If you own or operate UK-registered aircraft, these changes affect how your maintenance programmes are managed, how aircraft can be imported from the EU, and how the CAA assesses your CAMO’s complexity.

Here are the three updates that matter.

1. Task Optimisation is now formally defined

This is the headline change. For the first time, the CAA has published structured guidance on how CAMOs can adjust scheduled maintenance task intervals, either escalating (extending) or de-escalating (shortening) them based on operational data.

Previously, M.A.302(e) permitted organisations to deviate from recommended intervals, but there was limited published guidance on how this should work in practice. The new Section 1.2.9.4 changes that.

The key points for operators:

• Mandatory tasks (Airworthiness Limitations, ADs) are not eligible for optimisation. These are fixed unless changed through a formal exemption.
• Safety-related tasks can be optimised, but only with support from the Type Certificate holder or another approved design organisation.
• Non-safety tasks (operational or economic) can be optimised where justified by a formal reliability programme or substantiated in-service data.
• Any proposed optimisation must be backed by documented analysis demonstrating a 95% confidence level, with continuous monitoring to ensure the adjusted interval remains appropriate.

What this means in practice: Operators with mature data collection and reliability programmes now have a clear, CAA-endorsed pathway to optimise maintenance intervals on non-safety tasks. Done well, this can reduce unnecessary maintenance activity and associated costs without compromising safety.

But the requirements are rigorous. Data quality, data integrity, and proper statistical analysis are non-negotiable. Here’s a detailed breakdown of exactly what your CAME needs to document. This is not about cutting corners. It is about using evidence to make better decisions.

For operators using platforms like Centrik and Tech Log to manage their continuing airworthiness records, the data foundation for supporting Task Optimisation is already being built through day-to-day operations: defect tracking, component removal data, task completion records, and reliability monitoring.

2. Streamlined process for importing used aircraft from the EU

Section 4.4.5 introduces a new desktop-based route for importing used Part 21 aircraft from EU Member States onto the UK register.

Under the previous process, all used aircraft imports required a full CAA physical survey before a Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) could be issued. The new process allows used aircraft that previously held a valid CofA and Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) from an EU Member State to be assessed via a desktop review, potentially bypassing the physical survey altogether.

The CAMO completes a Declaration/Recommendation form, taking responsibility for the accuracy of all submitted information. Aircraft processed through this route are scheduled for a follow-up ACAM survey within 12 months.

What this means in practice: If you are acquiring used aircraft from EU operators, this could meaningfully reduce both the timeline and cost of getting them onto the UK register, provided your CAMO has the processes and diligence to support the desktop assessment.

3. Updated CAMO Complexity Matrix

The Complexity Matrix in Part 5 of the CAME, which the CAA uses to calibrate its oversight of each organisation, now includes a new question: does the managed fleet use penalty factors?

This is a smaller but notable update. It signals that the CAA wants a more complete picture of how maintenance intervals are being managed across fleets, particularly where operational factors are being used to adjust task frequencies.

Staying ahead of the regulation

Regulatory change is constant in aerospace. The organisations that manage it well are the ones that build compliance into their daily operations rather than treating it as a periodic exercise.

TrustFlight’s platform, including Centrik for safety and quality management and Tech Log for maintenance and airworthiness records, gives operators the data infrastructure to respond to changes like these with confidence. And through Baines Simmons, TrustFlight’s training and consulting capability, operators can access specialist CAMO management, airworthiness consulting, and regulatory advisory services to ensure their CAME reflects the latest requirements.

If you have questions about how these changes affect your operation, get in touch.

CAP 2153 Third Edition (March 2026) is published by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and is available at www.caa.co.uk/CAP2153.

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“Blackaby is a results-driven leader that brings with him extensive experience in aircraft engineering, maintenance, and airworthiness,” said Karl Steeves, CEO, TrustFlight. “We have full confidence that Blackaby can leverage his deep insights to not only support operator requirements, but to lead digital transformation initiatives both internally and for our CAMO customer base. We look forward to continuing the growth of our service under his leadership.”

Prior to joining TrustFlight, Blackaby held lead roles at Gulfstream Aerospace, Monarch Aircraft Engineering, and FLS Aerospace. This experience complements TrustFlight CAMO’s target market of business aviation operators, cargo and scheduled airlines.

An experienced aircraft engineering leader, Blackaby brings over 30+ years of experience in leading engineering and maintenance teams within aviation. At TrustFlight, Blackaby will lead the standardization of AI-driven processes and grow customer confidence through consistent, timely data, a high throughput of services and support, and will seek to leverage automation and technology where possible.

“TrustFlight’s CAMO division is home to many talented individuals and I am looking forward to working closely with them in the coming weeks and months,” said Kevin Blackaby, Head of CAMO, TrustFlight, “Our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of airworthiness and safety is unparalleled. We will continue to lead the industry in providing exceptional CAMO services, ensuring that every aircraft under our management is maintained to the highest standards. I look forward to the opportunity.”

To learn more about TrustFlight’s CAMO division and services, please visit www.trustflight.com/services.

About TrustFlight

TrustFlight is a digital technology innovator that specializes in the aerospace and aviation domain. The company’s best-in-class solutions and services provide an added layer of safety, efficiency, and insight to everyone involved in the operation and maintenance of aircraft. With over 80,000 active users, TrustFlight’s industry-leading suite of solutions include an Electronic Logbook (ELB), Safety and Quality Management System (SMS/QMS), Reliability Analytics software, the innovative MEL Manager, and aviation Technical Services for continuing airworthiness and fleet asset management. Originally founded by two commercial pilots, TrustFlight has grown to become a global firm supporting a wide variety of airlines, airports, regulators, maintenance providers, and business aviation operators around the world. To learn more, visit www.trustflight.com and follow @TrustFlight on LinkedIn and X.

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“We are proud to partner with TrustFlight thanks to their technical expertise, latest technologies and data analytics for the management of aircraft airworthiness. This will provide unparalleled insights into Bonza’s fleet,” said Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza.

TrustFlight, through both our intuitive ETLs and being one of the largest outsourced CAMO service providers worldwide, is uniquely positioned to help airlines like Bonza succeed with their future-focused goals.

The implementation and use of TrustFlight’s services, and digital solutions, means that Bonza will be able to maintain the highest standard of airworthiness, safety and compliance, while operating at some of the lowest costs within the industry. Cost savings like that can subsequently be passed on to travellers in the form of lower fares than the competition.

Want to learn more about how TrustFlight is helping Bonza create a competitive edge in Australian Aviation? Read the full press release.

About Bonza: Australia’s only independent low-cost airline launches passenger service this year to 17 different destinations via 27 unique routes. Most of those routes are not currently operated by any airline, and nearly all of them have never been served by a low-cost carrier.

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