OPM Research Report Details: Overview of the Key Aerospace Websites & Marketplaces Which Facilitate the Trading of Aircraft Parts

eForms Replacing Paper Forms: The Future of Aviation

eThe ever-growing proliferation of aircraft parts globally has created the need for regulatory authorities to allow for a better means of generating, handling and authenticating airworthiness certification documentation in order to better substantiate the pedigree of aircraft parts.

In May 2008, the FAA released Order 8130.21F, which among various other updates to the Order, allowed for the use of Electronic Recordkeeping. This effectively allows for the replacement of paper-based FAA Form 8130-3s (Airworthiness Release Certificates - ARCs) with an “eForm”. EASA and Transport Canada have followed suit and other regulators are expected to in the near future.

We provide a brief overview of this topic, so you will have an understanding of how electronic data and forms may affect your operation in the coming years.

Definition:

eForms
"An eForm/e-form (electronic form) is a computer program version of a paper form. Aside from eliminating the cost of printing, storing, and distributing pre-printed forms, and the wastage of obsolete forms, eForms can be filled out faster because the programming associated with them can automatically format, calculate, look up, and validate information for the user. With digital signatures and routing via e-mail or messaging, approval cycle times can be significantly reduced. With electronic submission of completed forms, you can eliminate the cost of rekeying data and the associated errors. Due to the use of digital signatures which use a digital identify, it is possible to not only protect an eForm from tampering, but, to also authenticate the signor of an eForm – something which paper forms cannot provide."