Catalogue description Air Registration Board and Civil Aviation Authority: Powerplant Department: Reports and Papers

The Powerplant Department was formed in 1945 as part of the Air Registration Board which became part of the Civil Aviation Authority in 1972.

It is responsible for ensuring that all engines, propellers, auxiliary power units and aviation fuel designed and intended for use in British and joint European manufactured civil aeroplanes, and in foreign manufactured civil aeroplanes, where they are intended for use on the UK Register of Civil Aircraft, comply with the requirements specified in the UK Air Navigation Order, the British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCAR) and the Joint Airworthiness Requirements (JAR).

The work of the division involves identifying standards required for design and manufacture under the various current requirements, verifying that designs comply with these standards and issuing type certificates to confirm this. Subsequently the department co-ordinates both the approval changes to the certificated design standard and carries out investigations into in-service levels of continued airworthiness.