
- aeroplanes with a maximum take-off mass of 2,730 kg or less;
- helicopters of 1,200 kg or less certified for a maximum of four occupants;
- other ELA2 aircraft.
If the aircraft is listed in the air operator certificate of an air carrier licensed under Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, Part-M applies instead of Part-ML.1 This post covers Part-ML only, which takes in training aircraft, touring aircraft and light twins.
What the ARC is
The aircraft periodically undergoes an airworthiness review. When the review is completed satisfactorily, an ARC is issued on EASA Form 15c. The review can be carried out by:1
- the competent authority;
- a CAO or CAMO approved to do so;
- a CAO or Part-145 organisation, together with the 100-hour or annual inspection;
- independent certifying staff, for aircraft not used in commercial operations.
The owner must give the reviewer access to the records and to the aircraft.1
How long the ARC lasts
| Point | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Validity | One year |
| Extension | One more year at a time, for at most two consecutive extensions |
| Start of the extension | The previous expiry date, if done within 30 days before or after it; otherwise, the date it was done |
| Who can extend | Only the organisation managing the aircraft's continuing airworthiness, if it has managed it without interruption since the ARC was issued, if maintenance was done by a Part-145 or CAO organisation (pilot-owner tasks allowed) and if there is no reason to believe the aircraft is not airworthy |
The ARC becomes invalid if it expires, is suspended, surrendered or revoked, or if the certificate of airworthiness is suspended or revoked. With an invalid ARC, the aircraft must not fly.1
What the review checks
- The records. Hours and cycles recorded, flight manual up to date, maintenance under the approved programme carried out, defects rectified or properly deferred, airworthiness directives complied with, modifications and repairs recorded, life-limited parts within limits, mass and balance current, compliance with the type design, valid certificate of airworthiness and noise certificate.
- The aircraft. A physical survey: markings and placards, compliance with the flight manual, configuration matching the documents and no evident defect.
The ARC is not issued while any non-compliance is unresolved, and the review report is recorded.1
When the aircraft changes country within the EU
When the registration moves between Union countries, the owner notifies the previous state of registry and applies for a new certificate of airworthiness in the new state. A valid ARC stays valid until it expires and is amended with the new marks. If it is not valid, it must be restored or a new ARC obtained.1
What to ask before you buy
This part is our reading as brokers.
- The expiry date and how many extensions there have been. After the second consecutive extension, the rule allows no other: the next step is a full review.
- Who manages continuing airworthiness. An extension depends on the same organisation having managed the aircraft since the ARC was issued. If the buyer will change organisation, plan for a new review.
- The last review report and the Form 15c. They show what was checked and when. The rest of our checking routine is in this post.
- An ARC close to expiry is normal in a sale. On the Dornier Do 27 in our inventory, the listing shows an ARC valid until 19 November 2026. Before closing, confirm whether it has been extended or renewed and who will do the next review.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014, consolidated text of 07/08/2026, Article 3 and Annex Vb (Part-ML), points ML.A.901 to ML.A.905: eur-lex.europa.eu