2.29 The Department originally expected new core training aircraft bought through Ascent would be registered as civilian aircraft under Civil Aviation Authority regulations. The new training aircraft will now need to be registered as military aircraft due to changes in military airworthiness regulations. The new Military Aviation Authority (MAA) will regulate safety. The Department has not yet bought the new fixed-wing and helicopter training aircraft. Therefore those contracts can pass on any risk linked to meeting applicable MAA requirements to the contractor. However, the Department has to certify the aircraft.
2.30 The Department may not have enough time and staff to certify all of the new core training aircraft in time for the planned start of training. There is expected to be a shortfall of staff in the Department's airworthiness authority area to support the certification of the aircraft.10 The extent of the shortfall will not be fully known until the fixed-wing and helicopter contracts are agreed. The Department currently plans to recruit subject-matter experts into five extra posts. Two of these posts are as yet unfunded.
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10 Responsibility for the air safety and, consequently, the airworthiness of military aircraft rests with the Secretary of State for Defence.